Home security

[JohnnyJazz]

That's good advice. This is a much better unit though. I use this supplier for many things to Thailand ... they package well and deliver so no duty :-)

http://goo.gl/31VlFs

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

How do they deliver ?

I would never buy directly from chinese suppliers, either directly or through platform like Aliexpress or TaoBao.

First because it's not that cheap. I recently checked for ip camera and found out that I can find the same price locally.

Then quality control for these products sold directly to end users is not as strict as QC for professional importers. I sometime buy from chinese supplier but I go through a friend in China who check the goods first before forwarding them to me. It's my experience that a good 30% of them are damaged or defective and need to be replaced.

Edited May 5, 2014 by JohnnyJazz

[VocalNeal]

Cameras dont stop crime and maybe not even help in catching perps.Grills on windows and secure door and alarm is the way to go.Just have escape route incase of fire.

Cameras outside a house work very effective, but you have to make sure they are visible. A burglar who sees some eyes watching him will in most cases choose an easier target.

Louse is correct cameras don't stop burglars. You might get a picture of the guy carrying your 52" TV.

My job is to stop people from entering property and have customers with CCTV who had previously been robbed. Ironically usually by climbing over the wall using the CCTV bracket as a hand hold. But yes you can watch them do it from anywhere in the world!

Edited May 5, 2014 by VocalNeal

[JesseFrank]

Cameras dont stop crime and maybe not even help in catching perps.Grills on windows and secure door and alarm is the way to go.Just have escape route incase of fire.

Cameras outside a house work very effective, but you have to make sure they are visible. A burglar who sees some eyes watching him will in most cases choose an easier target.

Louse is correct cameras don't stop burglars. You might get a picture of the guy carrying your 52" TV.

My job is to stop people from entering property and have customers with CCTV who had previously been robbed. Ironically usually by climbing over the wall using the CCTV bracket as a hand hold. But yes you can watch them do it from anywhere in the world!

My uncle lives in Europe in an average city, though he has CCTV where his neighbors left and right have not.

Both neighbors including some other house in the street have been burglarized over the years, while is house is still burglar free

[GinBoy2]

Cameras dont stop crime and maybe not even help in catching perps.Grills on windows and secure door and alarm is the way to go.Just have escape route incase of fire.

Cameras outside a house work very effective, but you have to make sure they are visible. A burglar who sees some eyes watching him will in most cases choose an easier target.

Louse is correct cameras don't stop burglars. You might get a picture of the guy carrying your 52" TV.

My job is to stop people from entering property and have customers with CCTV who had previously been robbed. Ironically usually by climbing over the wall using the CCTV bracket as a hand hold. But yes you can watch them do it from anywhere in the world!

Totally agree on this. My MO was very very visible cameras and motion activated lights. Pretty sure that the sudden turning on of a halogen light is probably enough to deter the casual Thai burglar. But just remember, nothing is fool(thief)proof, but you do what you can. For those of us in Back of Beyond land, not you city dwellers, the thief is usually one of the local boys out to make a quick buck to buy his yaba and white whisky. The fact that its common knowledge in our village that we have security (probably could be dummy cams) probably also goes a long way towards deterrent

Edited May 5, 2014 by GinBoy2

[JohnnyJazz]

Thanks for your concerned messages, but as said earlier, this thread is a "nerd" thread about technical issues related to video surveillance. If you like to discuss other issues related to home security in Thailand, there is an other thread opened in the general forum :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721580-home-security/

Thank you for your understanding

[JohnnyJazz]

So I bought two ip cameras, one D-Link and one Wansview, a chinese brand that looks like a Foscam.

D-Link is no problem to install, you insert the CD and follow the instruction.

The Wansview is a bit more challenging, instructions are written in chinglish and are more for "techies" who know what they are doing. I had to do a bit of research on the internet to understand the basic concepts and here are some of the answers that I found that are the easier to understand for the non professional like me

- http://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/acessing-your-camera-from-the-internet/

- http://www.tp-link.com/lk/article/?faqid=304

- http://www3.truecorp.co.th/cm/support_category/1104?ln=en

[VocalNeal]

Thanks for your concerned messages, but as said earlier, this thread is a "nerd" thread about technical issues related to video surveillance. If you like to discuss other issues related to home security in Thailand, there is an other thread opened in the general forum :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721580-home-security/

Thank you for your understanding

OK before I go back into my hole I wish to point out that the description "video surveillance" is quite apt. There is a reason it is called surveillance and not video burglary prevention.

[GinBoy2]

So back to being nerdy (God knows I have that in spades!) I think you need to decide what you want. Essentially, at least in my mind, if you want a true surveillance system then cctv is the way to go. It's robust and can be easily and relatively cheaply upgraded or changed. For the more casual system, go for standalone IP cams. My d-link cam does a pretty adequate job, but it's not a true surveillance system

[JohnnyJazz]

So back to being nerdy (God knows I have that in spades!) I think you need to decide what you want. Essentially, at least in my mind, if you want a true surveillance system then cctv is the way to go. It's robust and can be easily and relatively cheaply upgraded or changed. For the more casual system, go for standalone IP cams. My d-link cam does a pretty adequate job, but it's not a true surveillance system

Not everybody agrees with you.

