Residential video surveillance system

[Devanmc]

Originally Posted by CRIMPS

Actually, I am researching them right now as well. I was looking at something like this:
Swann

I have read that the CCD optical sensor is better quality than the cheaper CMOS sensors. I have nothing to back that up, though, other than a quick search an comments.

A friend of mine had a number of break-ins in his neighborhood two nights ago. He had a surveillance system and was able to get video of a teenage kid walking up to his front door, looking into the windows, then walking off at 3am. The IR video worked great. He posted the video for the HOA. A suspect was being questioned hours later.
[/hijack]

Sensor quality in a ~420p CCV is going to be less then nice anyways. The type of sensor used wont have much affect for your purposes.

My high-school had 2.5k professional Sony handycams that used Cmos sensors.
Similair(but before HD) to this which uses a Cmos sensor
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-bro...roduct-HVRV1U/

[G G]

Originally Posted by Devanmc

Sensor quality in a ~420p CCV is going to be less then nice anyways. The type of sensor used wont have much affect for your purposes.

My high-school had 2.5k professional Sony handycams that used Cmos sensors.
Similair(but before HD) to this which uses a Cmos sensor
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-bro...roduct-HVRV1U/

I am not knowledgeble about this at all, so what you are saying is in the quality of systems we are talking about there wont be much difference in the resolution of the video, right?

[Devanmc]

Originally Posted by G G

I am not knowledgeble about this at all, so what you are saying is in the quality of systems we are talking about there wont be much difference in the resolution of the video, right?

Correct, Any of the video you receive from these cameras should be high enough quality to get someone in the slammer for what they have done. You may have differences in color balance or clarity but to the extent of being un-viewable is highly unlikely and you would notice during setup and testing. I would go get a mid range system in the prices we have been looking at. An important thing to remember when setting up with be to have some sort of object as a reference in the shot for size. Since a 2D image does not give accurate sizing or distance information, Like cover up 1 eye and look around.

I am no expert either but i have a bit more knowledge then the average bear i like to think.

[CRIMPS]

Originally Posted by Devanmc

Sensor quality in a ~420p CCV is going to be less then nice anyways. The type of sensor used wont have much affect for your purposes.

My high-school had 2.5k professional Sony handycams that used Cmos sensors.
Similair(but before HD) to this which uses a Cmos sensor
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-bro...roduct-HVRV1U/

Thanks for the info, Devan. This is definitely NOT my area of expertise.