Totally lacking in CCTV knowledge is looking for advice.

[BML 0]

I was looking into installing a CCTV system a few years ago but never took it into a proposal. My primary reason for having one installed is my absolute hatred of thieves that think they have the right to rob and create mayhem by robbery so my primary inclination is not to deter them but to capture sufficient high quality photographic information that will lead to their apprehension and to do that I would like to use discreet cameras which surely must exist. Any information must be held in a safe depositary and must be capable of being able to be reviewed on our TV. I suspect rather than know that I require a camera covering the front of our bungalow preferably opposite our bungalow where there is no power which I suspect means a WFI system because I would prefer not having to dig a trench for power. I will also require a camera to cover the back of the bungalow. As I'm not to be trusted with dealing with electricity recommendations of installers would be helpful.

[tomcctv 187]

Hi most cameras are discreet but if your looking at very small this type of camera is known as covert and can give you problems 

 

wireless is not a good idea …. With having to use proprietary equipment (cameras from only that manufacture) are usually expensive and only have a short life span meaning you have to spend again….. you also still need to get power to camera location …… or go with camera with battery…… but this means charging or replacing battery every few days which also makes the system useless if you go away for a few days or holiday

which country are you in

[BML 0]

Many thanks for your reply. I live in the County of Oxfordshire England. It looks as though I will have to dig a hole next to my bungalow close to an electrical contact, dig another one at our parking place twenty feet away and then find a builder with a device that will push a pipe between the two points above. So, now to start looking. At least an electrical contact there usable for electrically powered vehicles will add to the value of the property.

[tomcctv 187]

2 hours ago, BML said:

Many thanks for your reply. I live in the County of Oxfordshire England. It looks as though I will have to dig a hole next to my bungalow close to an electrical contact, dig another one at our parking place twenty feet away and then find a builder with a device that will push a pipe between the two points above. So, now to start looking. At least an electrical contact there usable for electrically powered vehicles will add to the value of the property.

Hi …. I was down there the other week got customers in wootton Bassett 

 laying cables outside of your property is illegal in the uk … same as putting cameras on a utility pole ….. I know of a company that did that and had a cost of £9k

why do you want some cameras off your property ?

[BML 0]

I have a bungalow sitting on a private service road the other side of which is a parking lock that I own so I should be all right there. I want a camera on the parking lot as it gives an open view of my bungalow covering everything. 

[tomcctv 187]

Hi in Oxford You still need planning permission 

this is because you will be running cables across DNO network

 

but the way around this is phone cable from pole to pole ….. this allows you to power and run cameras on 1 cat5  (like phone cable)

this will also but your camera at a good hight from being messed with …. I cat5 you can run 4 cameras

what is your budget

[BML 0]

I have no idea what the budget will be which Is why I came on the forum. Can phone cable be run underground as I suggested?

[tomcctv 187]

Yes you can run direct burial cat5 in 20mm plastic conduit…… so 25mm wide and 300mm deep

the cat5 will run your cameras as they should be Poe iP cameras (power is run in the cat5 ……..but no mains power can be used 

 

how many cameras are you going to be using

[BML 0]

One at the front and one at the back of the bungalow.

[tomcctv 187]

11 hours ago, BML said:

One at the front and one at the back of the bungalow.

Hi you are best going 4 way 

having a camera pointing from car park area to bungalow across service road will only give you images of the backs of people entering your property adding two to your bungalow covering front door area (with audio) give you face images as well

[BML 0]

That makes me feel absolutely stupid because of course your absolutely right so many thanks. I'm a long retired HR Manager with no skills that could help me either find the appropriate kit or install it although I do use an electrician on a regular basis to add lighting so what next?

[tomcctv 187]

Hi systems now are good for standard electricians ……. Someone with pride in hiding cables

with the right system it is plug and play all your electrician needs to do is crimp rj45 plugs 

4 cam system is crimp 8 rj45 ends ….  Systems setup them self these days 

its knowing your budget 

[BML 0]

So now I need some advice on actual systems and cost. I will look on the forum. Many thanks. 

[BML 0]

So now I need some advice on actual systems and cost. I will look on the forum. Many thanks. Well, I just looked and the first thing I noticed were the words, "Analogue and Digital" and I'm stuffed. 

[tomcctv 187]

Hi. You should be looking at nvr with iP cameras 

but it’s a minefield when looking and not understanding what your looking for 

 

giving a budget is the best place to start

[BML 0]

I just keyed, "nvr with iP cameras" into the Internet and what I saw interested me. Please don't take umbrage but it's no use telling me that I don't understand what I'm looking at or that giving a budget is the best place to start, I know that. Obviously I need professional advice that can create a proposal and cost it but I have no idea where in Oxfordshire I can find such a service although I recognise that it cost me. Maybe someone the forum might tell me.

[tomcctv 187]

Ok sorry thought I could help

nearly 38 years in cctv and knowing the good and the bad would of been help to you 

good luck on your hunt

[BML 0]

You have helped in giving me a sense of direction during which I've already got lost by discovering that there appears no one in my area offering CCTV instillation services. 

[tomcctv 187]

There are a few in Oxford area 

in your earlier post you talked about a good electrician you use 

so going iP will be a simple install for him as it’s all plug and play

the reason for asking your budget is for type of equipment mainly the cameras as they come in resolution sizes 2-3-6- and 8mp … 8 megapixel being 4K 

also you can go with cheap Amazon or eBay systems and pay well over what there worth with no support 

giving a budget can help you 

[BML 0]

Many thanks for the advice, "they come in resolution sizes 2-3-6- and 8mp … 8 megapixel being 4K." Would an electrician understand those terms? I suppose cheeky as it may be I'm looking for a proposal and would be prepared to pay for one.

[BML 0]

Is it possible to send private messages to members of the forum?

[tomcctv 187]

Yes you just click on members name