Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 5:52:00 PM

Hi All, 

For those interested in installing a surveillance system, I installed this system at my Lake Martin house and love it!  The motion alarm immediately sends me a text message with photo and of course it records everything to a dvr that I can view remotely. 

I see it on sell at Amazon for $350.  It has 8 cameras with night vision and 1TB hard drive.  Let me know if you have any questions on installation and setup.  Attached is an alarm text notification photo of a squirrel I received today.

http://www.amazon.com/Defender-Sentinel-Including-Surveillance-21133/dp/B00E8NG0PO/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1420495801&sr=8-11&keywords=defender+security+dvr

Repost from another thread.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 6:09:43 PM

Are the cameras wired or wireless?  Does the system have backup power of some sort in case the wily intruder first lops off the power lines?  I see what appears to be an electrical service box so they would be recorded if taking the power down there.  What type of physical security Is recommended for the DVR?  That would be an important target for the ne'er do well intent on ownership transfer of your prized property.

Andif you don't want to provide the answers on this public forum (burglars can read too!), please email me.  I can provide several references among regular forum posters.  

Name:	wehapa -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 6:23:33 PM

I would like to know this also.

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 6:23:47 PM (updated 1/5/2015 6:25:55 PM)

Good questions.  These are wired and do not have a power backup.  My DVR is hidden and it would take someone a bit of time locating it.  It would be a good question to the investigators as to how many houses had their power shut off prior to breakin.  As mentioned, I get text messages with photos on my iPhone so I've already called the police and neighbors.  There is a link below to this system with more details.  

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 7:55:04 PM

You should have a lock on your eletrical box so no one can just open it and turn off the main power to the house. Any meat in the freezer will become maggot heaven.

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 8:30:16 PM

Good point - going to do that ASAP.  Good news is I'll most likely have pic of the maggot that did it!

Name:	wehapa -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 8:58:00 PM

arent most electrical boxes on the inside?

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 9:12:14 PM (updated 1/5/2015 9:16:41 PM)

Yes, the owners before us added this one and we haven't rewired it yet.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 9:18:42 PM

Look at the pic tat CT posted with the squirrel. See the meter and there is a electrical box below. You willprobably find a breaker inside to the box inside the housee. Also, the larger breakers...a/c water heater are in that box. Suggest you put a small lock on it so no one can turn off your electricity.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 10:02:25 PM

Agree wholeheartedly.  Consider the more sinister possibility of home invasion....the perps shut off the main breaker...no lights, no alarms, so the hapless resident is at the mercy of the intruders who probably do have flashlights....and probably weapons.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 10:07:02 PM

But then the smart perp will just remove the meter....it is only held in place by a no so tough to clip seal.  The perp doesn't care that the homeowner might get in hot water with the power company for possible electricity theft.  Anyone have a solution to that scenario?

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 10:44:42 PM

Try calling the power company and ask about a lock they can install on the meter. I think they install the lock if they find any tampering  with the meter. Understand, I am not an electrician but mearly get my info from Google. 

We used to  camp and would rent a lot for the season. We had a pop up and a screen tent. Bought a used frige and put it in the screen house. One weekend we went to the camp and found that someone had pulled the cord from the elctric box. We had meat in the freezer. LOLLLLLLLLLLLL. Ever try and get rid of a million maggots???  The odor was so bad we dumped it. From then on I have always locked the outside box at the meter.

I also lock the telephone box and cable box. Just makes it harder for anyone trying to mess with your property. 

Hope this helps.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/5/2015 11:30:37 PM

Although it didn't get to the maggot stage, a dead pine tree hidden behind the live vegetation decided to give way during a windstorm.  Thought it was odd when I got there that the power was off and there was a decidedly "off" aroma in the cabin, so went around to the service panel to find that the dead tree had fallen across the lines leading to our cabin and had ripped the meter box AND service panel off the side of the house.  Being an opportunist I replaced the old panel with one capable of handling our new addition as well as the old cabin, but it was still about a $500 hit along with many hours labor.  I guess there is a silver lining in every cloud.

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/6/2015 10:28:05 AM (updated 1/6/2015 11:06:42 AM)

Note too that you can easily view all cameras (8 in my case) live on your iPhone or iPad at any time..  This makes it very convenient when you do receive a photo text alert message. 

Location of cameras is key.  I have 8 cameras spread across my property which has close to 400 feet of shoreline and 3 docks.  I have a camera pointed at each dock and on my gated driveway with one entrance/exit.  These cameras will view over 100ft and 65ft in complete darkness. It is also nice just to see what the weather and water is doing at anytime. 

Anyhow, if you are in the market for a surveillance system - this system at $350 is a good deal.  Although a little harder to install, I prefer wired over wireless.  No worry about batteries going dead and other issues that come with wireless connections. 

Please post pros/cons of others comparable systems to this one in the same price range.

Again, here is the link to this one on Amazon that is currently on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Defender-Sentinel-Including-Surveillance-21133/dp/B00E8NG0PO/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1420495801&sr=8-11&keywords=defender+security+dvr

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	1/22/2015 6:05:01 PM

Update:  The price of this package is back up to $500 now...

Name:	Excape -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	2/8/2015 9:53:48 AM

Can you recommend anyone to instll such a system?  Thanks

Name:	ct -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	2/9/2015 5:55:27 PM

Well, not really as I installed and set everything up myself.  It was not all that difficult just time consuming installing the cameras and wiring.  I am sure there are a lot of capable companies out there if you search around.  I have used Ken Rase "Plumbing & Electrical" services in the past and am certain he can install wiring and cameras for you at a reasonable rate.  After that, it's just software setup and learning the DVR.  Someone on this message board may have recommendations too.  Let me know if you have any setup questions and I will be glad to help if I can...

Name:	Excape -	Reply
Subject:	Video Surveillance System
Date:	2/10/2015 3:55:45 PM

Thanks