I’m home from college for the summer. Today I got up to bring the dogs in and let them out ten minutes later because they couldn’t make up their minds. i went back upstairs and tried to fall back asleep when i realized there were two people in the house i didn’t know and i was home alone. i heard a distant voice ask “did you find anything yet” and a voice RIGHT OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM DOOR reply “no. there’s a bunch of junk up here” (our house has been cluttered pretty heavily since we went through major remodeling) and i realized they were thieves. i pulled the covers up and pretended to be asleep because i thought if they discovered someone was home, they’d be less likely to shoot a sleeping person. a minute later i heard someone ope my bedroom door, gasp, then run down the stairs.
i was so scared i waited until i didn’t hear any noise, called mom’s cell, then called 911 and locked the door because I didn’t hear the door slamming. the 911 operator was pretty snarky and asked me if maybe i just heard the television and didn’t seem to understand why i wouldn’t leave my bedroom, but he sent a cop. apparently the thieves either did;t see anything they liked or were looking for something specific, because they didn’t take anything. the only door i locked was the one i’d let the dogs out with less than ten minutes ago. i didn’t think the lock would’ve been a deterrent, tho, since it’s a french door.
this is the third time we’ve been robbed in this house, but it’s the first time someone’s actually entered our home, and in broad daylight. our generator was stolen from our garage a year ago while we were home, and someone broke into our elderly neighbors house to steal his passport.
so my question is, should i get a security system? my brother’s twelve, and he could just have easily been in this situation. we leave him alone during school breaks all the time. our house is in the lowest crime rate area of town. there’s an old neighbor who’s home all day and one of other neighbors has actually prevented someone from stealing our car. there’s neighborhood watch signs all over our street. but i don’t think our neighbors would have thought these people were thieves because they sounded like the rednecky people who work on power lines near our neighborhood, or do pest control, or clean houses on our street.
i want my parents to get a security system so my brother can be safe when they leave him alone, but they’re hesitant to have security cameras watch us all the time. they also had a security system in another house, but it went off all the time for no reason, except maybe the wind was blowing too hard.
so my question is, is it worth having a security system? and if so, what should i get that won’t be too sensitive or be a vast invasion of my family’s privacy? Sorry my question’s so long, but i wanted to provide some background to our robbery risk.
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I’ve priced a base system (1 camera with infrared capability / 80G DVR / labor) for $1100 w/ a local security company. It jumps up to $2200 for additional cameras and higher-functioning DVR (160G). Can a regular man install this sort of system?
Any and all information is appreciated.
I listened to the Real Deal podcast the other day, and they recommended a Panasonic BL-C131A camera for home video surveillance. But it’s cheap and has great reviews! Is there any reason why it wouldn’t be suitable for use in a business?
It’s for my Uncle’s business, and he had looked into getting a security agency come in. They estimated $8,000 to set up the system! So, again, what could they do that is SOOOO much better than that Panasonic wireless camera?
Here is the camera on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-BL-C131A-Network-Camera-Wireless/dp/B000NVR9SM
Thanks for your help 
If so, what are the names of the programs/systems?
I need to set up a 4 camera system at the workplace. i want it connected to the computer system at work and be able to view it at home as well. what is involved in this and how much is it going to cost?
I have been looking… I know i can get a system at SAM’S for 500 dollars but it only has 4 cameras… i haven’t found one that is reasonable that may have 8+ cameras without paying thousands… I am visually impaired and we’ve been having some “snoopers” lately and want to beef up the security around the house (visual security with taping capabilities)… if you know of something good AND inexpensive, please tell me…
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OK so I bought a wireless surveillance system with 4 cameras. i also have a wireless router laying around (D-Link). What do I need to do to pick up the camera signals on my wireless router so I can view them on the computer?
Any advice on any low cost home security? wireless cameras, motion detectors (that my dogs won’t set off) etc (
I watch a lot of “To Catch a Thief” but the stuff on their is expensive)
I’m planning on installing a “stealth” high definition video surveillance system with about 50GB of storage.
Planning on having two monitors and 3 small cameras that would be hard to detect.
How much would such a system cost?
Not planning on having it connected to computer. Strictly a home system.