Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I would have thought that that this would be nigh on impossible as I have HD CCTV and the upload on this is will probably not be quick enough from this country. The speed the data will need to upload would be too much too quickly and I dont think it can keep up. I have HD CCTV in the UK and it takes up a lot of space. You may look to get an additional NAS drive as a back up.

WotNoDeeds...

Echo what TurkishCypriot has said re upload speed (typically 1Mbps on a 4Mbps download connection) BUT remember, you need a 'constant' upload speed.

Depending upon what type of equipment you have - you can set the quality of the picture to upload but this may defeat the object.

Better to get a DVR for Analogue Cameras or an NVR for IP Cameras and store the data locally - we sell them and you can see them on our web site



http://www.cyprussecuritycameras.com

Thanks for your replies my cameras do have on board storage of 64gb which does a pretty good job but not quite enough storage for continuous record just on motion detection, I think I'll get a 1tb usb powered NAS drive and attach it to my router that way I should I'll have easy access to all the stored files ?.


SatelliteCyprus do you have these - CCTV Camera 48 LED Illuminator IR Infrared Night Vision Light Lamp to light up the darker areas ? (picture below)

No, but we do have these super 'big' White LED's which do an even better job

Wotnodeeds, something you may want to consider. I had IQCCTV cameras installed which records upto 1 month ( with 1TB storage ) then automatically overwrites when full. You can set it up so it only records when there is motion in any area you set for each camera ( this allows for less storage space). Recorder will be connected to internet, then once all set up you can download the XIQ app on phone or computer / laptop and view live anywhere in the world. You will also have control from your phone to view live, playback, record and set up so that if there is movement you get an alarm and text message to inform you.

This is the system:

http://www.iqcctv.co.uk/product.php?xProd=38&xSec=156

I also have a Smartcam installed which I use to talk back from my mobile phone if anyone enters into my garden, but I believe the IQCCTV has same function which I have not used or set up yet.

Hope this helps.

SatelliteCyprus - Many Thanks I'll give you a call when I'm ready to install the extra infrared led lighting can you let me know the price of them .


Soner - this sounds interesting I'll take a look at the link in more detail later but it does sound pretty close to what I need thanks for sending the information it's much appreciated.

I really don't know why more people don't install these cameras they're not rocket science to fit and some with no need for port forwarding (which seems to be a problem for some) on mine I could have just scanned the QR code and away the camera went very easy to set up been up nearly two years and no problems so far and the picture quality in HD (or slightly less via the net) is good they're a massive deterrent these days and can be seen anywhere in the world by phone , computer, laptop and some software will ring (or text) your phone within seconds of getting an alert all good stuff.

Wot.

WotNoDeeds

The NVR's that we sell have all the features that Soner mentioned and many more and they have surveillance rated Hard Disk Drives. They remove the need to use your computer (although, you can use it in tandem with the NVR, if you want to) AND you can match the camera to the installation instead of matching the installation to the camera (you can buy the cameras that match your requirements - down to the size of lens and choosing between fixed and variable lens configurations and various IR options - according to your specific needs and the job)

There is remote access by Android, iPhone and Tablet and if you want to, you can have a one camera set up - to monitor your holiday home, keep an eye on the pool cleaners and gardeners and to act as a deterrent.

All prices 'are' published on our web site : http://www.cyprussecuritycameras.com and we are here to help and advise you to make sure that you buy the camera/system that you need and/or do the installation for you - if required (costs extra.)

Not forgetting that when you deal with us, you are helping a local business and the local economy and if something goes wrong, we are only a phone call away, seven days a week.

Just a word of warning to anyone thinking of installing a camera system in Cyprus. I have a friend in Karaoglanoglu who got burgled and he found out that the really cheap system he put in was not working, he couldn't identify the burglar as they were not working properly. After the burglary he called the camera guy back and he connected the cameras back up but the quality was so poor it wasn't worth the bother. A few weeks later the neighbours got burgled and this he looked at the footage he had and he wasn't able to identify any one person from the images he had. In my opinion if you are going to install cameras get the best you can afford with the highest resolution and a decent recorder with enough storage. If the unthinkable happens and there is an incident and you cannot make out what happened from the footage or the hard drive only records 3 days of footage its the same as not having cameras at all. I don't really think crime is on the increase but now and again we do get a spate of burglaries so it is better to be prepared. I used somebody else to install my camera system but Satellite Cyprus prices are very reasonable and on par with the UK. My friend had his installed from a guy who went back to Turkey and was working for somebody else so he had nobody to call for after sales back up.