Here is an article from Security Today (complete article here : http://security-today.com/articles/2013/05/23/sales-strategies.aspx )

When approaching new or existing customers, it's not uncommon to encounter resistance to IP surveillance, especially when discussing a choice between IP and traditional analog CCTV. The primary objections? Complexity and price. Yet countering them is often a simple matter of education. To start, educate the customer about the advantages of IP surveillance vs. analog CCTV.

Advantages of Analog CCTV

Simplicity – Analog video has been a universal standard for several decades. Virtually any analog CCTV camera can be plugged into any DVR, regardless of brand. So CCTV literally is as simple as plugging a cable into the camera and into a DVR. Simply point the camera; plug in the cable; power on the DVR. There are many significant limitations to CCTV, but from an installation and learning curve standpoint, CCTV is simple ...

...

Limitations of Analog CCTV

Scalability and Installation Flexibility – ...

Resolution – ...

Cabling – ...

Intelligence – ...

Summing It All Up

It's clear that once a customer is educated on the advantages of IP vs. analog CCTV, objections based on price go away. That leaves simplicity of installation and operation. If a customer application only requires a DVR and a fixed number of cameras, then CCTV wins on simplicity. However, if the customer wants remote access to his live views and recordings, the DVR will need to have an Ethernet port. And with an Ethernet port comes a router, switches, computers, software and mobile apps. The good news is most businesses already have a network and an IT resource at hand. So why be limited to an analog solution when an IP-based solution offers so much more.

[JohnnyJazz]

The last paragraph of the article is more controversial :

In addition, most modern IP surveillance systems have setup wizards, auto discovery and a number of other tools that make installation and configuration simple. And while it may not be quite as simple as "point camera, plug in, power on," that's the direction it's headed.

That's the direction it's headed, maybe, but we are not yet there.

[JohnnyJazz]

HELP NEEDED !!!

So I connect my "china" ip camera to my router, do the set up, check with the software provided by the manufacturer, everything is ok. It works perfectly, I even find the quality of the picture better than with the D-Link.

Then I try to use a third part software like Blue Iris or iSpy and then .... nothing. I do all the set up according to the instruction but can't get any image from the camera. Again, the camera is working, I can get a clear image with the supplier software.

What do I get wrong ?

[thaicookingchef]

Hello,

I just need to see what happens in an office when I am not there and wonder which IP camera I should buy ?

I am worried about the large size of video files, how can they be uploaded live to a server ? And how to do that ? Then I can check these videos from anywhere in the world ?

If I do not want to connect the IP camera to a computer but only to a router, is it possible to also connect a hard disk to the camera to keep a local copy of the video files ? (but if there is not problem to upload 24h/day vidoe to a server I won't need to keep a copy on hard disk).

Thank you for your help.

[pj123]

We installed a CCTV system and alarm system in our house in Pathumthani and my wife feels much more safe when she is on her own in the house.

Feeling safe is just as important as being safe.

An analogue HIK Vision CCTV system was installed by Media Search, http://www.cctvbangkok.com

I normally avoid Chinese stuff but HikVision have a very good reputation for the quality of their cameras and DVRs.

A Risco wireless alarm system was installed by Maxwell, http://www.maxwell.co.th/eng/about.php?m=2. The system uses sensors on all the windows and doors so if a door or window is opened the alarm will go off. I do not like movement sensors as they are unreliable and will only set the alarm off when someone is in the house.

The CCTV system and alarm can be viewed/controlled via an Android or IPhone app.

I would recommend both companies and in particular Maxwell who are very professional.

If we had far more money I would pay for an integrated CCTV/Alarm system but you have to work with your budget. The important thing about the CCTV is that, if the alarm goes off when we are away, we can use the CCTV to verify the alarm. If my wife is woken up at 3am and hears some sound in the garden, a quick look at the monitor in the bedroom and she can be assured that there is nothing amiss.

One more thing, we have decided to disarm the external alarm. We had one false alarm and my wife is not happy about this happening again. If we are at home we will still hear the alarm inside the house. If we are away, we will receive notification by SMS and phone.

Overall, a very good investment and yes I have read all the "expert" opinions on why CCTV/alarms are a waste of money.

[Ashto]

Thanks pj123 for the detailed outline and explanation for your system together links. Really helpful and much appreciated.

[JesseFrank]

A Risco wireless alarm system was installed by Maxwell, http://www.maxwell.co.th/eng/about.php?m=2. The system uses sensors on all the windows and doors so if a door or window is opened the alarm will go off. I do not like movement sensors as they are unreliable and will only set the alarm off when someone is in the house.

There are passive infrared sensors for outdoor, which go off before they reach the door or window.

One more thing, we have decided to disarm the external alarm. We had one false alarm and my wife is not happy about this happening again. If we are at home we will still hear the alarm inside the house. If we are away, we will receive notification by SMS and phone.

