CCTV solution - PC based or other?

I've been toying with CCTV for a while now, mainly for peace of mind, but more recently for other reasons.

I need;

Two fixed position, internal cameras, motion sensitive, with or without sound, with or without colour
One "machine" to record the footage
There is no need for remote access but would need to be incorporated into and accessible over my existing network
Budget, say £1k (exc) max

As far as I can see there are two methods that fit my application;

Option 1

1 x Synology CS407 ~ £325.00

1 x Additional Synology licence to run another camera ~ £20.00

2 x Samsung HD753LJ ~ £100.00

2 x IP cameras from this list ~ £140 using the DSC-900

Comes to ~£600 and not only gives me a networked, motion-activated, security system but it means I can retire my ageing file server with the CS407 and add up to two more HDDs of my choice (max 4Tb).

Option 2

1 x Self build a PC - Video recording is CPU intensive, so something fairly meaty, a video capture card from this list and a few of the HDDs from Option 1 ~ £?

1 x OS - Ubuntu ~ Free

1 x CCTV software - ZoneMinder ~ Free

2 x IP cameras from this list ~ £??

It started out as a simple CCTV solution but seeing the possibilities offered by the Synology range, I'm fairly taken with that route. Even more so when I consider I'm going to have to replace the file server at some point in the not too distant future.

Any other ideas to consider?

Thanks in advance :)

Hopefully somebody replies regarding option 2.

Ive had quite a bit of trouble with scum bags and my back yard, would be nice to setup a camera to catch the scum at it ! Also have my pride and joy ( motorcycle ) out the front so want another camera up there. Ide need outdoor cameras whereas your only after indoor so my choice of cam would differ.

Cmon guys replyyyy

I secretly want Option 2 to be the solution too - another chance to build a PC and geek out with some more *nix software.

Option 1 would be better though, given the lack of time I seem to have for anything :(

I had a very brief play with method two, my near complete lack of Linux experience probably caused me to loose more time and hair getting the thing working, I\'m sure it\'s a doddle for those who even have a little experience. At the end, I managed to get two USB web cams running and recording anything that moves, didn\'t record much, turns out the cat sleeps all day.

After seeing what the CS407 can do I\'m quite tempted myself, not just for the camera function.

If your house isn\'t being broken into anytime soon, I suggest you try the first option, dual boot with Ubuntu and try ZM with a web cam to see how that goes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DDY

I had a very brief play with method two, my near complete lack of Linux experience probably caused me to loose more time and hair getting the thing working, I'm sure it's a doddle for those who even have a little experience. At the end, I managed to get two USB web cams running and recording anything that moves, didn't record much, turns out the cat sleeps all day.

After seeing what the CS407 can do I'm quite tempted myself, not just for the camera function.

If your house isn't being broken into anytime soon, I suggest you try the first option, dual boot with Ubuntu and try ZM with a web cam to see how that goes.

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I have Linux experience and I welcome the challenge, but if there's something fit-and-forget that has all the bells and whistles (CS407 and the rest of the range) then I'd happily go for that.

I've downloaded ZM already (already have an ubuntu home server) and am in the process of seeing if my old EyeToy (PS2 game thing) camera works with it, just to see if it can be done. I'll report back if it works sometime over the weekend ;)

What are the legal implications of having CCTV up?
I too would be interested in something, bare in mind tho that to get a prosecution from CCTV the face has to take up 1/3rd of the screen iirc, unless of course you want to use it for your own investigations etc ;)

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documen...ibilities.html

Laws are all there Trig ;)

Bumping this up to get any more input

You probably know this already, but incase you didn't.

There is a cheaper alternative to the CS407, the CS407e. The e version is £90 cheaper at Scan.

I don't know the specification differences between the two (except the colour), but both have the same IP cam security feature.

The CS407e has a 266MHz CPU, 64MB RAM and supports up to 2 IPCams vs the CS407 with 500 MHz, 128MB and 5 IPCams which is why I picked it over the CS407e ;)

That aside, they're identical.

These are my suppliers

Good range, helpful people, good prices.

I've installed several large CCTV systems though it's not my main line of work. I only do it if asked by a regular customer, mostly cos I don't like heights ;)

You may have to register to view their stock but it's worth it, they are a well established supplier.

And no, it's not spamming on my part, I just use them, I won't link my own site..../

How about option 3?
A dedicated PC Surveillance system by installing a hybird capture card (eg: Avermedia NV5000). More professional surveillance software that give you option to connect to both analog and ip camera, you could then purchase much cheaper analog cam and turn them into network cameras. The PC can still serve as file server, video server, torrent download, normal workstation, and you could even reserve spare bandwidth to run folding as well.