Security system ideas wanted

T

TBA

Guest
I'm wondering if anyone can give me some ideas. I have a few floating in my
head, but the problem I'm having is, person who approached me with this
question doesn't want to have to invest big bucks for a short time. Let me
elaborate.

Problem: A person is getting into someone's mail box and going through the
mail. We feel it would be too costly and/or disruptive to have anyone watch.
So, I was asked about a security camera set up.

My idea(s): I'm thinking a system activated by a micro switch when the mail
box is opened, which would be by only 3 people. The mailman, perpetrator and
owner. That way, no "constant" taping or viewing would be required. I'm
running several set ups in my mind, but am really wanting to go with the
switch in the mail box. I may change my mind depending on equipment finally
picked to use.

What to use?: It is only wanted until the perpetrator is caught Probably no
more than a couple weeks - maybe up to a month. A VCR may be used... I
believer the party may already have one. But the camera would probably have
to be bought. Such a waste for a short period of time. OR, is there a place
via mail - that rents equipment? OR any "known" dealers nation wide which
are known to rent equipment of such nature?

Any ideas for this sort of set up? IF this were for long term/permanent use,
there would be no problem. It is just the idea of all the cash outlay for
such a very short period of time.

Thanks in advance!

TBA
 
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> writes:
Problem: A person is getting into someone's mail box and going through the
mail. We feel it would be too costly and/or disruptive to have anyone watch.
So, I was asked about a security camera set up.
....
Any ideas for this sort of set up? IF this were for long term/permanent use,
there would be no problem. It is just the idea of all the cash outlay for
such a very short period of time.
Click to expand...
There are cheap web-cam's with software that grabs pictures every
n seconds and compares each new picture with the last. If there
is no change between the pictures they discard the new picture.
That can give terrific compression if you have a scene where there
aren't leaves fluttering in the wind, etc.
 
Ideas offered thus far sound good. It goes with the presumption that the
mail box owner has a computer at home. If he does, I'm not aware of. I'd
have to ask to be sure. Some people use them at work because they "have" to.
When they go home, they want no parts of them. This person may fall into
that category! He's not much for computers - from the way he talks.

Thanks for the info thus far. I appreciate it.

TBA
 
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> wrote in message
news:VV3md.10939$Ae.5647@newsread1.dllstx09.us.to.verio.net...
Ideas offered thus far sound good. It goes with the presumption that the
mail box owner has a computer at home. If he does, I'm not aware of. I'd
have to ask to be sure. Some people use them at work because they "have"
to.
When they go home, they want no parts of them. This person may fall into
that category! He's not much for computers - from the way he talks.
Click to expand...
x10 types can also be connected to a VCR.

Many wireless cams also have a built in microphone or phono input for audio.
Perhaps you could use the sound channel to transmit the door open signal
using an audio tone? Use it to trigger the VCR by hacking a cheap remote?.
 
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> wrote in message
news:_Xdmd.10967$Ae.2935@newsread1.dllstx09.us.to.verio.net...

It's beginning to look like x10 equipment may be the way to go, but for
such
a short time, the expense is a bit more than was "desired".
Click to expand...
Some places will rent you a video camera.

Perhaps you could just set up a vcr and rented video camera if that garage
you mentioned is close enough.
 
On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:54:04 -0500, "TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM>
wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some ideas. I have a few floating in my
head, but the problem I'm having is, person who approached me with this
question doesn't want to have to invest big bucks for a short time. Let me
elaborate.

Problem: A person is getting into someone's mail box and going through the
mail. We feel it would be too costly and/or disruptive to have anyone watch.
So, I was asked about a security camera set up.

My idea(s): I'm thinking a system activated by a micro switch when the mail
box is opened, which would be by only 3 people. The mailman, perpetrator and
owner. That way, no "constant" taping or viewing would be required. I'm
running several set ups in my mind, but am really wanting to go with the
switch in the mail box. I may change my mind depending on equipment finally
picked to use.

What to use?: It is only wanted until the perpetrator is caught Probably no
more than a couple weeks - maybe up to a month. A VCR may be used... I
believer the party may already have one. But the camera would probably have
to be bought. Such a waste for a short period of time. OR, is there a place
via mail - that rents equipment? OR any "known" dealers nation wide which
are known to rent equipment of such nature?

