Security cameras

[JackAndy]

The most affordable way to do cameras is go analog and several DVRs with a Ethernet output. You can then tie as many DVRs and view from a smartphone if needed cause most manufactures offer cloud base software. This also makes for a closed network if needed. When you get into IP only cameras all the software is proprietary and the cost triples and your using their cameras only. You will get more bang for your buck and have a better selection now and in the future going this route. A huge distributor like ADI has everything you would need and supplies the majority of the contractors in the east coast .

The reason for several DVRs is you can place a 4 channel or 8 channel in a garage one in your house and home network back to a cloud base software for remote viewing or pull it off your home network when on site. This way if a DVR goes bad your not loosing the whole system not to mention the cost or running wires a great distance.


Mac

I'd have to agree here, not that other software isn't also good.

I have 2 DVR's on one house now and I manage them all through the same app. I'm about to get one or two more DVR's on a second location and its nice to be able to manage them all through one place.

What would be really nice is if the alarm system integrated into the camera system. For now, I have to check iSmart Alarm to see when a door was opened and then I can open up that time frame on the video playback.

I am not sure this is correct. I have at least three different brands of ip camera's. All use onvif and or RTSP. There is no need for proprietary software most open source software is good enough. Blue Iris being a highly recommended software both free or paid. Zone minder is one I use. Onvifer is what I use on my phone to view my cameras. Lots of options.

That sounds just as good as the multiple DVR's to be honest but I know the IP cameras cost more in the end. I get the 8 camera Samsung systems for $300 including everything. Its hard to beat. I bought a couple really nice cameras with better night vision for $70-80 each. Mostly I just want a high number of cameras to catch different angles. I include microphones too to capture audio on 4 of the 8.

 

[Negen]

The nice thing about ip cameras is they only need one DVR a Poe switch or Poe injectors are cheap enough. Or you can run power to the camera and not use Poe. The DVR is only limited to the size of your switch. The other advantage of ip cameras are they require only a single wire for power and data.

Standard coax (or what ever non Poe camera use) potentially are more secure.

Audio mics on both styles have issues being that the Mic is generally too far away from the sound source to pic up anything. Then you have wind and other things plus video data size is larger with audio. Doors are really the only practical place where sound makes sense. Camera height is generally lower. Doors generally get dome style camera's wide angle lenses. Drive ways and side of house gets the pistol style longer range. Both should have infra red night vision sensors built in.

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Edit:

One more thing about ip camera's is they do not require a DVR they can record to the cloud directly. So if your nas/dvr dies your still getting data. Some have built in sd cards to record to as well.

 

[biggziff]

Ubiquiti Unifi cameras and video software.

 

[Tmart86]

I'd have to agree here, not that other software isn't also good.

I have 2 DVR's on one house now and I manage them all through the same app. I'm about to get one or two more DVR's on a second location and its nice to be able to manage them all through one place.

What would be really nice is if the alarm system integrated into the camera system. For now, I have to check iSmart Alarm to see when a door was opened and then I can open up that time frame on the video playback.



That sounds just as good as the multiple DVR's to be honest but I know the IP cameras cost more in the end. I get the 8 camera Samsung systems for $300 including everything. Its hard to beat. I bought a couple really nice cameras with better night vision for $70-80 each. Mostly I just want a high number of cameras to catch different angles. I include microphones too to capture audio on 4 of the 8.

Watch out with audio recording. Check with local law enforcement you might be required to post that audio recording is on the premises.

 

[JackAndy]

Watch out with audio recording. Check with local law enforcement you might be required to post that audio recording is on the premises.

If my audio visual recording devices don't have any further ability to observe, see and listen than I as a human being do, then its the same as me standing outside listening. Perfectly legal.

 

[Tmart86]

If my audio visual recording devices don't have any further ability to observe, see and listen than I as a human being do, then its the same as me standing outside listening. Perfectly legal.

If you want to go that way thats fine but if you want to be able to use audio recordings make sure you follow the local laws. All my installs that use Audio have to be posted that audio recordings are used. Video only does not have to be posted but a sign stating Video surveillance is in use is a bigger deterrent than the cameras.

