Looking for a camera, for security.

[jonbeeza]

We are looking for a camera, to protect one of our rooms in our house. We want something small and not noticeable. So obviously something disguised as something else, such as a smoke detector or wall plug etc. Does anybody have any recommendations, or has used any such devices? Thinking of the plug in type, as that would also take care of the power supply.

 

[Sky]

Try 'spy camera' on Ebay - you're spoilt for choice.

 

[twist]

Why wouldnt you rather have it on show? Its more of a deterrent.

 

[jonbeeza]

Try 'spy camera' on Ebay - you're spoilt for choice.

No idea what is a good product to buy.

Why wouldnt you rather have it on show? Its more of a deterrent.

If anyone was up to no good, they would simply disable the device, then do whatever it was that they intended.

 

[GreenNinja67]

If it's inside the room why would you have people you don't trust in the house?

 

[Sky]

No idea what is a good product to buy.

I can't help you there I'm afraid - it's been a long time since I used any of it. Popular ones people wanted me to supply them with were kids stuffed toys, pens, keyrings and clocks. Now, as you can see; you can get so much more and all on the Evil Bay.

 

[twist]

No idea what is a good product to buy.



If anyone was up to no good, they would simply disable the device, then do whatever it was that they intended.

Not quite, because you would either use an NVR in another location in the house or use cloud recording which would be motion enabled or scheduled recording, they can remove the camera but your motion alerts and recordings would remain backed up on or off site.

 

[woof woof]

If it's inside the room why would you have people you don't trust in the house?

Maybe the op doesn't want them there and they shouldn't be there.

I can't help the op but reading this thread I do wonder why people don't ask more constructive and relevant questions rather than questioning the basic premise.

 

[jonbeeza]

I had a feeling things would go like this. I did not post the question, to get into the debate of why, and what for etc. I posted in the hopes of getting some recommendations.

Had builders and various other trade people in, doing work while lockdown was on. They made me and the missus stay at the other end of the house, with the door closed, while they worked in the other rooms. There was evidence that cupboard and sideboard drawer's had been opened.

We have no say in the matter, what trade / repairers workmen / women, come into the house. The housing association tells us what, and when people will be calling, to inspect and repair, and do whatever they need to do. It is just not nice, to have three young men walking all around the house, while we are stuck in the back room with the door closed.


So for future, would like things covered. It was the missus idea so you need to ask her, if you want to know more.

So with all that out of the way. Anybody have any recommendations, of devices they have used?

 

[jonbeeza]

Also

Me and the missus are in the older more vulnerable group, also disabled. Just want a bit of security, that's all.

 

[twist]

I had a feeling things would go like this. I did not post the question, to get into the debate of why, and what for etc. I posted in the hopes of getting some recommendations.

Had builders and various other trade people in, doing work while lockdown was on. They made me and the missus stay at the other end of the house, with the door closed, while they worked in the other rooms. There was evidence that cupboard and sideboard drawer's had been opened.

So for future, would like things covered. It was the missus idea so you need to ask her, if you want to know more.

So with all that out of the way. Anybody have any recommendations, of devices they have used?

Amazon, Ring and Reolink all make very good wireless cameras with mobile notifications and live feeds you can access directly from your digital device at any time. Some models will offer a free cloud backup service and others will charge for a basic plan (around £25 a year). The cameras start at around £30 and there are plug in or battery types (the battery types last ages).

The nice thing about these systems are that you can combine indoor and outdoor cameras and they will all sync as a whole system via wifi that you can view in one interface on your phone/pc/tablet. You can add cameras as you require.

 

[Cockney]

Have a look at "Nest" (part of google). I have 1 internal and 3 external cameras. All streaming to the cloud. The internal camera can be free standing or mounted in a ceiling corner or flat surface. Also records audio and you can send audio to the camera.
I see no upside to having them hidden, unless you're setting a covert trap.

 

[woof woof]

You may not want to pay this much but...

Last year I looked into getting an updated alarm system and cameras and whilst the prices were all over the place one bloke gave a very reasonable price of just over £400. The kit may have been more DIY standard than professional standard but the image quality looked excellent on a tablet screen and would be more than adequate for many peoples uses, even the night mode looked very good to me. Storage was on line and we'd be given the password and could change it if we wished. Apparently some older and special needs people leave the installation guy with access so he can review the footage and help with any issues if the authorities need to be contacted. I was frankly amazed at the image quality but when you consider that these things are available as kits in DIY stores I suppose £400+ change is enough for the guy to make a decent profit. For various reasons I didn't go ahead with anything but at some point I will.

Other than that, one of my sisters has something she bought off Amazon that springs to life and pings her phone with live footage if there's any activity. It's too visible for your needs but I'm certain there'll be something more discrete on Amazon or evil bay.

 

[jonbeeza]

You may not want to pay this much but...

Last year I looked into getting an updated alarm system and cameras and whilst the prices were all over the place one bloke gave a very reasonable price of just over £400. The kit may have been more DIY standard than professional standard but the image quality looked excellent on a tablet screen and would be more than adequate for many peoples uses, even the night mode looked very good to me. Storage was on line and we'd be given the password and could change it if we wished. Apparently some older and special needs people leave the installation guy with access so he can review the footage and help with any issues if the authorities need to be contacted. I was frankly amazed at the image quality but when you consider that these things are available as kits in DIY stores I suppose £400+ change is enough for the guy to make a decent profit. For various reasons I didn't go ahead with anything but at some point I will.

