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what level of security?  If you're looking for a temporary setup (vacation cam for instance) There are many programs that are free or nearly so, and coupled with a good quality webcam can serve as a vacation DVR/ nanny cam/ bum peeing on your stoop recently kind of thing.
If you're looking for a permanent hallway/ entry monitor with multiple cameras (channels) there are turnkey setups, that are pretty DIY but only if you're handy. Avoid wireless - it simply isn't there yet unless you're spending way too much, and even then, it's not sitting at the quality of even a mediocre hard wired setup.  On the lower end of true DVR setups, they are relatively standalone, and decent.  Think costco 4-16 channel Qsee type setups.  They'll work, but might false-trigger (if you have any alerts set up, or motion detection, etc) and the cameras will almost certainly be... meh.   good news is - most of these setups accept industry standard bnc connections, and you can use higher quality cameras with them if needed. Try dvrmaster.com to get an idea of what's out there.. not saying to necessarily buy from them - i use it as a reference, but haven't purchased so i can't vouch for them.  But it'll give you a good run down on the various levels of tech you can get.   Almost all of the sub 500 units are running the same video processor, but individual quality can vary by brand, in terms of fit and finish, pre-processing, and the way they implement certain features.  Though they may support a lot of nice features like email, social media (lol - look at my facebook guys! an intruder!) -  remote access via phone or tablet, and all sorts of video options - i wouldn't rely on these except as basic multi-camera DVRs - your mileage obviously may vary.
 
On the upper end, you have dedicated PCs with higher end video processors, recording in HD,  motorized/panning cameras with infrared and 0 lux capability, and a lot of nifty features that work reliably and consistently.    These are typically NOT diy, and are, as expected more costly.
Then there's the whole gray area in between.  first step is identifying the level of surveilance you want, and then building to suit your needs best.
 

2:43 AM 07/09/2012 | -1 Votes