X10 Community Forum
📝Reviews => X10 Hardware => Camera Reviews => Topic started by: shirleyf on July 02, 2008, 05:36:13 PM
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OK, help us out here, are we the only people who are going crazy with the Eagle Sensor. It can't be far enough away from the video commander to make it worth our time and effort. We purchased the multi camera sensor and we are VERY unhappy with it. Customer service has been fine, except for the time they hung up on my husband after putting him on ETERNAL HOLD, but the system isn't very quality. Cameras work fine if you just want to use them for visual purposes but to record if someone is breaking in your home, they are a joke. One last complaint. Has anyone else ever saw so many wires with a Wireless System!!!?
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There is a passive antenna mod for the active/eagle Eye sensors posted here.... that may help. Using a repeater can be a big help also. I use the X10 motion detecting floodlights to activate my cameras.... and I used AHP to send a RF signal to VCR commander.
.................. Cameras work fine if you just want to use them for visual purposes but to record if someone is breaking in your home, they are a joke. One last complaint. Has anyone else ever saw so many wires with a Wireless System!!!?
I hope your joking about recording someone breaking into your home. That sounds to me like a very dangerous idea. Although you can get good clear video... if you plan and setup properly. I prefer to leave solving crimes to the police.
Cameras can provide a great deterent. A home that is well lighted, landscaped, locked and alarmed... shouldn't make the top of any list for break-in's. Adding cameras adds greater risk for any would-be intruder.
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OK, help us out here, are we the only people who are going crazy with the Eagle Sensor. It can't be far enough away from the video commander to make it worth our time and effort. We purchased the multi camera sensor and we are VERY unhappy with it. Customer service has been fine, except for the time they hung up on my husband after putting him on ETERNAL HOLD, but the system isn't very quality. Cameras work fine if you just want to use them for visual purposes but to record if someone is breaking in your home, they are a joke. One last complaint. Has anyone else ever saw so many wires with a Wireless System!!!?
What are you using to pick up the RF signal from the Eagle? CM15A?, TM751?, RR501?. Can you move it closer to the Eagle?
If the cameras are sufficient for "visual purposes" why are they not good enough for VCR? Is the recorded image that much worse than the picture on the monitor? If so, is it your VCR?
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I have the AAA battery powered sensor on my front porch ceiling. It operates the front porch camera, doorbell, and porch light. It seems to work fine except in cold weather. I must need different batteries for cold weather.
Cons: Battery, Dark plastic color against white house paint.
Seems to work well above 45F.
I have decided to hardwire PS to replace batteries and paint it white.
Range seems about 25'.
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I hope your joking about recording someone breaking into your home. That sounds to me like a very dangerous idea. Although you can get good clear video... if you plan and setup properly. I prefer to leave solving crimes to the police.
People are recorded breaking into homes. I see it on TV. What is the chance of police solving a crime such as a home burglary. Not very good. A camera recording may assist if they do not steal the recording. It would only be dangerous if I was home and a recording would still be good for evidence. Our family cabin was broken into 2 times in the past 60 years. The sheriff caught only 1 couple because they were living in it.
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I see it on TV.
Well.... I can't argue with that reasoning. If you've seen it on TV... that's likely the way to go then.
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I see it on TV.
Well.... I can't argue with that reasoning. If you've seen it on TV... that's likely the way to go then.
No need to be sarcastic. It is well known that recorded videos aid in certain circumstances. It has nothing to do with my seeing it on TV.
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... It is well known that recorded videos aid in certain circumstances.
My Dad was a cop for 25 years. What he thought was well known.... is: do everything to PREVENT the crime.
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I see it on TV.
Well.... I can't argue with that reasoning. If you've seen it on TV... that's likely the way to go then.
Get your kicks out of insulting people looking for help do you? Why doesn't ir surprise me that you are what passes for an expert around here?
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Get your kicks out of insulting people looking for help do you? Why doesn't ir surprise me that you are what passes for an expert around here?
No I didn't get any kicks out of that TheBigOldDog. From time-to-time users mention wanting to catch the criminal in-the-act.... on video... or even in person.
Maybe I sometimes go overboard in discourging that. But... I certainly don't mean to insult anyone.
Burglary is a serious crime. And the whole crime/victim thing is much messier than seen-on-TV. I regularly encourage readers (other X10 users) to use X10 to prevent the crime. I have even started a thread about finding new and improved methods to "keep them outside (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=13351.msg74400#msg74400)".
I am a firm believer that cameras can help deter (PREVENT) crime. Having a burglar past your home buy... isn't sexy.. it doesn't make good TV.. heck your not even likely to know it ever happened. But... as boring as it sounds.... preventing crime is what I advocate.
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OK, help us out here, are we the only people who are going crazy with the Eagle Sensor. It can't be far enough away from the video commander to make it worth our time and effort. We purchased the multi camera sensor and we are VERY unhappy with it. Customer service has been fine, except for the time they hung up on my husband after putting him on ETERNAL HOLD, but the system isn't very quality. Cameras work fine if you just want to use them for visual purposes but to record if someone is breaking in your home, they are a joke. One last complaint. Has anyone else ever saw so many wires with a Wireless System!!!?
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Get your kicks out of insulting people looking for help do you? Why doesn't ir surprise me that you are what passes for an expert around here?
