Joined Jan 2011
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Forum Thread
security camera advice?
August 15, 2017 at
12:04 PM
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I have little knowledge on security cameras. I am in the process of purchasing a home in NYC and want to install 4 or more cameras, both outer and inside facing.
Looking for something that will be wireless, wifi, and the ability to record footage. Also looking to be able to monitor from my phone.
Not looking to spend more than $300 on a setup.
I was looking at Zmodo however I am hearing they are moving to a cloud based setup which eventually will require subscription, etc.
Any other suggestions?
Looking for something that will be wireless, wifi, and the ability to record footage. Also looking to be able to monitor from my phone.
Not looking to spend more than $300 on a setup.
I was looking at Zmodo however I am hearing they are moving to a cloud based setup which eventually will require subscription, etc.
Any other suggestions?
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Seriously, it's easy to throw up some cams around the house and get the gee whiz "I can see my house on my phone! This is so cool!" part. Harder to do it right so that it all functions well and you actually have something useful that you can rely on. And to set things up so that don't subject yourself to more security risks than you solve just by dropping what aren't just cameras but really little general-purpose Linux boxes inside of your network. Trust none of them. You don't have to spend $1,500 and can build as you go. But there is at least some minimum cost of admission to do it right and $300 won't really get you there for 4 cams plus everything else needed.
Seriously, it's easy to throw up some cams around the house and get the gee whiz "I can see my house on my phone! This is so cool!" part. Harder to do it right so that it all functions well and you actually have something useful that you can rely on. And to set things up so that don't subject yourself to more security risks than you solve just by dropping what aren't just cameras but really little general-purpose Linux boxes inside of your network. Trust none of them. You don't have to spend $1,500 and can build as you go. But there is at least some minimum cost of admission to do it right and $300 won't really get you there for 4 cams plus everything else needed.
What about any complete package solutions that are "good enough". I know they won't compare to the top rated stuff on ipcam, but I just want something that is relatively cheap and easy to setup so I can at least have some sort of eyes on my home when away.
I am thinking of the Night Owl 8-Channel 3MP Extreme HD 3.0 DVR 1TB, 4 3MP Wired Infrared Camera Security System, in part because it is easily available from Costco.
Here's an 8-port (4 of them POE) Dahua for $117, plus the cost of a 1TB SATA Hard Disk Drive (about $80, if I remember correctly.)
https://www.cctvbrands.
Here's an 8-port (4 of them POE) Dahua for $117, plus the cost of a 1TB SATA Hard Disk Drive (about $80, if I remember correctly.)
https://www.cctvbrands.
Those are good little cams for the money. But unless you're prepared to go in and hack things at a relatively low level then you're stuck with whatever firmware is on them and that can be a problem down the road especially if they're exposed to the net. Then you have to count buying the cable and either the tools and other stuff that you need to install it or pay somebody to do it.
Don't know that NVR specifically but just in general terms you're done at 4 POE cams with no more room to add anything. That may be OK in a given case but most will end up wanting to have at least some ability to expand once they get into it more. That also doesn't consider setting up things securely and whatever that means as far as upgrading your router, switch(es), etc.
Realistically for decent system for most people, they're probably more in the $500-$800 minimum range to start all counted along with some labor and substantial time in setting it all up right. By "doing it right" I mean a system that will allow you to reliably identify someone at typical distance at night, reliably notify you, which permits secure access remotely, capture and store at least enough video for the longest time that you'll typically be away, and to do that all in a way that doesn't expose you/the system to security issues which these days is more of a real risk in most cases than anything that they'll ever capture on their cams. If all that you want is something to watch the dog when you're at work and maybe see if you have packages at the door, and kinda-sorta have a "security system" for other purposes, then that's easy.
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What about any complete package solutions that are "good enough". I know they won't compare to the top rated stuff on ipcam, but I just want something that is relatively cheap and easy to setup so I can at least have some sort of eyes on my home when away.
I am thinking of the Night Owl 8-Channel 3MP Extreme HD 3.0 DVR 1TB, 4 3MP Wired Infrared Camera Security System, in part because it is easily available from Costco.
If you have an old i3/i5 computer just sitting around not doing anything then something like Blue Iris or Milestone can be a cheaper way to get started.
I forget their name! but recently switched to a new security camera group. Fingers crossed they last longer.
I also installed a Ring door bell camera. So far it has been great,
https://reolink.com/product/rlc-411ws/
I have this hard wired into my garage.
https://reolink.com/product/rlc-411ws/
I have this hard wired into my garage.
I can say this because I used to own a Reolink RLC-410 bullet camera. I replaced it with a Dahua turret camera, instead.
2 cameras now, total of 4-5 in the near future. What is the biggest boost to BI performance? More RAM, fast SSD, better CPU, etc?
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2 cameras now, total of 4-5 in the near future. What is the biggest boost to BI performance? More RAM, fast SSD, better CPU, etc?
I should mention I'm using an Intel SSD for the OS drive and a 2TB WD Red drive for video storage.