Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Posted by 141drew Jul 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM and filed under Reviews & Features

I live and work in a fairly remote spot. I mean, we are only 20 minutes from Austin, TX but to get to my shop and home you have to go down a number of small country roads and even a gravel lane of sorts. When you finally make your way here, you feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere. It’s great. I love it… But, there are times when living in such a location makes you feel pretty vulnerable. If we are out of town, we don’t have neighbors to watch over the joint. And if we are in the house, we aren’t in line of sight with the shop.

Security is huge to us. Both the shop and the house are wired up with security systems. But the thing is, the mainstream security industry hasn’t really caught up with technology. Most require and landline or a cell card for monitoring. Most camera systems that are wifi enabled are unreliable… and most systems just seem to be really unintegrated with modern life.

Nest seems to be heading in the right direction. Their indoor security system is pretty low on features, but what is there gets good reviews. Lately, however, they seem to be making a move towards proving a complete security solution with modern features. A good example of that is this new outdoor camera. You can get em here for around $200. You can also get their indoor units here.

The great thing about these units is that all you really need is a power source and a wifi network. Once hooked up, you have a pretty reliable video source as well as decent self monitoring. The problem is though is that these cameras are purely reactionary. There are no door sensors, there are no window sensors, there are no motion detectors, etc… There is nothing to actually get a bad guy off your property if he does, in fact, get in.

Now, Nest does integrate with some security systems. Both Scout Alarm and GetSafe Home Security claim to integrate well, but I’ve never had experience with either. So… I’m wondering if any of you guys have any experience with self monitored and installed security systems that don’t require a land line or a call block for the monitoring. If you do, let us know how your experience has been…

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Jeeper

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Ryan, forget you live around Austin. I am over in Round Rock. Been on the boards for a while and always enjoy it.

legenddc

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I want to get something like this, but I don't like the idea of having to pay a monthly fee to record things.

Trey T

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

what are the surveillance features, Ryan?

I'm not impress with the Dropcam Pro (now Nest) much. I switched over to POE and I thought it was pretty silly of me to think that my wi-fi setup was adequate.

Colin Len

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

legenddc said:
I want to get something like this, but I don't like the idea of having to pay a monthly fee to record things.

Same here. With the high initial cost of the cameras + a monthly fee it just doesn't make sense for me financially. I'm not really too concerned about break-ins in my neighborhood so for me it's almost more just novelty value of being able to check in on things when I'm not at home or have a video record if something does happen. If I was purely worried about break-ins I'd probably look into some of the DIY systems - like Simplisafe.

sal_flip

Active member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I have a few nest cameras at different locations and love it. Easy to use and much easier to setup than wired systems. Not cheap to if you want lots of cameras but if you need to just monitor driveways or yards its perfect.

MrBalll

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

This would have been great if I hadn't pre-wired my shop and part of my house with Cat6 for POE cameras.
I'll just keep saving for some POE cameras. These would have been nice since I have a Nest thermostat already.

2CWG

Active member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Nest and similar options from D-Link, Netgear and such are fine if you're looking for entry-level consumer devices. Just like that 'all-in-one' toolkit you see for sale at a big box store may be completely adequate for what some folks need.

These ipcams strike a balance between capability and ease of use that makes them appealing to many. They 'look nicer' which can be important to some in a residential setting. Also, their cloud-based analytics seem to perform better motion detection than most consumer-level, software-only options. Downsides?

Wireless... Most consumer wireless networks are easy to disrupt and unreliable if heavily loaded. Do a quick search for jammers and you'll see they're cheap and easy to make. Criminals continue using them in a variety of ways, including: thwarting GPS tracking on stolen vehicles; disrupting a car's wireless locking and interfering with wireless security at businesses. As wireless security becomes more prevalent in homes, use of these readily-available jammers will become more prolific

Security... Many folks will put these cameras on the same network as the rest of their home devices and then punch a hole through their router's firewall to allow access from their phone over the internet. This gives those with nefarious intent a valuable attack surface that could serve as a beachhead into your entire network. Running via a hosted service "in the cloud" may mitigate this concern to some extent, depending on the vendor

Functionality... Lack of on-camera digital I/O connections and full local NVR support are two that come up quite a bit. Complex event handling is another. Picture quality for moving objects (especially at night) at more than point-blank range is marginal. Always look at performance in scenarios with rapid motion and low light since this is a weak point for many systems. You're unable to add-ons like a camera-powered external PIR+ultrasonic motion sensor to significantly improve motion detection or a siren to alert those nearby

Privacy... If you sign up for the service...storing 24/7 video on the cloud and/or streaming via an external site is a mixed bag. Makes things simple since you don't have to have any equipment at home. Also guarantees that multiple folks at the hosting company have access to your data. Is that an issue? Personal choice. Just keep it in mind when choosing where those cameras are pointing. You may not want to be the next YouTube sensation

Large topic, of course, and everyone has a viewpoint. ipcamtalk forum has a lot of info and folks with far greater experience if you're looking to research the topic in more depth

MPOWERD

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Its more effective to get this as part of an alarm system... Many alarm companies, such as ADT, have this feature and its very easy to use and review imagery through your cellphone and its free with your alarm monitoring service.

n20junkie

Well-known member

Jul 22, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I have 3 nest cameras and the thermostat along with a wink hub and smart switches.

