Spec me a CCTV System

I believe DS-2CD3387G2-LSU is the latest and greatest turret and DS-2CD2087G2-LU is the latest bullet I can actually buy but that is due for replacement very soon.

Unless you’re counting the DS-2CD2387G2P-LSU-SL which looks like excellent value.
 
Need to install a few for someone who needs vital coverage at night as that’s when activity seems to be at its highest more than during the day.

Is there vast improvement going with 8MP over 4MP at night these days as low MP always seemed to work better at night?

I need to get back into the cameras again as you soon fall behind especially when I took a break from them over the covid saga.

Must look into these new models to be released. See if I can get a sample sent over to test.
 
No, if you want decent image quality at night, get the 4MP and if you need to be closer then get a varifocal and zoom out to what you want to see. If it’s people you’re looking at then the current Dahua firmwares allow you to link a PTZ so that an alert on the static camera pulls the PTZ onto a preset view and then the PTZs can generally be set for face detection and auto-tracking. And the cheaper PTZs are only about the price of two static cameras for masses of extra functionality.
 
Scream said:
Is there vast improvement going with 8MP over 4MP at night these days as low MP always seemed to work better at night?
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It's all about sensor area versus MP, and to a much lesser extent sensor quality and post processing. 4MP cameras may well have a larger sensor area versus MP but you need to check as there is a trend of manufacturers reducing sensor size, especially on cheaper or lower res models over the years. Previously the lower res 4MP models could be bought with a large sensor (1/1.8" or bigger) but that's become rare now.

I upgraded half of my cameras a couple of months back and noted several ranges such as Hikvision and Dahua now start small with lower res and increase sensor size with MP especially on night vision focused models. In some cases this meant the higher res cameras were actually similar or better for low light than their lower res variants but with some ranges its the reverse so you need to do your homework.
 
I have a two camera setup with onboard card recording - one covers my front door the other covers a publicly accessible parking area. I've had my car damaged in the car park in the past, hence the cameras. I have two spaces, one where my car is currently parked and the other as shown highlighted. There have also been issues with people using the carpark when they shouldn't (as in they don't live here or visiting someone that the carpark is for, rather park up and go shopping etc, hence the cone in the 2nd space lol). My rear fence is *just* out of sight along the bottom of the image, but this angle would show anyone trying to climb over the 6' fence to the rear.

Obviously to cover both spots this angle is ideal, but it covers publicly accessible (albeit private) land. The courtyard supplies parking for 17 other properties that surround it. I'm on first name terms with 15 of those 17, and have a nodding acquaintance with the other two. As can be seen, no-one takes any pride in the area, or responsibility for upkeep. The angle covers only the parking spaces, it doesn't show any gardens, fences or gates (with the exception of just the very edge of a gate peeking in to the left of the frame). This is a compromise, I feel, of covering my property and respecting the privacy of others, as much as I can. The other camera angle is of my front door/porch. I can move the camera to the left to cover less of the public area, but then I have issues with the night vision, as the IR LED's "blow out" on the wall. The is an archway that leads into the parking area, you can see the outline of this. There is no privacy mask options on the cameras I have, and replacing them with a more expensive version that does have this isn't an option due to cost.

So - the crux. I've had, indirectly, a complaint via my letting agency about the CCTV. FWIW both our landlord and my letting agents are more than happy with my setup. The complainant has not approached me to talk to me about the cameras, and the letting agents also know they haven't approached me. I've found out, with chatting to our letting agent, that it is one of the people I know on a first name basis. This person lives in a property that is to the left of the camera picture, but is totally, 100% not in frame. The cameras have been installed for probably 11 months or so now. So, I have a few questions:

1: Does how I've got this setup working comply to current rules - do you think this is an acceptable use of CCTV to cover my property?
2: What signage would I need to have up to comply with any laws? I'm not really interested in "guidance" per se, as because this person hasn't bothered to talk to me first I'm more inclined to just do the bare minimum to cover me. A little petty, but there we are lol.
3: What do I have to do regarding requests for footage etc?

TBF, if this person came round and asked to see the setup, I would have no issues in doing so, however, I'm not particularly willing to "offer" to do so, if that makes sense, but would prefer a genial outcome obviously.

I'd appreciate any thoughts the hive mind may have, and apologies for the long and waffly post.

