Setup Home Security System to Record Bumps in the Night

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up a home security system to record unusual noises occurring at a cottage. Participants explore various methods for capturing audio and video evidence, while also speculating about the sources of the noises, which range from potential animal disturbances to ghostly occurrences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about setting up a camera and sound system to record noises, expressing concerns about ruling out trickery.
  • Another suggests using video surveillance software that activates recording based on sound or motion detection.
  • Some participants mention the use of "Nanny Cams" as a potential solution for discreet recording.
  • There are descriptions of various noises, including rhythmic tapping and sounds resembling objects dropping, with some attributing these to possible hauntings or animal activity.
  • Suggestions include using motion-sensitive lights to deter animals and rule out their presence as a source of the noises.
  • Participants discuss the possibility of nocturnal animals, such as raccoons or bats, being responsible for the disturbances.
  • Some express skepticism about the noises being supernatural, attributing them instead to natural settling sounds of the cottage.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the idea of ghost hunters investigating the cottage.
  • One participant shares a personal experience with a possum, raising concerns about nocturnal animal behavior.
  • Multiple participants express uncertainty about the exact cause of the noises, with some leaning towards the idea of ghosts while others suggest more mundane explanations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of beliefs regarding the source of the noises, with some leaning towards supernatural explanations while others favor natural causes. No consensus is reached on the actual source of the disturbances.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention limitations in their understanding of the noises, including the potential for misidentifying animal activity and the challenges of setting up recording equipment effectively.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in home security solutions, those experiencing unexplained noises in their homes, and enthusiasts of paranormal discussions may find this thread relevant.

wolram
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How can i set up an electronic camera and sound system to record the noises that frequent my cott, in such a way that trickery can be ruled out?
I know that web cams work fine, but who would want to listen/watch hour on hour on the chance of catching sight/sound of some thing, can the video/ sound be recorded and replayed? i am not going to pay a fortune for electronics but will fork out a reasonable amount.
 
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There is video surveilance software that records from a webcam when sound/motion is detected.
 
wolram said:
How can i set up an electronic camera and sound system to record the noises that frequent my cott, in such a way that trickery can be ruled out?
I know that web cams work fine, but who would want to listen/watch hour on hour on the chance of catching sight/sound of some thing, can the video/ sound be recorded and replayed? i am not going to pay a fortune for electronics but will fork out a reasonable amount.
What's happening?
 
Over here there is a thing called a "Nanny Cam". This is a childs toy with a camera and microphone hidden in it. It is made to spy on the people you hire to take care of your kids to make sure they're not abusing or neglecting them. I believe they record onto a conventional VCR. I don't believe they cost a fortune. I'm pretty sure they'll fool a ghost, too.
 
Evo said:
What's happening?

All manner of knocks and sounds, some akin to dropping a solid object onto
a hardwood floor, one is a rhythmic tapping or clicking, like when some thing hot is cooling down, Kia and her Bf have heard some of them, and she thinks i am brave not to be scared :smile:
I will have a look for a (nanny cam) i can hook it up to my desk top and leave it running 24/7.
 
russ_watters said:
There is video surveilance software that records from a webcam when sound/motion is detected.

Thanks Russ.
 
wolram said:
All manner of knocks and sounds, some akin to dropping a solid object onto
a hardwood floor, one is a rhythmic tapping or clicking, like when some thing hot is cooling down, Kia and her Bf have heard some of them, and she thinks i am brave not to be scared :smile:
Ooooh, the cott is haunted! Or maybe you have a mountain lion.
 
oooo scary. haha...My entire family is convinced that our house is haunted because of all the random noises. I think they are simply noises from the house settling. Even is it really is haunted, no reason to be afraid haha
 
matthew baird said:
oooo scary. haha...My entire family is convinced that our house is haunted because of all the random noises. I think they are simply noises from the house settling. Even is it really is haunted, no reason to be afraid haha

whatever, :smile: , I still need more info on a way to record audio/visual
via my desk top, i have had a look around the net, may be i will ask Kia
she is more into computers.

Evo, errrm, we do not have mountain lions in the uk, and i have two skined kneese to show how these noises can distract some one, even
knowing that there is nothing sinister about them :smile:
 
  • #10
Well the software that came with my camera allows me to do that, even set up to where it only records when there is movement. It is logitech image studio.
 
  • #11
matthew baird said:
Well the software that came with my camera allows me to do that, even set up to where it only records when there is movement. It is logitech image studio.

Thanks Matthew, i will have a look .
 
  • #12
Too much of "A Haunting" on the Discovery Chanel? Just kidding. I'd go with the camera ideas, I know at the BJ's near me they have a night vision securtiy kit but its around $130. Id try the camera ideas because that's free (assuming you have a camera).
 
