Best cameras for my location?

[HalfMoon]

If this is in the wrong subforum, please excuse me.

Hi, first off I want to thank everyone that has posted some very awesome information in the forums. I have been reading and trying to absorb as much as possible. I know that there is too much that I don't know, so I am looking for some advise as I put together my cameras.

Initially I thought more MP is better and bought a couple HikVision 4MP bullets to test out, only to find the night images were pretty bad. Then I found this forum and saw all of the very impressive starlight images and realized that I most likely don't need more than the 2MP cameras.

Anyway, here is an older google image of my home (ignore the back yard we were in the drought and I let the yard go). I have some kind of sketchy neighbors that are renters in the area and want to keep an eye on what is going on, or catch something that may happen. I have roughly marked the areas that I think I would use for cameras, mounted about 9-10 feet high. Again, I know just enough to know that I don't have a clue and I am guessing here.

Red dots are IPC-HDW5231R-Z pointed away from each other.
Blue dots are SD59225U-HNI PTZ

I have debated about putting two cameras in the driveway, one where the blue dot is and another on the right corner of the house, near where the truck is parked.

Anyway, I am looking for any and all advice about placement and cameras to use and appreciate all feedback.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[looney2ns]

Welcome.
You want to not only know what happened, but who did it. So use this: Camera Calculator / Design Software to help with your placement decision. Keep PPF>100 or higher.

Don't mount cams higher than 8ft off the ground, any higher and you are just looking the tops of heads, not faces.

Highly recommended that you get a couple of cams, and build a temporary test rig with a 2x4, 5gal bucket, and some rocks to mount a cam on and try out spots you think you may want a cam. Leave 24hrs, so you see how it does at the spot in daylight and dark.

The IPC-HDW5231R-Z are really hard to beat. You could improve the nightvision of the HIK's, by adding more IR lighting.
More megapixels aren't the holy grail the manufacturers would have you believe.

 

[HalfMoon]

Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated.. I have seen your posts in the forum and have gotten some good info from them.

Man, using that calculator it's hard to keep the PPF over 100 for any range w/o narrowing the field of view by quite a bit...

I happen to have an extra 7' 4x4 pressure treated post from a project, so I will try to get a couple cameras and give it a go before buying in bulk.

I was thinking about the IR lighting and had one of the 12 LED 850nm illuminators delivered today to try out.

 

[looney2ns]

Man, using that calculator it's hard to keep the PPF over 100 for any range w/o narrowing the field of view by quite a bit...

Yep, surprised me too the first time I played with it, what it takes to get good ID's.

 

[mat200]

I would have a couple of cameras covering your driveway / cars / entrance.

Remember, if you don't catch a good video of a suspect doing something it may just be considered circumstantial evidence.

example - camera caught drugged out drug den visitor driving their car out of the back parking lot, I heard a loud crash, cell video'ed car leaving the front of the property. Suspect hit the gas pipe in the next building - almost hitting the main gas pipe. Those in the building were without gas for a day before the gas co could come and repair.

Police showed up, showed them the damage to the gas pipe, damaged car, told them I had video of them leaving the parking lot, and video of them leaving the property.

All this amounted to as circumstantial evidence... and no consequences.

Had I had a security camera covering the driveway, well this would be a different story.

THUS - definitely make certain your cars and driveway are covered.

I have debated about putting two cameras in the driveway, one where the blue dot is and another on the right corner of the house, near where the truck is parked.