Wireless PIR CCTV for PC recording

RobinP · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 09:24 AM

Hi

Has anyone had experience with these? I've just bought (rash, I know) a system that supposedly just plugs in to the PC via USB and records to the hard disk when ever the PIR picks up any movement outside. Not sure whether night vision is B&W or colour and what the range is yet, but anything over 10m is fine, whole kit cost £59.99 with free postage.

Hopefully I will catch a few night-time visitors with it

seamusagleann · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 12:04 PM

just checked it out !!! looks a smart piece of kit with loads of potenial uses. something like that i need for bird watching at the forest trails i work on .thanks for pointing it out!!!

nightshade · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 12:45 PM

Where? pm me I am torn between a microscope with USB camera,
A reversing camera for the tin tent and now this PIR operated camera
My willpower needs a booster

RobinP · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 01:16 PM

PM with link has been sent.

Rob_D · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 09:13 AM

Have you managed to try it out yet Robin? Presumably the LED IR illuminator is not too powerful but I wonder what the sensitivity of the camera is in poor light?

RobinP · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 11:30 AM

It's gone back. The camera mount ball-joint was so loose a gust of wind would move it, the picture quality was just about bearable in sunlight, non-existent in darkness unless positioned immediately below a 500 watt PIR searchlight, also there was a constant buzz when it was on and I didn't fancy leaving the PC on all night. Apart from that, perfect! Oh, and I was expecting a battery operated camera so I couldn't put it where I wanted to, instead had to put it 5 metres from the receiver with the cable through an open window.

Other may have a bit more patience and got some pleasure out of it but I thought for the money it was a pile of poo. No doubt if you are willing to pay the money you can get some very decent systems but I don't think I'll be going down that route.

Rob_D · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 06:52 AM

That's a pity and sorry to hear of your troubles with it. No reason why this sort of kit can't be cheap and good quality so worth keeping your eyes open.

I'm interested in finding a wireless IR camera that can be connected to a laptop so I can use it in the field for mammal watching. I had a WLAN camera, but it was lousy in IR/low-light.

ollyk · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 11:02 AM

With CCTV you really need to pay a good bit of money for anything that is usable I am afraid. Personally I would expect to pay near that amount for a decent camera module on it's own and that is without power supply, IR lighting etc etc.

Also the thought of leaving the PC just for this is a bit daunting but if you have it on constantly anyway then you wouldn't see any difference in your leccy bills.