My wife loves it along with me. We can keep tabs on the house when we are away, automate lights and do things like make the entire house light up when motion is detected inside.

kbs2244

Well-known member

Jul 23, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

If you go the I P Camera route, at least change the password

http://www.networkworld.com/article...rity-cameras-thanks-to-default-passwords.html

http://thehackernews.com/2016/06/cctv-camera-hacking.html

Vinko

Well-known member

Jul 24, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

MrBalll said:
This would have been great if I hadn't pre-wired my shop and part of my house with Cat6 for POE cameras.
I'll just keep saving for some POE cameras. These would have been nice since I have a Nest thermostat already.

What kind of POE cameras and set-up are you thinking of?

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HOTFR8

Banned

Jul 24, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Security these days of any work place or home is important. I had a prowler at night not so long ago and was able to light up most of the place but if I had seen them it would have been easier when I reported to the Police.

Neppo1345

Member

Jul 25, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

/begin rant

We have two nest cams at our house (City of St. Louis...not the worst place in the world...but bad enough that I have my gas grill chained up outside). One inside looking inside, and one near windows looking outside. They're great; no major wires to run, no separate DVRs to buy (or PC to build, then fireproof, and hide) and no off-site storage issues...just pay a tiny fee (we pay 15.00 for 2x cameras with a 10 day record loop) and you're good. Best of all, great video quality (something I never really saw any IP cams provide). On top of that, sound and movement alerts programmable by zones with instant phone notifications (who the hell needs ADT at 2x the price per month with no video)!

My biggest complaint until now has been that the cameras are designed for indoor use only and any enclosure you put them in to move them outside (even pointing them out a window) effectively eliminates the 'night vision' due to the enclosure reflecting the IR LEDs back into the lens. I looked into disabling the internal LEDs and adding an external IR emitters and all that jazz...but that's getting into territory where you might as well just install a more industrial solution.

Then to my joy, NEST FINALLY released an outdoor camera...hooray! Finally we can pop one in the car port to keep an eye on things! Maybe even one outside the front door! Jumped on the website to check out pre-orders only to find:

IT ATTACHES WITH FREAKING MAGNETS.

Now don't get me wrong, magnets are great....when you snag your macbook power cable with your foot, or when you want to put Johnny's artwork up on the fridge...but they don't belong anywhere near an outdoor 'security camera'. Might as well tape my old iphone outside in a waterproof case...it would probably be just as effective. At least give me the option to hard mount the thing somehow! All they would have had to do was install a 1/4-20 threaded insert or stud. Just something that could give even a little resistance if someone tried to move it, pull it down, or hit it with something.

I was patient with Nest waiting for the 'full solution'...but I've given up. Might sell the two cams I have now, might keep them...who knows. Either way I'll be doing some serious research and putting in a full home solution (indoors and out) within the next 4-5 months.

//end rant

sal_flip

Active member

Jul 25, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I think it depends on the glass and wether or not it's 2 pane windows. I have one that is crystal clear at night time and another that is completely useless due to the ir reflection at night.

stang2007

Well-known member

Jul 25, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I bought Several of these recently... and wow the Quality is Great.

They are Wireless. the Video Quality is amazing for the price. also it can record to a SD card. so no cloud service is required. its pretty cool.

Most of My Family bought into the Drop cams... but the yearly/monthly cost was a turn off to me.

softailgarage

Well-known member

Jul 26, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I've played with both wired and wireless systems and will stick with wired. Sure, it's a PIA setting it up, but you only have to do it once. You're correct by saying the wireless are undependable. The 2 wireless systems were problematic from the get go and finally ended up not working all together unless the receiver was right next to the camera and even then it was shaky as far as "will it be working tomorrow or not?". I currently have an 8 camera wired system with a 500gb hard drive DVR I bought for about $200.00 on Ebay. The picture quality isn't the greatest, I'm sure if I invested more money into better camera's it would be great, but I don't need to. I can still get a good, reliable recorded clip of someones face if need be and don't have to worry about jammers, wifi signals, etc.

bargainhuntingking

Well-known member

Aug 5, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Does anyone have any direct experience with the Ring Doorbell Cam?

I just saw it here today in a local news story:

http://www.livingsnoqualmie.com/video-snoqualmie-front-porch-theft-captured-ring-doorbell/

The company's site is here: https://ring.com/

Looks decent but I'd rather hear from someone who's used it.

engineer2

Well-known member

Aug 5, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I've been investigating these wireless models:
Canary: indoor only, company has no plans for outdoor models
Piper NV: indoor only, company has no plans for outdoor models
Arlo Wire-Fee: Outdoor, only 720p, uses expensive special batteries. Have to hack it to work on USB power, voiding the warranty. Their wired models are not for outdoor use.