Any ideas for this sort of set up? IF this were for long term/permanent use,
there would be no problem. It is just the idea of all the cash outlay for
such a very short period of time.

Thanks in advance!

TBA
Click to expand...
Check x10.com frequently ;-) They often have wired b&w cameras (60 ft
cable) with a motion sensor and VCR controller for under $100. The
(wireless) motion sensor triggers the VCR to record for 5 minutes when
motion is detected. The video and audio aren't broadcast quality, but
you can recognize people.

I got two wired cameras and the other "goodies" for $70 a few months
ago - came back from a trip and found grafitti on the back of the
house - and haven't had any activity since installing the camera. Not
sure if the perpetrators were scared off by the camera or by the
police who came by several times - the patorl officer to take a
report, a crime scene unit to make pictures, etc.

Since you didn't specify the distance between the mailbox and the VCR,
it's hard to determine what might work best. Wireless cameras with
the same motion sensor and VCR controller are about $40 more than the
wired ones, but they require AC power within a few feet of the camera
- unless you have a BIG rechargeable battery to provide power. The
wired camera uses a single cable (about the size of inside telephone
wiring) to carry power to the camera and video & audio back to the
VCR.

The wried cameras are black - they have a white version for a few
dollars more.

John
 
I'm not real sure of the distance between the Camera and VCR yet myself.
Depends on where we end up mounting it.
Can do it in a garage nook not far from the mail box OR leave the VCR in the
main part of the house. The camera perhaps in a tree facing the mailbox or
in a crevice under the garage roof, facing the mail box.

It's beginning to look like x10 equipment may be the way to go, but for such
a short time, the expense is a bit more than was "desired". BUT, we'll have
to do what we have to do! Cheaper than paying someone to watch the place.
As to the VCRs, if he doesn't have any on hand and I'd find that hard to
believe, I have about 4 or 5 here laying around.

Thanks for all the tips guys! I do appreciate it.

TBA

"John" <look@sig.net> wrote in message
news:b1lip0hmr1c0s3ai7scnbppvgauv72jpv5@4ax.com...
On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:54:04 -0500, "TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM
wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some ideas. I have a few floating in
my
head, but the problem I'm having is, person who approached me with this
question doesn't want to have to invest big bucks for a short time. Let me
elaborate.

Problem: A person is getting into someone's mail box and going through the
mail. We feel it would be too costly and/or disruptive to have anyone
watch.
So, I was asked about a security camera set up.

My idea(s): I'm thinking a system activated by a micro switch when the
mail
box is opened, which would be by only 3 people. The mailman, perpetrator
and
owner. That way, no "constant" taping or viewing would be required. I'm
running several set ups in my mind, but am really wanting to go with the
switch in the mail box. I may change my mind depending on equipment
finally
picked to use.

What to use?: It is only wanted until the perpetrator is caught Probably
no
more than a couple weeks - maybe up to a month. A VCR may be used... I
believer the party may already have one. But the camera would probably
have
to be bought. Such a waste for a short period of time. OR, is there a
place
via mail - that rents equipment? OR any "known" dealers nation wide which
are known to rent equipment of such nature?

Any ideas for this sort of set up? IF this were for long term/permanent
use,
there would be no problem. It is just the idea of all the cash outlay for
such a very short period of time.

Thanks in advance!

TBA


Check x10.com frequently ;-) They often have wired b&w cameras (60 ft
cable) with a motion sensor and VCR controller for under $100. The
(wireless) motion sensor triggers the VCR to record for 5 minutes when
motion is detected. The video and audio aren't broadcast quality, but
you can recognize people.

I got two wired cameras and the other "goodies" for $70 a few months
ago - came back from a trip and found grafitti on the back of the
house - and haven't had any activity since installing the camera. Not
sure if the perpetrators were scared off by the camera or by the
police who came by several times - the patorl officer to take a
report, a crime scene unit to make pictures, etc.

Since you didn't specify the distance between the mailbox and the VCR,
it's hard to determine what might work best. Wireless cameras with
the same motion sensor and VCR controller are about $40 more than the
wired ones, but they require AC power within a few feet of the camera
- unless you have a BIG rechargeable battery to provide power. The
wired camera uses a single cable (about the size of inside telephone
wiring) to carry power to the camera and video & audio back to the
VCR.

