D-Link home security cameras.....

[The Annoyed Man]

Anybody have any experience with the D-Link system? I saw a couple of different options on display at Staples (a Bain Capital company ) yesterday. I've been thinking of doing something like this, but I am neither knowledgeable nor handy when it comes to these things, so any system I use has to be cake for a novice DIY guy.

The systems offered at Staples:

• D-Link DCS-932L Wireless N Day/Night Home Network Camera, $99.00

• D-Link DCS-942L Enhanced Wireless N Day/Night Home Network Camera, $149.95

• D-Link DCS-5222L HD Wireless N Pan-Tilt Network Camera, $249.95

The big difference between the third one and the other two is that you can remotely aim the camera and record video from the camera into the cloud. All three systems enable you to monitor whatever the camera is aimed at via iPhone/iPad or Droid Phone/Tablet or laptop/desktop computer.

The thing is, these are prices for ONE camera setup. I want to put up at least two—front and back of house. If somebody has any knowledge about other systems that are user friendly to setup and not too expensive to add a second camera, I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[sjfcontrol]

Well, to jump on your bandwagon, I'm interested in finding some IP cams for the same application. I'm presuming that's what those are -- wireless IP-based systems, that there is no "base station"? In my case, the cams don't have to be wireless, or at least the two for the front and back don't have to be. I would suggest you look into Securityspy for the (Mac) software.

[cheezit]

tam do have verizon. they can set up a system that will let you veiw with a network connection.
also frys, and comp usa have simular options as what you have posted

also I have used an older set up from this place before.
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[The Annoyed Man]

sjfcontrol, these connect to the web via my wireless router. I have Verizon FiOS for almost everything. I'd like of like to spread the business around a bit.

[troglodyte]

I'm not familar with the D-link but I do have security cameras on my house. About all I can contribute is to buy the cameras with the most IR LEDs. My 24 LED cameras work OK for the driveway and back yard (hard surfaces, concrete, fences, dog house and cars) but were not very good on the soft grass of the front yard. I replaced the yard camera with a 36 LED and the night picture was greatly improved.

[jimlongley]

The only problem with the wireless ones is that they share frequencies with all sorts of other wireless devices and that can lead to problems for both the security system and the other systems. I helped a friend install such a system in her house a couple of years ago, not my first experience with security camera systems either wireless or wired, and we could not get any of the cameras to operate reliably for more than a few minutes at a time.

I redid her system as a wired system and she has never had a problem.

BTW, the wireless cameras still require power and changing batteries can be an expensive chore, so most opt for a local power supply, and frequently, as in my friend's case, the nearest power available happened to be adjacent to the computer anyway, so wiring everything back there was no big deal. Of course she has a single story house with a big open attic.

A few years ago I speced, designed, and engineered a set of systems for the Dallas Housing Authority to "protect" their air conditioner compressors. I didn't know it, but I was in competition with a sub-contractor to my company, and they went with his system because it was all wireless where mine had some wired stuff. I was fired from that company because I broke my finger while doing a field survey and put in for Workman's Comp, and it turned out that they were not covered for me to be doing that kind of work. Of course they would never admit it, so I got a nice letter of termination complete with a glowing recommendation.

The system I was competing with? It didn't work very well and was replaced by the design I did, implemented by a different engineer. He actually callled me to see if I would help him set it up - I refused.

[sjfcontrol]

sjfcontrol, these connect to the web via my wireless router. I have Verizon FiOS for almost everything. I'd like of like to spread the business around a bit.

Not sure what that means. I have Uverse -- not quite as snappy as FiOS, but we aren't all as privileged as some. I am certain with secutityspy, and a spare old iMac, I could set up a system to monitor the cams from computers or iPads In house, and out. but there are SO MANY different cams, and they're not exactly cheap. I have prewired locations both at the front door, and back with both cat-5 and coax. I figure they're ripe for POE cams, with perhaps a couple of wireless IP cams for other locations. But picking the right cams, at the right price point, is a problem.

[The Annoyed Man]

sjfcontrol, these connect to the web via my wireless router. I have Verizon FiOS for almost everything. I'd like of like to spread the business around a bit.

Not sure what that means. I have Uverse -- not quite as snappy as FiOS, but we aren't all as privileged as some. I am certain with secutityspy, and a spare old iMac, I could set up a system to monitor the cams from computers or iPads In house, and out. but there are SO MANY different cams, and they're not exactly cheap. I have prewired locations both at the front door, and back with both cat-5 and coax. I figure they're ripe for POE cams, with perhaps a couple of wireless IP cams for other locations. But picking the right cams, at the right price point, is a problem.

Sorry....that part in red was actually addressed to cheezit, who suggested that Verizon sells such a home security service. I already have a pretty good security system that I like (minus the cameras) with another company, and I already spend enough money with Verizon on my TV/Internet/Cellular service. That's what I meant. Sorry about the confusion.

[cheezit]

no joke on them getting enugh of my money too. tv/internet/house phone/ 2 cell phones. I really need to install 3 camera's myself as well and Im not will to give them more money either

[sjfcontrol]

Yep, Uverse has my TV, Internet and three cellphones (two iPhone 4 and a non-smartphone). Landline through Vonage, though. I'd like to dump that totally but SWMBO for some reason won't let me.

[Jumping Frog]

Landline through Vonage, though. I'd like to dump that totally but SWMBO for some reason won't let me.

