Electronics Forum / Basics / October 2007

You can buy those things most anywhere but not knowing where abouts you're
from it would be hard to recommend a store.

This place has very good products.

http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=442

Bob

 if you have a web camera on your PC, just stick it at the window and
run the view software to record when major motion is detected or, use a
video output option to record to your DVD device from your computer.

I've used similar cameras from http://www.polarisusa.com/.

At 50 ft you may need a separate illuminator, vice relying on an LED
ring around the lens.

You will need to pay attention to reflections from the glass. If you
go with a separate illuminator, try placing it at a different window.

50 feet away?

get a 12volt dc cctv camera weith sensitivity .1lux or less  (less lux needs
less light to get a decent image)   ($20buks on ebay)

with c-mount lense size 25mm  ($10 buks on ebay)

some Nanny cameras for baby observation during young age are radio remote
type,allows you to place  the camera anywhere.  ($70 buks ebay)

most street lights will provide ample illuminaton, otherwise install a
courtesy lamppost 'walkway light for your use"  actually to provide light
for the camera

or use an IR illuminator  12vdc powered  ($10buks ebay)

mount it outside, inconspicuously, when they are NOT at home, so they dont
know it exists

mount it about 25 feet from the active area, in a tree perhaps, or hidden in
a flower pot or decoration

run a standard RCA type cable from the camera to your VCR.  set it to record
during the usual times 'it' happens.

review the tape whenever you find crap on your lawn next morning.

children usually 'party' betwen 9pm and 4am, they get drunk enough to begin
the stupidity behavior about 3 beers into their activity, so you may need a
dozen tapes to keep the action recorded for the cops to review.

make sure of the facts before you confront them!

if it is you who have mistakenly pissed them off for no really good
reason,you are in for a good tussle with reason and reality.

children at that age are irresponsible, erratic, usually ignorant,
inconsiderate, and highly prone to violence.

be careful, but deal with them.  it gets worse if they think they have you
in their grips!