The wried cameras are black - they have a white version for a few
dollars more.

John
Click to expand...
 
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> wrote in message
news:KxXld.9936$Ae.7864@newsread1.dllstx09.us.to.verio.net...
My idea(s): I'm thinking a system activated by a micro switch when the
mail
box is opened, which would be by only 3 people. The mailman, perpetrator
and
owner. That way, no "constant" taping or viewing would be required. I'm
running several set ups in my mind, but am really wanting to go with the
switch in the mail box. I may change my mind depending on equipment
finally
picked to use.
Click to expand...
It's easier than that. It's possible to get wireless web cams for your PC.
Hook one of these up and run recording S/W on your PC. Recording S/W with
motion detection is available - So it starts recording when it detects
motion in the picture and continues to record for a preset time. Usually the
sensitivity is adjustable so that a small amount of motion doesn't trigger
recording.

At least two types of wireless camera systems exist:

1) Systems that use wireless for a point to point link but don't form part
of a network (eg they come with a base station that connects to your PC by
USB or capture card). This type can interfere with wireless LANs on the same
frequency.

http://www.x10.com/key_products/wireless-web-cam.htm (Example not a
recommendation)

2) Systems that look like a LAN device and integrate with a standard
wireless LANs. For this you need a wireless router or similar wireless hub.

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=650
(Example not a recommendation)

The Linksys above appears to operate from a 5V mains adaptor - so it should
be easy to rig up a battery supply if the mail box is some distance away
from a mains supply.

Colin
 
Thanks, I'll start doing some checking.

TBA

"CWatters" <colin.watters@pandoraBOX.be> wrote in message
news:eS4md.24044$Cd3.1219625@phobos.telenet-ops.be...
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> wrote in message
news:VV3md.10939$Ae.5647@newsread1.dllstx09.us.to.verio.net...
Ideas offered thus far sound good. It goes with the presumption that the
mail box owner has a computer at home. If he does, I'm not aware of. I'd
have to ask to be sure. Some people use them at work because they "have"
to.
When they go home, they want no parts of them. This person may fall into
that category! He's not much for computers - from the way he talks.

x10 types can also be connected to a VCR.

Many wireless cams also have a built in microphone or phono input for
audio.
Perhaps you could use the sound channel to transmit the door open signal
using an audio tone? Use it to trigger the VCR by hacking a cheap remote?.
Click to expand...
 
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> writes:
Ideas offered thus far sound good. It goes with the presumption that the
mail box owner has a computer at home. If he does, I'm not aware of. I'd
have to ask to be sure. Some people use them at work because they "have" to.
When they go home, they want no parts of them. This person may fall into
that category! He's not much for computers - from the way he talks.

Thanks for the info thus far. I appreciate it.
Click to expand...
So go to the Salvation Army thrift store, buy a dead vcr,
take the case and duct tape it over the top of the pc case,
tell him it is a vcr, he'll never know the difference :)

From your description YOU are on the hook to provide all the equipment
and do the whole job anyway.

Another option is to get a cheap old 8 or 16 mm movie camera that
has the little button to take one frame and wait for the next button
press. Decades ago I had one of those to use for time-lapse
photography. At a few seconds per frame one roll of film is enough
for a long time.
 
Thanks, hopefully - that will be able to be done. The guy sketched out his
home and I was there once, but about 5 years ago! My memory isn't "that"
good. I had no reason to "remember" it. If the actions take place as I am
told, then it should only take a couple weeks to a month - max to complete
the task. Then once the culprits are caught on tape, present it for further
action. Had this been a "fixed" system, I wouldn't have been inquiring, as
then cost wouldn't have been much of an issue for long term. Just seemed
such a waste for big bucks to do a very short term job.

Thanks again,

TBA

"CWatters" <colin.watters@pandoraBOX.be> wrote in message
news:CUimd.25015$FE2.1172528@phobos.telenet-ops.be...
"TBA" <TBA@GOODOLEUSOFA.COM> wrote in message
news:_Xdmd.10967$Ae.2935@newsread1.dllstx09.us.to.verio.net...

It's beginning to look like x10 equipment may be the way to go, but for
such
a short time, the expense is a bit more than was "desired".

Some places will rent you a video camera.

Perhaps you could just set up a vcr and rented video camera if that garage
you mentioned is close enough.
Click to expand...
 
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