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@haaammit - https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/domestic-cctv-systems-guidance-for-people-using-cctv/

1. "If you are capturing images beyond your property boundary, you should have a clear and justifiable reason for doing so. In particular, you will need to think why you need these images. If asked by an individual or the ICO, you will need to be able to explain your reasons, so you should write them down now. You should also write down why you think capturing the images is more important than invading the privacy of your neighbours and passers-by."

2. "Let people know you are using CCTV by putting up signs saying that recording is taking place, and why."

3. "Responding to subject access requests (SARs), if you receive any. Individuals have a right to access the personal data you hold about them, including identifiable images. They can ask you verbally or in writing. You must respond within one month and give them a copy of the data."



Also potentially relevant:
"Before you install the system, consider speaking to your neighbours and explaining what you are doing. Listen to any objections or complaints they may have. It may also be useful to invite your neighbours to view the footage you capture. This may relieve any complaints they have about your use of CCTV. It may also avoid disputes escalating or complaints being made about your recording."
 
On point 1 this appears to be an area which is not secured and where the general public might have access. If so, it’s a public space and you really should have a risk assessment signed off by the ICO. If it’s not a public space then you have a couple of options. First, buy better cameras with privacy zone functionality or delete the images within the shortest possible time. If you’re going to be coming home every night then delete them after 24 hours. If you’re home once a week, keep them a week. This radically reduces the possibility for anyone to complain because you’re literally just keeping the images until you get eyes on your property.

On point 2 you need a sign that says something to the effect “Video Surveillance Monitoring is in use 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year for the purposes of deterring crime and protecting private property. The system is operated by xxxxxxxxxxxx, contact [e-mail of phone] for further information“. You need the contact information. Loads of places sell these signs eg. Screwfix, Arco etc. or you can print one off yourself. It really needs to be placed at the first point the surveillance images record eg. At the gate.

On point 3 you have a duty to review the images and make them available to anyone who has been recorded, if requested. If you’re only keeping 24 hours then no issues really. If you’re keeping months-worth it can be painful going back through the images.
 
mattyfez said:
Its a shared space and essentailly public, no?

If so them film away as long as it's not filming into someones window or private garden.
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Bizarrely the rules that cover a camera operated by a person, in person, are completely different to those that cover a possibly covert surveillance camera and there is a slew of very loose and often ambiguous information about what has to happen when making images of the public, the most obvious being that you have to put up signage.
 
WJA96 said:
Bizarrely the rules that cover a camera operated by a person, in person, are completely different to those that cover a possibly covert surveillance camera and there is a slew of very loose and often ambiguous information about what has to happen when making images of the public, the most obvious being that you have to put up signage.
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Is there any source to what the rules actually are? Genuinley interested as to me, if its in 'public space' and not covert, it's no different to someone walking down the street filming something on thier phone, or a news paper reporter hanging around outside a nightclub to film any celebrities that came out?
 
mattyfez said:
Is there any source to what the rules actually are? Genuinley interested as to me, if its in 'public space' and not covert, it's no different to someone walking down the street filming something on thier phone, or a news paper reporter hanging around outside a nightclub to film any celebrities that came out?
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Home CCTV systems

ico.org.uk ico.org.uk
 
TY for the ICO links, I had already had a read through them.

Seems like there's plenty of "guidance", but not so much actual law! Yes, it is private land, but the way to it is through an open, ungated archway. Anyhoozle, I've drafted up a document that, I hope, shows compliance with the guidance and a genuine concern about the privacy of others. I was planing on sending a copy of this to my letting agent but suggesting any further complaints to them are referred to the police/ICO/whoever. Appreciate if anyone fancies casting their eyes over it and giving feedback. I'll probably catch up with a few of the other residents as and when and alleviate any concerns they may have. Cheers :)

CCTV REDACTED.odt

drive.google.com drive.google.com
 
jonneymendoza said:
Eufy is not a toy. They are pretty good.

Why do you think they are toys?
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8m DORI vs 60-100m
1080P resolution with no other options.
No zoom option in the range so you’re relying on digital zoom on a 1080P image. Good luck with that.
No option for centralised storage beyind a clip recorder.
No long-term storage beyond 6 months with the 16Gb MMC clip recorder
battery powered with solar recharging significantly limits the processing power and power of the night vision
Totally reliant on one manufacturer so you’re stuck with what they provide. Forever.

