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Need advice for home surveillance system

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  • Oct 16th, 2018 11:29 am
Banned
Jan 20, 2017
584 posts
148 upvotes

Need advice for home surveillance system

I would like to have your suggestions for a. Heap DIY home surveillance system.
Requirements are simple. I need 2 wired and 4 wireless ip cameras preferably with night vision, a dvr, ability to view multiple cameras simultaneously and be able to access it remotely. Any suggestions for what kind of kit i should. E looking for, from where and how much will it cost?
Thanks in advance
26 replies
Member
Oct 14, 2007
373 posts
47 upvotes
jaguaar wrote: I would like to have your suggestions for a. Heap DIY home surveillance system.
Requirements are simple. I need 2 wired and 4 wireless ip cameras preferably with night vision, a dvr, ability to view multiple cameras simultaneously and be able to access it remotely. Any suggestions for what kind of kit i should. E looking for, from where and how much will it cost?
Thanks in advance
Some things to consider:

1. Wifi generally considered not as "good" as a wired setup. Even with wifi, you'll still need to get a power source to the camera so you might as well just run a cat6 cable for Power over ethernet cameras.
2. I got several quotes for my place (unfinished basement 4 cameras) and they were all generally around $2000-$2500 but it really depends on the "local environment"
3. There was an article recently (and several in the past) that a lot of these cameras all have hardcoded backdoor passwords. So even though you set a password, the manufacturer has set another password that you cannot change but people would be able to look up and therefore access a camera exposed to the internet. To ensure that this would not happen, I have my cameras not exposed to the internet but only accessible via the local intranet. I have a VPN server on my network so if I want to access the cameras, I have to VPN in.
Banned
Jan 20, 2017
584 posts
148 upvotes
Wonivek
Thank you for detailed response. I am aware of possibility ired as long as back door secuurity issues. I can ho with with wired but overall wireless appears to be more modular for future
So far i have not found anything below $500 but did find some cheap ines in US walmart gor under 200 bucks.
Anyone used those?
Member
Oct 14, 2007
373 posts
47 upvotes
jaguaar wrote: Wonivek
Thank you for detailed response. I am aware of possibility ired as long as back door secuurity issues. I can ho with with wired but overall wireless appears to be more modular for future
So far i have not found anything below $500 but did find some cheap ines in US walmart gor under 200 bucks.
Anyone used those?
All those "cheap" systems are either rebranded Dahua or Hikvision cameras. You should be looking at around $130-$140 PER decent camera (physical cost excluding install). Me personally I also made sure my DVR had a hard drive designed to be for recording security footage - something about having no power saving features so it doesn't spin down.
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
13375 posts
8306 upvotes
Brampton
You can get a 4 Camera system for around $200-300 and they will be using a Dahua camera + NVR.
Hikvision will be a little bit more.

You're wondering why is Woniak is saying $130-140 and I'm saying something else. That's if you buy through a importer here. You can find them on Aliexpress directly saving you a couple bucks ~30-50% off of retail cameras here.

The only pieces you'll need to add will be a harddrive and cabling.

I took a chance on a $250 (At the time, dollar was stronger) system off amazon.
I reviewed it here.
https://thelazycouple.com/lights-camera ... 2c94aa240b
Honestly it's not a bad system. It's a bit rough around the edges.
Deal Addict
Mar 21, 2006
4478 posts
478 upvotes
Burlington, Ontario
Dahua and HikVision make the majority of the cameras and recorders available today.
However they do make different grades of them for different companies. So even though it may be made by the same company, that doesn't mean it was made the same way.

FLIR and Lorex are a prime example or rebranded Dahua. Lorex brand products are made very very cheaply so they can be sold by the skid through Costco.
The FLIR versions are built much better and usually only sold through installers who have to support them.
FLIR owns Lorex.

A 'system' of cameras for under $500 is not realistic for a quality product.

