A trend that was in play around here not to long ago was that some wolves dressed in sheeple clothing were knocking on doors, falsely representing themselves as some Christian fellowship org. They would scout out your property, learn your schedule, and return at the optimum time to empty your building. Some folks were victims of home invasion, even 80 year old ladies were being raped. This is in a small beach community with it’s own police department, a very good department at that. The invaders were from the City, preying on a quiet semi-retirement beach community.
In addition to both of us having hand guns and dogs here, I thought I needed a security system, and knowing that a Cops biggest thorn-in-the-side is alarm systems, I decided to go a different route. I’ve had ADT in the past, (in California) but found it to cause more trouble, actually being targeted by kids, so I discontinued the contract.
I looked into wireless surveillance cameras and found that with a scanner and battery operated TV a guy could look inside your camera before he Hit’s your house/office, so the Wired Type was the conclusion I came to.
First I looked for ready to install off the shelf surveillance equipment compatible with Macs and found none. I wanted a system to broadcast on the web, over the phone, on TV and on my G3. Tall order, but that’s what I wanted.
For most something simple may do,
like this , a camera built into a flood light. For others it could be more.
I opted for buying good outdoor equipment, capable in low light or no light situations.
I needed the cameras to reach a distance of 50 feet with the capacity of taking legal profiles, which directed me to 12mm lenses. 4 foot for every MM.
I wanted a wide field, over 90º, 120º if possible, using only three cameras outside, reserving one for indoor use. 4 in total.
As Kelly posted on another thread,
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/8481 I use
security spy software which gives me almost everything I need. What it doesn’t do at this moment is broadcast on the web, but that’s coming. It does email, phone, sound alarms, control your lights, you can watch on CCTV, on your computer monitor,
and you can control it's sencitivity which is OK for now. If anyone would like detailed info, cheaper options, just say the word.
I checked the police departments policy on surveillance cameras and they except all reasonable footage, they would also look on the web to view my property if I asked.
With the economy sliding into the iLoo, crime is expected to increase, it seems that surveillance options are a “Good Thing” and maybe even deductible from your insurance policies.
