brasskey

Sorry for the late responses everyone. Don't want to make you all think I wasn't still interested. I should have posted something saying I would be out of pocket for a while. I really do appreciate the help. bike_rider - I can't fine the Vivotek 8832. Is it a current model? I might be missing something but I can't find it on their site or a google search. Also, what about the Axis Q1755-E? It's HD quality. http://www.axis.com/products/cam_q1755e/

Thanks. I'll check out the axis manual on that camera and look at the other two you suggested.

What about the Axis 215 PTZ-E? Would that be a good outdoor camera? http://www.axis.com/products/cam_215e/

Thanks for all the tips. Dogs are not an option as my parents don't want one. What I'd like initially is a good outdoor camera that would detect motion and move with the motion. Also, be able to tie this into to a PVR or video feed. Is there a setup I can do where they are notified when the motion on the camera has been detected (by calling, texting, or emailing) and they could then look on the TV to see if anyone is out there?

Thank you for all the suggestions. They do have door/windows contacts and glass breaks at every location. This was a suspected quick smash and grab burglary (in and out in minutes). Would a fog deterrent system be something worth looking into? Can you point me to some camera suggestions? If I need to go over the budget to get decent cameras, that's fine. I just want to get some plans together.

Yes, they have an alarm system. They do have outside lights (with the driveway on a timer) but none of the lights on the back porch are on a timer. I just threw the price out there. I don't know anything about cameras so I'd just like to get some ideas going. As far at the front door, is truly a must since they break-in through the dark alley and not the front door off the lighted cul-de-sac? Thanks for all the ideas, any suggestions on cameras?

I need some help designing a system. This is for my parents house that just got broken into for the second time in the past few months. I have a small screenshot below showing the house. It is in a cul-de-sac with an alley to the west and an alley to the north. I marked the picture up a little bit to better visualize the setup. Each red dash represents a house door. The front door to the house is on the east side. Blue dashes represent gates, yellow dashes represent garage doors, and white lines represent fence. The previous break-ins have happened from the alley to west where the criminals came up the driveway. The first time, they kicked in the side door to the garage and made their way inside (marked 1). The second time, they went through the southwest gate and broke through the southwest back patio door (marked 2). The driveway has motion lights that cover pretty much all of the driveway. Occasionally they burn out and my parents don't always replace them promptly, so maybe that's something to mention for the camera selection. They generally do not leave any lights around the house on at night (occasionally the front door light), so the cameras will need to be good in the dark. Any help with a setup would be appreciated. I just do not know much about cameras. I would feel comfortable setting everything up, but I just want to make sure I get the right cameras. I know a budget is probably needed as the cameras will just get more expensive as they get better. At this point, I'll say $2000. Below is what I'm thinking for a setup. 1. Camera on southwest corner of house that covers west part of driveway and also the alley. 2. Another camera on southwest corner pointing more east covering east part of driveway, garage doors and southeast gate. 2. Camera at side door to garage where first break-in took place 3. Camera at southwest back patio door where second break-in took place. 4. A couple of cameras to cover northwest back patio doors. 5. Camera at front door.