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I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep.
Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras.
Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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The cost of the camera is the least of the issues if you go external - should be able to pick one up cheap enough online. You will need to run a power cable to it some how. The only time I ever had to do this I was fortunate that there was a socket in the attic so that I did not have to run visible internal cables.
Ger
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Yes, very good point - I don't think that there are any external lights or anything already in place.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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I just purchased a solar powered array+battery from Ace Hardware to power an outdoor WIFI cam. Might be a nice solution for you.
Or this looks neat too!
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Wireless-ONVIF2-1-Surveillance-Security/dp/B018QA5X70
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You should be able to test it by using your laptop/tablet/phone camera to get an idea of quality. Also there is an excellent article on home security systems in the Articles section; unfortunately I foolishly forgot to bookmark it, so cannot provide the link.
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A test-run with a 'phone camera is exactly the sort of thing that I should have thought of but didn't! Thank you.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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I suppose you just peer through the net curtains.
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Do people still have net curtains to peer through?
I remember an old neighbour from when I was a young kid who used to do taht all day long - I used to wind her up a great deal by waving to her when I saw the curtains move.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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Why not just go with a COTS product that integrates with the rest of your 'smart home'. No point to re-invent the wheel and risk the investment of time and money for something that may not pan out.
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No 'smart' home as such to integrate with but yes, off-the-shelf* is always the way to go when such things exist.
- Had to look up COTS - I learnt an acronym today!
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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Because most camera products stand alone, or don't integrate with smart home products, or use some obscure standard not widely in use. The IoT sucks, man.
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I've been installing and using cameras for a little over 25 years now. In my home I have an array of HD infrared cameras connected to my self-written home automation system. The camera recording is done using Zoneminder, which is free.
I recommend IP cameras that are at least HD. I caught a burglar (got their vehicle photo with tag number) last summer who broke into a neighbors house.
Also, if you power the cameras via POE and have that all on a UPS, that's important too. It's not easy to get an affordable system that has enough quality to be useful.
Grandstream makes dirt-cheap cameras that can get you started. Professional grade stuff will cost over $1000 per camera.
Just yesterday I was 40 miles from home when UPS made a delivery. I could see him at the front door, and when he rang the "doorbell", I answered and thanked him, all from my desk at work in another city.
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All really cool stuff and great info. 
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Wow! UPS made a delivery!?! Today gets stranger by the minute 
Pro-grade stuff is definitely not required here (thankfully, considering the price) as we just need to keep an eye on a fairly small space - additionally, we know exactly who is getting up to the shenanigans that have led up to this requirement, we just want a record of her doing it in case the situation escalates.
Thanks for the recommendations.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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Basildane wrote: he rang the "doorbell", I
No one does that anymore. Not UPS, not FedEx, and not USPS. They just leave it at the door. No door bell ringing where I live.
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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All I can say is that I have video of it. And pushing the button initiated a VOIP call to my desk at work, which was logged. I live out in the country, so your mileage may vary.
UPS and Fedex are very professional here. However, it took MONTHS to get them comfortable enough to get out of the truck as I have Russian Dobermans. I was able to make the introductions and convince them that they could leave with all their body parts still attached, and we are all friends now. They used to sit in the truck and honk until I went to them.
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Basildane wrote: I have video of it. And pushing the button initiated a VOIP call to my desk at work, which was logged.
Ya, I've seen some commercials online for a product that does that. Can't recall the name. Cool stuff.
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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We use Asterisk, with FreePBX as the front-end for communications. All the video and security integration is custom.
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That's pretty awesome you did it all yourself.
I found the one I had seen ads for, Arlo by NETGEAR: Wireless & AC-Powered Security Cameras[^].
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Write an article? 
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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A big thank you for introducing me to Zoneminder. 
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I wouldn't put the camera behind a window, issues such as reflection if brighter inside and if cold perhaps glass misting too.
As others mentioned cameras are pretty cheap on-line (read the reviews because there is some crap too).
Sin tack
the any key okay
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The front is rarely lit and windows are single-glazed so hopefully not too much of an issue (will take Richard's advice here and test with a phone or a lappy before deciding how safe an assumption this is).
Very much hoping the troublesome neighbour will have departed by the time that misty windows become an issue!
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
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Remember that if you can see the camera from over the internet so potentially can others.
Disable any non needed items and change any default passwords.
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