Correct Surveillance Camera

[halifax]

I need to know what specifications to look for on a porch camera. I want to be able to have good facial recognition in a 20 - 30 foot range. The cheap camera that came with the DVR doesn't quite get there (420 TVL) and the high-resolution one (600 TVL) I bought seems geared more for the 100' range. It doesn't have sharp focus in the range I need. Camera should be bullet style for under-eave mounting, outdoor, color, low lux with IR LEDs. Specifically, what specifications should I be looking for?

Thanks

[skuehl]

I used the Foscam 8906W wireless IP outdoor camera. I tried one for a month and it seemed to work great. I just order 3 of them through groupon to put together a home security monitoring system that will record a couple of days worth of video so it can be saved and looked at if necessary.

[stonith3901]

I have an Axis p5534. Its a HD camera 1280x960, POE+, full PTZ, and integrated management system. Granted it retails for 2k+, but i can pick up a license plate with cars a block away. It encodes usin h.264 and outputs .mkv files.

[halifax]

Thanks guys. I guess I should have mentioned my system is not network (IP) type.

[BSlacker]

Look for a line of res of 600 but 400 is more common. For low light check the LUX rating. Anything greater than .01 LUX is poor. Sony makes a HAD technology camera with a LUX of .001. Will see with moon light. A little IR make like daylight.
More or less second is features like Variable Iris control and pan tilt.
Tamron makes some good lenses check the ones listed as IR compatible.

[halifax]

Thanks guys. I'm going with this one. The 2.8-12mm Varifocal lens should allow me to get a sharp focus in the 20 - 30' range I'll need for the facial recognition. The Super HAD is a plus.

[ExtremeX]

If resolution is what you are after… you really have to step it up to IP cameras.

Camera & lens quality is pretty important.

I don’t know how much you are willing to spend, but stick to brand name cameras like Axis.

Personally I really like the Mobotix cameras, but chances are its going to cost more than you want to spend, but nice software is included with the cameras.

http://www.mobotix.com/eng_US/

Take a look at some of the features and video sample… might impress you.

http://www.mobotix.com/eng_US/Products

[halifax]

http://www.mobotix.com/eng_US/

http://www.mobotix.com/eng_US/Products

LOL, yep more than I can afford. Maybe when I need to replace what I've already got in-place. Right now I just want to get a good face shot.

[BSlacker]

the high-resolution one (600 TVL) I bought seems geared more for the 100' range. It doesn't have sharp focus in the range I need.

Have you tried to back focus the camera and lense.

[halifax]

Have you tried to back focus the camera and lense.

With no external adjustments and woefully lacking manual (actually a single photocopied sheet ), I didn't even try.

[BSlacker]

A camera lense combo that should produce 600 lines should show warts and all at porch distance. If the set up has separate lense and camera body with something like a C or CS mount then it can be back focused to correct the issue and produce very nice pictures. Here is a little info.

http://www.mediacollege.com/video/camera/focus/back-focus.html

Have fun its a hobby.

[halifax]

I wouldn't go so far as to call it a hobby. Not for me anyway. Thanks for the link.

[sdkevin]

Been down this lane before...

A simple hood or hat will render an expensive system useless.

[the86d]

Been down this lane before...

A simple hood or hat will render an expensive system useless.

I know guys that used to just put hoods on and then steal expensive cameras....

[MaHoTex]

That is what you have all cameras overlap so that if someone f's with one camera, they are caught on at least one other camera.