I thought I was being smart when I switched from AT&T to Vonage for phone service about 7 years ago because my bill dropped from about $55 mo to about $30.

Then about 10 months ago I dropped Vonage and replaced with Magic Jack. Hard to argue with $2 mo.

In our house, 99% of phone time is on cell phones anyway. My teenagers never use the landline.

[sjfcontrol]

Landline through Vonage, though. I'd like to dump that totally but SWMBO for some reason won't let me.

I thought I was being smart when I switched from AT&T to Vonage for phone service about 7 years ago because my bill dropped from about $55 mo to about $30.

Then about 10 months ago I dropped Vonage and replaced with Magic Jack. Hard to argue with $2 mo.

In our house, 99% of phone time is on cell phones anyway. My teenagers never use the landline.

My landline phone bill went from over $100 (caller ID and other features) to $35 when I switched from ATT to Vonage. It dropped from $35 to $17 when I switched to a 300 minute plan from the unlimited one.

By the way it shocks me that the plan's cost is $11.99, but with fees and taxes it comes to $17.19. That's a 43.4% add-on for fees and taxes.

[knotquiteawake]

TAM, were you going to be installing these cameras outdoors? It didn't look like any of them were rated for outdoor use and with the sideways rain we get out here I wouldn't trust a porch/eves to protect them.
I've been looking to do a 2-3 camera setup for my house too. So far I haven't really seen anything affordable that was networkable, tamper proof (so they can't just yank it off the eves or wall), and weather proof. I might have to buy some kind of video capture card for the computer, and run cables out to traditional little "dome" cameras or something like that.

[Keith B]

Anybody have any experience with the D-Link system? I saw a couple of different options on display at Staples (a Bain Capital company ) yesterday. I've been thinking of doing something like this, but I am neither knowledgeable nor handy when it comes to these things, so any system I use has to be cake for a novice DIY guy.

The systems offered at Staples:

• D-Link DCS-932L Wireless N Day/Night Home Network Camera, $99.00

• D-Link DCS-942L Enhanced Wireless N Day/Night Home Network Camera, $149.95

• D-Link DCS-5222L HD Wireless N Pan-Tilt Network Camera, $249.95

The big difference between the third one and the other two is that you can remotely aim the camera and record video from the camera into the cloud. All three systems enable you to monitor whatever the camera is aimed at via iPhone/iPad or Droid Phone/Tablet or laptop/desktop computer.

The thing is, these are prices for ONE camera setup. I want to put up at least two—front and back of house. If somebody has any knowledge about other systems that are user friendly to setup and not too expensive to add a second camera, I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance for the help.

TAM,

I have had a wireless security camera in my driveway for quite a few years. I installed it after my car was broken into in the driveway at 7:30 in the evening while we were at home. A few things to look at:

1. Frame Rate - My old camera was an AirLink101 AICN500W. It had a frame rate of 30fps at 640x480 resolution. I believe the D-link cameras are max 25fps, and may only do 20fps at 640x480. I had to replace my camera with a Trendnet one. It is only 25fps at 640x480, but basically the same body of the camera as the old Airlink so it fit my home-brew weatherproof mounting I had built for the camera to be installed outside. Basically the only difference is the video is not near as smooth at 25fps as it is at 30.

2. Field of view - My old camera had a wider view than the new one, so I don't see near as much of the drive as before. It still covers the main area of concern (drivers door on my car), but would like to have the old field of view back.

3. LUX - The newer camera doesn't seem to have as good a sensitivity at night and the picture is darker. I could adjust the brightness in the software, but then it would be washed out in the daylight. Getting a camera with a lower LUX will be better, but you will pay more. IR cameras also only cover a short distance at night, so not good for covering long walks or full driveways. Best to have a good set of motion activated lights that flood the area and let the camera use that light to illuminate the subject. IR cameras are good for close-up locations like entry ways or porches.

4. Software - I have only once caught someone in my driveway live on camera. All of the other events have been recorded by the software. Some of the software that comes with the camera is decent, but still has some limitations. I recommend software from Blue Iris. It is full-featured and does anything you would want from hosting it's own web server, to FTP'ing videos or still shots on motion detection, to paging/texting/emailing you when you get motion and recording. The support from the author, Ken, is outstanding and he is very responsive to emails. The price is reasonable too. I would just recommend if you run multiple cameras to dedicate a PC too the video. Doesn't need to be a hoss, so even an older retired machine would probably work. Just uses quite a bit of resources if you have multiple cameras running and can slow down other things you do on the PC if a mutli-use machine.

5. PTZ cameras - Unless you think you will want to be able to remotely log in and look around with it, I wouldn't spend the money. That could be handy if you use the alerting function, but I personally have no major need myself.

6. Wireless coverage - Some cameras are limited on range, especially if they have no external antenna. Make sure you have a way to get a gain antenna on the camera or on the router so you have a good signal between them. It is surprising how a couple of walls between the camera and router can cut down your signal.

Anyway, those are a few of the things I have found in my 5 years of having a wireless camera. Mine works well and had captured quite a few kids 'car hopping' late at night (and even in the daytime) looking for open car doors to snoop around in. It even doubles as a wildlife cam

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=DjfZjpGwwew[/youtube]

If you want to talk, drop me a PM with your number and I will call you.

[sjfcontrol]

TAM -- Blue Iris is Windows based. SecuritySpy is Mac based. Though more expensive depending on how many cameras you're controlling.