GM> GM> JE> Could, but I do not think it will happen that way. Even my
GM> GM> JE> earliest CDs are still clear as a bell.
GM> GM>But how old are they?
GM> JE> Some going on about 10 years I think.

GM>So they are relatively new, as such such things go.

GM>Comparing stuff that's still good (maybe not perfect) in my
GM>collection of audio recordings:
GM> * cassette tapes, up to 25 years old
GM> * reel to reel tapes up to 40 years old
GM> * vinyl disks from 30 to 50 years old
GM> * shellac disks up to 70 years old

GM>And not forgetting the punched paper rolls for player pianos,
GM>which are of course the ORIGINAL digital recordings. There are
GM>some in my collection approaching 100 years old and still
GM>playable.

GM>The big problem with CDs and most forms of digital recording is
GM>that they play with 100% perfect fidelity as long as all the bits
GM>are there, although they may be right on the verge of being
GM>unreadable. But the moment the bits go to just on the bad side of
GM>the readable/unreadable border, the music stops.

GM>Error correction may extend this through failure of a certain
GM>number of bits, but when too many fail even that can't work.

GM>OTOH, with something as simple as an old Edison cylinder
GM>recording, it is still possible to extract a lot of information
GM>and enjoyment out of what is really a very poorly preserved copy
GM>of a basically not-very-good recording.

GM> JE> Oh they were very confident. We were off on a trip with our
GM> JE> 34' travel trailer (caravan to you) and had been gone for
GM> JE> several weeks. The trailer is normally parked in our back
GM> JE> side yard - quite visible from the street. If it is missing
GM> JE> tis logic we are probably not home. Repeated ringing of the
GM> JE> door bell would confirm that.

GM>Indeed.

GM> JE> They will have a mite harder time next time if they try
GM> JE> again. I am installing an alarm system with a siren that
GM> JE> will wake up the dead and will call up to 5 numbers. All
GM> JE> entry possibilities will be monitored - except where they
GM> JE> actually got in -by cutting a hole in the roof and coming in
GM> JE> through the attic. When they move inside it will set off
GM> JE> the alarm however.

GM>Yup. Motion sensors inside the house are always the most
GM>effective things. Also the easiest to install, most times.

GM> JE> Also have three motion detector flood light/cameras setup so
GM> JE> as to get their pictures on my VCR.

GM>I don't want to be a wet blanket, but that is assuming the VCR is
GM>still there when you get back.

I had already thought of that. The VCR is in a secure hidden
location and is a rather cheap one.

GM>And if they think they are being recorded, and they can't find
GM>the VCR, wouldn't they be likely to set fire to the place to
GM>destroy the evidence?

Lets hope not. Actually the alarm will go off hopefully
before they gain ingress. It is a VERY loud external siren
that will alert the whole neighborhood - especially the two
houses on each side of mine.

GM>I'd go for sugar-cube size cameras with IR illuminators. They'd
GM>be less likely to notice them. And these days they're pretty
GM>cheap. And you can get cheap radio links for them, so they
GM>wouldn't even be able to follow the cables back even if they
GM>noticed the camera.

Basically that is what the X10 stuff is that I am
installing. No connecting wires between the cameras and the
VCR other than my 120V AC.

If you can think of any more possible flaws in my set up
please speak up.

Jay


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