How to Improve Home Security? Home Alarm/Surveillance Camera System Purchase and Installation Suggestion?

jubz on 27/10/2016 - 12:28

Yesterday, there was a break-in at the neighbor house. In past few months, others break-in at the few house in the street. We are a bit concerned now and evaluation options to improve the security of our home.

I was looking at the possibility of installing Home Alarm/Surveillance camera system. What are your experience of the back to a base alarm such as ADT, Chubbs, etc.? Is it worth to have the monitoring company and would you recommend to go with anyone of the company (location in Sydney) or should we just install our own? Should we install both alarm and camera? Is it possible to do DIY installation and could you please recommend where and for how much we would be looking to spend?

Any feedback/suggestion welcome.

Thank you

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Voldox on 27/10/2016 - 12:34
    +1

    I would recommend some sort of alarm first. Cameras do nothing if it comes to wearing hoods and sunglasses.

    Get one which is either monitored or sends SMS's to multiple people to save on monitoring.

    If your a handy man you could do the camera part yourself (Once you have an alarm etc)

    • jubz on 27/10/2016 - 15:14

      Thanks. Good point on installing an alarm first and then the camera as it may of no use if the intruder has covered their face.

      • Voldox on 27/10/2016 - 15:55
        +1

        I have an alarm and setup a camera.

        The alarm runs when I'm not home and at night when I'm asleep arming the garage and all external doors.

        As per comments further below. I agree. Secure your property as best you can but having an alarm can limit the damage done/amount stolen. A visible siren/light/cameras can mean they go next door instead of your place. Also can assist in the case of fire if there are smoke alams connected notifying you.

        You can also look into getting a door bell which can connect to your mobile.

        No one has mentioned a dog, good for security all hours:)

  • foxmulder on 27/10/2016 - 12:42
    +1

    Wireless internet camera is generally super easy to do and you can see it in your smartphone. Motion detector also helps to alert you of anyone around your house at night. Put a real camera or dummy one outside your house to deter criminals. Put stickers as well on glass that you have cloud surveillance in place even if you don't have it. If you have the money invest in a good door lock and crimsafe for Windows .

  • Sammyboy on 27/10/2016 - 13:37

    If someone who knows about all the dahua systems etc can they recommend a good setup for the home. NVR and 2 cameras. There's so many models of nvrs and cameras.

    • bob smith on 27/10/2016 - 16:58
      +1

      Not sure about dahua but I can recommend hikvision cameras. I've got an 8 port poe NVR and 2 cameras (planning to get more). From memory model of NVR is 7608-NI and and cameras are 2345.

  • cypher67 on 27/10/2016 - 13:47
    +3

    I doubt cameras or alarms are going to stop anyone. Camera's are only good after the fact and alarms are just an incentive for them to get out sooner rather than later.
    If you want to spend money, stop them from getting inside in the first place. Best deterrent is simply making it too difficult to get in.

  • noyesmaybeok on 27/10/2016 - 14:00
    +2

    In my view, it's the drunk/drugged/crazies you really want to keep out, not thieves. Insurance covers valuables stolen, not much help when some psycho comes in and stabs everyone.

    Rather easy things to do:
    - Make sure external doors are solid core
    - Deadbolts on external doors
    - Put a lock on garage door if it's internal. Garage doors are easy to get into and often it's unsecured between garage/house
    - You can get door frame reinforcements, though not very available in Oz. Re: can't just kick the door in with the timber splitting because metal frame
    - Bolts on sliding doors
    - Security film on windows
    - Security film on glass windows
    - Security system as you mentioned

    Someone who wants to get in, will. It would be hard to break into our place without some decent tools or noise though. And why would you when there's a bunch of easy houses next door?

    • Diji1 on 27/10/2016 - 14:02

      not much help when some psycho comes in and stabs everyone.

      Yes and you only have to live at the same address for 748,243 years before you have to deal with aforementioned crazy (statistically speaking).

      • noyesmaybeok on 27/10/2016 - 15:10

        Which statistic would that be?

    • fruit on 27/10/2016 - 14:32
      +1

      Where are you located? The USA?

      What if there is a well funded determined psycho targeting you?

      I built a wall around my property. I can't get out but no one can get in.

      • fruit on 27/10/2016 - 14:35
        +2

        Oh SHIT I forgot about securing my sewage pipes out of my property. I'm going to set up titanium blast proof grates throughout sewers.

        • fruit on 27/10/2016 - 14:35
          +2

          Anyone have a bargain on titanium blast proof grates?

      • noyesmaybeok on 27/10/2016 - 15:10
        +1

        I personally know a number of houses broken into while the owner was home.

        You don't need to be well funded - not hard to take the roof off or go through the actual walls. But, would average Joe criminal do this? Of course not. They're after easy opportunity

  • Allan on 27/10/2016 - 22:01
    +1

    Not worth it paying for monitoring. They only send someone out to confirm then they ask you what you want to do. Not worth the monthly cost.

    Just to be clear. These don't stop the crime but improves the chances of preventing one happening at your home. If someone wants to break and steal your stuff they will do it.

    Get alarm first. Bosch system are usually good and reliable. Alarm basically alerts everyone in the area. Most can be set up to call you using your home phone line or separate module using a SIM card.

    Then you have cameras for recording what happens. Don't go for wireless systems. There are jammers out there and will stuff up those wireless cameras. Hikvision are expensive but they are gooooood! I would go 4 camera system - dahua are reliable budget option. Just make sure you specify whether you want HD. There maybe some analog systems out there - bit cheaper if you don't care about capturing number plates but try scrimp a bit more.

    Have a look at www.serioussecurity.com.au they have a few packages that's parts and install combined.

    EDIT; saw you thought of DIY. I don't think you're allowed to run cables in walls unless you have cabling license. So no go install for alarm DIY. Whilst Swann DIY kits are ok they don't compare to dahua and hikvision for cameras. Setting things up like remote viewing and expert finding best places to position cameras and sensors is worth the extra $$

    • jubz on 28/10/2016 - 09:08

      Thanks @Allan, appreciated. I was researching on the system, and most of the company are offering Bosch Ultima 880. Would you recommend any of the Bosch model or should I go with the 880 Ultima?

      • Allan on 28/10/2016 - 10:37
        +1

        Bosch ultima 880s are the "Toyota Corolla" of alarms - budget friendly and really reliable. You wouldn't need higher spec ones. Those are for commercial type situations like if you need multiple people entry with their own pin.

        Also make sure you get remotes. Makes arming and disarming alarms easier without having to rush to key in the pin.

        • jubz on 28/10/2016 - 12:16

          Thanks Allan, really appreciate your suggestion.

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