If there not working properly they might as well be not be there.

TurkishCypriot...

Well said. What's the point of putting cameras up, if when you need them, they do not provide a picture of sufficient quality to identify an intruder ?

Unfortunately, the majority of the camera kits that you see advertised (cheap as chips) fall into this category.

That is why I made the point in my previous post of matching the camera to the situation/surroundings and not the other way round - trying to make a bog standard camera do a job that it just isn't up to.

We only supply AHD and IP Cameras and associated hardware (1Mpx to 4Mpx) with various lens configurations and multiple IR options which is very important.

We are importers, our prices are as keen as they can be for quality kit.

Thanks for the price recommendation - you've obviously done your homework.

http://www.cyprussecuritycameras.com

Turkishcypriot wrote:Just a word of warning to anyone thinking of installing a camera system in Cyprus. I have a friend in Karaoglanoglu who got burgled and he found out that the really cheap system he put in was not working, he couldn't identify the burglar as they were not working properly. After the burglary he called the camera guy back and he connected the cameras back up but the quality was so poor it wasn't worth the bother. A few weeks later the neighbours got burgled and this he looked at the footage he had and he wasn't able to identify any one person from the images he had. In my opinion if you are going to install cameras get the best you can afford with the highest resolution and a decent recorder with enough storage. If the unthinkable happens and there is an incident and you cannot make out what happened from the footage or the hard drive only records 3 days of footage its the same as not having cameras at all. I don't really think crime is on the increase but now and again we do get a spate of burglaries so it is better to be prepared. I used somebody else to install my camera system but Satellite Cyprus prices are very reasonable and on par with the UK. My friend had his installed from a guy who went back to Turkey and was working for somebody else so he had nobody to call for after sales back up.

If there not working properly they might as well be not be there.

Turkishcypriot - I done a lot of looking around before I purchased my camera's in the end I went for long range full HD camera's excellent camera's crystal clear picture day and night they wasn't cheap but setup was easy and the difference in picture performance over the cheap kits available everywhere these days was unbelievable so don't buy cheap do your research and go for good quality HD cameras . I was at the Excel in London recently and they had some full house intelligent alarm systems being demonstrated anybody serious about full house security might consider these they're excellent systems when I find the company I'll post the information on here.

In the next day or 2 i shall be able to report back and tell you all the quality of these products as ive just booked a 4 camera package to be fitted as the new licensing laws when renewing your alcohol license are that you now have CCTV fitted in your venue,inside and out.

Another expense we could do without but i suppose if we're going to come in line with the EU and start using the Euro we need to do these things !

Talking of Euro

Heres hoping !

Wotnodeeds in the UK I have 1080p HD and yes the quality is night and day excuse the pun. Only problem you have is internet is too slow in Cyprus and DVR also makes a difference as well when it comes to HD. All DVRs are not equal I returned the one I purchased and done some research and now have a top of the range DVR and it does make a difference.

My camera friend was at the Excel last year when they had the security exhibitions on and he purchased a HD ptz camera and it was amazing. Theres a lot fo good stuff out there.

TurkishCypriot...

Absolutely correct again !

If you have an IP Camera System of 8 or even 16 HD Cameras of say 2.2 Megapixels or more - you cannot just connect them to a 'run of the mill' NVR or DVR with AHD Cameras.

The more cameras you have and the greater the Megapixels, the higher the specification of NVR/DVR is required.

That is why anyone who is considering have a camera system installed is advised to speak to us, or someone like us, who can visit and look at the job and listen to the customers requirements.

With an average 'constant' upload speed of 1Mbps available to most 'private' internet users, connecting over the internet to a highly specified camera system is not going to provide HD results and there are similar difficulties with cloud storage systems - but with a good NVR/DVR, offline storage, there is no problem whatsoever - with the correct equipment.

PTZ cameras are another story and we have an excellent range available for professional and/or commercial installations.

