Fed up with CCTV baloney - here's the Spec. I want

superheat6k

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Not difficult (apparently) problem is we are not all CCTV geeks, so this is the Specification I want to buy ...

1 Budget not more than £500
2 Annual line costs (SIM etc) £50
3 Three cameras 1 fwd, 1 back 1 engine bay
4 Back (rear view) option for reverse view when navigating.
5 Engine bay camera only reqd for local viewing aboard the boat.
6 All cameras able to issue video onboard to an IPad or similar wirelessly.
7 Above required without any form of Internet connectivity.
8 The two external cameras then viewable via an internet link for remote monitoring of the boat when on the home mooring.
9 Access to the internet something not requiring a degree in computer science to set up.
10 Alarm function linked to internal sensor for intruder alert, via SAME link. Link to send text if it detects something.
11 Night viewing a bonus.

Now from what I can ascertain ALL the above can be done but I do not want an array of cameras, just an intelligent system, that does all these things.

I don't want to become a computer geek myself, I just want to have a simple integrated system

Its not rocket science !

So who can offer the, or at least most of, the above ?
 
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I suspect that you (the OP) are going to struggle..... It is undoubtably possible but at the cost of image quality which at the end of the day is all that really matters. I look forward to being proved wrong thou'.

I just want to be able to see behind me to park, in the engine bay to check for 'issues arising', and around the boat when not on board. Not looking for a Hollywood blockbuster, just seems something that should by now be available.

I am sure I wouldn't be the only taker. Sometimes I think the geeks that want us to buy their systems simply forget to ask us what we might actually want.
 
I'm going to respond to the OP tomorrow but the issue is remote access CCTV using non terrestrial internet.

With normal land based internet remote access is a doddle and free given you already have the internet connection. With mobile connections there are a number of issues which make things much harder.

Henry
 
As this thread overlaps the one I started GSM cameras, perhaps Henryf would post his advice for all on the this forum thread. I agree with superheat6k, this is an area I am sure a lot of forumites would be interested in. :)
 
As this thread overlaps the one I started GSM cameras, perhaps Henryf would post his advice for all on the this forum thread. I agree with superheat6k, this is an area I am sure a lot of forumites would be interested in. :)

Henry has provided me a very clear yet concise explanation of what is and isn't possible, and essentially most of my wish list isn't realistically feasible yet. However, for my budget spend I can get a reasonable ship board system, which is my primary requirement.

Can I invite you to provide the explanation kindly given to me on here for others to see.

Thanks again Henry.
 
Obviously it's possible to set up a cctv system on board through a router (which presumably can be powered by 12v, not relying on mains power) so I suppose the issue is access to the router via the internet, but that would require a fixed IP or DDNS. If not connected by shore based broadband connection then it would not be possible.

The only way I can find to have any cctv security is to use a separate GSM (sim) camera which alerts via text & mms, of course you would not be able to dial in & view live footage. Would like to see an expert opinion from Henry, my expertise is very limited. Boats represent a substantial investment by most and for sure owners would want to check everything is ok from time to time.
 
I have a CCTV system aboard that has a motion detection with record and email alert with 2 cameras (you can add another 2) although it is currently running on mains electricity the supply to the equipment is 12volt, 2 amp for the HDD recorder and 1A for the cameras. Records HD resolution.

I have it hooked up to a wireless router so the output can be view on PC/iPad/iPhone etc aboard.
I havnt set up the remote access yet but I think it should be possible using a 3G dongle with the router I have.

Total cost so far is about £300. Plan is to have some relays so that if the shore power is cut it switches over to battery, so can be used when navigating.

I will see if I can set up the remote access when I have time, and will let you know how I get on.

Edit: and the two cameras have some night vision.

image.jpg
 
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Just set up remote access, via a 3 MIFI. Connected to the camera using the app on my iPad.

My router is able to connect to the digital video recorder via Ethernet cable, then via wifi to the internet. added port forwarding from the MIFI to the router and set up DDNS. sounds more complicated than it actually is ;-)
(in basic terms DDNS maps an internet address to your device, even if the device does not have a fixed IP address, the device updates the DDNS service with its current address as it changes)

A set up like mine meets all of your requirements I think. the only additional cost would be the bandwidth for the MIFI each month.

Hope this helps!

Mark
 
I've been asked to sort this out for my parents sealine, as they would like to check up on it every now and again.

The cameras im going to use are the 'foscam' style versions, £30 quid which are PTZ - not bad! My set up will be the same as other posts - netgear router (with a 3g USB dongle) and use a ddns.

easy peasy.

Beauty is that parents will now have Wifi for their gadgets (and mine when i sneak alongside too!!! :) )

I suppose bandwith isnt too much of a problem with 3g if they can get it!


I wonder if there is a market for an all in one 3g camera, at reasonable price???
Will
 
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