  • #14
Um, what is a cott? A cot? Like a bed? A cottage? Like a house?



Anyway, I have a suggestion, before you spend too much money. Rule out animals.

Try a couple of motion sensitive lights. Much cheaper. If it's animals, the lights should keep them away. If you have the lights and the noises stop, you're good.
 
  • #15
My vote is either animals or normal creaks when the temperatures change. That, and look around outside to make sure no tree branches or loose gutters are the culprits banging on the side of the house.
 
  • #16
DaveC426913 said:
Um, what is a cott? A cot? Like a bed? A cottage? Like a house?



Anyway, I have a suggestion, before you spend too much money. Rule out animals.

Try a couple of motion sensitive lights. Much cheaper. If it's animals, the lights should keep them away. If you have the lights and the noises stop, you're good.

It is a cottage Dave, i have a motion light out side, it is the only way i can see any thing as there are no street lights, i have tried tuning the electricity off and the water, on alternate nights which made no difference.
 
  • #17
The cott is haunted! It makes sense when you think of all the bizarre occurences there. We should get Ghost Hunters to do an episode on your cott.
 
  • #18
Ooh, now that would be fun. I'd love to live in a haunted house...at least you always have companions to do stuff with. :biggrin:
 
  • #19
Moonbear said:
Ooh, now that would be fun. I'd love to live in a haunted house...at least you always have companions to do stuff with. :biggrin:

It is not so great, the other day a noise startled me ,and i missed the top step of the stairs and went down on my knees, other times i can be ready for sleep but a noise will have me alert for 15, 20 mins, it is not scary, just
annoying, the worst part is i can see nothing that would make the noises.

Any way, ghost hunters are welcome, i could stay with mom and dad for a week and let them have free range of the cott.
 
  • #20
That loud?! Any place a racoon could be getting in? Or bats? Something nocturnal it sounds like.
 
  • #21
I got home from work early yesterday and there was a HUGE possum sitting at my front door. It was still daylight! I read somewhere that when nocturnal animals come out in daylight, it's a sign they could be rabid. So, it slinks off into the bushes next to the door and I'm guessing it's sitting there ready to run out and bite my ankles when I try to go in the door.

So, I started making tons of noise to scare it off. Later that night I opened the front door to let the fruit bat out and THERE IT WAS!

I guess you don't have possums either? I had one inside my house once, scared the crap out of me and the Evo Child.
 
  • #22
How much daylight was left? You won't usually see them out in daylight, but if it was close to starting to get dark, s/he could just be an early riser. :biggrin: If you were able to scare it off with noise, it's probably okay.
 
  • #23
About the only animal around my place that makes a noise ,is randy hedge hogs, i guess they are all hibernating now, bats are quite rare round here,
foxes do not come close, i would love to think i have bats in the loft to explain the noises, but i think i am out of luck there.
 
  • #24
Moonbear said:
How much daylight was left?
There was about an hour of daylight left. I've never seen a live possum in daylight. Of course, I've never heard of a case of rabies out here either, so it's possible it had been roused out of sleep and was looking for some cat food.

Maybe it's a scout for the mountain lion. :bugeye:
 
  • #25
Well, we could still try explaining the noises as bats in the belfry. :biggrin:

Maybe a neighborhood cat on the prowl at night?
 
  • #26
wolram said:
About the only animal around my place that makes a noise ,is randy hedge hogs, i guess they are all hibernating now, bats are quite rare round here,
foxes do not come close, i would love to think i have bats in the loft to explain the noises, but i think i am out of luck there.
Got to be ghosts. :approve: What's the history behind your cottage?
 
  • #27
Evo said:
There was about an hour of daylight left. I've never seen a live possum in daylight. Of course, I've never heard of a case of rabies out here either, so it's possible it had been roused out of sleep and was looking for some cat food.

Maybe it's a scout for the mountain lion. :bugeye:

It could have been some animal that had been feeding on toxic waste, or
escaped from a lab, keep a shot gun handy.
 
  • #28
Don't all the houses in Britain have ghosts? I heard they get invited to dinner and everything. :biggrin:
 
  • #29
Evo said:
Got to be ghosts. :approve: What's the history behind your cottage?
It is a victorian farmers workers cottage one of two that stand in a lane,
they used to be the only buildings, but two more have been built in the last 30 or so years, the lane is only a 100yds long and leads onto a foot path to manor house farm, that is quite old 16th century i think.
 
  • #30
Moonbear said:
Don't all the houses in Britain have ghosts? I heard they get invited to dinner and everything. :biggrin:

Old wives tails :smile: I think they start with moms telling the kids that the boogy man lives where they want play.
 

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