nothing to see here.
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[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 10-20-2005).]

Hi buddycraigg..
When I bought my digitech webcam, it came with a programme that makes the camera turn on by movement. I used it as our home security, and it used far less space on the hard disc this way. So much so, I used it on my desktop, rather than having a seperate pc to do it.Just a tip..
Nick

USB camera minus IR filter = night vision camera

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: USB camera minus IR filter = night vision camera

Speaking of which....
A couple weeks ago, there was a post on building some sort of device to activate traffic signals.
The article had a link to n electronics place that sold IR Illuminator kits.
I can't find the thread.
Anyone know which one I'm talking about?

Thanks

Never Mind......Found the place.

[This message has been edited by JKFIERO (edited 10-19-2005).]

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: Hi buddycraigg.. When I bought my digitech webcam, it came with a programme that makes the camera turn on by movement. I used it as our home security, and it used far less space on the hard disc this way. So much so, I used it on my desktop, rather than having a seperate pc to do it.Just a tip.. Nick

the camera has to be outside.
and set at one end of my yard to have a view of my cars that are parked on the street side.

i already have a weather proof camera.
now i just need something to plug it in to.

http://www.x10.com/key_products/security-camera.htm

Did you try your friendly neighborhood Radio Shack.

quote Originally posted by buddycraigg: i already have a weather proof camera. now i just need something to plug it in to.

Ohh... gotcha. The security VCRs that record over a 24hr period are expen$ive. I think they're like $300 and up, but I don't know exactly..

i like cheap. but i would still go for that price range.

if it helps those vcrs are called timelaps

Okay, here's what you will need from RadioShack.

Camera 49-2516 ( $79.99 )
Switch box 49.-2533 ( $ 69.99 )
Any cheap VCR. ( I bought one at Walmart for 32 bucks )

I work for RadioShack & I just bought this exact setup. This will work with any VCR !!! It works VERY well.

The camera has a motion detector , nightvision LEDs & microphone. The switch box will start & stop any VCR when motion is detected with a neat little IR module. You can select how long it records each time the camera(s) are activated. You can hook up 4 cameras if needed.

The cable from the camera is RCA, comes with a 59 foot cable that connects to the switch box or straight to a VCR.. (Note, the switch box makes the camera motion detection work.)

Give this set up a look, I really like mine. A full day is compressed into 5 or ten minutes. A B&W camera is 10 bucks cheaper, although I suggest the color. I've tried both, the color seems to be clearer.

You said "you cant use a motion activated ON type of system, it's gonna be pointed at the street."

Sure you can, this will record only when motion is detected, as little a five seconds can be recorded.

With a time-lapsed type recorder, you will need to review hours of tape, which could take 30 minutes or more to review. This system I've posted would make it easier to review.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 10-20-2005).]

I didn't post earlier because I thought this was more than you wanted to spend, but if that's your price range then go to Northern Tool Online. There are lots of other places too, but I've ordered a lot of stuff from them over the years and never been disappointed.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by buddycraigg: i like cheap. but i would still go for that price range.

use 2 or 3 regular vcrs and get 160 tapes, on the longest record setting they will record for 8 hours set them up to start recording one right after the other with there internal timers. that way you have 24 hours of recording, vcrs are cheap now, around $30 each still keeps them under $100 bucks for the whole set up.

------------------
technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesnt.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

160 tapes times $1.70/tape equals $272 plus three VCR's for $100 equals $372. One time lapse recorder for $299 plus 4 tapes at $1.70 equals less than $325 including shipping. And you don't have to screw around with changing three tapes in three machines every day.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by jstricker: 160 tapes times $1.70/tape equals $272 plus three VCR's for $100 equals $372. One time lapse recorder for $299 plus 4 tapes at $1.70 equals less than $325 including shipping. And you don't have to screw around with changing three tapes in three machines every day. John Stricker

T 160 tapes will record 8 hours each. i did not mean 160 tapes. $100 for 3 recorders+ $6.00 worth of tape per day. dam you cant read or understand anything i say.

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 10-20-2005).]

This is GREAT, Now I can take stalking to the next level!

I only respond to what you write. I had no idea how you came up with the 160, it appeared that's how many tapes you thought he needed. Sorry if my clairvoyance is limited.

Irregarless, if it's your idea of fun to screw with three machines and 3 tapes a day, then have at it, it's not mine. I prefer the right tool for the job.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: T 160 tapes will record 8 hours each. i did not mean 160 tapes. $100 for 3 recorders+ $6.00 worth of tape per day. dam you cant read or understand anything i say.

CoolBlue87GT
Thanks for the info. It sounds like a possibility. I am basically on a dead end street. So the only traffic here is from people that live here, or are lost.
Is that camera weatherproof?
How far will the motion detector part of it work? Remember I want to record when a vehicle drives past my cars.

84fiero123
You do have an inexpensive suggestion and I appreciate it. But I’m worried about the operator making a mistake. Like not setting up the record function correctly, or forgetting to do it at all. I am a little obsessive compulsive, but not that much YET.;P

John
I didn’t know you guys had VCRs on the farm.
If I read the description correctly it will record for 1280 hours. That’s 53 days. That setup would work great as long as the delay isn’t so much that I miss the action. It only takes a second to back in to a car.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Take at look at this pic of my street.
The red section is my yard.
The green is my driveway.
The blue is about where I normally park my three cars.

.
.
In the last year I have had Polly’s car backed in to twice, and the windshield broken out on my 84.
The last guy to back in to Polly’s car drove off, I went over to neighbors house and had him call his friend to let him know that I saw what happened and was going to call the police.
He came back but the insurance info he gave is incorrect.
If I hadn’t been in the right place at the right time, he would have gotten away.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 10-20-2005).]

Buddy,

Oh, yeah, we even have running water in the outhouses and the kerosene lamps have igniters. Really.

I *THINK* that they will record 24 hrs without lapse on a T160 and you can set the lapses up to the 1280 hours depending on how often you want the pictures and how frugal you want to be with the tape, but you could probably call Northern and get more information on it if you needed it. I'm sure they're also a regular brand that you can find if you google up security VCR.

Good luck on catching the culprits.

John Stricker

Edited to add:

The brand of the one at Northern appears to be called "security first". The Lorex is also popular and cheaper and will do 40 hours of real time. http://reviews.cnet.com/Lorex_SG7964_1280_Hour_Time_Lapse_VCR_with_Digital_Shuttle/4014-6476_7-30708887.html

quote Originally posted by buddycraigg: John I didn’t know you guys had VCRs on the farm. If I read the description correctly it will record for 1280 hours. That’s 53 days. That setup would work great as long as the delay isn’t so much that I miss the action. It only takes a second to back in to a car.

[This message has been edited by jstricker (edited 10-20-2005).]

i'm all over it on ebay

quote Originally posted by buddycraigg: CoolBlue87GT Thanks for the info. It sounds like a possibility. I am basically on a dead end street. So the only traffic here is from people that live here, or are lost. Is that camera weatherproof? How far will the motion detector part of it work? Remember I want to record when a vehicle drives past my cars.

Weather proof ? The instructions say it's weatherproof. But it also says, do not mount where it would be exposed to rain. I have mine mounted under the eve. As long as you have it covered, it would be fine.

Motion detector distance ? Instructions say 16.5 feet. Mine works up to 20 feet.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 10-20-2005).]

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: Motion detector distance ? Instructions say 16.5 feet. Mine works up to 20 feet.

thanks,
20 feet wouldn't be far enough.