 

[JackAndy]

If you want to go that way thats fine but if you want to be able to use audio recordings make sure you follow the local laws. All my installs that use Audio have to be posted that audio recordings are used. Video only does not have to be posted but a sign stating Video surveillance is in use is a bigger deterrent than the cameras.

Someone brought this up last time. Might've been you? Statutes were quoted. We're good.

 

[My Old Tools]

Texas is a one party recording state. Only one party has to agree, that's you. Every state is different.

 

[Negen]

The only laws/rules about audio recording in surveillance systems are that it needs to be posted. Public vs private have different rules to this. But when major security companies with real time monitoring and what not install them I assume they fallow laws. Recording audio on a phone call has different rules. And private companies who record employees must have it posted where audio is being recorded. Systems that alert the police or make noise above a certain level may require a permit or two. But one who who is willing to illegally trespass on you isn't expected to be afforded any respect from who they trespass.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[ctgoodman]

Ubiquiti Unifi cameras and video software.

I’ll give a +1 to the Ubiquiti equipment. I just finished a 5 camera install of their G3 cameras and their NVR at work. Solid setup. All under $1000 for the NVR and cameras. We already had the box of cable and and existing network with a POE switch.


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[Tmart86]

Texas is a one party recording state. Only one party has to agree, that's you. Every state is different.

probably was just want people to look into their situation before they just assume its fine. Iowa is a one party state but has to be posted because of another law that was at the state or local level. This was a few years ago and impacted public and private systems. I think they were trying to change but but haven’t followed the issue as I haven’t done audio for a while.

 

[climb.on]

I’ll give a +1 to the Ubiquiti equipment. I just finished a 5 camera install of their G3 cameras and their NVR at work. Solid setup. All under $1000 for the NVR and cameras. We already had the box of cable and and existing network with a POE switch.


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I ordered the Ubiquiti Camera stuff and returned it. I decided it was too expensive for stuff that is proprietary. And I am a big Ubiquiti guy. All my networking hardware is Ubiquiti. I just don't like being locked in to proprietary equipment. I went with Dahua cameras and NVR from Andy over at IPcamTalk. A bit more work getting things setup, but more flexible too.

 

[Tmart86]

I ordered the Ubiquiti Camera stuff and returned it. I decided it was too expensive for stuff that is proprietary. And I am a big Ubiquiti guy. All my networking hardware is Ubiquiti. I just don't like being locked in to proprietary equipment. I went with Dahua cameras and NVR from Andy over at IPcamTalk. A bit more work getting things setup, but more flexible too.

**** i was thinking about doing Ubiquity cameras for my parents with the new cloud key gen 2 as the nvr. But thought there was a way to set them up using RTSP into blue iris if we didn’t like the ubiquity software guess ill have to confirm this before we order. Use their etworo switchs and wireless products alot for camera installs

 

[Mike007]

So I'm considering adding security cameras to my home. I don't want to go crazy doing a lot of research. After a whopping 1/2 hour of reading, this is what I've concluded:

I want simple. I don't need anything too crazy and I'd prefer everything to come in one box. I want to wire everything and have good video and sound. I don't want offsite data storage..... So I probably should hide the hard drive. This seems to fit my requirements:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZJJ4GN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Opinions?

 

[biggziff]

So I'm considering adding security cameras to my home. I don't want to go crazy doing a lot of research. After a whopping 1/2 hour of reading, this is what I've concluded:

I want simple. I don't need anything too crazy and I'd prefer everything to come in one box. I want to wire everything and have good video and sound. I don't want offsite data storage..... So I probably should hide the hard drive. This seems to fit my requirements:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZJJ4GN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Opinions?

I'm sure it'll be fine. My experience with the lower line stuff is the picture quality is good, motion detection can be troublesome (hard to tune out falsing) HDDs are cheap, but serviceable for a year or so.

 

[Tmart86]

So I'm considering adding security cameras to my home. I don't want to go crazy doing a lot of research. After a whopping 1/2 hour of reading, this is what I've concluded:

I want simple. I don't need anything too crazy and I'd prefer everything to come in one box. I want to wire everything and have good video and sound. I don't want offsite data storage..... So I probably should hide the hard drive. This seems to fit my requirements:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZJJ4GN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Opinions?