The nice thing about cloud storage is that even if a burglar disables your WiFi or steals the camera, his actions have already been recorded remotely (assuming he was in view of the camera). I feel it is important to have cameras viewing the outside of your property and have your WiFi on a UPS.

n20junkie

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Neppo1345 said:
/begin rant

We have two nest cams at our house (City of St. Louis...not the worst place in the world...but bad enough that I have my gas grill chained up outside). One inside looking inside, and one near windows looking outside. They're great; no major wires to run, no separate DVRs to buy (or PC to build, then fireproof, and hide) and no off-site storage issues...just pay a tiny fee (we pay 15.00 for 2x cameras with a 10 day record loop) and you're good. Best of all, great video quality (something I never really saw any IP cams provide). On top of that, sound and movement alerts programmable by zones with instant phone notifications (who the hell needs ADT at 2x the price per month with no video)!

My biggest complaint until now has been that the cameras are designed for indoor use only and any enclosure you put them in to move them outside (even pointing them out a window) effectively eliminates the 'night vision' due to the enclosure reflecting the IR LEDs back into the lens. I looked into disabling the internal LEDs and adding an external IR emitters and all that jazz...but that's getting into territory where you might as well just install a more industrial solution.

Then to my joy, NEST FINALLY released an outdoor camera...hooray! Finally we can pop one in the car port to keep an eye on things! Maybe even one outside the front door! Jumped on the website to check out pre-orders only to find:

IT ATTACHES WITH FREAKING MAGNETS.

Now don't get me wrong, magnets are great....when you snag your macbook power cable with your foot, or when you want to put Johnny's artwork up on the fridge...but they don't belong anywhere near an outdoor 'security camera'. Might as well tape my old iphone outside in a waterproof case...it would probably be just as effective. At least give me the option to hard mount the thing somehow! All they would have had to do was install a 1/4-20 threaded insert or stud. Just something that could give even a little resistance if someone tried to move it, pull it down, or hit it with something.

I was patient with Nest waiting for the 'full solution'...but I've given up. Might sell the two cams I have now, might keep them...who knows. Either way I'll be doing some serious research and putting in a full home solution (indoors and out) within the next 4-5 months.

//end rant

I bought a housing from dropcases.com that has been flawless during nightime use. Its on a flex arm and screws to the house with the usb cable being enclosed in the flex arm so no wires outside.

Last edited: Aug 6, 2016

tarmy

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

Check out Sharx cameras. I have same issue. I set up four outdoor cameras on a separate system and each camera records a two week loop at the camera, sends a feed to a separate remote server to record continuously, and I can access remote as well.

Pricey, but great CS and the have great night vision...and haven't had any problems in snow country with **** weather...

CountZero

Member

Aug 7, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

I went with an IP based camera system that uses POE. 1 Ethernet cable to each camera. (Which gives me 300+ feet to work with on each camera run if needed) All of my cameras are 3MP with good night vision, and aluminum outdoor rated housings that mount with screws or bolts. Most of the cameras I'm using currently ran me around $75 or so each via Ebay. I have just under a month of archival recording with 9 cameras recording 24/7/365. (And I can easily increase that retention time just by adding an extra USB hard drive. I prefer recording 24/7/365 as that allows me to not only set motion triggers to notify me via email of events, but also scroll back prior to the motion triggers to see if there is any additional relevant info. I can access the live camera feeds on my phone from anywhere via a VPN connection so its secure and I didn't have to punch holes in my firewall.

I'm sure the Nest cams are decent, but I can get 3 IP cameras with higher resolution for the price of one Nest. And I don't have any monthly fees to worry about. Also, if newer camera tech comes out, its easy to unplug the one that's up and mount a newer one in its place.

Last edited: Aug 7, 2016

wyerock

New member

Aug 9, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

CountZero said:
I went with an IP based camera system that uses POE...I have just under a month of archival recording with 9 cameras recording 24/7/365...I can access the live camera feeds on my phone from anywhere via a VPN connection so its secure and I didn't have to punch holes in my firewall.

What software are you running?

CountZero

Member

Aug 9, 2016

Re: Nest Cam & Self Monitored Security

wyerock said:
What software are you running?

I'm using a Dahua NVR for storage, so its all self contained and has its own software and interface. I've also played with the free SmartPSS software that Dahua offers, and I've been using that for searching footage and exporting video files, as its more convenient than using the NVR direct or going through Internet Explorer. I looked at some of the software based solutions, but I wasn't really interested in having to build another computer to run 24/7. The NVR is designed to run all the time, has appropriate venting and fans designed for constant use, and uses significantly less power than a computer running camera software.

That being said, I know quite a few people that really like Blue Iris software to run their cams. ($60 for the full version, + the cost of the computer to run it on.)

For viewing the feeds on my phone, I'm using "TinyCam Monitor Pro" which works fantastic through my VPN.

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