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I am shopping for a home video camera system and would like to hear from people who have experience with this. I've seen several manufacturers on the market and have read many reviews, but I'd like to have some first hand input from my fellow CHLers.

I would prefer a system that can be remotely logged into, has at least six cameras and maybe even records remotely (meaning I can retrieve the recordings from a server rather than having to record them at home).

Looking forward to your input.

What is your skill level with electronics and cabling?

You can buy the kits offered at Sam's and Fry's or piece one together from parts.

Check out Wm B. Allen Supply on the web, they have all the parts you'll need.

PBratton wrote:What is your skill level with electronics and cabling?

You can buy the kits offered at Sam's and Fry's or piece one together from parts.

Check out Wm B. Allen Supply on the web, they have all the parts you'll need.

Thanks for the tip. I am pretty good with electronics, but there are many variables going into this and I'm pretty green when it comes to video surveillance. I'll probably go with a package deal.

Any tips on good brands or what are the not so good brands?

Costco has some package deals that I have heard good things about.
Hopefully this URL will work.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.a ... lang=en-US

The problem with consumer-level video surveillance equipment, is it's full of cheap imported equipment with dodgy reliability records.

I install professional/hardened camera systems very frequently, and I never recognize any of the names of the brands of these 'consumer kits'.
I sometimes wonder why the known and trusted 'brand name' high end guys don't make a consumer kit with their name on it.
If I ever saw a Pelco or Cohu kit for sale anywhere, I'd grab it immediately.

So, before you buy any specific kit, I highly recommend you try to find customer reviews, or professional reviews of it, or the brand name, somewhere.
I know a few people that bought some no-name equipment, only to have it have crappy image quality, and equipment failures very early into it's life.

This is the main reason that I haven't purchased one myself yet. I can't find any system that I'm satisfied with and confident in, in my price range.

Thanks again for the tips!