Security cameras in 2026

[gte718p]

$3k for 4 PTZ cams, 4 fixed and all these other goodies ? Even if you’re going with 360 cams with digital PTZ $3k is gonna be real light. All cameras from the G5 newer can use AI detections. Some are better than others. I have a LPR cam at one location and it’s hands down better than any other model I’ve messed with so far. It’s closer to 90% spot on but it’s also $500. Plus an NVR and all them other **** that goes with a wired camera system. And to have decent WiFi over 4a is no small task either. Getting coverage is easy, getting it to work well isn’t always as easy.

I’d double that budget in your head and be tickled pink if it comes in under.

Yeh I'm not going to run AI on the PTZ. The old stuff is surprisingly reasonable. The G5 PTZ are only $400. I can get the Gen 4 for $150. I think the G5 is worth it, but it is a lot of coin. About $200 each for the G6 Turrets. $2k in cameras, $200 for the AI port, 2x POE Flex for switching duties for $800. I already have the gateway and I get the access points used for about $20. They are a mix of U5 and U6 access points.

I have wired bigger areas. The important stuff is close and will be hardwired. I might not be able to cover the entire field, but I'm going to try. I generally have good luck with Ubiquiti switching seamlessly across access points and playing nicely together. I have the advantage of height. I will be setup ideally to cover range, between the house, the tower and the land so its worth a shot.

I did forget the $700 for the gate controller. I'm probably lite, but we will see.

 

[jblnut]

Yeh I'm not going to run AI on the PTZ. The old stuff is surprisingly reasonable. The G5 PTZ are only $400. I can get the Gen 4 for $150. I think the G5 is worth it, but it is a lot of coin. About $200 each for the G6 Turrets. $2k in cameras, $200 for the AI port, 2x POE Flex for switching duties for $800. I already have the gateway and I get the access points used for about $20. They are a mix of U5 and U6 access points.

I have wired bigger areas. The important stuff is close and will be hardwired. I might not be able to cover the entire field, but I'm going to try. I generally have good luck with Ubiquiti switching seamlessly across access points and playing nicely together. I have the advantage of height. I will be setup ideally to cover range, between the house, the tower and the land so its worth a shot.

I did forget the $700 for the gate controller. I'm probably lite, but we will see.

PTZ cameras seem nice in theory but they **** because you can only look at one thing at a time. I haven’t messed with any Ubiquiti PTZ stuff since the 360 cams came out. The G6 360 is incredible. The only real benefit I’ve seen with Ubiquiti traditional PTZ cams is they are easier to aim once mounted. Any Ubiquiti cam is easy to aim. Plug it in, power it up, mount it, adopt it and aim it from your phone. Super slick vs the “old days”.

The G5 turret is also worth a look. Quite a lot of hardware for the coin. I have 7 on the way to add a few and upgrade a few.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

So, the answer to the original question seems to be "yes, absolutely PoE cameras and an NVR is still the way to go".

I don't have time or even the electricity in place to set up a system like that yet, so my plan is to buy two cheapie wifi battery-powered cameras, like TP link Tapos like these https://a.co/d/0hqeC8qF, and use those until all my construction is finished and then I will spring for a Reolink or Eufy or Ubiquiti system with NVR and local storage, which will probably be...yep about $2k like last time. Just like cars...the price isn't lower, but the cameras are a lot better I guess.

 

[zimman]

*local PD has entered the chat.*

'thanks for the free surveillance'

Why should I have a problem with this? If they need help you would not provide?
Zim

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

So, the answer to the original question seems to be "yes, absolutely PoE cameras and an NVR is still the way to go".

I don't have time or even the electricity in place to set up a system like that yet, so my plan is to buy two cheapie wifi battery-powered cameras, like TP link Tapos like these https://a.co/d/0hqeC8qF, and use those until all my construction is finished and then I will spring for a Reolink or Eufy or Ubiquiti system with NVR and local storage, which will probably be...yep about $2k like last time. Just like cars...the price isn't lower, but the cameras are a lot better I guess.

I have three EUFY solar cams mounted on trees in the woods that I purchased from Costco ($99) and I have been satisfied with them…… Definitely NOT a picture like a POE camera but they work OK for my application.
For less than $100 these EUFY cams have a lot of features like solar charging, talk/listen, time/date stamp, free on cam storage, motion/alert detection, pan, tilt, zoom and a light for color image.

