Surveillance cameras

[xvi3tsoljahx]

I'm trying to help my good friend who owns a business hook up a surveillance based on computers. I want it to load all the video towards a computer and be able to check it anywhere he is with computer and internet connection. Is this possible what do i need in order for this to happen and where can i find out more about this and where are the cheapest place to find them? Easy to install?

[ashenfang]

well, first you will need some sort of video over ip equipment. This is something that turns your video signal from you cameras to an IP address. Next you will need a small server of some sort, and finally a VPN connection, so that he can connect to the server and pull the video to his computer.

Yes it can be done but not cheap. I believe IP camera's start at around $125.00 or there abouts. Then the cost of the server and IP translation equipment.

[Dubbin1]

Is this so he can snoop on the employees? If so why not just use a web cam.

[xvi3tsoljahx]

It's to check his business is running ok... reserving tables and such. Isn't it possible for me to use pc anywhere or something that can basically see the computer there? Besides using that little server with vpn i'll just build a regular basic computer that can handle that much work for recording video.

[xvi3tsoljahx]

hmm i did some research i basically have to build a other rig. DVR ( digital video recorder) In order for it to record do i need any special programs? and adapter? or some sort.

[wired14]

ebay has some ethernet cameras for 120$ or so

[I.M.O.G.]

Are you trying to log the activity that goes on with a computer (reservation/sales tracking and such) or do you actually want visual feeds of the activity within the physical facility?

Looking at the ratio of price to benefit, using a computer based data tracking system would be far more useful and informative than spot checking video feeds. With a data bank, trends could be recognized with the business frequency - and variances could be easily flagged for closer investigation.

A short story for example:

Your good friend wants to know whats going on thursday nights when Joe Bartender is only logging XXX sales but he expects far more business was done and alcohol was dispensed? A visual feed might not recognize that the bartender wasn't always billing people so that he could get better tips from them.

When Candy Bigknockers works the bar on Thursday night, and Joe has the night off, far more sales are logged and you know the bar was just as busy. The sales data logging would clearly show that Candy makes more money for the bar than Joe... Likely because Candy makes the guys pay for every one of their beers because she knows they will still tip her well as long as she keeps wearing those low cut V-necks.

The End.

Don't go telling that story to the kids at bed times now, but it illustrates my point. Your buddy could set up a video surveillance system for part of a $1000 dollars and get hardly any good use out of it, or he could hire someone to customize a data/entry logging program for about the same price and it could be far more beneficial.

Video surveillance is just very poor with the sort of information it gives. Other types of workplace surveillance can be much more exact.

Edit: Of course, if its actually the wife he's trying to keep an eye on while he's away on business... The whole ballgame changes and video is definetly the method of choice. ;)

[its_me_gb]

haha, i like the story IMOG, and i think you have a good point :)

[Bensa]

Originally posted by IMOG
Candy Bigknockers

What kind of name is that?

But reading from the first post, I believe he wants video feed that can be checked is employees are slacking off or whatnot. If he was looking for "tracking" software, then it would be a lot cheaper.

[I.M.O.G.]

You got it Bensa, that was my point. Tracking software would be a much better avenue to pursue in terms of initial cost, as well as the utility of it down the road.

How long are you willing to sit down and watch a video feed every day? What are the odds of you "catching" someone in the act of not doing their job? Could more useful information be obtained by another means and require less personal time and work spent?

I think those are good questions, especially without knowing how much consideration has been given to this video thing. At first its sounds good - "Oh great, we can catch them in the act". But in reality, if you are filming a 12-16 hour work day how much of that day are you going to even look at?

Of course, it all depends on the situation. Going back to the story, if you suspect that when Joe and Candy work together they are sneaking off to the back room to play tiddly-winks, then a properly placed camera might do the trick - but what is that really worth?

It is very difficult to improve the "bottom line" with cameras, but with tracking and logging software, trendlines can be recognized and necessary actions can be taken that lead to more value being created. Just suggestions for something to think about, if it hasn't already been considered.

[Bensa]

Your "scenarios" get wierder by the post.