We supply and install FLIR products for all our projects unless we are doing AXIS for a more commercial environment.
Audio - Video - Data - Security - This is what I do
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jul 23, 2004
3908 posts
2123 upvotes
Vancouver
BuildingHomes wrote: Dahua and HikVision make the majority of the cameras and recorders available today.
However they do make different grades of them for different companies. So even though it may be made by the same company, that doesn't mean it was made the same way.

FLIR and Lorex are a prime example or rebranded Dahua. Lorex brand products are made very very cheaply so they can be sold by the skid through Costco.
The FLIR versions are built much better and usually only sold through installers who have to support them.
FLIR owns Lorex.

A 'system' of cameras for under $500 is not realistic for a quality product.

We supply and install FLIR products for all our projects unless we are doing AXIS for a more commercial environment.
Hi, I've been looking for a system and came across this thread. Very helpful info, thanks!

This is my situation -- I've got an existing 4 camera system on coax and am upgrading to an 8 camera system. My installer wants to install a Flir MPX system (ME343 camera, M3108E2 DVR). I understand why, because it's cheaper than IP now, and I asked that they use Cat5e with baluns for the new cabling so at least half of the wiring is future-proofed. I'm looking at $3400, half of which is labor. The installer is OK if I wanted to save some money and buy the system itself and they just install.

I've found some cheaper prices for this system in the US, so I can save several hundred there, but in my reading it seems both Dahua and Hikvision both had backdoor issues recently exposed. I'm really having trouble trusting them.

I obviously want an effective system, but my questions are:

1) Should I bite the bullet and just have them recable the existing 4 coax to Cat5e and just go IP, and

2) is there a comparable and price competitive camera company that isn't just rebranding one of these Chinese OEMs? I'm obviously not going commercial-grade, but I can't seem to find anything that provides the same price-quality ratio.

TIA
Deal Addict
Mar 21, 2006
4478 posts
478 upvotes
Burlington, Ontario
The Dahua backdoor issue is only relevant if you port forward your recorder. They do not do that anymore as they now have a proxy in place to handle the negotiation between your recorder and your mobile devices.
I have no idea on HikVision.

We have retrofitted a number of places where there is an existing coax system and replaced the hardware with FLIR MPX. Works well.

I am not aware of any non-Chinese manufactured camera systems. Any that are will certainly be more expensive.
Audio - Video - Data - Security - This is what I do
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jul 23, 2004
3908 posts
2123 upvotes
Vancouver
Wonivek wrote: Some things to consider:

1. Wifi generally considered not as "good" as a wired setup. Even with wifi, you'll still need to get a power source to the camera so you might as well just run a cat6 cable for Power over ethernet cameras.
2. I got several quotes for my place (unfinished basement 4 cameras) and they were all generally around $2000-$2500 but it really depends on the "local environment"
3. There was an article recently (and several in the past) that a lot of these cameras all have hardcoded backdoor passwords. So even though you set a password, the manufacturer has set another password that you cannot change but people would be able to look up and therefore access a camera exposed to the internet. To ensure that this would not happen, I have my cameras not exposed to the internet but only accessible via the local intranet. I have a VPN server on my network so if I want to access the cameras, I have to VPN in.
Wonivek, it sounds like I have the same paranoia as you about these backdoors. I'm not too knowledgeable about networks, but I've got a VPN set up on my home network. However, I was worried that, if attached to my network, these systems might actively try to work their way out to call their home servers, rather than just leaving a door open. Is that being too paranoid?
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
13375 posts
8306 upvotes
Brampton
Bishop8 wrote: Wonivek, it sounds like I have the same paranoia as you about these backdoors. I'm not too knowledgeable about networks, but I've got a VPN set up on my home network. However, I was worried that, if attached to my network, these systems might actively try to work their way out to call their home servers, rather than just leaving a door open. Is that being too paranoid?
No.
That's why you should get a good firewall/router that you can control outbound connections on. So you can stop things from phoning home.
Knowing how the firmware works on these IoT devices helps too.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jul 23, 2004
3908 posts
2123 upvotes
Vancouver
BuildingHomes wrote: The Dahua backdoor issue is only relevant if you port forward your recorder. They do not do that anymore as they now have a proxy in place to handle the negotiation between your recorder and your mobile devices.
I have no idea on HikVision.

