IP Cameras and Survelliance

[Tamarin]

I live in a condo complex that has had a string of break-ins recently, and we're looking at the possibility of deploying cameras on our property. Has anyone had any experiences with survelliance cameras, good or bad? I'm looking for brands, models, whatever information you fine folks can provide. Ultimately, we'd be looking at purchasing at least 35-40 cameras and connecting them to a central file repository (NAS or a server), so cost is also a factor.

Thanks,
Tam

[thiggins]

For a network that extensive, I wouldn't mess with consumer grade stuff.
Take a look at Axis' cameras.
http://www.axis.com/

[arias]

When it comes to IP cameras and surveillance, there's only one true solution available that has been around longer than all others.

Axis. Each camera an embedded linux appliance. Cost is not the best, but hardly prohibitive. And they're simply the best.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Intellinet also makes some good biz grade IP cameras. Combined with Go1984 recording software...a nice setup.

[jethro10]

We use axis as well. Plus Panasonic BL-C10, way worse picture, but ok.

For the server we use zoneminder, it's free and installs dead easy on Linux, we have Ubuntu and it's in the repositories built in. Works great as well.

[AlexJ]

the german company MOBOTIX (www.mobotix.com) makes very interesting products, very popular in home automation projects.

Feature wise, they follow the same 'embedded software' logic as AXIS.

Cheers,

Alex.

[paulgref]

mobotix also will not need an outdoor housing and all its cameras are poe unlike axis, where some of their outdoor cameras will need additional power run to them to run the heater/fan. they also do all the encoding and decoding on the camera so it will stream right to your nas without the need of an application server in the mix - and their video management software is free, no licensing