Ultimate noob looking for a primer to get me started

[VerumSeeker 0]

I saw some systems at Costco recently and thought... hmmm. This might be interesting/useful. Google search brought me here. So. Here I am.

I am looking for the true "Intro to surveillance systems - 2013 edition" starter material. What do I need to pay attention to? What is pure marketing hype?

Is there a presentation somewhere that walks a newbie through the basics and then introduces the next level of discussion?

 

I looked at the FAQ topics on this site, but they seem... well... dated.

 

How can I get up-to-speed as quickly as possible?

[yakky 0]

Its mostly trial by fire. The majority of new blood here starts with either a no-name ebay unit or one of the entry level brands like Night Owl, Zmodo, Qsee, etc. You've wisely pondered the store brand kits are a good value. IMO they are much like a value priced pre-built computer from the store. Not really good at anything, but just gets the job done. You are much better served if you roll your own system. Your budget will be the biggest issue along with how many cameras you need. Then your next for in the road is analog or digital. Analog is the value leader right now, but digital is getting much cheaper, though camera selection isn't nearly as good (in the budget realm).

 

Let us know your budget and what features you really need. Also will you be installing this yourself?

[VerumSeeker 0]

Thank you for responding.

 

I need 7 cameras. Would like to have images that are 720p.

 

Would like to buy from Costco as their warranty policy is beyond compare. However, I recognize that this introduces limits. The limits may or may not be acceptable to me once I know more about advantages and disadvantages of various systems. I do not need to read a license plate from space and I am not planning to create a theatrical release with footage, but I respect and appreciate quality. (I build my own computers for the reason that you allude to in your example).

 

Have a spare PC that I would like to use as the central base unit (obviously it would need a card of some kind--is this even possible? Is it advisable?).

 

Think that I would prefer for the wiring to be Ethernet cable rather than coax. Partly because a I have some already and partly because it seems like a system that is Ethernet based is more flexible/useful. Probably should also research whether a wifi solution is possible / advisable (although it seems a tiny bit weird to use security and wifi in the same paragraph).

 

Would like to stay under $1200, but that is not a hard ceiling (just requires more explaining to my household CFO).

 

Probably end up doing the install myself. I am not at all opposed to hiring somebody but am very particular about who I have work at my home. I do not currently have anybody in my network that does this kind of work. Can check with friends, but am reluctant to just open the Yellow pages and start calling vendors. And while I understand that some level of expertise is worth paying for, I do not want to overpay for a supposed expert.