First off the forum has been great and after way too many hours of research I’d like to ask opinions on my home design before purchasing all the gear. Main areas of concern are day/night issues, lenses, and enclosures.

General Info:
I want the cameras to capture quality video day and night with high quality images to identify faces
Budget is under $3000
Annual ambient temperate range is 55-117F
Already pre-wired with Cat5E in select locations


DRIVEWAY
FOV: Capture anyone entering/leaving the front entry way, pulling into the driveway, or front yard area
Lighting: There are 2 motion sensitive coach lights on the garage (dim when no motion, bright when motion), however no street lights exist in the neighborhood

Proposed Solution:
Arecont 3130M placed under the eve on the corner of the roof point towards front entryway
Arecont 4” Dome (sales rep says only works with fixed-focal lenses, not varifocal). The problem with this enclosure is it is 2-axis, and I need a 3-axis if I don’t want a crooked angle.
(2) High quality ½” 4mm lenses (one for color, one for B&W)


FRONT ENTRY
FOV: The front entry is only 4’ wide, I had installed a Cat5E jack in the roof (about 20’ high) during construction. Is there is a special hollow down rod I can use to bring the camera height to 9’?
Lighting: The entry porch is covered and always fairly dark. To save $, I was thinking I could use an indoor IP camera since it is sheltered from weather and close proximity to the target. Bad idea?

Proposed Solution:
Looking at a cheap(er) Axis or self-contained IP bulletcam. Don’t need a lot of resolution (640x480 is fine)


BACKYARD
FOV: I’d like a wide view to keep an eye on as much of the backyard as possible and capture an intruder entering the patio area
Lighting: There is a street light beyond the rear walls that offers some light. Additional lighting is supplied by motion sensitive floodlights.

Proposed Solution:
Arecont 5105 (H.264) placed under the eve on the corner of the roof pointed towards patio
Arecont 4” Dome (sales rep says only works with fixed-focal lenses, not varifocal). The problem with this enclosure is it is 2-axis, and I need a 3-axis if I don’t want a crooked angle.
High quality ½” 4mm or 6mm lens


NVR
LuxRiot Basic
Or
ExacqVisionIP

I'd like the ability to view cameras from a browser, be alerted (email/txt msg) if motion is detected, upload compressed video offsite (FTP server), etc.


More Questions:
1. Reading through the forms, high quality lens recommendations have been Computar, Tamron, and Fujinon. I can’t seem to find a “megapixel, monofocus” lens from these companies in 4mm or 6mm. Is it required the lens says “megapixel”? Any other suggestions for where I can find a high-quality fixed focal lens?
2. I read a thread indicated the Arecont 3130 needed some sort of spacer/shim to install a C-mount lens. Would anyone be able to comment if this is true? I’m not familiar with spacers or where to find them yet.
3. If daytime requires an IR filter and night requires no IR filter, how would this work (or not work) with the Arecont 5Mpix 5105? Special lens?
4. Recommendations for an 3-axis outdoor enclosure for the Arecont’s?

(Pictures are available for camera locations and camera views, but I can't post them yet due to being a new registered user).

Front cam location for Driveway
(Removed)

Rear cam location for Backyard
(Removed)

Lot Plan with 3 camera locations
(Removed)

1. See the chart I have made myself. I spent WEEKS looking for lenses, resolutions, sending dozens of emails to manufacturers.
YES, lenses must be MEGAPIXEL. Not every lense will support 3mpix resolution and you will end up in blurry and foggy images.
You can find these lenses by searching google, just type in lense model number and online shops will come up.
2. Its called CS/C adapter ring if I`m not wrong. They do cost something like 8$.
3.You you are going to use IR illuminators, then you need IR sensitive lense. If you are going to use normal light, then you dont need IR lense.

http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=18379880we5.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=33369025lb6.jpg

Good luck!

Most cameras come with that spacer ring(exrender) for the lens.
What I believe you need is a tri axel camera. That way you can mount it on ceilings or walls at any angle.

Please be aware that while mega pixel cameras will help, facial recognition is really a factor of camera placement.

Second, you'll want to really check the specs on low light ability. Most mega pixels have trouble with low light.

I have that housing sitting on my desk and yes it is a 2-axis mount but you can rotate the camera in the mount so you have the 3rd axis. The housing will do what you want.

If your going with Arecont I highly recommend get the best lenses you can afford. I have the 3130m with Areconts 4mm lenses and I am very disappointed with the day time image. No matter how I adjust the focus I have never been able to get the whole image in focus. Computar, Fujinon, Tamron or Pentax make great lenses.

3130 is a shim not a cs/c..............should have come with the camera and lenses if you purchase together from someone who knows arecont cams.

shims work.......noticable details clear up more. I'm using the 4mm that came with it so I can't compare to other lenses.

take a look at the Axis 209 series...progressive scan maybe gtg? I'm going to buy it and see....it alos supports POE.

The 209 is a very cool camera and it is a lot smaller then it looks in the pics. It will fit in the palm of your hand.

Also it is POE only and it does come with a 1 port midspan

Thanks thewireguys,

I will give it a try