Other than that, one of my sisters has something she bought off Amazon that springs to life and pings her phone with live footage if there's any activity. It's too visible for your needs but I'm certain there'll be something more discrete on Amazon or evil bay.

Missus only wanted to spend about £100 for a plug in and record, sort of device. She was looking at something like a wall plug , clock , smoke alarm, sort of thing. Just no idea what is any good.

 

[Box Brownie]

Just a thought.....

You mention it is about that due to the works going on the builders have effectively closed your access to a part of your house.

On the surmise, as you are only talking of a single camera, that the room in question is included in the "works" an overt camera placed "because you want to keep up with progress of the job....." is easily explained. However, if that room is not actually being worked on my thought is not relevant and by inference covert is needed.

PS is it a single door between the areas? Maybe a Ring type doorbell (though something with motion activation included) on the door to save them knocking to get your attention if/when they need to talk to you about anything?

 

[jonbeeza]

Just a thought.....

You mention it is about that due to the works going on the builders have effectively closed your access to a part of your house.

On the surmise, as you are only talking of a single camera, that the room in question is included in the "works" an overt camera placed "because you want to keep up with progress of the job....." is easily explained. However, if that room is not actually being worked on my thought is not relevant and by inference covert is needed.

PS is it a single door between the areas? Maybe a Ring type doorbell (though something with motion activation included) on the door to save them knocking to get your attention if/when they need to talk to you about anything?

With our house being social housing and belonging to a housing association, the housing to call often. Over the last few months we have had our house inspected and worked on a lot, for general maintenance and stock supply maintenances. Our housing officer says being asked to stay away from workers, and stay behind a closed door, and not in the same room as workers, will be the norm in the future.

So we wanted something small and portable, as to place in an area of the house that we are not able to keep an eye on.

 

[Box Brownie]

Ah! if there is (petty) theft and/or intrusive activity going on I can only surmise that you would not be the only ones affected. Therefore, is there an appropriate 'officer' (safeguarding type role?) in the HA with whom you can report and discuss your concerns?

 

[gramps]

Something like this in the corner of the wall/ceiling would probably be accepted as 'normal' and be unnoticed as well as providing recording on SD Card ... there are various options on the site.

 

[jonbeeza]

Ah! if there is (petty) theft and/or intrusive activity going on I can only surmise that you would not be the only ones affected. Therefore, is there an appropriate 'officer' (safeguarding type role?) in the HA with whom you can report and discuss your concerns?

There were issues with the previous work team, other tenants did raise concerns with the officer in charge. But she dismissed it by saying they are all vetted etc. But there is a new work team, trouble is it is different young men that turn up. Some of them behave badly, such as swearing and spitting on our doorstep, and varous other off putting behaviour . Don't really like this sort of people, having free roam of our home, without supervision. So a camera would be the next best thing.

 

[jonbeeza]

Something like this in the corner of the wall/ceiling would probably be accepted as 'normal' and be unnoticed as well as providing recording on SD Card ... there are various options on the site.

Yes something like that looks good. But has anybody on here used one, and are they any good?

 

[Box Brownie]

There were issues with the previous work team, other tenants did raise concerns with the officer in charge. But she dismissed it by saying they are all vetted etc. But there is a new work team, trouble is it is different young men that turn up. Some of them behave badly, such as swearing and spitting on our doorstep, and varous other off putting behaviour . Don't really like this sort of people, having free roam of our home, without supervision. So a camera would be the next best thing.

I empathise with what you say.

What you were told sounds like a blanket statement. Vetting can "cover" different things.,.......not least the difference between HA directly employed staff = the HA are responsible for the type and auditing of the process. Somewhat different if the staff used are contractors and their employer may not have as good a handle on such matters.. ....though surely ultimate responsibility lies with the HA???

I hope you can find a suitable product. NB there are tamper evident seals that you can buy, though not a straightforward solution when it comes to your furniture needing to be used everyday by you & your wife.

 

[sep9001]

Missus only wanted to spend about £100 for a plug in and record, sort of device. She was looking at something like a wall plug , clock , smoke alarm, sort of thing. Just no idea what is any good.

Have a look at this for something cheap:

Neos SmartCam | Wi-Fi SmartHome Security Camera, Works with Alexa, 1080P HD Video, Night Vision, 2-Way Audio, Free Cloud Storage, UK Support, White, Single Pack : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Neos SmartCam | Wi-Fi SmartHome Security Camera, Works with Alexa, 1080P HD Video, Night Vision, 2-Way Audio, Free Cloud Storage, UK Support, White, Single Pack.

www.amazon.co.uk

The app and motion detection is not as good as ring but for £30, it is fine and has a as card slot for recording too as well as cloud recording for short clips.

 

[gramps]

Yes something like that looks good. But has anybody on here used one, and are they any good?

I have used similar in my previous work but that's not within the last 5 years and things will have moved on but beware of 'cheap as chips' as if things 'go wrong' you will need to supply visible and recognisable evidence.