BTW! My advice is everyone should install one of these cams "at a minimum" for basic security at this price point.

 

[Steve W.]

Our family gift to ourselves this past Christmas was a new camera system. Used to have an 8-camera wireless system with NVR. Had trouble connecting to it, even when we were right next to it. Want to see a camera "live"? Took well over a minute to gain access. Want to see any recordings? Probably about two minutes for that to happen.

Got a ReoLink 12-camera PoE/NVR system. Son and I spent most of the week after Christmas wiring the house for the 9 cameras that are now installed. The last 3 will go on/in the shop, just need to figure out the logistics of running wire for the intended locations.

Have the ReoLink app on my phone. Open the app, select a camera, live picture is there within seconds. Playback from that camera is seldom more than 5 seconds away.

Can't comment on customer support, have not had the need for any (yet). So far, I like this a LOT better than the old system.

.

 

[LopezBart]

Why should I have a problem with this? If they need help you would not provide?
Zim

Ignoring any specific political issues, your interests and those of local law enforcement may not always converge, and the local LEOs may not always be strictly ethical as well.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I ran cat6a shielded 23ga solid copper for the internet and to all security and doorbell locations.

shielded cable was not needed and if not terminated properly will cause more harm than it will prevent

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Right. That is why I don't use hikconnect or the cloud to access my cameras.
When I say third party , I guess what im trying to say is I do not go through them to get to my cameras.

so you use an app to view your cameras direct? how does it connect to the cams thru a firewall? port forwarding? that is risky

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Hell if I know really.
My nvr is connected to my router yes.
I can get into my router because I know the ip address.
I suppose a hacker could randomly choose an ip address to see what all is connected behind it by trying different ports ? Then if they found an open port they would still have to guess at the username and pw.
I think, but honestly don't know. Not really savvy in IT , as I only missed being a boomer by a year or two.
Lol

is your router exposed on the WAN side? meaning can you access it from the WAN side?

bots scan open ports on networks constantly. if they find an open port the next thing it will do is attempt a password crack.... not hard unless you use random characters

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Reolink has NO customer service support. Only email and reply is from 1-4 days. Would not buy again.

what did you need support for? i have reolink cams and have had no issues...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Make sure you check the temperature ratings on any exterior cameras you are buying depending on your location. Cheap consumer grade usually doesn't handle cold temperatures well

I have reolink cams and they have handled triple digit temps just fine

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why should I have a problem with this? If they need help you would not provide?
Zim

so you have no problems with LE accessing your cameras without your permission? hope you dont have cams inside your house....

 

[Max]

I hope you guys running Hikvision stuff know it was banned from being sold in the US and Canada.
A recent article with more info. https://www.reuters.com/world/china...nd-crackdown-chinese-telecom-gear-2025-12-04/

Thanks for that. I have Hikvision cameras, but when I set them up I also setup my router such that they can’t get out.

 

[PWC Repair]

shielded cable was not needed and if not terminated properly will cause more harm than it will prevent.

Why would anybody NOT terminate them correctly? The grounded connectors are barely any more money and take like 10 more seconds to terminate correctly. I guess it's like anything else these days.......people seem to try their hardest to do things wrong LOL!

 

[zimman]

so you have no problems with LE accessing your cameras without your permission? hope you dont have cams inside your house....

If I allow it I don't have a problem. So what you're saying is "Law Enforcement can access my camera's without a warrant"? Let's be clear and back that up with Judicial Precedence.
Zim

 

[aggie113]

I have cams inside and out. Most are at least protected from heavy rain. The only reolink camera I had die (actually just lost the ability to focus) was mounted inside my climate controlled garage. Hope to never have to change that one out again 18ft up in the rafters... Support was via email and was responsive enough, but for the price don't expect miracles.

The Ubiquiti stuff is pricey and don't count on always having access through their own backend as that could get put behind a paywall in the future (just a thought). The G6 PTZ is nice for setting up a zoom for enhanced view. Also have some G4 Pro cams (bought both used and new) connected to a Unifi NVR Pro. The AI stuff can be nice, or can be **** depending on the software version they are pushing out. Recently it went to **** but I'm sure that is temporary.

