Any recommendations out there on the best complete home security/video surveillance systems to safeguard your DV investments?

Dog.

I use one of these.
http://www.pyroglyphfilms.com/gallery/screens/3/raven_blur%20b.jpg

And one of these:
http://www.pyroglyphfilms.com/gallery/clips/shooting_test.mov

:)

A home security system that you own (not lease), and that the monitoring service does not require a contract, is UL certified, and about $15 a month. See/Listen to Clark Howard for details.

The cost for the monitoring will vary by geographical location services provided. Shop around, many of the service providers are getting competitive and will negotiate the fees and monthly rates. I was first quoted $35 a month then are declining the service and entering into negotiations, the final price became $25 a month.

There is also computer software that can monitor a room if you
have a webcam (for example) hooked up to your computer. It
can then send you a message to your phone or an e-mail that it
has detected some changes and it can then automatically start
recording as well.

Rob,

That's more along the lines of what I'm looking for...products... not necessarily security services. Basically, I'd like to find an install-it-yourself home security system that includes the usual window and door security, motion detectors, and then also the video cam surveillance similar to what you're saying. I've seen some that have wireless cameras that activate when motion is detected, and start uploading shots to the web, as well as sending you an e-mail or calling you.

Prices for those that I've found online are really pretty cheap, but I'm not familiar with any of the companies that make them.

So, I was hoping for URLs or brand name recommendations.

If you want to control motion sensors etc. you will want to get an
X9 (I think that is the name) network of gear. There are boards
for computers that can control a lot of gear in that fashion.

Does it need to run on Mac or PC?

Guys, ahhmm... the guy is in Tokyo.

I thought the only "crimes" there are people going nuts (and going bezark) and those committed by the Yakuzi, which BTW IMHO is the real ruler of modern Japan.

Soon, these gangsters will raise up as the new version of the old Imperial Army and take on the world w/o their old buddies the Germans... OK, it's me that's going nuts, least for a second there.

Law, he also has to worry about the ninja too.

I have a mix of security tools:

1. Full-motion detectors in every room plus smoke detectors and temperature rate-of-rise sensors in the studio. Phone line plus a radio backup to the security company. Wall- and battery-powered system.

2. 120 Lb. Rotweiller. BIG bark

3. Friendly but snoopy neighbors

4. I am a contractor for the local PD so they respond very quickly to a call on my studio. After all, their footage may be at risk! (#4 is pure humor. )

Hmmm... ten responses and two address the question seriously. No wonder there's so much burglary going on in North America. I'll be stopping by all your houses, with some prime rib for your dogs, and a gas company uniform to satisfy your neighbors and then I'm gonna increase my inventory. ;)

Just planning on living in a rather isolated area... no nosey neighbors within sight to keep an eye on things...and having had a dog poisoned in the past I don't see that as a valid option ("Babe"...best dog in the world).

That's why I'm thinking about the web camera/motion detector/upload to internet option. If an alarm goes off, no one will be around to hear it. But if I have some cameras clicking away and uploading automatically to the internet... including one outside the house to photograph vehicle and license plate number... I may at least be able to get some stolen stuff back.

Sound paranoid? Systems like that are only a few hundred dollars. I can't imagine people with the amount of equipment we all have NOT investing in some sort of security.

Rob... I'll check out the option you mentioned (I'm looking for Mac solutions).

John,
I think Rob meant to reference the "X-10" system of gizmos. It's been around a very long time and greatly expanded through the years.

Smart Home (http://www.smarthome.com/) is kind of a home security and automation gadget lovers heaven.

Here is Mac software (http://www.alwaysthinking.com/products/products.html) that interfaces with the X-10 products. It is pretty cool and can even be operated remotely. If you forgot to turn off the coffee pot you can use a laptop etc. remotely to turn off appliances, lights, furnace, A/C etc.

Now we're talking... the X-10 stuff at Smart Home is what I'm looking for.

And the software you mentioned, Jeff, looks good, too. I liked the sample announcement they have on the site..."Someone is in the stairwell"... imagine hearing your computer say that in the middle of the night. Eek!

I'll get myself hooked up...and then throw in a dog, but mainly just for frisbee and fetching beers out of the fridge.

I liked the sample announcement they have on the site..."Someone is in the stairwell"... imagine hearing your computer say that in the middle of the night. Eek!Sounds like an interesting crystal for a screenplay.

"X-10"

I've tested out the X-10 and actually it's a pretty good camera!

But I heard that they are out of business.

