Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - USB Vs. CCTV

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in computers but here goes:

I want to install an 8 camera surveillance system in and around my home. Since November there have been a dozen B&E's in my neighborhood and twice as many auto break-ins and acts of vandalism. Neighbor's kid across the street and friend copped to 5 of the break-ins but they have started a trend. The police have adopted a "no witness no crime" method of apprehension.

Anyway, here's my dilemma:
CCTV- I already have 2 low light powered cams with 100' cords. I could buy two 4 cam capture cards, 6 more cams and a power server for about $640.
USB- 8 cams for under $60, two multiport usb hubs for $20 and cable for about a dollar a foot ($240).

USB looks cheaper on paper, but I'm worried that I face a problem with accessing all cams at once. Is this possible or is it the same as selecting a TWAIN source, limit of one at a time?

Anybody out there dealt with either of these competing methods? Thanks in advance!

You would be best off with a standalone DVR and traditional cameras with BNC connections.

The camera cards (and the software that comes with them) should do what you want, but your computer needs to have loads of hard-drive space. CCTV video can fill up a pretty large drive pretty quickly.

I know that there are software solutions for making USB cameras do what you want, but for that many cameras it's going to be clumsy and frustrating, at best.

If you shop about, you can get a complete 4 camera DVR system for the 5 - 600 dollar range. 8 cameras will tend to double that.

Thanks for the input. One of my goals was not to have a power strip with a bank of transformers tied to it; the main reason I didn't want BNC's. Self powered USB cams solve that aspect.

I already have software that will only record motion/change in field so HD space isn't going to be that big of an issue. It may be that 8 cams is sort of overkill for my needs as well. Though I may not have stated it, the goal is just to catch them in the act "if and when" something happens. I will monitor the system and have it autodump as long as there are no incidents.

I should have also stated that I have tons of spare computers, drives, etc. Cost really is the bottom line.

Thanks again for the expertise!

Thanks for the input. One of my goals was not to have a power strip with a bank of transformers tied to it; the main reason I didn't want BNC's. Self powered USB cams solve that aspect.


I was given a cctv setup... well computer...

not a powerful machine but will do 16 cameras!!!!

p4 2.0 celeron
256mb ram
xp embedded
120gb hd


something to think about on the bnc cameras is not that you have a bank of power packs...

you cut the end off of one and tie them together..

the bnc cable (siamese - sorry bout spelling) but it has the bnc and power line all in one.. .you run it out to the camera, hook it up on the camera side... on the pc side.. you cut the plug off... strip the small wire and splice it into the power... they even make an adapter to do that...

here is the cable

RG-6/U Plenum Siamese CCTV Coax Cable (500') : PRG-6CCTV-500 (http://www.altex.com/RG-6U-Plenum-Siamese-CCTV-Coax-Cable-500-PRG-6CCTV-500-P146139C10934.aspx)


also check these power supply boxes
CCTV Camera Power Supply Distribution Boxes (http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/Power-Supply-Boxes-s/80.htm)

you gotta remember.... you say expensive.. but if it saves you from thieving headaches... worth it... when I get a job im going to get all of mine setup.... just got to buy cameras