 

[Codyboy]

so you use an app to view your cameras direct? how does it connect to the cams thru a firewall? port forwarding? that is risky

is your router exposed on the WAN side? meaning can you access it from the WAN side?

bots scan open ports on networks constantly. if they find an open port the next thing it will do is attempt a password crack.... not hard unless you use random characters

Yes it's an app iVMS4500.
To my knowledge it uses port forwarding. And yes it is pw protected. I suppose the pw could be cracked but it is pretty random characters.

 

[dave*99]

Yes it's an app iVMS4500.
To my knowledge it uses port forwarding. And yes it is pw protected. I suppose the pw could be cracked but it is pretty random characters.

I had that app years ago. I stopped using it when they discontinued supporting it.

Here the the current status according to the always accurate world of AI:

iVMS-4500 app poses security risks due to discontinued support, lack of updates, and potential for unauthorized access via open ports (e.g., 8000) or weak, default credentials. It is susceptible to "illegal login" attempts, and using older versions increases vulnerability to malware. Experts recommend switching to "Hik-Connect" and using VPNs or VLANs to isolate devices.

 

[fillister]

Poe cameras on zoneminder, open source linux, most any older pc will run it on ubuntu server.

 

[Codyboy]

I had that app years ago. I stopped using it when they discontinued supporting it.

Here the the current status according to the always accurate world of AI:

iVMS-4500 app poses security risks due to discontinued support, lack of updates, and potential for unauthorized access via open ports (e.g., 8000) or weak, default credentials. It is susceptible to "illegal login" attempts, and using older versions increases vulnerability to malware. Experts recommend switching to "Hik-Connect" and using VPNs or VLANs to isolate devices.

Yes I know and have tried another called Guarding vision. I didn't really care for it.
When this system craps out even more , I'll search for a different way. Probably after we move and set a system up at the new place.
My NVR 16 channel has lost all but 3 poe ports. I ended up getting a poe switch but it has lost some ports too. I have no idea why it's doing this. So now even though theres nothing wrong with the cameras that are at least 10 years old , I can't see them due to the nvr and switch as I've ran out of enough working ports.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why would anybody NOT terminate them correctly? The grounded connectors are barely any more money and take like 10 more seconds to terminate correctly. I guess it's like anything else these days.......people seem to try their hardest to do things wrong LOL!

why would someone not terminate them correctly? because they dont know what theyre doing or how to do it properly. i see it all the time. They think merely using shielded cable will solve some supposed issue they have. often times they dont use shielded patch panels, proper bonding to the TBC or TBB, and shielded RJ45 plugs so the shielded cable just ends up acting as an inductive antenna causing signal issues....

you realize shielded RJ45 plugs do nothing if the equipment doesnt have a shielded connector? also, shielding on the equipment side does nothing if there isnt a proper shielded connection on the patch panel side

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If I allow it I don't have a problem. So what you're saying is "Law Enforcement can access my camera's without a warrant"? Let's be clear and back that up with Judicial Precedence.
Zim

yes because ring/amazon gave them access and when you signed up and agreed to their TOU you gave them permission without realizing it because you didnt read the contract. The LE agency isnt gonna come to you directly and ask for permission. sounds like thats what you thought they would do... nope

as far as judicial precedence goes none needed. this ability for law enforcement to access the video recordings from your camera has been well documented and covered by numerous companies and is easily found on the internet. time for you to open a browser and do some research.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes it's an app iVMS4500.
To my knowledge it uses port forwarding. And yes it is pw protected. I suppose the pw could be cracked but it is pretty random characters.

yes random character passwords have been hacked. but the chinese government also has backdoor access to your equipment. no password needed. this is well documented over the internet

 

[CoogarXR]

yes because ring/amazon gave them access and when you signed up and agreed to their TOU you gave them permission without realizing it because you didnt read the contract. The LE agency isnt gonna come to you directly and ask for permission. sounds like thats what you thought they would do... nope

as far as judicial precedence goes none needed. this ability for law enforcement to access the video recordings from your camera has been well documented and covered by numerous companies and is easily found on the internet. time for you to open a browser and do some research.

