The high price of most commercial CCTV (closed circuit TV) surveillance systems has lead to the development of PC-based software that can turn your computer into a powerful CCTV system. The ability to use standard USB cameras eliminates the need to buy expensive security cameras. If you're willing to do a little work, you can build your own computer for CCTV surveillance that costs pennies on the dollar, without paying for the assistance of a professional.
Your custom-built CCTV system can be configured to your individual specifications and requirements. Even advanced features such as motion detection and online video streaming are possible with modern software.
Instructions
1
Choose the computer you will be using to monitor and record your CCTV feeds. Though the PC should have been built within the last 10 years, it doesn't have to be incredibly new or powerful. A second-hand computer is fine, just make sure it has enough available hard drive space to meet your video recording needs. If you wish to remotely view your cameras, you should connect them to a broadband Internet connection.
2
Find a secure location to install the computer system. You want it to be out of the way and in a location an intruder would be unlikely to notice. If it can easily be seen, someone can simply steal or destroy the computer, and all your evidence would be lost forever. On the other hand, you want the computer to be as close to the location of the cameras as possible, since you will have to run wiring to them.
3
Mount your USB video camera(s). You can use just one camera or as many cameras as your software will support. Regular USB webcams are perfect for surveillance duty. You may use USB extension cables to connect the cameras up to five meters (16.5 feet) from the computer. Beyond that, you will want to consider a USB signal booster to ensure a quality video feed. If you want to have multiple cameras at the end of your USB cord, a USB hub can be used to split the signal.
4
Install your surveillance software. You may choose to buy commercial products such as the Digi-Watcher webcam security package, or use a free or open-source solution such as the Dorgem project available from Sourceforge (see Resources below). When choosing your software, keep your individual needs in mind, such as how many cameras you are using, if you require remote access from another computer and if you need time scheduling functionality. Unless you want to record nonstop video footage, software with a motion-detection feature will keep your system from recording periods of time in which nothing changes, saving valuable hard drive space.
Buy cheap CCTV surveillance systems buy twice
I believe that the more recent companies entering the marketplace, seeing the amount of CCTV that is being installed, are turning to the cheap end of the market, but some established installers are also coming very close to falling foul of ‘cheapest wins’.
Many end users are now also falling into the trap of ‘cheapest is best’. There are some excellent products out there that are not leading brand names, but excellent quality products at reduced prices, and I don’t rule out their place in our industry. But ‘fit for purpose’ must be considered. Under DPA guidelines it states that it must be adequate – for the sake of poor old Dannie Parkes and many others like him who are expected to perform ‘Mission Impossible’ or ‘The Bill’ type miracles on useless CCTV images.
If you care, consider for just one moment how your customer feels. They have had a CCTV system installed by your company with products recommended by you. They have an incident and, due to the poor quality of images from both camera and recorder, the police have said that there is nothing they can do with the images from the new CCTV system.
Do you believe that this is the end of your relationship or an opportunity to go back and up sell them some new kit? Consider now how you felt that last time you were sold something that didn’t work. You ranted at the sales person in the store, making a big show of it and wanted the world in return for their failings. Where is the balance?
Do you agree with Mike? Let us know what you think below.
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