My house is completely automated, including an outside security cam which I wire into a whole-house modulator so it broadcasts on an unused channel (channel 47) and can be viewed on that channel from any TV in the house. When I did this back in 1994, the Internet didn't exist, but my plan was to use "Snappy" from Play to capture a frame of video when the driveway sensor went off (I have a magnetic sensor placed under the driveway, like they use for traffic lights). Thus, any approaching vehicle would get snapped. The idea was to then upload to a computer somewhere else, so if they get in and steal the computer, I'll still have a record.

There are much better ways to do this now. You can use various "IP cameras" that have their own IP address and which can automatically upload.

My favorite place to buy stuff for projects like this is:

Smarthome

Here are some other links:

Another supplier:

Hometoys

A source for sophisticated streaming cameras:

Intecam

Color didn't matter to me but night time viewing did as that is when your system would be worthless without light.

Excellent point. Light sensitivity is critical.

Here is another link on the subject of home security.

j razz

Paid alarm services vary in price by a factor of 2-3.

If you live in a suburb where the police won't show up until the burglars have already sold the booty and retired, then it is definitely worth it to pay more for a company that has their own continuously roving security patrols.

If you live in the sticks, you're better off with a couple of big snarling dogs, or worst case recordings of some (I have even seen this offered "in a box" with sensor hookups).

I used to get sales calls all the time offering monitored protection for $25-35/month. I asked them, "What happens if there's a break-in?"

Answer: "We'll call the police and tell them there's an alarm at XX."

Here in L.A. at least, the cops have had so many false alarms they don't care anymore, and fines are issued instead.

Your right on the money on that one. We cancelled our monitoring system after about 10 years of the cops not showing up.

JJK

How about some extra lights and a Doberman? Pretty cheap solution.

John

Dobermans good,, i prefer ny little baby Marley the pit bull.

I dont even lock my doors,, kind a like waiting for a car wreck,, pretty sick i know.

I once briefly had a job selling an easy-install sound-based alarm. I always thought the notion of startling the intruder would pretty simply be accomplished by having a sensor activate, not a police call or a siren, but a quick-flashing strobe light that lasts maybe 10 seconds.

--Or there's always dynamite...

...................Or there's always dynamite

Brilliant!! goin to sell my dog! :)

Just a random thought.
How about moving to a safer area.
Too radical?
Maybe a better option than turning your castle into a fortress.

Looking at this, available locally. 4 cameras and PC card GV1120, and software, handles up to 8 cameras w/ Audio and Video with remote viewing. Storage is MPEG4. About $1500.00, with power supply. I'm still looking. Thanks for help. John.

http://www.geovision.com.

Cheapest form of security - -- lights.

An intruder who wants to get in will get in. Big advantage of a dog is they give you warning - time to get out the 12 guage with 00 Buck.

I always thought the notion of startling the intruder would pretty simply be accomplished by having a sensor activate, not a police call or a siren, but a quick-flashing strobe light that lasts maybe 10 seconds.

I actually started to put this together, complete with a subwoofer. The motion sensor activated the home controller (computer) which then started the recording. The first part of the recording made the subwoofer thump with the sound of someone tumbling out of bed (up above the burglar). The next sound was my voice "Honey, I've got the shotgun [sound of shotgun being loaded with shells]. The 911 call has already gone out. Here's the pistol. Let's get this bastard."

Never had a chance to see how it worked. Of course, I never would have seen how it worked because it was designed for when we weren't in the house and, until recently, I never owned a gun.

I'm kind of partial to "Do you feel lucky punk? "

JJK

JJ,

That could work well too, over a crackling speaker, and followed by the sound of a pump shotgun being cycled.

The latter sound is widely recognized without anybody having to think about it.

Think of the simple fact that if you scare burglars away rather than shoot them, you save yourself from having to fill out forms for hours afterwards...

The German military experimented during WWII with a very powerful amp and speaker that put out a certain frequency not far from 50 Hz that, at a sufficient SPL, forces an urgent underwear change in any nearby enemy soldiers. It worked, but not well enough for field use. Perhaps it would work better in your back yard? :O)

time to get out the 12 gauge with 00 Buck.

You use Buck? How about replacing the buckshot with one solid rifled lead bullet with a primer behind it?

I used to have those for my 12-gauge a long time ago, and heard that they could split a V-8 engine block even from a moderate distance.

I would have tested that, but didn't have a spare V-8 to try it with. My trusty Chevy 350 engine (one of the best ever made, as was the Turbo Hydramatic tranny too) was running perfectly, so it was spared. :O)

From testing on other objects, I would say it was definitely likely though.