Villa Monitoring/CCTV systems

[Oakland]

Hi

I wonder if anyone can offer advise or contacts for companies who install monitoring systems in villas. This maybe in the form of CCTV or some other type of system. I'm currently renting out my villa and want to install a system which will allow me (from the UK) to check whether people are arriving/staying at the villa. I am just conscious that I leave the booking and management of the villa to the management company but I have no way of checking whether I am actually getting paid for all the weeks that the villa is occupied, so I would like to be able to check for myself. My thinking is this - if I have a CCTV camera installed to watch the front door I can see if guests are arriving and leaving the villa during a particular week. If anyone can suggest any other system or monitoring device please let me know as any advice is appreciated.

thanks

[pickwick]

Hi

You can use an outdoor wireless D-Link camera (not expensive) and you can view it anytime from anywhere. You can set it to send you a snapshot photo by e-mail every time anyone crosses its path! Simples. The camera uses free easy to use mydlink software so you can access from Apple devices, android tablets etc on the go. I have one in my lounge to supplement the alarm system and I log in from anywhere - it is really easy to use. See link below:-

http://www.dlink.com/uk/en/home-solutio ... oud-camera

Pickwick

PS see photo taken just now (I just launched the MyDlink Software, logged in and took the photo.) Now live video is streaming from the camera to my PC with sound!

MyDlink Photo.jpg (13.98 KiB) Viewed 9213 times

[Sheila]

I bought one of these
http://www.cmac-cctv.co.uk/ucam247-hdo-756-p.asp

They can supply with a EU Power supply so saves using an adaptor.

They have a demo camera you can view if you install the App. so you can check it works before you buy.

[alf1956]

Do you have to have a static ip address to have the any of the systems that have been posted or can you use the normal rolling ip address ? i looked into having streamed cameras using the internet but i was told that i could not use my current internet ip address as it is a rolling ip address for security reasons. i enquired about having a static ip address but it was an extra €15/20 per month so decided that to pay that on top of my current broadband&phone rental made it too expensive

[pickwick]

Hi Alf

No need for static IP address with the D-Link cameras.

Pickwick

[Sheila]

Do you have to have a static ip address to have the any of the systems that have been posted or can you use the normal rolling ip address ? i looked into having streamed cameras using the internet but i was told that i could not use my current internet ip address as it is a rolling ip address for security reasons. i enquired about having a static ip address but it was an extra €15/20 per month so decided that to pay that on top of my current broadband&phone rental made it too expensive

No need for a static IP with ucam247 either. I have tested it at home and it works fine.

[alf1956]

Hi Alf

No need for static IP address with the D-Link cameras.

Pickwick

thanks

[alf1956]

Do you have to have a static ip address to have the any of the systems that have been posted or can you use the normal rolling ip address ? i looked into having streamed cameras using the internet but i was told that i could not use my current internet ip address as it is a rolling ip address for security reasons. i enquired about having a static ip address but it was an extra €15/20 per month so decided that to pay that on top of my current broadband&phone rental made it too expensive

No need for a static IP with ucam247 either. I have tested it at home and it works fine.

thanks

[widge]

Any recommendations for suppliers / installers ? I'm totally useless with gadgets.

[Oakland]

Hi everyone

Thanks for the replies it's all very useful. I do have wireless internet via PT with my phone line on monthly contract but the signal isn't 'brilliant' - not as good as at home anyway! Will this effect performance of these cameras? Also I'm a bit like Widge and yes recommendations of a company who would just come and set it up for me would be great!

I have various power outlets outside the villa (ie places where the builders have left plastic caps to enable the fitting of outside lights) can you wire up the cameras to these points and once the camera is installed how do you stop anybody just walking up and repositioning the camera or are they screwed into a fixed position?

[pickwick]

Hi

The D-Link is plug and play and you can buy on-line. You can use the hidden power supply as you suggest but you will probably have to fix a small waterproof box to keep the small transformer dry but these are readilly available. Yes you do fix to the wall (out of reach is best) and then through the software you can set the area that will trigger an alarm (photo e-mailed to you). Clearly you need to check that you (and hence the camera) can see the wireless signal where you want to position the camera!!

Pickwick

[laserblazer]

Inca bricks- very retro

[kaj]

Do you have an alarm system at your villa. I have sent monthly by my alarm company a printout of all the
times of the setting, unsetting and times of the alarm being activated. The cost per month was 1 euro plus tax and this was offered by the alarm provider. Using this system you are not having to spend a large amount for CCTV, not actively compromising your guests privacy.