Security Camera System...

I have several d-link cameras outside of my home. I don't use their cloud storage, but they have the same cloud recording capability that Dropcam does plus they have a lot more options when it comes to cameras: indoor/outdoor, stationary/pan-tilt-zoom, etc.

(edit: it looks as though I spoke too soon. D-link currently has one camera DCS-935L that does cloud recording, but they have local recording devices that are accessible via the cloud other cameras)

There have been a few threads on surveillance systems. You may find some info here. I've actually added a pan-tilt-zoom d-link since these threads.

Home surveillance systems... anyone here have one?

Home Surveillance System

Looking for surveillance camera advice

Hate to hijack, but I guess I'll just throw my security camera idea in here instead of starting a new thread...


I have a need for about 16 outdoor cameras, but I would rather not part with the $10k that commercial vendors want for such a system. That does include a DVR, misc. accessories, and installation, but I can do it myself much cheaper. I put together a 4 camera system a while back with wireless outdoor bullet cameras and a PC for DVR for about $1550 total. The cameras I used were $250 each, so I could scale that system to 16 cameras for about $4550. Or, I could use the incredibly cheap at $150 Foscam cameras and get it under $3k, but I'm not sure about the quality of those.

So I was thinking about building my own cameras using Raspberry Pi + camera module + USB wifi + dummy camera housing, which after including other required things like SD card and power supply, the total cost is a little under $120. That's not a huge savings over the Foscam bullet cameras, especially considering the time I would have to put in, but the image quality should be much, much better. Also, since the Pi will be running full-blown Linux, these homemade cameras would have the added benefit of limitless programming/scripting capability. So I could make some of them double as wifi access points, or give some two-way audio, or add hardware like backup batteries or sensors or whatever. Hell, I could make smart dash cams for vehicles or equipment like forklifts that, in addition to recording what's happening, could monitor hours, temps, speed/location, etc.


So is this stupid and I should just stick to commercially available stuff, or does it sound like a neat project that some of you might want to try?

Korkstand, I actually am a commercial vendor, and if someone quoted you $10k for a 16 camera system they must not have wanted to sell you anything. The only way I see that even being remotely close to a decent price is if every camera was wireless. Shoot me a message at tigerbait9876@gmail.com and fill me in on what you need. I'd like to see what I can do for you.

I like the flexibility and I am a huge fan of the Raspberry. I just got Windows 10 running on it and I'm working on a automation project with cloud acquisition. What were you thinking on the housing?

Hey Krypto, I was wondering if you know anyone in the Jackson MS area that does good quality work and follow up. Have a commercial property there that needs some cameras added and updated.

Foscam has outdoor cameras. I prefer them because you can save video with mini-SD cards, the cloud is not required. Also, I believe Foscam has better night vision, a larger field of view, and slightly better video. You can talk through a speaker on the camera, so you can yell at an intruder.

We have done a ton of research lately because we need a baby monitor soon. Foscam is where its at.