Ran a Swann system at home for two years to see how it compares to other options I had installed and had zero issues with cameras install was simple. I recorded 24 hours a day and had motion Based text alerts. Mine were only 720p so a 5mp set will be a nice stepup.

My only complaint about swan was video review was clunky on a phone or tablet but they have changed software since then.

 

[JackAndy]

The Samsung app isn't super slick for video review either but its kind of hard to fit 8 cameras x 24 hours of video on one tiny screen. It does work, it just takes some getting used to and it takes some time to drill down and find the exact video you're looking for.

 

[Negen]

One of the best apps for android to view cameras is called tinycam. It can be used with most camera that use standard protocols. Onvif or rtsp.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Catch_22]

I use Dahua and Hikvisions. Dahua is quickly becoming my favorite. Keep in mind if you are not getting US sourced Hikvisions you can't update the firmware. This is only relevant for features and security.

I use only RSTP (network protocol) capable cameras (nearly all Dahua and Hikvisions are) and stream off all my video to an offsite server I keep. That server is just a Ubuntu server running Shinobi and it connects to a simple NFS with 4TB (raw) storage. I keep 4 streams running 24/7 for 30 days and it nets about 1.2TB of storage requirements. This keeps the storage and server offsite should there be an issue, the evidence is preserved.

I work at a desk so I keep the web console up all day on a side screen so I can watch over my house.

For my phone I use a Android phone (Pixel3) and I use IP Cam Viewer Pro that independently connect to my cameras (vs through a DVR/Server) to monitor via my phone.
The cameras have their own built in motion detentions and I use that to fire off still images to my personal email account for notifications.

There are caveats to this like internet connection requirement/reliability, storage needs, server upkeep and security concerns using internet outfacing cameras/foreign firmware's. Some of that can be mitigated with firewall definitions (my inside cameras) but the ones I want to see from my phone cannot be locked down like that.

Identify what you want out of a system and research what will do it. A good system isn't cheap but cheap options exist if you manage expectations. It all depends what you want out of the setup.

 

[cspcrx]

very helpful thread guys. I have been eyeing an HD IP NVR Lorex system at Costco for $899 but it never went on sale. On the Lorex site they had a $1600 system that with the sale and cyber week pricing came in at $637 so I jumped on it.

https://www.lorextechnology.com/4k-...camera-system-with-4-hd-cameras/4KHDIP822-1-p

My question is this. I do not have an Ethernet connect where I plan on placing my NVR so I was thinking about using a D-link Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender DAP-1650 to connect it to my wifi. Will this work?

 

[Catch_22]

very helpful thread guys. I have been eyeing an HD IP NVR Lorex system at Costco for $899 but it never went on sale. On the Lorex site they had a $1600 system that with the sale and cyber week pricing came in at $637 so I jumped on it.

https://www.lorextechnology.com/4k-...camera-system-with-4-hd-cameras/4KHDIP822-1-p

My question is this. I do not have an Ethernet connect where I plan on placing my NVR so I was thinking about using a D-link Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender DAP-1650 to connect it to my wifi. Will this work?

It might but wither you use extenders or bridge it (Nat to Nat) I wouldn't use wireless for something like that. You're better off running a Ethernet line out there. 300 feet Max or you can run fiber. Wireless at long range (2.5ghz) can have issues with reliable connection and high bandwidth loads. If you struggle with a signal now an extender can only repeat the poor signal. A mesh network might do better but with cameras I prefer wired.

They make directional high gain antennas. That would be something to consider adding to whatever you use to repeat/bridge the network if you're set on wifi.

Just my 2 cents as a network engineer first and a garage monkey as a hobby.

 

[cspcrx]

Thanks Catch22. My wifi router is in the same airspace that the NVR will be placed, if that makes sense. Its about 20ft away and the signal is very strong. We stream videos all the time and never have any buffering issues. That is why I was thinking I might be able to use the DAP-1650 as a way of getting a LAN connection at the NVR.

