A look into my Home Security
Article Date: 06/05/19
Article Updated : 25/07/19
About my home security system
As someone who likes computers, I like to experiment with different technologies. I have a home based CCTV system, which I'm always developing and looking at improving. I'm using it to explore other technologies that I implement around my home. My home setup is always under development so over time I add or remove cameras that I'm testing out for use within my property.
I'm not required to follow Data Protection or Data Controller guidelines relating to CCTV because this is domestic CCTV. So the laws don't apply to me
I do however try and follow best practice, I implement the masking policy on all of my cameras so that no windows / door ways are recorded and gardens are recorded. I only record footpath / roadway. I can remove this masking on request to record neighbours properties fully, however I will only do that with express permission from them via written consent. I scan and store all consent forms should there be a dispute over this at a later date and it ends up going to court.
This permission can be revoked by the person in the property at any time, however they are requried to submit a signed sheet with the name / address / date as proof requesting I no longer monitor their property. I can also mask up images if I feel like no longer recording their property. I don't need someone's consent to stop recording them I don't care less about their property end of the day. Only mine.
The low resolution cameras are different to the high-resolution ones. The low resolution cameras are used for recognition, the high-resolution are used for identification.
This is clarified further at the URL at the following address https://ipvm.com/reports/detection-recognition-and-identification. The short version of this is as follows :
- Detection - The ability to detect if there is some 'thing' vs nothing.
- Recognition - The ability to recognize what type of thing it is (person, animal, car, etc.)
- Identification - The ability to identify a specific individual from other people
A brief overview of my home security system
I prefer to use Hikvision gear. I find their equipment easy to use, and user-friendly. Alongside this they're one of the only suppliers who use H.265+ compression on the video technology. Which means you can record a large amount of video for a long time before the disk ever gets full on the equipment. This allows for long-term data storage of the videos for future purposes. All my cameras are setup to favour FPS over resolution because it's pointless having a good resolution if there's no motion behind it. The H.265+ technology allows for ridiculous amounts of compression without sacrificing quality on the videos.
The 1080p cameras are only £20 each in the UK, so 1080p @ 30fps for £20 I'm not complaining.
CCTV DVR Model: DS-7204HUHI-K1 (Fitted with a 2TB Western Digital Purple HDD)
This runs my low quality (1080P - 5MP) analogue HD (AHD) cameras. I use it for recording areas of my property that aren't required in high-resolution and are more needed for recognition rather than identification. There is a higher resolution one that looks at my garage for a bit more detail, the ones that are in my yard are simply so I can see who's at the door without having to move as generally I work in another room that's secluded from the front of the house so I can get some peace and quiet. Anyone who knows me knows unless I'm expecting you I will ignore you. I really don't care less what goes on in the outside world. I like working on my own projects
- Model : DS-2CE56H0T-ITPF - Overlooks my garage (5MP / 20FPS)
- Model : DS-2CE56D8T-ITME - Looks at my backdoor / garage (1080P / 30FPS)
This page will be updated from time to time as I add new tech into my property or new content
FUTURE UPDATES
I'd like to expand the gear by utilising one of the Panoviewcameras, or something along the lines of the a triple camera system
1 B&W, 1 Full Colour, 1 Thermal - Pair these up with a DeepMind system and an ANPR system