We installed around 18/20yrs ago as well.
Went with Geovision Card in the computer.
Did not realise just how top end it was at the time and still dont use lot functions...
Would do so again.
As
to hard wire and wireless, geovison supports both had both.. no end
troule with wireless, hard wire way to go...And a APC UPS system for
power cuts etc.
Remote monitoring app IP Cam Veiwer Pro
When set up was told to think about best ID of a person, rather than just see someone at the door or boat.
Could not afford the expensive auto follow/ zoom cameras
So
advice was get the right focal length camera for the distance (fixed
zoom) .. ie up the drive was a 12mm... covering front and back 6mm and
the boat 8mm
We also use it in nesting boxes to monitor/ record breeding kakariki parrots.
Come
hand on several occasions over the yrs.. 1st was a courier who reconed
dropped off a parcel and no one home...That was interesting, didnt tell
them we had cctv.. when they got a bit 'resistant' then sent coverage of
times and stuff... guy didnt even come down the bottom of the long
driveway.
Then guy down the road got broken into, collection of
watches and stuff. We caught a group ppl casing around that time our
place but think saw the cctv signs, then going to neighbours.. Police
sorted as knew who the where.
Had a attempted break in.. same maybe cant read signs or see red glow of cameras at night ?
And another guy broken into the big horn taking the reversing screen. same
Keep in mind these are 'turn of the century basic $180/ $200 cameras
Like
RC above, lots functions.. can count for instance ppl going in or out
of a lift or door... number plate recognition..then hook upto electric
gates...same with face recognition.. If had cameras that move , would
follow a selected item , even from camera to camera.
Auto notifications...
Open
a few ports on the router and the IP Cam Veiwer Pro app meant can do
anything one couple on the computer from anywhere in the world.
Also even thi the Geovision computer card is around 20yrs old, its still current and its just the firmware thats been updated.
4
cameras, cabling, power packs to run cameras, gevision card, and a
dedicated hard drive (not needed) to capture to, plus a remote hard
drive for backup came to around $1200 to 1300 back then.
The std 3mm camera on basic set ups are only good for close up places directly above a cash register, any further and cover too wide an area to have reference to any useful ID info.
Thing would have changes in hardware and cameras over that time, but the basics.. position and focal length (zoom) remain the same.
PS Some brand cameras can dismantle easy and change the inside lens to swap fixed focal lengths