We have retrofitted a number of places where there is an existing coax system and replaced the hardware with FLIR MPX. Works well.

I am not aware of any non-Chinese manufactured camera systems. Any that are will certainly be more expensive.
Thanks! One more question on the MPX system. Would the C134ED camera be better than the ME343 that the installer recommended? I only ask because I can buy it from B&H Photo, with whom I've previously bought. If the ME343 is preferred (it's also cheaper), I was going to buy it from surveillance-video.com, but I've just never dealt with them before; not sure if reliable/safe.
tebore wrote:
No.
That's why you should get a good firewall/router that you can control outbound connections on. So you can stop things from phoning home.
Knowing how the firmware works on these IoT devices helps too.[/quote]

Silly question, but does the DVR have to be directly hardwired into the router or can it connect via wifi on my network? Would that just leave it open again or, because it's within my network, it's safe to go wireless? Sorry, I've only got a cursory knowledge of network security and am trying to learn fast. Thanks!
Deal Addict
Mar 21, 2006
4478 posts
478 upvotes
Burlington, Ontario
Bishop8 wrote: Thanks! One more question on the MPX system. Would the C134ED camera be better than the ME343 that the installer recommended? I only ask because I can buy it from B&H Photo, with whom I've previously bought. If the ME343 is preferred (it's also cheaper), I was going to buy it from surveillance-video.com, but I've just never dealt with them before; not sure if reliable/safe.
Just looking at the webpage for those models shows the C134ED is a varifocal lens, meaning when the camera is put in place the lens can be manually adjusted to zoom in or out depending on what needs to be in the frame. These are great for situations where the mounting position is difficult to get what you want in the frame. Once the zoom is set it stays that way until you go up to the camera and change it again, it's not adjustable electronically.
Bishop8 wrote: Silly question, but does the DVR have to be directly hardwired into the router or can it connect via wifi on my network? Would that just leave it open again or, because it's within my network, it's safe to go wireless? Sorry, I've only got a cursory knowledge of network security and am trying to learn fast. Thanks!
Yes they do need to be connected with an ethernet connection to your network/router. I have not seen one do Wifi.

The Dahua issue was not that it was phoning home, it's that it was discoverable on the public internet because there was a port-forwarded from the recorder allowing it to be found on the public internet.
Current models do not require IP port-forwarding.
Audio - Video - Data - Security - This is what I do
Banned
Jan 20, 2017
584 posts
148 upvotes
Very helpful info, thanks!
tebore wrote: You can get a 4 Camera system for around $200-300 and they will be using a Dahua camera + NVR.
Hikvision will be a little bit more.

You're wondering why is Woniak is saying $130-140 and I'm saying something else. That's if you buy through a importer here. You can find them on Aliexpress directly saving you a couple bucks ~30-50% off of retail cameras here.

The only pieces you'll need to add will be a harddrive and cabling.

I took a chance on a $250 (At the time, dollar was stronger) system off amazon.
I reviewed it here.
https://thelazycouple.com/lights-camera ... 2c94aa240b
Honestly it's not a bad system. It's a bit rough around the edges.
Has anyone seen a good deal for 4 cameras and a nvr for the upcoming black friday or Cyber Monday?
Jr. Member
Jul 4, 2009
106 posts
64 upvotes
Here's a helpful write-up somebody did on Reddit: http://www.vueville.com/home-security/c ... ing-guide/

I'm also in the planning phase for CCTV. Still not quite sure which cameras to buy. I'm looking for outdoor IP66 dome cameras. Ideally ones that are not too big; liked the smaller looking ones from Hikvision.
Banned
Jan 20, 2017
584 posts
148 upvotes
I may add a note of caution here that ip cameras can be hacked. A standalone "old style" system is likely to be more secure but accessing it remotely is a challange
Deal Addict
User avatar
Apr 7, 2012
2541 posts
641 upvotes
Toronto
Geez, I just read through this thread.