No I didn't get any kicks out of that TheBigOldDog. From time-to-time users mention wanting to catch the criminal in-the-act.... on video... or even in person.
Maybe I sometimes go overboard in discourging that. But... I certainly don't mean to insult anyone.
Burglary is a serious crime. And the whole crime/victim thing is much messier than seen-on-TV. I regularly encourage readers (other X10 users) to use X10 to prevent the crime. I have even started a thread about finding new and improved methods to "keep them outside (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=13351.msg74400#msg74400)".
I am a firm believer that cameras can help deter (PREVENT) crime. Having a burglar past your home buy... isn't sexy.. it doesn't make good TV.. heck your not even likely to know it ever happened. But... as boring as it sounds.... preventing crime is what I advocate.
I agree that prevention should be the main focus but I see no harm in recording just in case of a break in Unless you plan on using it to track down the crocks and take matter in your own hands.
Point in hand I had a break in my house on 4-11-09 I had the video cameras and alarm system. Now I'm sure that the alarm system keep them from staying to long. That's why they only made off with some cash and credit cards that got canceled before use.
One of the first thing the deputy sheriff asked me was if I had a recording which I had to say no, I was having problem with the VCR commander and never took the time to figure it out.
You can bet that I record video now though I replaced my flood light with one that records 20sec of video to an SD card every time the motion sensor goes off.
Steve
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You can bet that I record video now though I replaced my flood light with one that records 20sec of video to an SD card every time the motion sensor goes off.
Is that the floodlight that also announces a warning to trespassers (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=385460)?
I use X10 floodlights and BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) to get something similar.
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Boy this is weird. I just joined the forum, my name is Steve, I have the same flood light I just installed and yes it works well. Only problem is going up and down the ladder. It is a very nice system and needs no added wires except for 120VAC. It comes with a 1 GB card and will take a 2, records and date stamps a directory for each day after you set the time and date. It seems to auto zoom some depending on where the trigger occurs.
Now the con. Going up and down the darn ladder to retrieve the SD card or you can plug-in your laptop via USB cable if you like. My second time up, I fell with the ladder (small step ladder, last step, yeah not very smart B:( )
I just purchased the XCam2 color with VCR Commander and all to sort of make it easier to review before I climb again to retrieve stick. BTW, the camera has a narrower field of view than the light sensor so beware and aim at what you want.
Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt.
Steve II :)+
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..... Now the con. Going up and down the darn ladder to retrieve the SD card..
I am so glad you posted the review!
I do have a question... I thought the camera would "write-over" any pictures previously taken. Is that correct? And by my calculations/guessamations... the 1 gig card would last for some time. Digitally speaking... how many Kb are the pictures?
I rarely review any videos or images. I mean I have... I've seen the ratcoons, stray cats, deer, and wife taking trash out. It's nice to know that if someone tries to jimmy open my door... I might capture decent video of it. But I really hope the cameras never collect any evidence. I think the alarm, alarm signs and stickers,visible cameras... and voice warning should deter most would be intruders
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Dave,
You are correct the camera does overwrite data when it is full, starting with first record. It does not take pictures as such. It records 20 seconds at a time and will start-stop again so you will get time stamps like 073020413.AVI, 0730400413.Avi, etc.
I forgot to mention the four audio settings too. "You are trespassing!", "You are being records by a security camera", dog barking and OFF. I have heard you can record your own sounds in one model, but not sure about this one SmartGuard.com has more info, sorta.
Steve
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In my line of work, operating in a central monitoring station, we provide recorded video to law enforcement agencies all the time. They love it when we catch someone in the act and can provide the evidence. Especially when we get tag numbers or a perfect face shot. We've even provided video of events taking place right outside of our building in a small business park since we have cameras mounted around our suite. Along with dispatching the PD, we also dispatch armed private security on several of our video patrol accounts.
At home, my cameras start recording when the software detects motion. I record them to hard drives and offsite storage. I also receive a short(7 seconds. up to 10 per event) video clip on my phone upon alarm signals.
I've been very pleased with the MS14As and plan to order some more this weekend. I didn't have much hope for them before I got one. The sensitivity and range is nice and the batteries last a LOT longer than I expected reading some past reviews.
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In my line of work, operating in a central monitoring station, we provide recorded video to law enforcement agencies all the time.
I bet you need to be bonded (or is it bondable) for that kind of a job.
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No need to be bonded but there are a few requirements. Those requirements vary quite a bit from state to state. In California you must obtain a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. To do so requires your fingerprints ran through the FBI NCIC computers to make sure you have no criminal record. There's a few more requirements if you want to have a firearm (in case the central station comes under attack as we monitor many banks and other high-profile accounts) and other various license classes.
The armed private security personnel may need to be bonded but I'm not sure on that. In some areas of California the local law enforcement is so overwhelmed or understaffed that armed private security operates as quasi-police in some jurisdictions. They even share radio frequencies with the local law enforcement and take people into custody (citizens arrest). We dispatch a few units that operate that way. I would think they'd need to be bonded.
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I have tried using X10 sensors of various models over the years with poor results. Either to sensitive or signal won't even travel 25 ft. to a reciever, etc. Also the wireless camera resolution is so poor it requires that a vehicle license plate or persons face would have to be within 15 feet of camera.