Security cameras without a huge learning curve?

[Strouty]

I would like to install some security cameras at my shop. I have internet 24/7, but it is not the fastest speed, probably averages 6 Mbps, it will stream video for sure. I had pre-ordered some of the new Blink XT2 cameras, they arrived today, went to install the app and the newest reviews are atrocious, I did a lot of research on the blink XT and decided to wait for the new cameras, I guess they did some serious "updates" (read downgrades) to the control system and people are furious about it. I have no problem with wired units, long term would need 6 or 7 cameras to cover inside and outside. I would prefer not having to setup a PC to record or control the cameras, all my computers are Macs (I know, I know). From what I am seeing from previous threads, NVR and POE is the way to go, but, I don't want to make this too complicated. I don't mind spending a bit of money to get started, but I do not want to have huge subscription fees to keep going.

I really liked the NestCam IQ series, but the fact that it won't record events and hogs bandwidth recording 24/7 is awful. I also thought the price for several cameras would be ridiculous, especially after the monthly fee that you are forced into.

So what would be a good choice? I would like real world info, not arm chair quarterbacks or unboxing reviewers.

 

[Git]

Hikvision and Dahua are two big names in security cameras and I believe 'Lorex' is a branded (oem version) from Dahua. (Dahua actually bought Lorex a year or so ago)

With that being said, and your desire to keep it simple, look at a Lorex system from Costco - but I would stick to the IP Cams that use ethernet instead of the bayonet type connectors and cables

https://www.costco.com/security-sur...lorex&refine=ads_fbrand_ntk_cs%3A%22Lorex%22|

 

[arkansawer]

thieves will find a way around the cameras. set up a truck air horn to your compressor air tank with a simple trigger of some sort. they won't hang around long...

 

[madwi]

I have a few dahua POE cams in the garage and I like them very much. I've been using Blue Iris Software and app on my phone. Here is a snapshot of one of the cams.

 

[hardknox]

I've been wanting to install CCTV's here at home. But I'm scared that the installation will be expensive.

 

[dw1]

I've been wanting to install CCTV's here at home. But I'm scared that the installation will be expensive.

If you get a POE/NVR system and you can pull a Cat 5 cable to where you want your cameras, you can install this yourself. I have a Reolink POE/NVR System in my barn and one in my house.

 

[Max]

I picked out and installed a system for a medium size commercial building. A couple of observations:

PoE is really the way to go. Even if you have wireless cameras you still need to get power to the camera. PoE gives you power and data in the same simple cable. You’ll want to get a crimping tool as it’s much easier to route unterminated cables than pre made terminated ones. Once you see how to properly terminate a cable it’s easy.

I got an eight camera ssytem and DVR for about $1500. I spent more (then say a Costo system) as I wanted cameras that could be manually zoomed. When you install and adjust the cameras, it really helps to be able to zoom as well to get the field of view that you want.

Since it was a commercial building, it was much easier to run the wiring on the roof. I used conduit to protect the wires from UV. If you can wire inside I think that’d be easier but in my case it was the only viable option. One benefit of roof cameras is that I didn’t need to worry about someone getting access to the wires and cutting them.

The weak point in most systems (I think) is the DVR. They will all generally record fine, but internet connectivity can be a problem area. What I think is best is a standalone system that you can access remotely. What most vendors want to do is have you look at your video through their servers - which means that you have to pay every month or you have a free but likely flaky system. I can see why people roll their own Linux systems for this part.

Max

 

[86turbodsl]

I've used zoneminder on a cheap used Linux box before. It was easy to setup, but I am Linux experienced. Ymmv.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

 

[Strouty]

So far the Dahua seems to be a decent and reasonable entry point that I can later spend too much money on a fancy PTZ camera. My understanding is all I need is the cameras, a NVR (that has PoE) and internet, is that it or do I still need a full computer as well?

 

[A**holes Garage]

Hikvision POE system here
8 cameras, 4TB NVR, Hikvision software
PC and cell remote monitoring
APC battery back up
4 years running
Had one camera connection go bad, sent in to Hikvision, warranty repair

 

[foodie]

I am also following this post from Strouty. Thanks for the replies. I am not computer or technologically savvy at all.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I am using EZVIZ. It comes with it’s own app so I can check the shop from anywhere on my phone. It can also record to the cloud for about $7 a month additional. They are available with various numbers of cameras. My 4 camera system was $180 and is hard wired both in the shop and have cat 5 from a router to the house. I have no idea what they might offer for a remotely located site.

 

[niget2002]

I'll be installing a Ubiquiti NVR and POE cameras at the next house.

