Outdoor Lights and Covert CCTV

[wookey]

If you used a PC/laptop as the recording mechanism then 'motion' is a very handy bit of software that will just record the times there is some change in the image (i.e something is moving). Saves enormous amounts of disc and wading through boring results. results can be accessed over the web if the machine is accessible.

http://www.lavrsen.dk/foswiki/bin/view/Motion/WebHome (for Linux, not windows - I guess that won't be ideal for Kristen who hasn't yet seen the light so far as I know :-). (Good to hear from you again Kristen, it's been a while - do give us an update on how your systems are working). Should work from a plug-server, though, for example.

[tony.]

Mr gus,

You dont need to out signs up for domestic properties.

Tony

[clivejo]

If you looking for a good PC based recording solution Zoneminder is packed full of useful features. http://www.zoneminder.com/

[JohnH]

Hi

I have had a 4 camera CCTV system using a PC up in the loft for about 18 months. The cameras are positioned by the front door, up on the roof dormer looking across and down the street plus one out the back. The cameras and the X-Vision software are available from Y3K.com and are very reasonably priced. I used an old PC and fitted a 300Gb drive which lasts about a year, you then write over it. The local police advised me that if you just state that CCTV in operation this would stand in a court of law. It does work as a deterrent.

JohnH

[djh]

I was interested by all these ideas about signs and not filming public places, since I was pretty convinced that public places are the main place that you *are* allowed to film (plus private places where you have permission).

So I found some links and they appear to confirm what I thought - you can film what and who you like on public property and on private property where you have permission. You're restricted slightly by harassment and terrorism laws.

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/
http://photographernotaterrorist.org/bust-card/
http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography_and_the_law#United_Kingdom
http://www.photographersrights.org.uk/

Firms, but not private individuals, are also affected by the Data Protection Act and there is a code of conduct for CCTV. It contains the requirement for signs and the need to restrict the recordings to the area under surveillance, though they may include public spaces.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection/topic_guides/cctv.aspx

If anybody knows of any other resources, or thinks I've misinterpreted them, I'd love to know.

[tony.]

Why not ask over at the fire and security forum.

Industry pros doing it every day for a living.

Tony