Ok Will play around with bi settings tonight.
But do you guys think it can handle 8-9 cameras 24/7 nothing more than 2mp?
But do you guys think it can handle 8-9 cameras 24/7 nothing more than 2mp?
Help choosing cameras and system from a recent burglary victim
- Thread starter catchthatguy
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Your machine is pretty old. Your worst case is buying a modern i5/mboard/ram package for $~400 and use you case and power supply. That upgrade would break your window liscense, Afaik. So add another $100. Or you can buy and NVR and then learn out you really want a BI machine and then spend $500.
Drives are a "wash" between choices.
The BI phone app is great too, atleast on iPhone. UI3 is a great web interface. Lots of good stuff for almost free.
I would not add 8-9 cameras initially. You will learn a lot adding 3-4 and your old system will handle that system.
Thanks...it seems like the first quote I got, the guy marked up all the hardware by 150% and charged me another couple K for installation labor.
Anyone has any idea whether thats the market price? I am really leaning towards hiring people to run cables but I dont even know where to find these people (the ones who run ethernet all want the whole job instead of just installation, understandably given the markup on hardware)
ok...Just tried the BI optimization step on my old i5-2400. It's not going to make it. Didn't help much. Then I ran it on my new i5-8400, that looks like it can handle quite a few more cameras. I do really like the BI interface and I know I would want this over a NVR (the person who said that is right. anyone who builds his own PC always prefers flexibilty as building PC is no longer cheaper than buying from Dell). Still have the dilemma of running cables. Looks like I need to look for someone to run cables for me.
fenderman
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- Mar 9, 2014
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that is because you failed to read my post that specified the issue with the demo mode and likely also failed to properly setup blue iris. That system can EASILY handle 9x1080p cameras at 15fps. Only a fool would build a pc at double the cost of a slightly used model on ebay. No "flexibility" is worth almost double the cost.
If that is the case, it would be great. I would love to save some money. I read the cliff notes and followed every step. But since I wasn't even recording but just streaming, I thought the lack of direct write function wouldn't have mattered. I probably should just go with BI with this machine as a start. If it doesn't handle it, then I will get another pc. No downside in that. Now I need to find someone to run cables.
fenderman
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United Security Products is the largest producer of pressure matts. These are placed under mats and rugs. They can be connected to a z-wave network with a dry contact capable z-wave device like the Ecolink door and window sensor (which is designed to be repurposed as a dry contract sensor)
Guard Dog barking MP3 is $1 on amazon. How you play it is going to depend on the home automation you have. A clever implementation would be to make the "dog" respond to doorbell activation when the house is in away mode. The impression should be that the dog is behind a gate that is not right next to the most likely points of entry.
I like running roomba to simulate occupancy. I have wood floors and when upstairs roomba runs it sounds like someone moving around in the house. Roomba can be both started and returned to the dock from most home automation hubs.
TV audio that can be heard softly outside is convincing. There are also inexpensive TV simulators that can be projected onto translucent blinds (amazon).
It's all about creating the impression that someone is home but not answering the door. I think a "No Solicitors" sign next to the doorbell helps create the impression that the homeowner doesn't want to be disturbed.
It's important that a thief can't get a good evaluation of the inside of the house by looking through the windows. Mostly subtle but clear indications of occupancy is the goal. Answering a video doorbell remotely is ideal but not always reliable.
I like nextdoor.com to find small local contractors. Who your neighbors use is usually the best source of information. I don't find Yelp and similar particularly worthwhile anymore.
After my recent breakin, I am hesitant to hire guys from a site. I am a bit paranoid now.
So I read that as a start, I should get a varifocal camera to figure out what cameras I need. Is that right? Or is it possible to skip that with rule of thumb? Again, I am not trying to cover every inch around my house, just enough to be comfortable
Given the small cost difference, is there a reason I don't use varifocal camera instead of fixed length? Does varifocal dahua on the cliff notes page automatically adjust focal length based on motion or is it just for me to manually adjust (less useful)?
fenderman
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- Mar 9, 2014
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You adjust it manually from the camera web interface during the install - very useful. Its worth the extra cost.
thanks. so I am planning camera placement. My neighbors' houses are not that far from mine (in fact quite close) so I am sensitive to the privacy issue. How do you place cameras to catch people coming to the back down from the side of the house w/o basically recording your neighbors' houses 24/7?
I had a similar issue. One of the cameras could survey their back yard if I hadn't fine-tuned the angle. They were very concerned about their privacy, but when I showed them the picture stopped at the fence they were happy. The best thing to do is talk to your neighbors and keep them informed every step.
The issue is the side of my house to the side of their house is like maybe 15-20 feet. It's very difficult to "watch" my side w/o capturing theirs. They were already concerned with me putting in motion activated flood lights. I will certainly speak to them