All the rest of my networking gear is Ubiquiti at this point and I've had very good success with all of it. Reviews on their cameras are pretty good.

It won't be until the end of summer before I can give my personal review.

 

[Strouty]

I know this is a loaded question, but how much hard drive space do you guys think is reasonable for 8 cameras? I don't want to save everything forever, but it would be nice to have one camera recording 24/7 out front, then have the rest on motion activation. I am looking at one of the 16 channel systems and they offer it without a hard drive, you can install up to 4 drives for a total of 40 TB. I have a mix of used hard drives and figured to save some initial costs, I would just install them for now.

 

[Tmart86]

1TB is a decent starting point. I get 5-7 days per camera on some 64gb SD card based installs ive done with 2mp/1080p cameras @ 12fps and 24/7 recording using axis zip stream

 

[Denwood]

If you are looking for inexpensive and easy then look at Amcrest 1080p (Pan/tilt/zoom)(they use Dahua firmware) and pay for the cloud option. If cloud storage and a monthly fee bothers you, you can also set up the same cams with local storage (on the cam itself) via an SD card and simultaneously send captured stills to an FTP server. This is what I do, using motion triggered recording. If someone destroys the camera (or NVR) then you have web images stored offsite.

The firmware has extensive options so can be daunting..but they’re tech help is good.

For more cams, I just commissioned a 32 camera (4K POE) Lorex system with 6TB and would recommend them. The 4K cams are sharp, web access is easy to the NVR (browser, smartphone, or their FLIR cloud software), and POE using their NVR is painless. One of the advantages of using an NVR is that playback of stored footage (say 5 cams simultaneously) is an easy task to review past events on the same timeline.

The disadvantage (and this just happened to my business client) is that an NVR failure makes every camera useless. Some business may not realize recording has stopped for weeks, or months. This is why a stand-alone camera with local storage makes life a bit simpler if youÂ’re just doing 2-3 cams.

A PTZ camera can be set to patrol (move between set points) on motion, so one cam can cover multiple angles. I don’t personally use this, but if you need a good look at something live, it’s hard to beat a PTZ cam with optical zoom.

Often a camera is most effective at getting eyes on something based on another trigger. Example, alarm company calls, you pull up your camera app and confirm it’s real, or a false. This saves us $150 per episode if police are not called to a false alarm.

For business you want longer record times (3-4 weeks) as someone systematically stealing (employee or external) may need longer monitoring.

 

[Max]

How much storage you need depends on the compression used, camera resolution, motion activation rate, and number of cameras. Assuming 2-4 MP and 8 cameras, and a 2+ week storage window, I think you’d be fine with 2-4 TB of storage. Note that motion activated cameras can have a lot of false activations due to light changing, wind blowing shrubs/trees, etc. 40 TB sounds like huge overkill unless you want to keep stuff a long time. Most folks just need 1-2 weeks so after something happens you can look at the video.

BTW, the camreas I got were not PTZ. They were manual zoom. When you install a camera, if it isn’t in the perfect location your option is to move it, or zoom in/out. Otherwise you may not be as close as you want, cover the things that you want covered, etc. Alternatively, you could use a test cable and try out each camera’s location before you hardwire it in, but for me I preferred the flexibility of having some adjustment. It also let me setup things so I had a wide field of view for a door camera, but a narower field of view for a camera that monitored cars coming into the lot.

Max

 

[Leeboy20]

We went with the arlo Pro 2 last year . Complete wireless system . Free 7 day rolling cloud storage with instant alerts to devices . 4 camera system was $800 “ Canadian”

 

[snm805619]

I'll be installing a Ubiquiti NVR and POE cameras at the next house.

All the rest of my networking gear is Ubiquiti at this point and I've had very good success with all of it. Reviews on their cameras are pretty good.

It won't be until the end of summer before I can give my personal review.

I recently did this (and will probably add a third camera soon)...
1 Router
1 POE Switch
2 Wireless Access Points
2 POE Cameras

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

On the same topic, any suggestions for outdoor cameras that won't break the bank but can handle -40F temps?

 

[volvosrock]

I had a cheap BIN cable system. Last year upgraded to a 2tb, 8 camera POE Amcrest system. Using the NVR, and a cheap TV monitor. All 8 cameras record 24/7 and I get about 5 days of storage. They are 2mp wide angle fixed cameras. Very happy with them and the system so far.

Lorex was the other contender, but at the time Amcrest had better reviews, especially for the mobile app.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Git]

So far the Dahua seems to be a decent and reasonable entry point that I can later spend too much money on a fancy PTZ camera. My understanding is all I need is the cameras, a NVR (that has PoE) and internet, is that it or do I still need a full computer as well?

