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.

 

[Diggin It]

These are what I have two of. Does everything I need.

HD 2M 1P PTZ Outdoor POE IP Dome Camera 3X Optical Pan/Tilt/3X Motorized Zoom | eBay

 

[Diggin It]

I'm considering one of these though:

Inesun Built-in POE PTZ IP Camera 5MP HD Pan/Tilt 3x Zoom Speed Dome Camera | eBay

 

[plowhog]

Some of the higher end cameras have heaters in them.

 

[goeduck]

I'm considering one of these though:

Inesun Built-in POE PTZ IP Camera 5MP HD Pan/Tilt 3x Zoom Speed Dome Camera | eBay

If that optical 30x zoom is a quality lens and the 5MP camera a good quality, that would be one heckava unit!

 

[CPTKILLER]

Read:

Ring Video Doorbell review: This gadget makes crooks think you're home | TechHive
Ring Video Doorbell 2 review: Better features, new frustrations | TechHive
Here's Ring's new timeline feature | TechHive
Cove Home Security review: In search of the simplest security system | TechHive
Lighthouse review: a smarter security camera | TechHive
https://www.techhive.com/article/3294683/lighting/arlo-security-light-review.html
https://www.techhive.com/article/3267637/security-cameras/nest-hello-video-doorbell-review.html
https://www.techhive.com/article/3246457/security-cameras/nest-cam-iq-outdoor-review.html
https://www.techhive.com/article/32...ink-rlc-422w-home-security-camera-review.html
https://www.techhive.com/article/3273115/security-cameras/blink-xt-review.html

 

[J.Wal]

I run 2 systems.

I have a Q-See brand 8 camera DVR. It has 7 cameras outside to record vehicles and activity.

I have 2 canary cameras. The “ all in one” and “view”.

The q-See system is hard wired and I have it set to record 24/7. It is a good system to monitor but not ideal for notifications of movement. It requires a Ethernet cable to the router to have internet access to monitor from anywhere. I plan to upgrade to a 16 channel 4K lorex system at some point.

The canary is great for interior monitoring. It allows for geofencing to arm the cameras for notifications. This makes it where when you are home and walk through your den/ shop, it doesn’t notifying you. You can set it to record or not when home also.

The canary camera in my shop is set to record any motion both when home and away. My den camera is set to record persons when away only.

I hard wired the canary all in one so it will have faster upload speed . The view model is WiFi only, but has respectable speeds even over my DSL.

The canary cameras allow for 2 way audio if you get the membership. They are currently selling a 1 year membership and the view for $99 together. Membership is usually $10 a month.

The biggest plus of the membership is the gain in timeline retained. The membership gives you 2 way audio and 30 days cloud storage. Without membership you get 24 hours and no 2 way talk.

Really love that it auto arms. This takes the guess work out of when I will get notifications and won’t.

There is not much outside my house that can be stolen. So covering my den and shop for movement will help me get the police there if needed and I won’t forget to arm the system.

8 camera system




Canary cameras

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I just tried out an amcrest IP camera today and liked if. A rebranded dahua, just like qsee. This one records straight to nas, so you don't need the separate nvr recorder. When you log into the camera, it has exact menu system as qsee and dahua, but more features being a newer camera. Also works with my nvr.

 

[newbury]

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

Did you get one?
I'm trying to decide on one for multiple uses. I'm looking at the Arlo Pro 2.
/edit that was supposed to be Argus 2
My needs are a highly mobile camera, wireless, no cloud stuff.
I plan on using it with my Mobley as a back up camera, down at my shops to warn me when someone comes, and as a warning system for deliveries.
Might also use it at the house.

/edit - went with 1 Argus 2, now need to figure out if I should make the base movable or buy multiple bases.

 

[dragoneggs]

Did you get one?
I'm trying to decide on one for multiple uses. I'm looking at the Arlo Pro 2. My needs are a highly mobile camera, wireless, no cloud stuff.
I plan on using it with my Mobely as a back up camera, down at my shops to warn me when someone comes, and as a warning system for deliveries.
Might also use it at the house.

They are on order... from Newegg. In transit and they appear to be currently passing through Kentucky.

I did receive my Netgear 16port POE switch today along with 6 60ft Cat6 cables from Amazon. Hoping I will avoid having to buy a dedicated NVR but I have yet to learn if I can use some free software to avoid the licenses required by my existing QNAP NAS system. I will keep you all posted of my head banging experience I expect, yet to come.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

They are on order... from Newegg. In transit and they appear to be currently passing through Kentucky.

I did receive my Netgear 16port POE switch today along with 6 60ft Cat6 cables from Amazon. Hoping I will avoid having to buy a dedicated NVR but I have yet to learn if I can use some free software to avoid the licenses required by my existing QNAP NAS system. I will keep you all posted of my head banging experience I expect, yet to come.

Blu iris software..

I got my new synology nas today, quickly discovered (disappointed) the security camera app only allows 2 cameras without additional license. I have a nvr, but wanted the nas to back it up. Got a lot to learn about the nas.