Look at the Lorex cameras on Amazon. Everything you might want except really low price. Most security camera systems these days are designed for DIY install. If you can rebuild a Mustang, you can install security cameras.

Josh do your self a favor and install a wired system!  They can be a pain to install but are WAAAAAY less trouble in the long run!  Setting up the wireless can be challenging and keeping them all connected is worse.  I have a friend who works for a  security company and he recommends wired!!
here is the system I have.  ZERO problems!!
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/qsee-8x8-1080p-1tb-hh-wd/prod18670269.ip?navAction=

terry wrote:

Josh do your self a favor and install a wired system!  They can be a pain to install but are WAAAAAY less trouble in the long run!  Setting up the wireless can be challenging and keeping them all connected is worse.  I have a friend who works for a  security company and he recommends wired!!
here is the system I have.  ZERO problems!!
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/qsee-8x8-1080p-1tb-hh-wd/prod18670269.ip?navAction=

Thanks T....... I recall some of the details regarding your set up and recall you showing me the displays.
I'll call you soon and chat with you on the specifics.

the wife installed a camera that is strapped to a tree. it takes pics on a SD card. It works on batteries. It also takes night vision pics.  With that camera, she takes the SD card out one a week and looks at the footage. Its motion activated so it only kicks on when there is motion in front of it. we are able to see if anyone comes down our driveway, and thier license plate, etc. It also rings to an external device inside the house when the motion sensor goes off so that we know someone or something passed in front of that tree in our driveway. no one even knows its there.  I have several others  in the backyard as well.  This is only part of our security system. It doesn't prevent someone from coming onto the property, nor does it provide any real security. it just provides pics of proof someone came onto the property.

MarkinSC wrote:

the wife installed a camera that is strapped to a tree. it takes pics on a SD card. It works on batteries. It also takes night vision pics.  With that camera, she takes the SD card out one a week and looks at the footage. Its motion activated so it only kicks on when there is motion in front of it. we are able to see if anyone comes down our driveway, and thier license plate, etc. It also rings to an external device inside the house when the motion sensor goes off so that we know someone or something passed in front of that tree in our driveway. no one even knows its there.  I have several others  in the backyard as well.  This is only part of our security system. It doesn't prevent someone from coming onto the property, nor does it provide any real security. it just provides pics of proof someone came onto the property.

 I like marks idea even if you were to use a video system. Cameras usually take higher resulation pictures than video, which supports what TKO states below. And as he states its good for night pictures.

THanks all but, I'm only interested in those who have and are using, a camera system. Before I spend money and time installing one, I want to make a well informed decision.  Thanks Hornman, Mark and T for the suggestions.

I have what Mark suggests but isn't feasible at my home. Works well at my deer lease though.

As for weapons.... that's all well and good if you're home when something is happening.........  I simply want to capture what's taking place when we're away or when the dirt rats get active late at night.  A quality videio will help me or Johnny Law ID those who decided to get stupid on my property.  

Additional inputs from those currenlty using a camera system is appreciated...

 

bulletbirdman wrote:

Josh the best place to mount a security camera is on a Rottwiellers head, 

So, then I'd have "full motion video"..............thanks for making me laugh......not sure if a camera  would work well on my Boston......

Al Newman wrote:

Too bad they don't market cameras that look like 50 caliber machine guns with some kind of sound effects if motion activated.

Liked that idea and I of course had to Goolge it, but the stuff I found looks like WWII or earlier stuff, but can probably be modified, digitalized, network connected and made to make a terrible sound with the right audio add on:

http://www.armyflying.com/thornton-pickard-hythe-machine-gun-camera/
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?21900-The-Gun-camera-(Photo-recon-missions)
http://ww2weaponsforum.com/showthread.php?616-Japanese-Machine-Gun-Camera
http://www.armyflying.com/thornton-pickard-hythe-machine-gun-camera/

Sorry for hijacking the thread and taking it far out of the box... but this is what it could look like when JKB is out on an Increasing Security at the JKB Estate Mission using his 1915 Mark III Hythe Machine Gun Camera:

How about a motion acitvated recoding of a couple of vicious , rabid dogs over some well placed loud speakers.
 Getting bit in the A$$ by a Rotwieler is a fairly good deterrant.

Hakan wrote:

Al Newman wrote:

Too bad they don't market cameras that look like 50 caliber machine guns with some kind of sound effects if motion activated.

Liked that idea and I of course had to Goolge it, but the stuff I found looks like WWII or earlier stuff, but can probably be modified, digitalized, network connected and made to make a terrible sound with the right audio add on:

http://www.armyflying.com/thornton-pickard-hythe-machine-gun-camera/
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?21900-The-Gun-camera-(Photo-recon-missions)
http://ww2weaponsforum.com/showthread.php?616-Japanese-Machine-Gun-Camera
http://www.armyflying.com/thornton-pickard-hythe-machine-gun-camera/

Sorry for hijacking the thread and taking it far out of the box... but this is what it could look like when JKB is out on an Increasing Security at the JKB Estate Mission using his 1915 Mark III Hythe Machine Gun Camera:

yep correct proportions 

IP wireless cameras are cheap and reliable and can be installed anywhere indoor or out.  They are easy to setup and can be had w/ motion activation and can take pictures in daylight or in darkness via infrared.  They can be configured to send pictures or video to your email account.  Some also offer two way audio.  If a thief or mischief maker walks thru a door, his picture or video is sent to your email account before he can even make it to the camera (if he sees it).