After saying all that, the 'average' user who wants between 1-4 cameras running just below HD quality - say, to keep an eye on a holiday home or, to monitor a driveway, vehicle or just make sure that the property managers are doing their job, can expect to pay between €75 (1 camera system) and €300 (4 camera system), €199 - €249 for an appropriate NVR/DVR, a further €60 for a good POE Switch and if required, approximately €100 - €200 for a good installation with hidden cabling in conduit etc. (including setting up and tuition)

Alternatively, a bespoke, 4 camera AHD system comes in between €500 - €600 (depending upon installation requirements)

At the end of the day - you get what you pay for !

I am not in the IP security camera business but I do have some experience of such things. Firstly from setting up an IP camera system for my brother over 20 years ago who had at that time several shops. Following two break ins at one of his shops where the thieves not only did damage and steal various things, they also both times stole his VHS based security cameras and the VHS recorder that the images were stored on and even took the store of rotating VHS cassettes with previous days images on. More recently with setting up the IP camera systems at the MM offices.

So some things from my own experience that may be helpful to others.

Firstly try and think about and understand what you want the cameras for. Is it for prevention, to deter potential thieves? Is it to have realistically usable 'evidence' that could be used to catch thieves after the event ? Is it to just have the peace of mind you get by being able to remotely see parts of your house when you are not there ? Is it to see if your dogs are sitting on the sofa when you are out of the house ? Understanding what it is you want to achieve and get from an camera system is the first important stage in getting the right system for you.

If your main objective is to deter potential thieves it may well be that good 'dummy' cameras may well prove to be as effective a deterrent as real ones. Bright beam lights on passive motion sensor may be more effective still.

If your main objective is to have'evidence' that could be used to catch thieves after the event then not withstanding all the stuff already said about the limits and problems of 'off site' storage of recordings, onsite storage of images will only serve that need if the thief does not steal the onsite recording device when they are robbing the house. So a combination of onsite storage with some kind of 'triggered' warning (email -or sms txt msg) so you can view and if necessary record yourself remotely, or 'triggered' offsite / cloud based storage may be worth considering. On the subject of 'triggering' and specifically on software based 'motion detection' triggering my experience has been this sounds great in theory but is very tricky to get right in practice. Setting areas within the frame for detection, sensitivity of motion detection within the defined area, different setting for different times of the day, how long to record before and after a triggering event - all of these things can take a long time to get right. If the triggering is to send an email of txt msg to you so you can remotely view what is going on - then getting the settings right really matters. If they go of too often with 'false' warnings, you will end up just ignoring the warnings. If they do not go off at all when they should then they are useless. This is less of an issue if the trigger activates offsite recording for a period. Also not only will the 'offsite' stuff only work if your internet connection is working, the onsite stuff will only work if it has power. It is pretty trivial for a thief to pull the main outside fuse on most houses for example, so you may want to consider some sort of UPS solution that could keep the cameras and onsite recorder and possibly internet connection up at least for a period of time, though of course this pushes the cost of such a system up and then you have the issue of life of the lead acid batteries inside any UPS - which may need replacing every few years if your are to be able to keep the system up for a usable amount of time in the event of mains power going down.

On cameras / local storage devices

Getting the right camera for the job, as has been stated already, is obviously important. Many factors come into play - most mentioned already. Raw resolution of the sensor itself, field of view, aperture, resolutions and formats that the camera can deliver streams of - either to remote viewing device or local recording device, night modes / artificial lighting both visible or invisible (infra red), pan and tilt capabilities (remarkable affordable these days, optical zoom (still expensive typically). Many factors. What is also important to consider and this is true of onsite recording devices as well, is the quality of the devices firmware and the software used to access cameras either directly or via a local recording device. How good is the software ? How easy to use it it ? Does it have the features you need ? For example how easy is it to actually find that specific footage from camera3 from last Thursday at some time between 2-4 am ? Is the software available for all the different devices you may wish to use remotely to access the cameras (windows laptop / mac laptop / iOS phones and tablets / android phones and tablets etc )? How well 'maintained' is the firmware for the devices themselves and the software for accessing those devices ? Can it be easily found on the internet ? Is it regularly updated as necessary ? Will the iOS app still work after apples next OS upgrade and if it does not will the providers of the software get that sorted and how quickly ?

These are some things that come to mind for me re IP camera systems, based on my experience with them.