You guys should just get a big dog that barks! Way less effort and probably cheaper in the long run Grinning Face With Smiling Eyes
Jr. Member
Jul 4, 2009
106 posts
64 upvotes
Some more helpful info


Most Popular Camera Manufactures:
ACTi (http://www.acti.com) – Midrange camera – good price – free software.
Arecont (http://www.arecontvision.com/‎)
Avtech (http://www.avtech.com.tw) – Has good ‘push’ support for events to mobile devices.
Avigilon (http://www.avigilon.com) – Similar to Axis cost – must buy through dealer – good software/support.
Axis (http://www.axis.com) – Popular choice, now owned by Canon. These are typically higher end cameras and can get expensive. They are easy to find online for sale and offer a range of free and paid software options depending on your needs and system scale.
Brickcom (http://www.brickcom.com/)
Bosch (http://us.boschsecurity.com/en/products ... 0164917899)
Dahua (http://www.dahuasecurity.com‎) – Re-branded as Q-See/FLIR/IDView – low price – difficult to find updates/support.
Geovision (http://www.geovision.com.tw‎) – Midrange – have some LPR cameras.
Grandstream (http://www.grandstream.com) – Low cost – have some unique features.
Hanwha (formerly Samsung Security) (https://www.hanwhasecurity.com/)
Hikvision (http://www.hikvision.com‎) – Becoming more popular – re-branded as Lorex/Swann/Alibi.
Honeywell (https://www.honeywellvideo.com/products ... s/cameras/)
Vicon Security (Formerly IQinVision) (http://www.vicon-security.com/)
JVC (http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/cate … tId=PRO5.2)
Mobotix (http://www.mobotix.com) – Cameras are made in Germany and are reliable but expensive.
Nest Cameras (https://nest.com/cameras/) – Indoor and outdoor models. Typically aimed at consumers and small businesses.
Panasonic (http://www.panasonic.com/business/psna/ … index.aspx)
Pelco (http://www.pelco.com/sites/global/en/home.page)
Reolink (https://reolink.com/) – Budget cameras, maybe not be compatible with NVR’s/VMS.
Samsung (http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-home/ho ... +11+hv1xa/)
Sony (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-security/)
Toshiba (http://www.toshibasecurity.com/)
Vivotek (http://www.vivotek.com) – Midrange pricing.

IR Illuminators:
Raytec (http://www.rayteccctv.com/)
Axton (http://www.axtontech.com/)
Iluminar (http://www.iluminarinc.com/)
NuOptic (http://nuoptic.dreamhosters.com/)
+Other Generic Brands

Accessories:
PoE Switch (Unmanaged, or Managed which allows remote powering on/off of specific ports) (TRENDnet, Netgear, D-Link, Cisco, Axis, etc.)
PoE Injector (add PoE to any ethernet run without having to purchase an entire switch; can be purchased in various power levels to suit specific camera needs.)
Ethernet Cable (Regular/Burial Grade)
Lenses (C/CS/S/D Mounts)
IR Illuminators (Discussed Above)
Enclosures (Pelco, Videolarm, Axis, Generic Brand, etc.)
PIR Sensor (Optex, Bosch, etc)
UPS Battery Backup System
Microphones (if the camera has an audio input jack.)

