Thread: Do you use a security camera?

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well, I'm getting ready to get all geared up and start putting out my Halloween display and about this time every year I debate whether or not to get an IR camera or two to protect my investment. I don't live in a bad neighborhood or anything but you never know, right?

Does anyone out there have any experiences, either good or bad, with security systems or cameras they want to share? Do you think a security camera would actually help catch a vandal in a suburban town? And for many of us out there who don't have one, would you feel better having one or do you think it would just be too much trouble?

I really dont think a security camera would do you much good unless you got very lucky. Odds are you get an image of someone but would not be able to ID them. I have never had problem, but the day I do I will be using a Picoboo 105 controller set up to trigger lights and sound when activated. It just seem to me that having half a dozen lights come on and a sound of your choosing come out of nowhere would be pretty effective.

I use an IR security camera at night in conjunction with security lights that come on when someone enters the yard. This year I'm adding a game camera that has flash and/or IR illumination for high-quality stills.

Oh, and be sure to advertise that you're using video or other photo surveillance. Just wondering where the cameras are and how many there might be could be a good enough deterrent.

We live in a gated community, so the odds of non-residents running amuck are reduced. If someone messes up my stuff, they almost certainly live in my neighborhood, and there's a good chance that someone else will rat them out.

The first year we put out our Halloween display we had a few items taken. No big deal.
Then it happened again. Just small stuff, but it was annoying. Then we had a 6 foot lighthouse taken. That was it! We'd had enough. We installed 4 outdoor cameras with night vision. Halloween came and went without any problems.
Christmas came and sure enough a group of teenage girls took a lighted custom made sign.
But this time the cameras caught them in the act. We had them on tape. We filed a police report and the local news got a hold of it and we shared the video with them. They aired it, and about a week later the police called and they had part of the stolen items and the theives had to pay restitution for the other part they could not locate.

Everyone is well aware that we have cameras now and that they are being watched. The entire neighborhood watches out for our displays now and the cameras have paid for themselves.
I would highly recommend a camera system. We purchased ours from EZ Pro. We live in a housing development that is about 8 years old with a very low crime rate. It can happen anywhere.

I have been looking at cameras for the past two years but I can't seem to make up my mind..The big problem is that when it comes halloween or xmas I attend to buy on but then for the cost I say heck I can buy a new prop and then I don't buy it.. I do have one in mind on Amazon called Q-See QSC48030 with High Resolution but still haven't bought it. Well on the prop thing I bought this year a Light-O-Rama to do my lights and sound and I hope its worth it.

Thanks,
Brian

I'm expanding my haunt out to an un-gated part of my front yard for the first time this year. Some of my neighbors on a cross street had several inflatables stolen two years ago so I'm seriously considering this Swann 2.4Ghz Wireless Color Twin Security Camera Pack With Remote Control and Night Vision - SW-P-WOC2 at The Home Depot I'm wondering if the outter haunt will draw unwanted attention to the better props inside my gate?

Cameras are great! Once you take a video tape of some lil puke in your yard and show it to the parents and threaten to take it to the PD if any problems happen in the area magically the issues stop and everyone knows you have them.Always have 1 out of site just for a little suprise.

Thanks for all the good advice everyone! I've been doing a little research and I still need some advice on some things before I make my purchase. It's a big buy for me so I definatly want to make sure I don't buy the wrong thing.

1. as far as I can figure out you only need a camera, power supply, cable and dvr, right? And these can be purchased separately and are interchangeable between brands? It seems I can save some money by buying the least expensive dvr and 1 or 2 good cameras seperately rather than buying a 2 camera kit.

2. What quality camera do you use that you would think would be able to identify vandals? I've been looking at the 480 lines of resolution with 48 ir led's. Is this enough, is it overkill for a yard haunt 70 feet deep?

Thanks for you help

Originally Posted by Gothikim

We live in a gated community, so the odds of non-residents running amuck are reduced. If someone messes up my stuff, they almost certainly live in my neighborhood, and there's a good chance that someone else will rat them out.

same with me

Yes I do use security cameras.

There are TONS of choices but I think I've narrowed it down to the best choices but its not cheap.

For your sanity's sake, do NOT buy wireless cameras. Its hit and miss at best. Go with wired.

Best website is coastalvideosecurity.com

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Its also great for seeing trick or treaters at the door so you aren't glued to a window.

I have 8 total running in a DVR system tied to the internet.

Here is an example from last year