Like you said another option is to run a CAT cable up the wall across the attic and down the other wall where the NVR will be located. Seems more difficult because I would have to run the CAT cable and install outlets.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Thanks Catch22. My wifi router is in the same airspace that the NVR will be placed, if that makes sense. Its about 20ft away and the signal is very strong. We stream videos all the time and never have any buffering issues. That is why I was thinking I might be able to use the DAP-1650 as a way of getting a LAN connection at the NVR.

Like you said another option is to run a CAT cable up the wall across the attic and down the other wall where the NVR will be located. Seems more difficult because I would have to run the CAT cable and install outlets.

If your camera system is a POE, no need for outlets. Power Over Ethernet.

 

[cspcrx]

Correct cameras are POE but I still need to connect the NVR to the internet so I can see my system over the app when I am not at home. That's what I am trying to achieve. probably not explaining it very well.

Something like this...

Cameras <--POE--> NVR <--CAT5--> WIFI Extender/bridge <--over air--> Router which is connected to cable modem and internet.

Not sure if this helps visualize what I am thinking.

 

[Catch_22]

Correct cameras are POE but I still need to connect the NVR to the internet so I can see my system over the app when I am not at home. That's what I am trying to achieve. probably not explaining it very well.

Something like this...

Cameras <--POE--> NVR <--CAT5--> WIFI Extender/bridge <--over air--> Router which is connected to cable modem and internet.

Not sure if this helps visualize what I am thinking.

I follow you and that's exactly what I expected but one thing caught my eye in your latest posts.

So its only 1 room away? You said 20 feet? That same 20 feet is what "WIFI Extender/bridge <--over air--> Router" is covering?
Or are you referring to something else that the 20 feet encompasses.
My solution would be more for throwing a signal 200 feet and for the directional/microwaves you can toss a signal half a mile if its clear.

If you are trying to bridge 20 feet with wifi, its going to be much cleaner to go wired.

 

[cspcrx]

I probably wasn't clear with what I was trying to do.

Yes router is in the den which is open to the rest of the house, no walls or doors. Living room where I plan on placing the NVR is in the same air space but its 20 feet from the router to where the NVR will be placed.

I have 10 ft ceilings so to cover this 20 feet I would need a 50 ft cable with obstacles in the attic, and an outlet on each end to plug into and the tools to install cable ends. That is why I was kicking around the idea of a WIFI bridge/extender that has 4 LAN plugs in it. I could just locate it by the NVR and plug the NVR into it.

I have Gig rated WIFI router and my service is 300mb. Probably why I have no issues streaming video.

 

[Casey69]

i got an ezviz system like this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015121KH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20) in a box for ~$300 & it's fine.

bnc connections with a 2tb recorder. you can put the ezviz app on your phone/tablet to monitor it from anywhere, along with setting up warnings/movement detection for each camera.

had it for over a year & no issues, although the digital zoom isn't the best.

 

[olouttt]

I am looking for some security cameras for the front and rear of my house. Will most likely need 1 for the front and 2 for the rear (garden and side path). I also want a couple of indoor cams. Having done tons of research, I narrowed down my choices to lorex and swann. What do you recommend better?

 

[Higgins]

We haven't purchased a system as yet, but will be going with POE. This said will require running a lot of cable.

I'd like to be able to connect a POE camera directly to my laptop, so we can walk around the house and property and see where the best place to install cameras would be. So I guess the question would be, is what SW to install on the laptop to view the camera. Then what hardware is required to connect the POE camera to the laptop.

AsI olny want to do this once... Tall larders and scaffolding and I don't get along... LOL!! -

AL

 

[ddawg16]

POE is really the only way to go. Use CAT6 if you can. 5 or 5E works....but....not if the distance is over 50-60'. CAT6 uses a heavier gauge wire, thus, less voltage loss over longer distances. It also has a tighter twist on the wires allowing for a little bit higher bandwidth.

POE is Power Over Ethernet....hence, your 5 Vdc for the camera is on the same Ethernet cable. An NVR like my Lorex system has the Camera ports configured for POE. If you are using POE cameras with a non POE recorder, you have to use a breakout adapter that blocks the DC from going to the recorder and has a connector for the DC power.

My NVR is in the same closet as my cable modem and router. When at all possible, you want to stay wired.

