I can totally appreciate that, @glennlab! But, wow, 16 cameras. That was a huge project, eh? All exterior?

@Lauren The 16 camera system cost $20 more than the 4 camera system by the same mfg, so it was a no brainer, since I figured I could find a use for the other camera. It was more of a logistical nightmare figuring out how to get the wires through everything. I've got a friend that is going to come over and see if we need to put up any of the others.

@glennlab Wow, what a great deal - especially the skilled friend. My attic is a nightmare to work in, so I've settled for the wireless camera, and lots of strategic lighting around the house. My cunning plan is to make it less appealing to break into my house than my neighbor's. That, and working from home near a front-facing window. Crossing fingers.

@Lauren Most burglaries happen in the daytime, even though i have infrared on the cameras, it will probably just show me the animals that like to visit at night, so I don't go outside to see what the noise is. Since I worked out of my house for years, I used a lot of different tricks to let people know I was home. Have a cup of coffee on the front porch, inspect plants in the front yard, wander outside when I needed a break. For several years I had a roommate that was the best deterent, think zz top meets grizzly Adams. He would be up every morning at 3 am and would sit on the patio smoking until i got up at 9 or 10, so there was almost always someone outside for people to see.

@glennlab I am thinking of installing something too. My house is a bit isolated, so a good target. I am home a lot and currently have a roommate, so usually there is something going on. I have an old car that i decided to keep in the driveway. It would tend to make one think that there is someone home.

Amazon.com

I got mine at Amazon. They even offered a 6-month installment plan for payments.

Peel & stick film to make things private! Home Depot has several styles near the curtains & blind se tion, you only need Windex & an old credit card, or squeegee, plus a razor knife, to install.

@AnneWimsey That would work but I like my glass door and the glass sidelights and the ability to see who's at the door. I did not have a curtain in any of my rooms but two on the front for the 1st 3 years after we built this house. I finally added Roman shades to lower my electric bill. I seldom close them so that has not worked very well. I live in the country and one side of my house faces a lake and lots of trees so curtains are not needed for privacy.

Privacy is obviously not my top priority.

@AnneWimsey Or you could just wait five minutes til they go away that's cheaper