Following an nocturnal visitor to chez McSimmo, (caught on a neighbours CCTV walking down our driveway into the garden), I have been looking at having a proper CCTV set up as its left SWMBO unsettled.

I've looked at Swann, Sannce and many more.

As they are all plug and play, I guess that a ten thumb jockey like myself can probably install the system, but any pointers/advice would be appreciated. Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

My system was put in professionally and is is hard wired not WiFi. It also can bee seen on the house TVs by flicking back to analogue (new sets may not have that anymore). My installer upgraded to a HIKVISION box and better cameras for not a lot of money a couple of years ago and no complaints. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

The Hikvision kit has been recommended by a number of friends. Its on the list! Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

This thread is worth a read
http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32881.html No Longer the owner of a 2013MY Fuji White GS

"Fiat Lux" a philosophy not a car

I fitted my own, just a basic 4 camera Swann one but what I have just fitted is one of those 'Ring' doorbells. Bloody brilliant. Very handy because you can set the alerts for either doorbell and/or movement and you can adjust the area and sensitivity that it picks up in. You can also set it so that you can view and hear what’s going on outside your door. All over your iPhone/iPad/laptop whether you are in or out. That is wire free and very easy to fit. It might suit your needs better. I find it more useful than the CCTV. There’s no subscription for it but if you want all images stored for up to a month, it’s £25 a year. You get 30 days free trial that comes with it. I’ve just taken out the subscription. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Self install here too - mainly hikvision cameras (all wired over cat5, except one which would be a real pain to get wires to).

I'm running blue iris for recording and remote access - seemed the most reasonably priced and flexible at the time without a commitment to a subscription

Plenty to look at, thanks guys. Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

Fitted my own Swann system with 4 camera's plus I can have upto 8 if needed and it is plug and play very easy to fit and the app work's

Well, I cant decide on Swann or Hikvision.... Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

For what it’s worth our ( professionaly installed ) Hikvision cameras have been exposed to some of the most severe weather I’ve seen, over the two years they have been installed . Despite our exposed location which was truely hammered during the “beast from the east “ they have performed faultlessly. 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I have had a self installed 4 camera wired PVR system for 12+ years. The PVR / Controller is made by Swann and the cameras are of several makes and models according to the job they are being asked to do.

The cameras have been fault free although 3 have been changed over the years to get better range, vision, etc.
I am on my second PVR/Controller.
An old 22 inch flat screen television is used as the monitor.

I am very pleased with system. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

I’m getting mine fitted a week tomorrow. If you’re in now hurry and are near me you’re more than welcome to come and have a look.
I can’t see how to add a pdf file to show what I’m getting Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

I have a swann CCTV pro series 3mp HD

Few things learnt over the years with having had CCTV for 20 years.Previous and now both swann. As some have already said keep cameras low, mine about 7-8ft high.. You need really good image of peoples faces ( originally mounted at top of house, complete pain to clean and loss of image quality )

2nd lesson learnt, don't put them up high as they need regular cleaning as the ones with in-fared attract cobwebs !

Don't by cheap, i bought 2 extra cameras on top of my 4 only to find they were 1080 & not 3MP. The difference in clarity especially at night is astonishing. ( they now do a 5mp with ethernet cable connection ) even better

Spend time fitting them neatly, but leave enough loose cable where they are mounted in case you ever need to change one, you need to be able to reach the connectors !

swan have been brilliant for me and my last camera set lasted 13 years & didn't fail but I just wanted enhanced image.
The online app where I can log in at anytime home or abroad is great
CCTV footage is useless unless it has very good clarity so make sure its quality
Thumbs Up Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

This is one of those subjects that the more you look into it, the harder it gets to decide.  Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

Absolutely, I was for doing my own , but after reading lots of bumf and watching YouTube I decided to stay clear of Swann. I’m getting a local security company to install 4 cameras and a 4tb hard drive system a week tomorrow. 3 x 4mp and 1 x 6mp cameras. Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!