Any recommendations for a simple CCTV and alarm system to fit?

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello all..

I have been considering CCTV for a while. We have had a few break ins recently, so it's time to actually do it!

I'd like to try and do it myself, so I'm looking for a pretty simple CCTV system and perhaps an alarm.

Any suggestions chaps?

 

[stevethesparks]

I quite like these people for the cctv

UNV IP Kits, UNV Camera Kits | by DDS (Digital Direct Security)

UniView IP CCTV kits range from 2MP (1080P) up to 8MP (4K). These ip camera kits are only available to trade customers, contact our sales team to learn more

www.digitaldirectsecurity.co.uk

As regarding alarms, I personally would always for for a hard wired system and favour Texecom gear.

Texecom Premier Elite Alarms | Alert Electrical

Buy Texecom Premier Elite alarms at Alert Electrical. Huge range of security alarms available. Free UK delivery*.

www.alertelectrical.com

 

[Electro-tech]

Hello all..

I have been considering CCTV for a while. We have had a few break ins recently, so it's time to actually do it!

I'd like to try and do it myself, so I'm looking for a pretty simple CCTV system and perhaps an alarm.

Any suggestions chaps?

I have used this company for a number of years & have found good customer service & support.CCTV Kits - https://www.hdcctv.co.uk/collections/cctv-kits

 

[UNG]

I quite like these people for the cctv

UNV IP Kits, UNV Camera Kits | by DDS (Digital Direct Security)

UniView IP CCTV kits range from 2MP (1080P) up to 8MP (4K). These ip camera kits are only available to trade customers, contact our sales team to learn more

www.digitaldirectsecurity.co.uk

As regarding alarms, I personally would always for for a hard wired system and favour Texecom gear.

Texecom Premier Elite Alarms | Alert Electrical

Buy Texecom Premier Elite alarms at Alert Electrical. Huge range of security alarms available. Free UK delivery*.

www.alertelectrical.com

I would agree with the choice of Texecom kit

 

[pc1966]

We have used the Vivotek cameras (wired PoE version) and found they work quite well. Not used their DVR but the 'free' windows software they offer was fairly good (not tried latest versions).

The camera's built-in IR illumination works OK in small rooms but if fairly useless outside unless the targets are close, even then it tends to flare out the person's face, etc. However, modern cameras have quite good light sensitivity and we find they do pretty well without IR illumination if you set them to go down to 1/5s exposure time. Yes, movement is blurry there but maybe in built-up area with street lights it would be fine.

 

[macca136]

I'd recommend the ERA protect system. Wireless alarm with the ability to add CCTV cameras to it. It has a built in SIM card so in the event of the telephone wires being cut or your internet going down, the alarm still functions and will alert you directly on your phone.
Took me under half an hour to fit a system with 4 sensors and no crawling through lofts or lifting floorboards to hide wires.

 

[LukeD]

Texecom ALWAYS gets recommended and rightly so .wired is better BUT its not so easy to add stuff as you want . Recently I purchased a great system (Simplisafe) off ebay for a bargain price .Used but Mint . We want to move within 6 months and did not want to have the hassle of hardwiring and then stripping it out only to do it again in a new house .As it is...its bloody good .Adding anything takes 2 mins .Battery life is amazing . It does the JOB>


lets keep it real.... scum and in and out so fast they dont really care about alarms in most cases . I just want to know the moment it happens .So i can instantly plan things . Like deleting all Apple accounts on stuff and rendering them useless etc . and to come home and deal with the damage .All alarms truly do is tell you you are been robbed .The police dont care , most neighbours dont care !!

Its better to try and convince a thief they should try another house . Good locks and internal noise /movement is the best route I believe . We have the radio on all day and leave lights on .Combined with a Ring door bell , if anyone rings to find out if the house is occupied .I just say I am busy and upstairs working etc .They dont know if I am in or not .

 

[OnlQQker]

Yale 1080P Essentials CCTV System

• 1080p HD resolution provides crisp and detailed footage• 1TB hard drive saves footage for viewing later, or for evidence• 20m night vision for clear identification when it’s dark• Intelligent motion detection triggers a recording when movement is detected• Smartphone notifications will alert...

www.toolstation.com

 

[WallaceP]

Swann for a basic cctv or Hikvision if you want something a bit better.
Go for NVR with IP cameras. As long as the runs are not massive you will only need 1 cat5 from the drive to each camera.
I wouldnt got for the old coax style cameras these days

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I'll have a proper wade through all the recommendations and update if I end up fitting one.

 

[UNG]

Swann for a basic cctv or Hikvision if you want something a bit better.
Go for NVR with IP cameras. As long as the runs are not massive you will only need 1 cat5 from the drive to each camera.
I wouldnt got for the old coax style cameras these days

Would touch Swann there is no UK support if you have a problem

 

[Dartlec]

I had a bad experience with Swann some years ago - their app was terrible for reviewing and extraction of clips. May be better now though.

I installed a Hikvision one about 10 years ago for a client (8 cameras) and it's had only one fail in that time, and still recording happily, so they seem fairly solid - Their app is not the best though for reviewing video, and the NVR setup is still pretty old. They changed their sales pitch a few years ago and now I believe sell Hlook to retail, and in theory only sell the Hikvision to dealers and installers. Always ways round it though.

There are better systems, but if you want a good app and are on a budget, Reolink cameras are worth a look. Just installed one for a family friend (IP NVR and 4 cameras) and have a reolink camera myself, albeit recording to my own NAS software.

First thing you need to decide in any case is how long you want to record for (14 days, 28 days, etc) as that will affect your choice of hard drive, and possibly the cameras.

8MP cameras are better quality if you want number plates etc, but take more space recording.
5MP cameras are generally OK in daylight, but often not great in night vision without assistance (extra IRs or a floodlight)

These days I wouldn't think you want to go below 5MP unless its a camera where the quality makes up for the lack of pixels.

Some of the cameras have much better (colour) night vision, but they are expensive..

So it's a balance between the best cameras and the hardware to cope with the amount of throughput, and lesser cameras but with lower hardware requirements.

 

[pc1966]

Swann for a basic cctv or Hikvision if you want something a bit better.

Probably no issue for here, but remember Hikvision is on the USA naughty list so if you are installing for a client who has USA business customers that might just be an issue.

 

[pc1966]

There are better systems, but if you want a good app and are on a budget, Reolink cameras are worth a look. Just

That is worth knowing. A bit of searching eventually found how owns them:

Is Reolink A Good Brand? - brainyhousing

Our discussion will be brief and to the point. These cameras are excellent. When it comes to entertainment and app functionality, Reolink‘s cameras are among the best on the market. There were, however, some slight delays between notification & live view while using Reolink’s Argus 2 or Argus...

brainyhousing.com

So Chinese but not on the naughty list, a few issues, but overall seems fine

installed one for a family friend (IP NVR and 4 cameras) and have a reolink camera myself, albeit recording to my own NAS software.

What software do you use?
We have been using Vivotek's own stuff (they are Taiwanese, though cameras are made in China) and it is OK, better than we expected in many ways, but Windows-only and latest promises all sorts of cloud-based stuff we do not want to touch.

 

[AJshep]

I have also had bad experiences with Swann. We only fit Hikvision NVR and Poe cameras now and haven't had any problems. I agree with Dartlec though the Hikconect app isn't the best.
If I were fitting at my own house I'd fit these at least you could learn how it works.

Another good brand of CCTV is Dahua not fitted any though.