Best Places To Buy:
Amazon
BHPhotoVideo (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/s ... 3880127379)
eBay
MidWestSurveillance (http://midwestsurveillance.com/)

Video Recording Software:
ACTi VMS (Free) – Only supports ACTi Cameras.
Avigilon (Per channel: Core ~$100, Standard ~$200, Enterprise ~$350) – Purchase through authorized dealers. Pricing per channel decreases as you purchase more channels.
Axis Camera Companion (Free) – Only supports certain (newer) Axis Cameras. 16 cameras max.
Axis Camera Station (~$90/license)
Axxon Next (Free for 4 channels) (http://www.axxonsoft.com/products/axxon_next/)
BlueIris (http://blueirissoftware.com/) – ($29.95 supports a single camera, $59.95 supports up to 64 cameras) Supports a large variety of network cameras.
exacqVision ($50 – $150/license + $25 yearly for optional updates)
Genetec (Expensive)
Geovision (Free)
Luxriot ($99 – $1000+)
Milestone (owned by Canon) XProtect (Free – $1000+)
Mobotix Control Center (Free) – Supports other cameras for viewing. May be able to record with MXServer.
NestAware ($10/month for first camera and $5/month per additional camera for 10 days of video recordings; $30/month for first camera and $15/month per additional camera for 30 days of video recordings.)
OnSSI (Base license for Ocularis Pro ~$400, one year of support ~$70, ~$121/channel, ~$20/support per camera channel)
Vitamin D (Free/$49/$199) (http://www.vitamindinc.com/index.php) – PC + Mac Compatible
Xeoma
Zoneminder (Free) – Open source Linux software.
…Etc, Most Manufactures Provide Their Own Software.

Network Video Recorders (NVR’s)/NAS Stations:
Synology (1 License Included – ~$50 /per additional license)
Dahua
QNAP (1 License Included, ~$55 /per additional license)
Luxriot
NUUO
Hikvision

iPhone Viewing Apps:
Netcam Viewer (Free/$5.99 for unlimited cameras) (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id369884874?mt=8)
Live Cams Pro ($2.99) (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/live-ca ... 45132?mt=8)
Official Mobotix (Free) (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobotix ... 36206?mt=8)
IP Cam Viewer Pro ($4.99) (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ip-cam- ... 8%E2%80%8E)
Dahua iDMSS Lite (Free) (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idmss-l ... 8%E2%80%8E)
Dahua iDMSS Plus ($4.99) (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idmss-p ... 92470?mt=8)
+Specific Manufacturer’s Apps (Q-See, Hikvision, etc) (Search Manually) – Typically better integrated then 3rd party apps.

Android Viewing Apps:
IP Cam Viewer Pro ($3.99) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... Paid&hl=en)
Dahua gDMSS Lite (Free) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... Lite&hl=en)
Dahua gDMSS Plus ($5.00) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... cGhvbmUiXQ..)
+Specific Manufacturer’s Apps (Q-See, Hikvision, etc) (Search Manually) – Typically better integrated then 3rd party apps.

Review Sites/Sample Videos/Forums:
Network Camera Critic (http://www.networkcameracritic.com/)
Mateusz CCTVnerd (http://www.youtube.com/user/mateuszfen)
Megapixel Cameras – Images and Demos (viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11322)
Axis YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/AxisCommunications)
Avigilon YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/Avigilon)
MXInstaller (http://www.mxinstaller.com/)
NetworkCameraReviews Forum (http://www.networkcamerareviews.com/forums/index.php)
Cam It! Forum (http://www.cam-it.org/index.php)
CCTV Forum (http://www.cctvforum.com/viewforum.php? ... c2130495d0)

Companies That Rebrand/Resell:
Swann (Rebrands Hikvision Equipment)
Lorex (Rebrands Hikvision Equipment)
Q-See (Rebrands Dahua Equipment)
Toshiba (Appears To Rebrand Vivotek)
Cisco (Sometimes Rebrands Pelco)

Other Helpful Links:
Identification And Recognition Guide (http://www.axis.com/academy/identification/index.htm) – Make sure you have the correct resolution for your application.
Security Today – IP Cameras (http://security-today.com/directory/list/ip-video.aspx)
CCTV Frame Rates Comparison ( – Recordings don’t necessarily have to be 30fps for desired results.
IPVM News (https://ipvm.com/)
Axis Site Designer (https://www.axis.com/se/sv/tools/axis-site-designer)