 

[niget2002]

We haven't purchased a system as yet, but will be going with POE. This said will require running a lot of cable.

I'd like to be able to connect a POE camera directly to my laptop, so we can walk around the house and property and see where the best place to install cameras would be. So I guess the question would be, is what SW to install on the laptop to view the camera. Then what hardware is required to connect the POE camera to the laptop.

AsI olny want to do this once... Tall larders and scaffolding and I don't get along... LOL!! -

AL

you can't really connect a poe camera directly to your laptop. POE is typically 42v at really low current. You can get an ac adapter to inject the power into the ethernet, but it would require you to bring an extension cord. The NVR controls the cameras. A lot of brands offer software you can use on a laptop for doing the NVR stuff.

I would recommend setting up one of the cameras and point it at a wall in your living room. Pull out your cell phone and adjust the zoom until it shows the same video width as the POE camera. Then just walk around with your cell phone to figure out where you want to install the cameras.

 

[ddawg16]

We haven't purchased a system as yet, but will be going with POE. This said will require running a lot of cable.

I'd like to be able to connect a POE camera directly to my laptop, so we can walk around the house and property and see where the best place to install cameras would be. So I guess the question would be, is what SW to install on the laptop to view the camera. Then what hardware is required to connect the POE camera to the laptop.

AsI olny want to do this once... Tall larders and scaffolding and I don't get along... LOL!! -

AL

I can save you some trouble......I went through the same thing....the cameras ended up going in logical places.

Basically.....get them high enough so someone can't reach them without a ladder.....and put them at corners.

I have one at the front door.....you can't get to my door without it seeing you. It's the only one you can reach without a ladder....but by the time you get to it...I have your picture.

I have one at each corner of the house pointed across the yard (crisscross). It's pretty much impossible to get to my house without being seen.

One on the driveway. It catches anything going up to the gate across the driveway (my garage is detached in the back)

One of the neighbors side....it catches anything walking up their driveway. Initially it was not recording because they objected (even though it didn't show anything on their house). Then they got burged....asked me for a copy of the video...."Sorry, but you objected to me recording". It's now recording on events. So, anyone walking to their backyard or trying to get to mine will be seen.

Then one in the backyard above the rear door. You can't get to the door without being seen. It also captures both the garage door and man door.

 

[Garvdog]

I love my Arlo system, snagged it on clearance at Walmart last summer.

 

[kshome]

I love my Arlo system, snagged it on clearance at Walmart last summer.

I love my Arlo aswell they are great for certain aspect's. With wireless I used a extender and it is great to be able to move camera around in very little time.

I have also done the wired route, it was a pain compared to wireless but yes it is nice no battery to worry about. Make sure to look at the software that comes with your hardware. I got a second wired setup and moved cameras over as first hardware/software on it was just horrible and unreliable.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Wyze has been working great for me.

 

[nahansmsu]

+1 for Wyze....and they just rolled out (coming end of May) their automation system...in other words really cheap sensors for open/close, motion..etc. The bridge that communicates to the sensors rides on the back of one of the cameras. With this combination you can have camera monitoring and "security" all in one for a very low price with no monthly overhead or contracts.

 

[My Old Tools]

I just put in a Q-See POE system from Costco. Hooked it all up on a tabletop first. After I got it all checked out I installed the cables through the attic. Easy peasy. 4 cameras 5MP cameras, NVR with POE switch, 2 TB, all for about $300. NVR will handle up to 8 cameras up to 4K. Punching a hole in the ATT firewall took a little figuring but the cameras all viewable on our phone now.

 

[akpingel]

Does anyone have any experience with Blink cameras?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Bad Habit]

Does anyone have any experience with Blink cameras?

Thanks,
Alex

Put some at my place as a temp solution till I could get a real system. Not impressed but they did do the intended purpose at the time, which was give me a simple quick way to get visibility to our remote place.

The motion sensing is hit or miss. It's off of a motion sensor, so if the movement is not close to the camera, it doesn't pick it up. Remote viewing is possible, but you can't command record. Batteries don't last in cold (i.e. sub 20s)

 

[y'sguy]

second vote for WYZE.