Cctv Advice Needed

[Stargazer]

I need to install CCTV at my home as a neighbour has sneakily been stealing from me and I want to display this as a deterrent. Is this something that I can install myself - a female of 73? have mislaid or lost a door key or two lately.

[Stargazer]

Of course I need to change locks as well.

[EDDIE51]

You will need to get someone to install it for you unless you can climb up ladders and drill the fixing holes in your outside wall.

[1ozzy]

If it is only for display/deterrent then "dummy" cameras and a warning label would be a cheap option.

[trt]

Phone your local police station, and tell them what you have told us on here, and they will probably give you information for someone about the CCTV, or look into the problem with your neighbour.

I wouldn't attempt to do it yourself stargazer.

[silliemillie]

Are you saying you think they are coming into your home with the mislaid key?

If so , you can get hidden cameras that just sit on the shelf somewhere (hidden of course) that record fairly cheaply and require no wiring, just to catch them out.

[Buenchico]

A wireless system would be the simplest to install. This would probably meet your needs (unless you need more cameras):
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/lorex-4-channel-wireless-cctv-kit-with-2-cameras-a05uc
although I'd recommend putting a 32Gb card into it (instead of the 8Gb card which comes with it) for a longer recording time:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3434848.htm

[jadyn]

I personally would have issues with using a larger capacity SD Card. Reviewing up to 28 hours of imagery might indeed be feasible for the average person, but a theoretical 112 hours of imagery would be a different matter. Even using fast review facilities, the process may be untenable for many people.

CCTV recordings in this situation needs regular review in order to catch the culprit. It's not the same situation as in a shop for example, where CCTV is checked to observe the behaviour of one or more individuals over a limited time period. Large SD cards enable the CCTV owner to review many days of CCTV imagery and the culprit could have done the misdemeanor nearly 5 days prior to the reviewer seeing him/her at work. He could have gone on holiday in the meantime.

If you've got CCTV, you've got to put the effort in.

[jadyn]

Just to clarify Stagazer, the hour quotes I've mentioned are taken from the Maplin link provided by Buenchico.

[tamborine]

Dead easy to set up cctv. Fix it up & plug into tv or video machine. Tile trackers are good to attach to keys/bags/pet collars/cars/cell phone to anything you want. All at Maplins.