Need help choosing which home security camera system is best in performance & value

I am about to purchase a home in the East Bay Area (CA) in the next few weeks. The area isnt necessarilly dangerous like Oakland or Richmond can be but I rather be safe than sorry. I would like to install a "Home Security Camera System". Most people come to Fatwallet looking for a deal or a steal. I use the site for the same reasons BUT this time I am here to get opinion on not only a good value where price is concerned but equally or more importantly to get feedback on a good performing system which is reliable.

I want a color recording system that isnt grainy or fuzzy. Clarity / Sharpness is important along with Night Vision. Also being able to record it & save it is important. Remote viewing through a mobile 3G device is a major plus.

I went to Amazon & searched & saw a few options. I need help !!

This one is the highest rated : SWANN

This one too is highly rated : ZMODO

I am open to suggestions. I do not really need so many cameras but figure if I am investing in it, I might as well get it done.

Best home camera is the Logitech Alert by far. Tried many systems (Wifi, corded, X10), and this one is the easiest to use, has browser/iphone/android apps, up-time is unmatched (highly reliable), and installation = you plug them in. Outdoor cams have great night vision and all cams have sound option. Resolution is HD. Again, everything you want except the price is high. You can get coupons to Logitech.com and buy refurbs on eBay for better prices.

My colleague keeps telling me about this as well as I have seen his webside where one see the videos. See if you can use http://www.zoneminder.com/ and save yourself some $$$

I spent $45 per camera if you don't need recording. Great for keeping an eye on sleeping infant and much better than spending hundreds on a ridiculous baby video monitor . http://geeks.mshopper.net/productDetails.jsp?id=130964344

I have researched this topic extensively in past and couldn't find anything better than Foscam. I have one generation older than the latest, bought on a deal for $67 and it has everything. It's a wireless IP camera with PAN and TILT and IR based night vision. You can find it on eBay for 80+ but beware of duplicates. I have tried others too but none matched the price to performance ratio of this one.

The zmodo systems have decent value. One of the reasons I went with zmodo was audio inputs for each channel. Most other systems only had one audio input. Even if that's not needed it's still a reasonable solution. A 4 channel dvr with 4 bullet cameras (indoor/outdoor) with a 500 gb hd runs about $150. I’ve seen them as cheap as $100 w/out a hd. An 8 channel dvr with 8 bullet cameras with 1 tb runs about $250 - $300. 420 tv lines, h.264 recording, color, and IR for night viewing. I didn’t think I needed more than 4 channels but I quickly realized that I could use 8 channels. 4 channels was enough for the interior and baby monitor, but not enough for cameras outside. The bullet cameras are ok, not much to brag about and the viewing range is limited. I’ve upgraded with dome cameras (no ptz) that I bought on Amazon. I paid about $25 - $30 each (search Amazon securitying dome). The DVR is accessible via remotely from your computer and android/iphone. Opening ports to access from the internet depends on your ability and your isp provider.

Just so you know, this system handles monitoring, motion sensing/alerting, the images are not of the quality for prosecution. A system of that level will run in the $1000s. Good PTZ cameras will run 100s. The video security system I have is clear enough for checking on the baby and for monitoring. For home security, I started off with home alarm installed by a professional. The video security system came later.

The wireless ip cameras ($50 to $100) are quick simple solutions. To record a computer is needed. They do not feed into a DVR.