Trade Shows:
ISC West (http://www.iscwest.com/Show-Info/)

Live Demo Cameras:
Mixture (sort by brand) (http://www.insecam.org/en/)
Axis Cameras (http://radiusvision.com/live-cameras-de ... otix-axis/) or (https://www.axis.com/dk/en/solutions-by ... mo-gallery)
Mobotix Cameras (http://www.mobotix.ro/live-ro-p-3.html) or (http://comsurv.com/demonstration-2/ )

Video Analytics:
License Plate Readers

OpenALPR: http://www.openalpr.com/index.html (Free and paid versions)
PlateSmart: https://www.platesmart.com/ (Unknown cost)
iSpyConnect: https://www.ispyconnect.com/userguide-alpr.aspx (Free)
Terminology:
AVI (Audio Video Interleave): is a multimedia file that contains video and audio data.
CBR: “Constant bit rate [encoding] means that the rate at which a codec’s output data should be consumed is constant.” (i.e. the amount of data flowing from camera to user/nvr is always constant – even during movement or lack thereof. [See also VBR])
DVR (Digital Video Recorder): “a consumer electronics device or application software that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other local or networked mass storage device.”
Edge Recording: is “the concept of taking audio/video from a camera, and storing it at the edge of the Ethernet network instead of transporting it across the network to a centralized recording facility such as a Network Video Recorder.” (Most cameras have this ability now.)
H.264/H.265: are video compression standards, H.265 being the successor to the still used H.264 codec. Updates to the codec allow for the same level of video quality at lower data usage.
IR/IR Illuminator: LED’s (often a separate device) which provide illumination for cameras in near to total darkness. The light produced cannot be seen by the human eye. The camera must be sensitive to IR for this to be useful (some cameras have ‘fixed’ IR cut filters). ‘White light’ illuminators are also available. These produce light visible to the human eye and to a camera with or without an IR cut filter.
LPR/ANPR/AVI/CPR/LAPI: “A mass surveillance method that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates.”
NAS (Network Attached Storage): essentially, a box filled with hard drives used for storage of data. Some cameras have the ability to record directly to these networked boxes without the need for an always on or dedicated computer.
NVR (Network Video Recorder) “A software program that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other mass storage device.”
ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) “is a global and open industry forum with the goal to facilitate the development and use of a global open standard for the interface of physical IP-based security products.”
PIR (Passive Infrared): “is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view. They are most often used in PIR-based motion detectors.”
PoE (Power over Ethernet): “A system to safely pass electrical power, along with data, on Ethernet cabling.”
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source, typically mains power, fails.”
VBR (Variable Bit Rate): files vary the amount of output data per time segment.” (i.e. Less data during still scenes, more data during high movement periods.)
Video Analytics: is software for a VMS or camera that enables video analysis. Examples include, but are not limited to, license plate recognition, facial analysis, people counting, cross-line detection, and loitering detection.
VMS (Video Management Software or Video Management Server): is a piece of software whose purpose is to collect video from cameras an record it to a hard drive for later viewing. The software also provides a way to play back the recorded video either by physically sitting at the machine with the VMS software installed on it or by accessing the server remotely through a mobile application.
VPN (Virtual private network): is the extension of a private network accessible across a public network. These are often used by businesses to allow employees to access internal files remotely. VPNs can be used as a way to remotely access a home or business network to allow for viewing of IP cameras without exposing all cameras to the internet.
WDR (Wide Dynamic Range): describes an attribute of an imaging system which can capture greater scene details from shadows to highlights than normal.”

Commonly Asked Questions:
Q: “Which brand or manufacturer should I buy?”
A: Each brand has its strengths and weakness, whether it be price, size, low light capabilities, resolution, frame rate, support, software, compatibility, etc. There really isn’t one magical brand or camera. Each security scenario is different and requires a unique solution.

