Need help building system WITH microphone

[mikeTRON]

Long story short we have a creepy neighbor who will yell between 1-4am waking my family up. The problem neighbor is behind our house, where our garages face each other and there is an alley in between. I have been trying to research cameras, NVRs, software as well as mobile viewing of cameras but I am a bit overwhelmed. I would like to capture his movements AND frequent yelling in case I need to provide information to local police. (They have also suggested I install cameras and maybe a taller fence, but mine is already board on board and about 7ft...) I would also like to be able to access the cameras live to see where he is when he is yelling to determine if he is approaching our property. I think I want 24/7 recording and possibly event notifications as well, but 24/7 with a few days of storage should be enough for me to save what is needed in case I need to provide this to authorities.

I am also dissatisfied with my current home network setup, so I was planning on buying the following:

1. Ubiquiti USG
2. Ubiquiti Cloud Key (unless I build a server)
3. Ubiquiti POE switch (likely the 8 port 150w to start and I can add more if necessary down the line)
4. 1 or 2 Ubiquiti APs

Then as far as Security cameras and such I was planning on buying the following:

1. Three (3) UVC-G3-AF cameras to start (and I can add an additional switch and cameras as needed)
2. Ubiquiti NVR
3. Cat6 solid core cable from Monoprice - 1000ft
4. Cat6 solid core connectors from Monoprice

I will run Ethernet to any cameras or APs I install to take advantage of POE.

I have been looking at the Ubiquiti UVC-G3-AF because my company uses them, even though it seems that they are overpriced for what they provide (1080p and lack luster night vision, even with the $80 IR extender) . They provide a fairly easy to use software suite and microphones.

Anyway I would prefer to get 2MP Starlights from Andy (from China) because they are such a good value but I am not sure how to deal with capturing audio and what to do as far as NVR or Server. Ultimately I am not opposed to spending more money on more quality gear but I am not sure where the point of diminishing returns makes the net gain less than the net cost.

Does anyone have suggested readings or ideas for my needs? I am open to any and all suggestions.

 

[mikeTRON]

Oh, I also do NOT have an old PC with an i5/i7 around to re-purpose as a server or NVR. I also have read the FAQ/Wiki which was very helpful but I am still a bit inundated especially with my audio capturing needs.

I am also not opposed to an NVR with POE ports so I can buy a cheaper switch with fewer POE ports for my home networking needs.

 

[mat200]

Oh, I also do NOT have an old PC with an i5/i7 around to re-purpose as a server or NVR. I also have read the FAQ/Wiki which was very helpful but I am still a bit inundated especially with my audio capturing needs.

I am also not opposed to an NVR with POE ports so I can buy a cheaper switch with fewer POE ports for my home networking needs.

Welcome mike,

Dahua OEM cameras with microphones can record audio - it will be included in the video file, so no need to worry about checking the NVR specs.

Re: Audio recording - do double check any potential legal issues, some states can be more problematic. Of course if someone is yelling then they're probably not expecting any privacy for that. ( IANAL )

Remember to feel free to re-read the cliff notes and VPN notes
IPCamTalk WiKi | IP Cam Talk

 

[mikeTRON]

Hey Mat, I recognize you from all the SlickDeals.net posts!

Yeah, I am a bit concerned about audio recording as well, but he is okay yelling loud enough for me to hear foul language when I am inside my home watching an episode of Game of Thrones he can't possibly expect privacy.
Texas Recording Law | Digital Media Law Project

"The law does not cover oral communications when the speakers do not have an "expectation that such communication is not subject to interception under circumstances justifying such expectation." See Texas Crim. Proc. Code § 18.20. Therefore, you may be able to record in-person conversations occurring in a public place, such as a street or a restaurant, without consent."

I read the cliff notes but couldn't find anything in particular about audio or microphones. Can you direct me towards a few?

 

[Aengus4h]

I guess the question you need to get answered tho - how far is the perp from where you'll place the cameras and would they be able to record well enough to make out the yelling?

Are you able to set anything up near your boundary that would be able to better capture the sound?

