Outdoor video /intercom query.

yoshytoshy

Hi ,got a job that I need to do for my mother ,install some sort of video camera at the front door.

Can anyone suggest the easiest way of getting it done ? ,I work in construction and carry cable with me for wiring (heating systems) ,but I have no experience with general wiring/suppliers.
The mother is afraid to answer the door these days and I can't afford to pay someone to do the job,hence I'll have to do it myself.

Thanks.

ST

This Thursday Lidl will be selling video intercoms that can use the existing Door Bell wiring - http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20091105.p.Video_Intercom_System

Don't know what the quality will be like but intercom manufacturers like Bticion and Comelit manufacture similar products.

An alternative would be get a camera from Argos or Maplins and connect it to the AV input of her TV.

DublinDilbert

ST wrote: »

This Thursday Lidl will be selling video intercoms that can use the existing Door Bell wiring - http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20091105.p.Video_Intercom_System

Don't know what the quality will be like but intercom manufacturers like Bticion and Comelit manufacture similar products.

An alternative would be get a camera from Argos or Maplins and connect it to the AV input of her TV.

+1 on both the points above...

The camera from lidi looks quite good, depending on where your existing door bell is located you might need to extend the wires internally, but still its only 2 wires so should be very easy to do. Also bell wire cost next to nothing.

Yea the option of the small camera into the AV port on the TV isn't bad either, i done this myself for an elderly person. You can get a b/w camera with IR LEDs, cabling and power adapter for next to nothing. When the bell rings, a quick flick of the AV button on the TV will show who it is.

Stoner

funny enough, I helped a friend of mine install something like this on Saturday. Very simple to install, one cable (supplied) went from the TV to the camera, it was powered at the TV end and plugs into the TV. It carries picture and sound and has a two way intercom, the camera has a little mic and speaker and inside there is a little unit that runs off the scart lead, you can press it and talk into it the reply can be heard on the TV.

It can be set to trun your TV onto the camera automatically it will hold the tv on the camera for 10 sec before returning it to what ever you were watching before. Or just to work when you turn it to the correct channel.

So it picks up movement, works ok at 0 Lux, acts as an intercom etc.

Its budget stuff but it did the trick, his mother is very happy with it, you need a 10mm bit though and i dont know how long the camera will last, its IP rating is only 54 and it should be 65.

yoshytoshy

Thanks for the replies ,I'm going to be sticking in an outside light for her aswell ,so I might just stick with a camera on it's own. Try and keep it up high,with the light.

I'll have a snoop around at whats available ,cheers.