That super bowl commercial with the lost-dog-tracker was proof that Ring can "look through" your camera for whatever purpose it sees fit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes I know and have tried another called Guarding vision. I didn't really care for it.
When this system craps out even more , I'll search for a different way. Probably after we move and set a system up at the new place.
My NVR 16 channel has lost all but 3 poe ports. I ended up getting a poe switch but it has lost some ports too. I have no idea why it's doing this. So now even though theres nothing wrong with the cameras that are at least 10 years old , I can't see them due to the nvr and switch as I've ran out of enough working ports.

what brand of switch?

 

[dave*99]

That super bowl commercial with the lost-dog-tracker was proof that Ring can "look through" your camera for whatever purpose it sees fit.

I don't think Ring got the response they had wished for.

 

[ericm]

If I allow it I don't have a problem. So what you're saying is "Law Enforcement can access my camera's without a warrant"?

Yes. Ring has been allowing it for a while. I don't know if the end user has a choice. They also set up a system to scan all the cameras with "AI". They advertised it as way to find lost pets but the implications for tracking people are chilling, especially when combined with warrantless LE access. The outcry forced them to retreat for now. But it shows that they don't value privacy.

Maybe none of that bothers you but if it does its worth some research before buying.

I'm running Reolinks. The system (three cameras and an NVR) did not cost anywhere near $2k. More like half that. Not having the data on the cloud was important to me.

 

[LopezBart]

Yes. Ring has been allowing it for a while. I don't know if the end user has a choice. They also set up a system to scan all the cameras with "AI". They advertised it as way to find lost pets but the implications for tracking people are chilling, especially when combined with warrantless LE access. The outcry forced them to retreat for now. But it shows that they don't value privacy.

This. Lots of LEOs have been caught tracking romantic partners, or ex-partners with license plate trackers.
Not a new problem, of course, but modern tech is an amplifier.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

 

[Codyboy]

what brand of switch?

The nvr is a NSN 616 16P, which i believe is a rebranded Hikvision nvr by Nellys Security.

The switch is an IPCAM POWER 16 ports poe

 

[Codyboy]

yes random character passwords have been hacked. but the chinese government also has backdoor access to your equipment. no password needed. this is well documented over the internet

Hahaha, yes backdoor.
I routinely walk in front of my cameras and bend over to give them a back door shot.
They have probably ran out of eye bleach in China by now.
Lol

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Hahaha, yes backdoor.
I routinely walk in front of my cameras and bend over to give them a back door shot.
They have probably ran out of eye bleach in China by now.
Lol

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes. Ring has been allowing it for a while. I don't know if the end user has a choice. They also set up a system to scan all the cameras with "AI". They advertised it as way to find lost pets but the implications for tracking people are chilling, especially when combined with warrantless LE access. The outcry forced them to retreat for now. But it shows that they don't value privacy.

Maybe none of that bothers you but if it does its worth some research before buying.

I'm running Reolinks. The system (three cameras and an NVR) did not cost anywhere near $2k. More like half that. Not having the data on the cloud was important to me.

yup. i switched to Reolink after numerous people recommended them. they turned out to be amazing. the DB and floodcam have amazing resolution and clarity and the AI is top notch (can tell the difference between general motion, vehicles, people, animals, pets, and packages)....

I only have 2 cams for now but planning on adding 3 more including another flood cam to get rid of a ring flood cam in my backyard.

my ring doorbell is now disconnected from the internet and will soon be removed from the porch.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The nvr is a NSN 616 16P, which i believe is a rebranded Hikvision nvr by Nellys Security.

The switch is an IPCAM POWER 16 ports poe

I would try buying a name brand POE switch not some cheap chinese junk....

 

[Codyboy]

I would try buying a name brand POE switch not some cheap chinese junk....

Well do you have a recommendation?
I'm almost a boomer at 60 yo.
I am not IT savvy in any form or fashion.
I do read a lot about stuff like this , but it's hard to grasp and retain the information.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Cheapest option that should last is a netgear. i prefer the managed ones so you can power cycle individual ports to troubleshoot cam issues (or other POE devices). they have 3yr warranty too

I have a 16 port and an 8 port version in this model line.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-16-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-GS316EP/dp/B08MBFLMDC/?tag=atomicindus08-20