When I had a nuisance neighbour I had set up a small PC with 2.1 speaker system and snooper pro (snooper.se) app and a high sensitivity mic, which was used to capture sound events and log them, also had a SPL meter which was being logged alongside the snooper mic recordings as evidence of the noise level, but as ever UK lot weren't interested in doing anything. So decided I'd have some fun and set up scripts to react to the triggers and automatically play out responses at increasing levels and duration into the wall the longer their noise went on. Yeah real friendly of me but I'd had enough and was already going to be moving so thought I'd mess with them a little to see how they liked it lol. Great part was I didn't even need to be home and they'd get their ignorant behaviour poked right back at 'em ;-)

 

[mat200]

Hi Mike,

I have not needed one, there's been a few posts here for external microphones - however imho anything which clearly looks like a microphone is more of a potential to have issues vs something which just looks like a camera.

The Dahua OEM 2MP starlight turret models typically have microphones built in, I'd try that first before getting an external microphone.

 

[mikeTRON]

Haha that is great! I have considered buying an air horn and just blasting it for FIVE full seconds every time I wake up from his absurd yelling in the early morning. I also do not understand why/how the neighbors on either side of him do not hear him when he is yelling...

My problem neighbor is actually a ~30 yr old son of the (enabling/denying) home owners. I am fairly certain he does not work and has a substance abuse problem (per the police who have come out multiple times over the past few years). When the weather warms up he is more likely to be outside and yelling foul language...

Anyway, he is not very far from where I would mount cameras (under the soffit near the garage door facing their garage). I would guess less than 50 feet.

 

[Aengus4h]

ahh you'd risk tho that other neighbours would then be raising complaints about you instead, plus early hours you'd likely be in breach of noise limitations? Maybe an auto-response trigger that replays a shotgun being loaded and a wee laser pointer randomly tracking for a few seconds would give him a scare ;-)

Not good tho having someone like that right next door. Only other option maybe ear plugs - there are specialist ones for sleep that still allow you to hear alarm clocks etc, not so great for kids tho I expect not to mention unfair that you'd have to go that route

 

[mikeTRON]

Hmm, I did NOT know that most cameras have built in microphones! I would MUCH rather have camera with an internal mic. When I CTRL+F on "microphone" or "audio" on most of the recommended cameras the search found 0 hits.

 

[mat200]

Hmm, I did NOT know that most cameras have built in microphones! I would MUCH rather have camera with an internal mic. When I CTRL+F on "microphone" or "audio" on most of the recommended cameras the search found 0 hits.

Hi Mike,

Most security cameras do not have microphones - traditionally security cameras in the USA have not had them due to the various wire tap law issues.

Some models do include microphones. Most of the Dahua OEM 2MP starlight turret form factor models seem to have microphones from what I have seen in the specs.

 

[mikeTRON]

Sorry I meant most Dahua starlight turret style models. Thanks for the clarification. I will read the cliff notes again to see if I can find things to align with my needs.

 

[looney2ns]

@mikeTRON
Here is one of many with audio.
https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/14511

 

[mikeTRON]

@mikeTRON
Here is one of many with audio.
https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/14511

Thanks! I cant believe I missed that some of those turrets DO have built in microphones. I am currently leaning towards a few of the follwing to start.
IPC HDW5231R ZE 2MP WDR IR Eyeball Network Camera IPC HDW5231R ZE ,free DHL shipping-in Surveillance Cameras from Security & Protection on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Now I need to figure out what to do as far as a NVR, NAS or Server to capture/store the recordings.

 

[crw030]

Here I have sprinklers, idk if it's allowed but responding to a yeller, thief, or dog dropping logs in the yard might address the behavior at the appropriate time and with little impact to anyone else. Where is @nayr and his beagle-bone integrations!?

 

[mikeTRON]

Here I have sprinklers, idk if it's allowed but responding to a yeller, thief, or dog dropping logs in the yard might address the behavior at the appropriate time and with little impact to anyone else. Where is @nayr and his beagle-bone integrations!?

Haha, well my problem is he usually stands in his yard or in his driveway and acts like a fool. I dont think I could rig a sprinkler to shoot THAT far without getting in trouble... but I'm not opposed to giving it a whirl.