Question:
I'm considering installing a simple video surveillance system in my
home. A couple of indoor cameras; perhaps an outdoor camera, too. I'd
like to be able to access the video snapshots and/or feeds both on a
local PC and remotely over a broadband connection. I'd prefer to keep
this wireless; I have a Linksys 802.11g router. X10.com has numerous
specials that include their XCam2 system. It's my understanding
that these devices are wireless but require software
(and perhaps hardware?) to be installed on a local PC.
Smarthome.com has a "Veo Observer" IP Color Camera, each camera
providing a feed that would apparently be accessible both locally and
remotely (via port forwarding). Considerably more expensive than the
XCam2, of course, especially to add wireless capability.
I'm just getting started with both video surveillance and home
automation. Is there any relationship and/or integration possible
between the two? Need I be concerned that the camera system I purchase
will not work well with a home automation system I buy later? I like
the feature set of SmartHome's HomeSeer, BTW. I'm tempted to try the XCam2 system and worry about any home
automation integration/incompatibility issues later. Your thoughts, please?
Can you give me advices on how to use Wireless Surveillance Camera System effectively?
Answer:IMHO, you should stay away from the X10 cams. I tried and returned one
because it just didn't work reliably and the quality was poor. I have
two of the VEO cams, one wired and the other wireless and they work well
both locally and over the net. I also have two Panasonic HCM-280's that
are terrific and they have alarm outputs that can be integrated to HA
(that I'm not using).
What I do use with my HA system is a Sanyo four camera server. It has
motion detection, alarm outputs and built in recording functions and can
be used with any type of camera. Using the server, I have a camera by
my front gate that will turn on the lights at night when somebody
approaches. I found the server on ebay and paid about 60% off retail
for a unit that was like new. Except for the wireless VEO, I use cat5 with video baluns to connect my
cameras to either the camera server or to my router.
