My church operates a thrift store, and will soon open a second location. Where would a person turn for solid advice? I'm thinking that the 16 camera setup from big box retailer X for only $499 is NOT the best.

As an example, my wife, who serves as a cashier, one day had to reject a counterfeit $100. The present store camera system did not adequately capture the miscreant. It is challenging to operate, find info, etc.

As usual I'll be busy searching the interweb, but if you all have proven resources, send them my way.

As I have recommended here before, call Brickhouse Security. We have used their gear in our PI business with good results. They are knowledgeable and can give you sound advice.

https://www.brickhousesecurity.com/

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I'm thinking that the 16 camera setup from big box retailer X for only $499 is NOT the best.

No you don't want a camera-system-in-box, they are most likely going to be low quality coax cameras and you will want high-def POE IP cameras.

My company uses S3I at their Herndon location, they service the entire DC/VA/MD region:

https://www.s3integration.com/

There've been at least three, maybe four recent threads on surveillance camera systems. Here are three of them:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...935/m/9540055954/p/1
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/6620041854
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/3030012264

Interview a Professional in your area.
They can tell guide you in the proper direction for each area you need covered or viewed.
In addition they can go over your storage, retention and remote viewing options.
A camera for capturing a fast motion cash register transaction is different from the need to capture a license plate and that is different from low light settings and different from the need for detail at 50 yards.
It's all in the lens and configuration.
Good Luck.

Since you mentioned it's a church owned thrift store, maybe a member of the church is in the business and would be willing to help or direct you.

Remember that this is all math. It takes a certain number of pixels to ID a known face. It takes more pixels to ID an unknown face (with certainty). Find some of those more technical resources. They also have formulas (math is hard) and plug in calculators (happy-no-math face!) that calculate lens vs sensor vs field of view vs distance to subject, and the result tells you how far away you might be able to ID a perp.

It takes more than throwing up a boxed or even a pre-spec’ed system.

Visited the store today. The system is not functional at the moment. Lorex brand--4K Ultra MPX on the box. Five cameras. Appear to be hard-wired cameras. Cameras connect to Lorex box with BNC connectors, and separate power supplies feed each one. Cameras are 1080P, model LBV2711TB. Dashboard is confusing.

I'll contact the resources you all have recommended. We need to get this squared away for the existing and a new location.

Many of the newer IP systems are plug and play. This makes the installation very easy.

quote:

Interview a Professional in your area.
They can tell guide you in the proper direction for each area you need covered or viewed.
In addition they can go over your storage, retention and remote viewing options.
A camera for capturing a fast motion cash register transaction is different from the need to capture a license plate and that is different from low light settings and different from the need for detail at 50 yards.
It's all in the lens and configuration.

^^^^^^
Good advice. These folks also know the crime stats and can advise on prevention measures and a silent 911 alarm. Brickhouse as noted above is a good idea too.

quote:

he present store camera system did not adequately capture the miscreant. It is challenging to operate, find info, etc.

FYI just because someone offered up a fake bill doesn't mean they knew the bill was fake, my buddy who owns a motorcycle shop got hit with one a few weeks ago, knows who gave it to him, along with 10 other $100's the guy wasn't pulling anything, he had no idea.

Bank caught it and had my buddy been using the pen, he would have at the point of sale.

Lots of that going around, so if you are doing a cash deal, get a pen even for FTF deals.