Wootalyzer's Pricing Post! - The price of today's woot item is saved here for future reference
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First Alert 8 Camera DVR Security System
$299.99 + $5 Standard Shipping
Condition: New

*DISCLAIMER* Wootalyzer! is in no way affiliated with Woot!, and this post may not always be here!

Hang on...how can specs on cameras say CCD and CMOS? I always thought it was one or another with the latter being the inferior technology. Anyone?


[MOD: CMOS. The reference to CCD has been removed. Thanks!]

Every time I see these camera systems pop up, I worry that paranoia is huge problem in the woot-sphere.

Wired cameras? How 20th century

ScousePete wrote:Wired cameras? How 20th century

Wireless would be nice, but you still have to run the power to the camera, and the wireless connection never seems to stay up without occasional fiddling. As long as you run the power, might as well include the ethernet cable and be done with it.

I feel like I'm being watched.

A video of it spinning around, if that's what you're into...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNhG5gEQu58

Are you able to remotely view your system? Where are the apps for this?

Hmmm....I've bought so much stuff on Woot lately that maybe I need these security camera's so I can watch over my ever growing Woot empire.

Pardon my ignorance, but I don't seem capabale to find on my own if images are colored or black & white & 50 shades of gray?

http://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-420TVL-8-Camera-Security/product-reviews/B007BPIDJ2

hpfa wrote:Wireless would be nice, but you still have to run the power to the camera, and the wireless connection never seems to stay up without occasional fiddling. As long as you run the power, might as well include the ethernet cable and be done with it.

Not in every case. There are plenty of 'older' houses that don't have data jacks on every wall of every room. So for them, the presence of power doesn't always mean the presence of internet. I put up a wired version in my house and was always bothered by the maze of RCAs & Ethernets. When I do it again, it will be wireless.

rahil123 wrote:http://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-420TVL-8-Camera-Security/product-reviews/B007BPIDJ2

Thanks for the save.

pkokkinis wrote:Hang on...how can specs on cameras say CCD and CMOS? I always thought it was one or another with the latter being the inferior technology. Anyone?

I thought the same thing.
Also, is this a 1/4 or 1/3 sensor?

rahil123 wrote:http://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-420TVL-8-Camera-Security/product-reviews/B007BPIDJ2

wow bad review...

Notice how the specs do NOT say that the focus of the cameras is adjustable? My cameras came set to some random distance and there's no way 'round that. I tried the system briefly with a real camera with a good lens and a focus knob and that actually produces a good image. But these cameras, not so much . . .

The features suggest PTV functionality, and although the DVR will support it, I think these are fixed position, fixed focus standard analog cameras that are included,

Is The Video Format Windows Compatible So Video Can Be Clipped And Edited ????
I Have A Paranormal Research Group And If It Is , This Would Work Great For Evidence Reviewing And Sharing....

ScousePete wrote:Wired cameras? How 20th century

Yes you're right!

Use WiFi on the net so I can watch your cameras too!

Beware: Many inexpensive Security DVR will NOT allow you to record what you’re seeing on the screen.

Normal TV viewing 720x480 with 30fps = D1. ½ that quality is HD1, ¼ that quality is CIF, 1/8 that quality is QCIF. So nice real time video recording = all D1. NO D1 on all channels = your recording playback will look like a bad stop action grainy video of Bart Simpson at the Quickie Mart.
This unit might allow 1 or 2 cameras to record D1. The rest, you won’t be able to tell the burglar from the hamburglar.

From this unit’s user’s manual:
Channels 1 & 2 allows options D1, HD1, CIF and QCIF.;
Channels 3-8: allow settings of CIF and QCIF.

Can this system use different cameras?

Cate5 ready?

Glad I read the reviews before I wooted. Sounds horrible.

Will this let me finally catch Santa this year?

If anyone is interested in wireless IP cams, I've had goodluck with "Foscam".

You can configure you're router to allow remote connections, viewable on mobile phones including iOS, and probably the best feature is its alarm setting, which will take 4-5 pictures when it detects motion. The images can be sent directly to email or uploaded via FTP.

The tough part though is the initial configuration, especially with the alarm settings, it isn't very intuitive, but once you set it up its great.

rahil123 wrote:http://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-420TVL-8-Camera-Security/product-reviews/B007BPIDJ2

Wow. THanks for the heads up.

cobergas wrote:Are you able to remotely view your system? Where are the apps for this?

try using free vMEye

DerWeissFlugenWurst wrote:Beware: Many inexpensive Security DVR will NOT allow you to record what you’re seeing on the screen.

Normal TV viewing 720x480 with 30fps = D1. ½ that quality is HD1, ¼ that quality is CIF, 1/8 that quality is QCIF. So nice real time video recording = all D1. NO D1 on all channels = your recording playback will look like a bad stop action grainy video of Bart Simpson at the Quickie Mart.
This unit might allow 1 or 2 cameras to record D1. The rest, you won’t be able to tell the burglar from the hamburglar.

From this unit’s user’s manual:
Channels 1 & 2 allows options D1, HD1, CIF and QCIF.;
Channels 3-8: allow settings of CIF and QCIF.

In almost any category of things you buy there is "commercial grade" for average consumers and "high grade" for people who really know what they are doing.

This applies to everything from personal electronics to fry pans to garbage bags.

“There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.” John Ruskin

Tonight I'm going to check the sales map, tomorrow I'm moving my family to the whitest state. So far it's not looking good for a move to the southeast.

hpfa wrote:Wireless would be nice, but you still have to run the power to the camera, and the wireless connection never seems to stay up without occasional fiddling. As long as you run the power, might as well include the ethernet cable and be done with it.

They're BNC not POE, so Ethernet isn't going to be a player. You instead have lengths of their cable and 75' is rarely long enough for more than just a few of the cameras and so you will have to procure more of their cable.

Beallz wrote:They're BNC not POE, so Ethernet isn't going to be a player. You instead have lengths of their cable and 75' is rarely long enough for more than just a few of the cameras and so you will have to procure more of their cable.

You can use thesehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T8SO4M/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i03 to convert to cat5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cZZu61nd-Q
420TVL vs 600TVL

pasky3366 wrote:You can use thesehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T8SO4M/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i03 to convert to cat5

Good to know. Bookmarked!

I'm looking for something to keep an eye on my chickens in their coop and yard. It's out of sight and out of range of our house's wi-fi. Weather, temperature, and copious dust are issues. And of course, money is very tight. (I don't know enough to tell if this system would work for me, so am passing on it.) i don't need recording or HD TV here, just the ability to see and hear the chickens and possible predators.

I'm reading and researching but am hampered by my extremely low technology IQ. Any pointers to good basic information, or recommendations of things to look for, are appreciated.

radi0j0hn wrote:In almost any category of things you buy there is "commercial grade" for average consumers and "high grade" for people who really know what they are doing.

This applies to everything from personal electronics to fry pans to garbage bags.

“There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.” John Ruskin

Not to split hairs but, "commercial-grade" is generally synonymous with 'business-grade', not "consumer-grade". The basic hierarchy for product features and overall quality is generally: Enterprise-grade > Business-grade > Residential-grade.

Nevertheless, your point is a good one. This surveillance system is residential-grade, as can be inferred most easily by price and features (or lack thereof). It is likely that quality follows suit.

As someone who is in this field, please stay away for a system like this. The DVR is cheap and the cameras are even worse. I'm sure the video and power lines that come with it are thin and easily broken. There are far better options out there for around the same price.

I have to have wireless darn darn darn that is a great deal..... sigh,,,,,,

Careful with bigger ticket items on Woot. If they ship it and you don't get it, you're SOL.