# Anybody tried an X10 camera as a security camera? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 11, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430 "2003-12-11T20:44:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![improbably\_blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8dc957/32.png) [@improbably\_blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/improbably_blonde)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/1 "2003-12-11T20:44:21Z")
I’ve seen the ads, and am not sure if it would work for me. I know somebody is dumping lots of trash in my yard when I’m gone. But I just wonder if it would work. It says it has a motion sensor, but maybe flying leaves would trigger it. I don’t want to fill the tape with 2 hours of leaves and then miss the dumper. Anyone try these things? ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/2 "2003-12-11T20:47:52Z")
Please please please don’t buy a camera from these assholes. You will be contributing to the coffers of the biggest spam felchers on the planet. I will personally send you my camcorder instead. ---
**Author:** ![Cyrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Cyrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyrin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/3 "2003-12-11T21:16:00Z")
Although I do agree with **Bruce\_Daddy** in that X10 is a company who should not be supported, you will find that it is an OK solution for something small like monitoring your… err… Trash… ahem. I Own/Operate a small business installing security cameras in buisnesses and Daycare centers, which can be accessed over the web and I can tell you that I have seen more people try to use the X10 cameras than I can count and they always call us to put in a **good** system. The thing for you will simply be that X10 is quick, cheep and there are no real wires… other than power. Whatever you decide… good luck! Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/4 "2003-12-11T22:11:19Z")
Someone was stealing the meat from our freezer for a while, and we got an X10 to monitor the kitchen. It worked well enough for that, but that’s probably the outer limit of its usefulness. ---
**Author:** ![improbably\_blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8dc957/32.png) [@improbably\_blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/improbably_blonde)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/5 "2003-12-11T22:26:18Z")
**Gundy** - That’s perfect. Tell me more. Was it work to wade through tapes? Did you spot the guy, or just feel covered it he tries it again? **Çyrin** - So how much would a “good” system run? I’m guessing my litterer is an itinerant gardener. I don’t want to shell out $1000 if there’s no chance to recover it if I do find him. ---
**Author:** ![Mastema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@Mastema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mastema)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/6 "2003-12-11T22:32:59Z")
Another thing to remember is that X-10 is not just a brand name, it is also a protocol. Several companies manufacture and sell cameras that work with the X-10 system. If it chafes you to support the spam deluging X-10 corp, perhaps one of the less advertised alternatives would work. Some of them have better features and resolution as I recall. Just google for X-10 compatible camera. ---
**Author:** ![Cyrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Cyrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyrin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/7 "2003-12-11T22:37:54Z")
Well, our systems are typically computer based recording for the web viewing purposes… they run anywhere from $1000 CDN to $5000 CDN(and up!) depending on the # of cameras, however you can get a simple camera to controller to TV/VCR system (I can assume you have a TV and VCR yes?) for about $200 - $300 CDN. So like 5 american nickels! If you are interested in some info, I can give you some manufacturer websites and you may be able to order this kind of thing to your area. PM me with your e-mail if you like! Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Cyrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Cyrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyrin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-tried-an-x10-camera-as-a-security-camera/218430/8 "2003-12-11T23:35:11Z")
errr… NO PM’s on this board… right! :smack: OK, e-mail me at [cyrin6@rogers.com](mailto:cyrin6@rogers.com) if you like! Cheers!