Camera Security Systems???

[newbury]

OP's original post:

Considering setting up a camera based security system at my farm property. I know absolutely nothing about this subject. Hopefully those with systems can offer guidance and suggestions.

I don't need anything elaborate. Cameras that I can view thru an App on my phone would be great. Limited, couple days, recording capability would be nice.

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Don't worry about thread drift. All is good. To expand my education I need to learn about all levels. Before I commit to any purchase I'll be posting my decision here for discussion.

I think this has gotten way too complicated for the average do it your selfer. The biggest thing that is getting left out is managing all of these devices and the configuration that goes along with it. This stuff is not plug an play, you have to know what you are doing to configure a network properly so you don't get IP address conflicts. Most devices ship from the factory with a 192.168.0.1 management address and then starts handing out DHCP at .2 If you leave all these devices at default and plug them all in nothing is going to work.

And as always on TBN the original post can become lost in the discussion.

But a "system" for one site does not need to be complicated. However the ones that are not complicated, the ones that are reliable, the ones with good support, the best bang for the buck can be difficult to find. There seems to be hundreds of reviews touting various brands but on the balance I trust a review by a TBN member more than most of the reviews on the web.

Based on the discussion here I'm thinking a Ubiquiti system may be in my near future.

 

[plowhog]

Based on the discussion here I'm thinking a Ubiquiti system may be in my near future.

Maybe I am behind the times, but I have never seen any Ubiquiti systems for cameras. I use their nanostation M5 for wireless access to my barn, so I view them as a network equipment provider.

If you want the stone cold simplest camera system possible its hard to beat a pre-packed 4 or 8 Swann camera system from costco. It is as close to plug-and-play with cameras as is possible in today's market. My .02 cents.

 

[joefromga]

I also have the Reolink and they are very easy plug and play and the app is simple and straightforward. You can record on SD card that you put in each camera as well as record on a PC or buy their DVR optionally.

You just need reliable wifi to make them work. They have outdoor cameras as well as good indoor with PTZ features of you need it. Night vision is phenomenal as well.

The newest and easiest wifi is a mesh system which is also plug and play. I have a ubiquiti wifi system but also added their Amplifi mesh as an additional network for the cameras.

Mesh systems are simple. You plug in the router and then add the antennas. They plug into a standard wall outlet and they link themselves to your router and you're done. They also chain to each other so you can install one and it will hop to the next and so on so you don't have to be close to the router as you add devices. The app is simple and informative.

 

[TractorGuy]

Based on all the techno-babble maybe my learning curve on the Reolink cameras wasn't all that bad. Like I said, every question I had on them was answered by their tech assist eventually. There is a slight language barrier to overcome but it wasn't as bad as some I have experienced. There is also the time difference so every question is followed by a 1 day delay response unless you sit up late at night.

My setup consists of two WIFI cameras powered by a deep cycle 12V battery connected to a 100W solar panel. The cameras are connected via wireless to a GL AR300 EXT travel router. My router receives the internet via a wireless connection from a cellular service device. The router has a range beyond my front gate which is 500 feet away and not a direct line of sight. The router only has one hard wire connection I usually use on my main PC. To set the cameras up I have to hard wire them to the router and access them from a wireless connected computer to the same router. After they are set up I can access them wireless from my PC or phone. Not sure how it works but I can access and view the live feed from my cell phone both on and away from my home network as long as my network is running at home.

For some reason the IP displayed on the cameras during set up is different from the IP they end up with after setup. After that it doesn't seem to change. I didn't have to learn or do anything with multi layer POE and any such stuff as that.

One important note on the 5MP Reolink cameras is they come out of the box set to a recording level that my Windows Media Player did not recognize. Setting the record level down to 1080P at 30 FPS makes the recordings plenty clear and viewable from my old WIN7 system.

 

[kcflhrc]

I bought my 8 camera Lorex system with 8 1080p outdoor cameras and the 2TB DVR for under $300. Granted it is a wired BNC System but it works fantastic and is simple. I can monitor the 8 cameras right from my phone.I get e-mail alerts on motion if I want and it came with a 2 year warranty. So you can get stupid expensive and complicated or be a little more realistic. Probably for most a system like this is more than enough. No network set up, no routers, no switches, no BS. Just a simple wired reliable system.

 

[newbury]

Maybe I am behind the times, but I have never seen any Ubiquiti systems for cameras. I use their nanostation M5 for wireless access to my barn, so I view them as a network equipment provider.

If you want the stone cold simplest camera system possible its hard to beat a pre-packed 4 or 8 Swann camera system from costco. It is as close to plug-and-play with cameras as is possible in today's market. My .02 cents.

Ubiquiti Networks - UniFi(R) Video Camera G3 Micro

Ubiquiti Networks - Products

They are marketing 5 cameras.

 

[dragoneggs]

Ubiquiti Networks - UniFi(R) Video Camera G3 Micro

Ubiquiti Networks - Products

They are marketing 5 cameras.

Not enough resolution for my taste. I want at least 4Mp. The Reolink 5Mp is what I’m leaning towards and no WiFi.

 

[Fin1]

I have been reading this subject with much interest. The problem I am having is finding a camera that has specifications for cold climate like -15 degrees Fahrenheit. What do other people use for cold weather cameras ? Thanks for your inputs, Fin

 

[ovrszd]

Good question Fin.

Welcome to TBN.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have been reading this subject with much interest. The problem I am having is finding a camera that has specifications for cold climate like -15 degrees Fahrenheit. What do other people use for cold weather cameras ? Thanks for your inputs, Fin

I recall some of the Lorex cameras had cold weather rating. They aren't cheap but here is one example...

4K Ultra HD Resolution 8MP Outdoor IP Camera, 200ft Night Vision | Lorex

I'd rather take my chances with the sub $100 Riolinks but we don't get sub zero temps here.