I could go on. Bottom line is you’re paying through the nose for a low resolution clip camera with poor AI and shocking night vision capabilities. Because you don’t want to run cables. Sorry, but serious surveillance cameras need cables for power. Power to drive 60m lights all night, to process not just a person but whether a vehicle is a car, lorry or bicycle, and what colour it is. Whether or not a person was a man or woman. Were they wearing a red jacket etc.

I have specified and installed WiFi/4G cameras for remote locations and they’re £2000-4,000 because the solar arrays and batteries are huge.

And then we have usefulness. Does it actually let you see what’s happening? On my NVR I can literally ask it to search for any instances of a man with a beard wearing glasses getting out of a car and it will search the data and pull that up. And that’s the free software that comes with the NVR, not the ‘pro’ version that allows additional AI search features. I think Eufy can just about determine a person from an animal? Motor vehicles - my NVR (if I have a correctly installed camera) will read the number plate of a vehicle and can use that to open a garage door or open a gate. Or just look for how often that car has driven past my house. And I can choose from 2 MP night vision cameras that don’t need a spotlight for colour night vision, or a 4, 5, 8 or 12MP lens with or without zoom, with or with pan/tilt/zoom and that will reliably work for several years. And I’m not tied to any one manufacturer because of ONVIF.

Im sure Eufy is great if you’ve never seen a decent system and once you’ve seen a decent system you agree that Eufy is a toy. you are completely free to disagree.
 
WJA96 said:
8m DORI vs 60-100m
1080P resolution with no other options.
No zoom option in the range so you’re relying on digital zoom on a 1080P image. Good luck with that.
No option for centralised storage beyind a clip recorder.
No long-term storage beyond 6 months with the 16Gb MMC clip recorder
battery powered with solar recharging significantly limits the processing power and power of the night vision
Totally reliant on one manufacturer so you’re stuck with what they provide. Forever.

I could go on. Bottom line is you’re paying through the nose for a low resolution clip camera with poor AI and shocking night vision capabilities. Because you don’t want to run cables. Sorry, but serious surveillance cameras need cables for power. Power to drive 60m lights all night, to process not just a person but whether a vehicle is a car, lorry or bicycle, and what colour it is. Whether or not a person was a man or woman. Were they wearing a red jacket etc.

I have specified and installed WiFi/4G cameras for remote locations and they’re £2000-4,000 because the solar arrays and batteries are huge.

And then we have usefulness. Does it actually let you see what’s happening? On my NVR I can literally ask it to search for any instances of a man with a beard wearing glasses getting out of a car and it will search the data and pull that up. And that’s the free software that comes with the NVR, not the ‘pro’ version that allows additional AI search features. I think Eufy can just about determine a person from an animal? Motor vehicles - my NVR (if I have a correctly installed camera) will read the number plate of a vehicle and can use that to open a garage door or open a gate. Or just look for how often that car has driven past my house. And I can choose from 2 MP night vision cameras that don’t need a spotlight for colour night vision, or a 4, 5, 8 or 12MP lens with or without zoom, with or with pan/tilt/zoom and that will reliably work for several years. And I’m not tied to any one manufacturer because of ONVIF.

Im sure Eufy is great if you’ve never seen a decent system and once you’ve seen a decent system you agree that Eufy is a toy. you are completely free to disagree.
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I'm pretty sure you was the one who recommended eufy in one of the network thread!

What cctv do you recommend that's similar price as a eufy for my garden and possibly the shared side access.?
 
You’ll need to back that up with a quote. I’m not saying I didn’t but it might have been one of those threads where someone was hell-bent on buying a steaming pile of poo one way or another and Eufy might have been the least poo-like.

I’d be really surprised if I did though.
 
WJA96 said:
You’ll need to back that up with a quote. I’m not saying I didn’t but it might have been one of those threads where someone was hell-bent on buying a steaming pile of poo one way or another and Eufy might have been the least poo-like.

I’d be really surprised if I did though.
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It was on the 2.5gb thread if I remember correctly and yes soemene said the wanna use ring and u said na that's trash. Get eufy lol. Or someone did anyway
 
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