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Thread ID: 43584	2004-03-19 22:51:00	We have been burgled!	Thomas01 (317)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
223759	2004-03-19 22:51:00	Somehow some creep got in and stole my new laptop, our new DVD and our digital camera. I do not want to be a victim again. All windows are now extra secure, and I would like to put in a system to deter or better still catch the blighters. A camera is easy but needs surveillance and constant checking. I am considering some sort of web camera that can be hooked up to an old cheap computer(hidden), and work more or less indefinitely when I am not there. Advice from those better experienced is welcome - I am a retired engineer and can follow instructions fairly well but not an electrical type. So non technical terms and 2 syllable words appreciated. Just in case you see them:- Leica camera (SN 2536368), HP laptop (SN TW30303850), Sony DVD (SN 2099192).	Thomas01 (317)
223760	2004-03-19 23:39:00	Yeah its never nice being burgaled, I have been done many times myself. The best deterance I found was a burglar alarm. I still have photos here of one lot that broke in and emptied our house of about $10 000 worth of gear. Sadly even with the photos there has been no chance of capturing the scum. I did however locate some of my gear 6 months later in Cash Converters in Auckland but even that didn't help. Oh well, since the alarm our posessions have been left alone.	dipstick01 (445)
223761	2004-03-20 01:07:00	There are a few "webcam" programs that do surveillence. These work by the webcam being where it is, detects motion and then the program starts recording, howevery if this was going to be very permanent i would suggest a very big HDD, 20 - 40 gig - Depending on how long the movement is for.	MrBeef (342)
223762	2004-03-20 01:22:00	> is, detects motion (http://motion.sf.net) and then the program starts	Chilling_Silence (9)
223763	2004-03-20 01:34:00	Unfortunately this is likely to be "after the horse has bolted". Burglaries are fairly random. I suppose if your house obviously contains lots of valuables, it could be targeted. Secure windows keep out "honest people". If someone wants to get in they can. Remember, you would be reluctant to damage your property to get in. Burglars don't care how much damage they do. Most locks are worthless. Police aren't much more use. If any. I might believe in burglar alarms if I didn't know of a lot of burglar alarms stolen/wrecked in burglaries. ;-)	Graham L (2)
223764	2004-03-20 02:04:00	> Unfortunately this is likely to be "after the horse > has bolted". Burglaries are fairly random. I > suppose if your house obviously contains lots of > valuables, it could be targeted. > > Secure windows keep out "honest people". If someone > wants to get in they can. Remember, you would be > reluctant to damage your property to get in. Burglars > don't care how much damage they do. Most locks are > worthless. > > Police aren't much more use. If any. > > I might believe in burglar alarms if I didn't know of > a lot of burglar alarms stolen/wrecked in > n burglaries. ;-) Not to mention people who ignore them when they go off.... Also monitoring is useless as it is not the police who turn up but some contracted security company.... Someone once told me using explosives to blow the sods away would be a good idea, pitty we cannot use leathel deterants in this country... Oh, another funny, I know a few people who have been sued by burglers for personal ingury, which the insurance company would not cover ( see comment above).	ugh1 (4204)
223765	2004-03-20 02:23:00	> I did however locate some of my gear 6 months later in Cash Converters in Auckland but even that didn't help. Did you manage to get the gear back off cash converters?? To the 1st post: Did you have contents insurance??	PoWa (203)
223766	2004-03-20 02:57:00	No I didn't get the gear back from Cash Converters, I told the sales guy and then called the cops but nothing came of it . I already had the replacement gear and actually made on the deal . . . . . . I worked for the company that provided the replacement gear so got it staff rates which was cheaper than the insurance company paid lol . When you get your replacement gear make sure you do NOT throw the boxes etc out with your normal rubbish so it can be seen . I can tell pretty well what packaging belongs to what products and so can the burglars .	dipstick01 (445)
223767	2004-03-20 04:09:00	Hi Thomas, something we haved used which may suit you and doesn't cost a fortune, is a real basic setup. We brought a tiny vid/security camera, which is easily hidden/disguised, and that was about 3 years back now, so the size of them may even be smaller by now, if its possible to go any smaller than this?. This came with an option to add more cameras to the control box etc...and also has a built in mic. which is an added bonus i guess and surprisingly clear and just plugs into your normal tv video. You can view it on the tv if you want just like another channel, however it is best to have it set to record on a hidden vcr, with all the cords well hidden, as it is likely if your burgled the tv/video will go, hence the video evidence will too... Our use was possibly a bit different, as being rural, any burglars would need to drive up to the home, so bascially we had it positioned where a burglar would park their vehicle, so we could get their rego no. and hopefully a good look at them too for evidence in tracking them. Good for when your not both away/working from home fulltime too, as you just buy standard videos to record on using Lplay (8hrs recording) and record over them etc... you really only need to watch them if/when you are burgled. The only thing some people may see as a downside is the fact it is recording constantly for the 8 hours period(or however long you are out for), whereas sensor activated may be better, however with the cost of vid tapes reasonably low these days i dont see it as a downside, as at least we will record everthing in the event a sensor didn't work etc... The reason we opted for this at the time was 2 reasons really - 1. We figured if we used a webcam and the computer it was likely they would be stolen anyway in a burg. 2. Being on dialup conn. it wasn't like we could check it online etc... But yes that gives you another cheap option;-) Sorry to hear you have lost your belongings and good luck tracking down your property, hopefully you are insured so will at least get it replaced :-).	J ZEP (336)
223768	2004-03-20 04:56:00	Thanks chaps for the advice - I may be asking for something that does not exist as yet - and it was interesting to see that even if you trace the goods or have photos of the transgressors - it does not always mean getting the goods returned or the bad lads captured. Yes I was insured and in fact as the Tower Insurance Com were reasonable I have made on the deal. The lap top was only a month or so old, its replacement (HP) is far superior and the camera also is much more powerful than my old Leica. But of course less than half the original price. We didn't have any items quoted on the insurance with their value - we do now. At first we thought a ring had gone - we would have received nothing like its value (read the small print!). It does look as though an alarm system - despite its well known snags is the best way to go. Once again thanks - I will keep reading any more advice.	Thomas01 (317)
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