No, it's usually either or

You go with a NVR based system or you go with a computer based system.

NVR is going to be easier, but somewhat limits your options and flexibility. For example, they are usually sold as a package and you get what cameras come with that system. The question is - are those cameras really what you need or would you be better off picking individual cameras? And when I talk about cameras I mean, turret or bullet, lens size (4mm, 6mm) some sort of zoom, etc. A computer based system also lets you start with just 1 or 2 cameras and you can grow it to as many as you like

Don't get hung up on pixels either - as in 4k etc. A lot of the best cameras, especially for low light situations, are still only 2 megapixel like the Dahua starlight

I would recommend anyone interested in IP Cams to join IP CAM talk and start reading (ps - don't mention Amcrest (Foscam with a new name) over there...

https://ipcamtalk.com/forums/

 

[alcorelli]

Hikvision POE system here
8 cameras, 4TB NVR, Hikvision software
PC and cell remote monitoring
APC battery back up
4 years running
Had one camera connection go bad, sent in to Hikvision, warranty repair

Same here 10 Hikvision POE, Blue Iris Server, 4 8TB drives.
I tried the Hikvision aoftware. It was very nice!
But we have Blu Iris at other locations.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[old_smokey]

On the same topic, any suggestions for outdoor cameras that won't break the bank but can handle -40F temps?

I am also curious about this. I have heard the Ring cameras can handle that. I live in Winnipeg, so I get the same cold snaps down to -40. I was planning on installing an exterior Ring to cover the garage from the outside, and some cheap Wyze cameras for inside or something. The Wyze are only about $55 each. Good for my home application.

 

[BruceMc]

On the same topic, any suggestions for outdoor cameras that won't break the bank but can handle -40F temps?

I can tell you from personal experience that the Arlo Pro cameras shut down around -5F, even when plugged in. Definitely pay attention to the manufacturer's ratings. There's more variation among outdoor-rated cameras than you would think at first.

 

[Regnar]

some cheap Wyze cameras for inside or something. The Wyze are only about $55 each. Good for my home application.

They are only 25 dollars or 35 for the panning one. I have 10 and would recommend them all day long for indoors. I have 10 inside my house and only one connected to the true internet for notifications (Overlooking the Safe). If anything happens I just remove the memory card and see what transpired.

The only negative that I have with the cameras is that they do not do well looking outside at night time due to the IR bouncing off the windows. You can turn the IR off but then its just a black outside. If they ever due make outdoor cameras I will be first in line. I have already pre ordered their light bulbs.

 

[Max]

. (lots deleted)

I would recommend anyone interested in IP Cams to join IP CAM talk and start reading (ps - don't mention Amcrest (Foscam with a new name) over there...

https://ipcamtalk.com/forums/

Git - that is a great forum. Thank you for the link.

Max

 

[Casey69]

no need to make it super-complex. i've had this kit for 2 years now & haven't had a hiccup. buddy of mine sold me on it (he has the same one going on 4 years). both systems have experienced 100+ degree days & -20* nights.

easy setup, decent phone app, & fairly cheap with good reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015121KH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[alcorelli]

Same here 10 Hikvision POE, Blue Iris Server, 4 8TB drives.
I tried the Hikvision aoftware. It was very nice!
But we have Blu Iris at other locations.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

You guys made me spend money!
Just ordered an LPR Cam and a programmable auto pan tilt cam from Nelly's.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Tmart86]

On the same topic, any suggestions for outdoor cameras that won't break the bank but can handle -40F temps?

Ive had a axis p1425-LE mkII and axis m2025-le holdup against real temperatures at or below the -22F rating. Remember windchill doesn’t impact cameras. The m2025-le is available for around $325 or the axis companion bullet-LE is around $225 but locks you into axis software.

 

[HotelMike]

I have a Hikvision with PoE and memory card slot waiting on the workbench. Initially my intention is to record to the memory card to replace my existing Dropcam subscription. Further down the road possibly add one or two more and connect to a NAS or server.

 

[Tmart86]

You guys made me spend money!
Just ordered an LPR Cam and a programmable auto pan tilt cam from Nelly's.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Check out OpenLPR. You can use the free cloudapi and automatically log plates. The 1000 plate reads is normally plenty for residential.

https://www.openalpr.com/

 

[rharman]

We did 7 cameras - 4K, super sharp. NVR is 6tb. All are motion activated but we have them set pretty sensitive. Swaying branches will set them off or a car on a cross street a house away.