Q: “Where can I buy an IP HD PTZ Outdoor Camera for $200?”
A: Probably not going to happen. PTZ cameras are expensive because of all the motors, belts, gears, and such. Perhaps instead consider using several fixed multi-megapixel HD cameras instead for coverage. We’d recommend checking ebay for a used PTZ camera from one of the major manufacturers from the lists above; they often are listed at below the $200 price point.

Q: “How do I embed/add video from a camera to a website?”
A: See: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1290 or http://bit.ly/10rC8WV

Q: “How do I view my cameras on my TV/Monitor?
A: Consider using an Android powered HDMI dongle. These mini computers are powerful and compact enough to be attached to a TV or monitor for camera viewing using an Android app. Also see: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1049

Q: “Should I buy a Foscam?”
A: These cameras are not typically discussed here because of their poor reliability and feature set. They are often cloned and copied making firmware updates and support hard to come by. So in short, probably not. However if you are just starting with IP cameras, many members have since upgraded from these over time to bigger and better.

Q: “How do I view my camera(s) from the internet?”
A: You need to setup your router for port forwarding. Here is a guide to assist you. See: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=124

Q: “What shutter speed should I use during low light/night?”
A: “Typically 1/30 of a second is as low as you would want to have it set. Any longer and moving objects will be blurry making the footage less then useful.

Q: “Should I use a wireless camera for my application?”
A: WiFi signals, especially at long distances, are unreliable. They also become targets for hacking, resulting in access to your live camera feed or access to your internal home network; alternatively, the wireless signals can also be disrupted, and not allow the camera to transfer recorded video to the cloud or an external storage space. It is best to use a hardwired connection via cable for installations. PoE installation can supply signal and power over one cable for easy installation. If a cable is not an option consider using a dedicated WiFi access point, like the type made by Ubiquiti Networks.

Q: “Should I purchase a camera with built in IR illumination, or buy a separate off-camera IR illuminator?”
A: If your application/installation allows, it is best to use an off-camera IR illuminator to avoid attracting insects and spiders from obscuring the cameras view. Fog or heavy rain can also obscure the camera when using built in IR illuminators.

Q: “What wavelength of IR illuminator should I be using?”
A: If you are unable to use floodlights or other lighting that is visible to the eye in your installation, there are two wavelengths that are appropriate to use: 850nm or 940nm. IR illuminators at 850nm appear to the human eyes as dimly glowing red lights, and have a longer illumination range than 940nm. 940nm are completely imperceivably to the human eye, but have a reduced illumination range compared to 850nm (about half the distance at the same wattage as an 850nm illuminator).

Q: I want to record license plates, what do I need to do this?
A: The answer depends: do you need recognition and readout of license plates in real time, or do you just want the ability to manually review plates from recorded footage. Either case you will need at a minimum, a camera that is position at the correct height and viewing angle to see license plates, and some type of illuminator for night-time viewing. If you want to automatically recognize plate numbers, you will need to invest in additional software designed for this.

Lifted from https://theweekendblogger.com/2017/07/t ... uide-2017/
Banned
Jan 20, 2017
584 posts
148 upvotes
Thats lot of info
Hopefully we will find some good deal this Thanksgiving season
Jr. Member
User avatar
Nov 7, 2013
111 posts
28 upvotes
Ottawa
First time home owner and am looking for a security camera system.
Did a lot of research and all those nice IP cameras and NVRs are costing me a fortune.

I ordered this yesterday while it was on lightning deal at $177.
ZOSI 8CH FULL 1080P HD-TVI Video Security System DVR Recorder with 8 Weatherproof 1920TVL 2.0MP 100ft Night Vision Surveillance Camera System NO Hard Drive
The price is really good, so I just pulled the trigger first and think later. I need to buy a hard drive tho..

Amazon.com has more but mixed reviews for this system. I'm gonna give it a try and see if a return is necessary..

Anyone has any options on this product?
Anyone has any experience with the company Zosi?

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