Not sure what you mean with external alarm, but if you get false alarm you have either a bad installation or a substandard alarm system. I don't know Macwell, so can't comment on them, but my wireless alarm system from Visonic doesn't give false alarms, and I have several movement sensors outside the house.

Edited June 13, 2014 by JesseFrank

[pj123]

A Risco wireless alarm system was installed by Maxwell, http://www.maxwell.co.th/eng/about.php?m=2. The system uses sensors on all the windows and doors so if a door or window is opened the alarm will go off. I do not like movement sensors as they are unreliable and will only set the alarm off when someone is in the house.

There are passive infrared sensors for outdoor, which go off before they reach the door or window.

One more thing, we have decided to disarm the external alarm. We had one false alarm and my wife is not happy about this happening again. If we are at home we will still hear the alarm inside the house. If we are away, we will receive notification by SMS and phone.

Not sure what you mean with external alarm, but if you get false alarm you have either a bad installation or a substandard alarm system. I don't know Macwell, so can't comment on them, but my wireless alarm system from Visonic doesn't give false alarms, and I have several movement sensors outside the house.

I was not convinced by what I read about outdoor infrared sensors, main concern is false alarms.

Our system has two audible warnings when the alarm is tripped.

1. A loud beep and a recorded voice message which would are loud enough to wake you up.

2. A siren to wake up the whole village. We have disabled the siren.

The false alarm was not due to substandard work. One window with a sensor had not been bolted shut. A few hours after the alarm was set the window swung open and set the alarm off. We were able to use the CCTV app on our Android phones to verify that there was no attempted intrusion and that it was a false alarm. We could also see the village security guards walking around the garden checking for intruders.

[JesseFrank]

A Risco wireless alarm system was installed by Maxwell, http://www.maxwell.co.th/eng/about.php?m=2. The system uses sensors on all the windows and doors so if a door or window is opened the alarm will go off. I do not like movement sensors as they are unreliable and will only set the alarm off when someone is in the house.

There are passive infrared sensors for outdoor, which go off before they reach the door or window.

One more thing, we have decided to disarm the external alarm. We had one false alarm and my wife is not happy about this happening again. If we are at home we will still hear the alarm inside the house. If we are away, we will receive notification by SMS and phone.

Not sure what you mean with external alarm, but if you get false alarm you have either a bad installation or a substandard alarm system. I don't know Macwell, so can't comment on them, but my wireless alarm system from Visonic doesn't give false alarms, and I have several movement sensors outside the house.

I was not convinced by what I read about outdoor infrared sensors, main concern is false alarms.

Our system has two audible warnings when the alarm is tripped.

1. A loud beep and a recorded voice message which would are loud enough to wake you up.

2. A siren to wake up the whole village. We have disabled the siren.

The false alarm was not due to substandard work. One window with a sensor had not been bolted shut. A few hours after the alarm was set the window swung open and set the alarm off. We were able to use the CCTV app on our Android phones to verify that there was no attempted intrusion and that it was a false alarm. We could also see the village security guards walking around the garden checking for intruders.

The 3 PIR outdoor sensors I have from Visonic have so far never given a false alarm, and I've tested them, and they work on a distance from at least 15 meters, so I wouldn't worry to much of that. The ones I have are pet friendly, so a small dog or cat will not trigger the alarm.

[glassdude007]

Put security bars on all your windows and steel screen doors for the doors and make your house a fort when you turn in for the night and when you leave . always keep the steel screen doors locked even when we are at home especially the back one . better safe than sorry , and cameras do nothing don;t waste your money anyway they will wear a mask , and you don't want to catch them , It's like catching a skunk if you get my drift , and they are sooo tense they will hurt you bad if not kill you JUST MAKE A FORT . and Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite lol

I Disagree...In the past houses i have owned all had good security systems installed..

The most usefull tool for me was reviewing my monitor cams and seeing whats happening in front of my home while i am away...now renting in Phuket and crime here on the rise looking to setting up small outdoor surveillance cam just to see who is lurking around my locked gate while i'm away or asleep....anybody know of good store in Phuket to buy some wifi surveillance cams... Cheers

[thaicookingchef]

Hello;

Do you know another shop selling Foscam in Thailand ?

No shop in Bangkok have these IP cameras.

They all sell shiiite Chinese cams but I am thinking that Foscam cost double price for a reason ?

Thank you for your help.

[dharmabm]

Http://WARF.com

[teatree]

Put security bars on all your windows and steel screen doors for the doors and make your house a fort when you turn in for the night and when you leave . always keep the steel screen doors locked even when we are at home especially the back one . better safe than sorry , and cameras do nothing don;t waste your money anyway they will wear a mask , and you don't want to catch them , It's like catching a skunk if you get my drift , and they are sooo tense they will hurt you bad if not kill you JUST MAKE A FORT . and Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite lol

Do you have steel bars in the loft floor? A common entrance point is through the roof and down through the ceiling.