I still have to say a good guard dog is the best deterrent, depending on where/how you live. The only way you could get to my dog to poison him, is to be in the house in the first place. He doesn't even like people walking on the sidewalk in front of the house. I'd feel bad for anyone trying to break in. It isn't that Dobermans are agressive, just very protective.

I also have a security system that consisted of motion detectors and window alarms. It's a Home Depot type DIY job, but has a good siren, and auto-dialer. And it cost less than $300.

If I was going to spend the money again, I'd get a monitored service, like from ADT.

I don't think the motion detector computer/webcam things are valid security tools. I'd question their reliability. I think at best they'd give yo ua picture of the guy that now owns all your equipment. That may be helpful to the cops, but most of the ones around here have more serious crimes to investigate.

JMHO.

X-10 indeed. All those acronyms <g>. X-10 is a standard for
devices to operate with eachother in the house. It should not
be "out of business".

It might not be a top of the line security system, but the nice thing
is that you can build most parts yourself and add gradually. It's
not only to take a picture of who took it, but to warn you or
anyone else for that matter as well. I do believe some off-site
security companies can be notified through X-10 since it can
call out over a telephone line, send an sms message through the
internet or send an e-mail.

Then again, you could also put your harddisks and/or computers
into a vault. Even when running if you don't want someone to
take it anywhere (in that scenario you could have the monitor,
mouse, keyboard and DV VCR outside the vault still).

Just adding a link to Clark Howard's alarm system recommendations.

http://clarkhoward.com/library/tips/security_systems.html

If you don't know who Clark Howard is, he is a consumer advocate that has a 3 hr radio show on many AM stations.

<<<-- Originally posted by John Locke : Hmmm... ten responses and two address the question seriously. No wonder there's so much burglary going on in North America. I'll be stopping by all your houses, with some prime rib for your dogs, and a gas company uniform to satisfy your neighbors and then I'm gonna increase my inventory. ;)
-->>>

First you'd have to get my dog to eat the food (she won't) and you'd have to get into the building (fairly difficult and noisy) plus you cannot defeat the alarm in any reasonable manner.

Alarm systems are best designed to deter the dishonest. They persuade the bad guys to go somewhere else.

All the recording in the world of your property taking a hike won't save you from interrupted work and the likelihood you won't get it back in any case and faces can be covered and license plates obscured. Prevention is best. All the rest is just documenting your loss.

You may well be advised to talk with a Loss Prevention expert before you decide. They can be well worth their fee.

What Mike said.

Most thieves are lazy and stupid. If they were smarter and more motivated they'd do something with a better risk/reward ratio, like smuggle drugs.
It's easier for them to move to a house that doesn't have a "Protected by S&W Security" or "Warning, Vicious Dog" sign on the front. They want the easy score. Even a small alarm sign is a better alarm system that a video camera that records who did it. I don't remember the stats about how many people recover their stolen goods but I think it is less than 15%.

On the other hand, if someone REALLY wants to break in to YOUR house and steal your stuff, they will, regardless of any precautions you take. Most of the time, it is people that know you, and know about how much your equipment is worth. Take some degree of caution as to who you let into your home, and this will eliminate 90% of this category of theft.

I used to have a local ADT security branch as a client, and got the straight poop on security info.

I have my service with an EMC (electric co-op). I bought the equipment and I pay $16 a month for a UL certified station monitoring station. When we set the alarm off (accidentally), the phone rings in less than a minute (usually around 30 seconds). What does it really buy me? Lower insurance and someone to pay attention to the smoke detector while I am gone. You may find that it is the smoke detection that results in the greatest loss prevention.

We hardly have any crime in our area. In my neighborhood, I have not heard of a single crime in the last 10 years, nothing, ZERO. The only time somebody call the cops was when out-of-town conmen get naive out-of-town teenagers to go house-to-house selling useless stuff, and scared some old lady.

The "local way" is not by locking doors or getting alarm, but not to let people know you have goodies. Everybody has guns around here, even the "liberals", and none of us has any hesitation to shoot. So thieves don't general target a specific house unless they know for sure there are goodies in there, worth the risk of getting shot.

When the repairman comes, or somebody delivers furniture, I would actually move all my large camera gears to a closed room. Hack, one time, I even took down a painting that looked expensive (probably went overboard that time). If the guy has a "rubber neck", I would try hard to remember his face, and casually mention it to my cop friends.

Most of the time, probably all the time, these guys are harmless. But then again when they go back to the office, some probably brag about "wow" items they saw on-site, like "boy, that guy have some expensive-looking video cameras..." And then word gets around.

I'm low tech, I use two fire-proof safes.

For stuff that stays out in the open all the time, I use laptop locks that bolt to the desk. Course it's New York City, so better to be safe than sorry.