Thread: Monitoring ToTs with security camera system

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I was browsing through harborfreight.com and came across this plug-n-play security camera system on sale.
http://www.harborfreight.com/weather...ion-95914.html



I'm thinking of placing the camera at the front door and feeding the video and audio to a TV in the living room during my Halloween party so I (and the guests) can see the ToTs (and their reactions) when they come to the door.
The problem is the quality of the camera is listed as only 300 pixels, so I'd probably have to use a small computer monitor.

Anyone use a security camera system in this way to monitor ToTs?

Last year was our first year at the monitoring thing. Hubby and I have two Flip Video camcorders so I had them hanging in two sections of the haunt. I thought they were great for several reasons. One, I had 4 hours of extra footage for my yearly video. Second, great insight for me on what works and what doesn't. Finally, a bit of protection in case something bad were to happen. Then I've got some documentation.

I'd be very interested in what you are looking at because it sounds cheap and easy

That actually is a great idea, that way you can actually see when they're coming up (would be able to give a good indication on whether to scare badly or not), documentation if something were to happen, footage to laugh at later, etc. ...and the added security is a nice bonus.

I've been running a camera similar to that one for about the last 5 years on Halloween. Not really for security, but just to have all the action in the yard on video so I can watch it throughout the year and catch some things I missed on the big night.
I use a plug and play camera I bought from BJ's Warehouse Club. It's color, but when the IR kicks in, it's black and white. It's got 330 TV lines and give a really good picture.

Originally Posted by DaveintheGrave

I've been running a camera similar to that one for about the last 5 years on Halloween. Not really for security, but just to have all the action in the yard on video so I can watch it throughout the year and catch some things I missed on the big night.
I use a plug and play camera I bought from BJ's Warehouse Club. It's color, but when the IR kicks in, it's black and white. It's got 330 TV lines and give a really good picture.

It sounds similar to this camera. What size TV do you watch it on?

I think it's about a 27 inch TV.
The picture my camera gives is pretty good to me, but I've slowly upgraded to this color camera form cheapo black and white ones so each year my videos improve. LOL
I really need to make a motorized panner for it, then I'd get more of the action.

sometimes in the past i have had a couple of video cameras running, but i think a security camera would be wonderful. especially one for outside. for the price though i kind of have shyed away because i have no camera jive. i went in radio shack and inquired about one that had 3 or 4 wireless [indoors outdoors] cameras, but he was vague on how to set them up. he said you just plug something into your tv. but how and where i didn't understand so he got short with me so i couldn't see spending the money when i was clueless. a lot of hunters around here, they have motion sensor cameras. they turn on and tape for so long to catch deer in the area. anyone know if this is something that could work? i don't have a clue about ir's or what 300 or 330 pixals mean. sounds like it could be a can of worms

You might want to be careful with this. Washington is a "two party state" which means that BOTH people must know that their conversations are being listened to. Video is ok, but not sound. You don't want to be sued for illegally listening in on people's conversations. Rare, but it could happen.

you might want to consider using it to make sure dumb a** people dont steal the prop as well.? its a thought.

In WA, will a sign cover it? On the busses I ride to work, it says video and/or audio recording may be used for your safety.