Very basic (cheap) IP Camera suggestions

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Very basic (cheap) IP Camera suggestions

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dunnersdude

162 posts

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#2509917 22-Jun-2020 17:38

Thanks for all the replies.

Wyze looks great. But overpriced in NZ. And expensive shipping to import.

D-Link model looks ok at a good promo price with a smart plug I might not use. But only 24 hours of cloud recording. And an app that people have complained about.

What about TP Link NC450? Seems a lot of these have been given away by one of the power companies as a promo so these could be picked up cheaply on trademe also around the $100 mark. Any comments on this? There is free cloud storage for a week I think, but TP Link feature grid seems to suggest you only get that feature for 2 years? Bulkier model but has tilt and pan (is that useful??)

jonathan18

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#2509957 22-Jun-2020 19:32

Sorry, I’m confused - the Wyzecam at $85 is too expensive, but you’ll pay $100 for the TP Link?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/security-locks-alarms/security-cameras/other/listing-2669128429.htm?rsqid=dd805355cda54fe1a9d0794d89e1cfb8-001

For your purposes I doubt you’ll need a pan/tilt version, but check out the angle you’ll need in the space it’ll be installed in. I bought two of the pan/tilt model but probably need the feature in both...

dunnersdude

162 posts

Master Geek

#2510047 22-Jun-2020 20:58

jonathan18:
Sorry, I’m confused - the Wyzecam at $85 is too expensive, but you’ll pay $100 for the TP Link?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/security-locks-alarms/security-cameras/other/listing-2669128429.htm?rsqid=dd805355cda54fe1a9d0794d89e1cfb8-001

For your purposes I doubt you’ll need a pan/tilt version, but check out the angle you’ll need in the space it’ll be installed in. I bought two of the pan/tilt model but probably need the feature in both...

I didn’t say it was expensive I said it was overpriced when purchased landed in NZ. They are being sold brand new for $20 USD so the degree of overpriced-ness is higher.

robjg63

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#2510079 22-Jun-2020 21:45

As mentioned before you can buy them from Amazon.com at $25 USD each. I bought 2 around 2 years ago. Seem to recall it was $95NZD including freight.

In fact the Amazon website shows a 2 pack for $74NZD + Freight of about $12NZD - So $86NZD for 2 cameras.

You would also need to get an NZ USB power supply - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPDNX1044/Dynamix-SPAUSB-5V24A-5V-24A-Small-Form-Singl-USB-W

Say $11 each.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

dunnersdude

162 posts

Master Geek

#2510104 22-Jun-2020 22:56

robjg63:
As mentioned before you can buy them from Amazon.com at $25 USD each. I bought 2 around 2 years ago. Seem to recall it was $95NZD including freight.

In fact the Amazon website shows a 2 pack for $74NZD + Freight of about $12NZD - So $86NZD for 2 cameras.

You would also need to get an NZ USB power supply - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPDNX1044/Dynamix-SPAUSB-5V24A-5V-24A-Small-Form-Singl-USB-W

Say $11 each.

Might jump on this!!!! Thank you for pointing this out!

The last time I looked Amazon was charging about $1,000,000 for shipping on small items.

MurrayM

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#2510493 23-Jun-2020 13:46

I didn't end up getting that D-Link camera. I was a bit undecided as it had a few negatives (only 24 hours worth of recordings kept in the cloud on their free plan, can't access camera from a browser (I note that some D-Link models have this), can't record to SD card and cloud at the same time, no RTSP support, etc). When I checked availability at my local Harvey Norman shop and they didn't have any, so that decided it for me.

The one thing I don't like about the Wyze cameras is that they have a cool-down period. So if motion is detected then 12 seconds of video are recorded and a notification is sent to your phone, then there's a 5 minute period when any further motion isn't recorded. So the camera might record someone looking in a window but not what happens for 5 minutes after that (eg the actual break in). There is a new service called Complete Motion Capture that keeps recording while there's motion, but this is a paid service.

dunnersdude

162 posts

Master Geek

#2510578 23-Jun-2020 15:07

MurrayM:
I didn't end up getting that D-Link camera. I was a bit undecided as it had a few negatives (only 24 hours worth of recordings kept in the cloud on their free plan, can't access camera from a browser (I note that some D-Link models have this), can't record to SD card and cloud at the same time, no RTSP support, etc). When I checked availability at my local Harvey Norman shop and they didn't have any, so that decided it for me.

The one thing I don't like about the Wyze cameras is that they have a cool-down period. So if motion is detected then 12 seconds of video are recorded and a notification is sent to your phone, then there's a 5 minute period when any further motion isn't recorded. So the camera might record someone looking in a window but not what happens for 5 minutes after that (eg the actual break in). There is a new service called Complete Motion Capture that keeps recording while there's motion, but this is a paid service.

That cool down is strange!!! Does the cool down also apply to micro SD local recording or is that recording continuous?

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robjg63

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#2510594 23-Jun-2020 15:24

dunnersdude:
MurrayM:

I didn't end up getting that D-Link camera. I was a bit undecided as it had a few negatives (only 24 hours worth of recordings kept in the cloud on their free plan, can't access camera from a browser (I note that some D-Link models have this), can't record to SD card and cloud at the same time, no RTSP support, etc). When I checked availability at my local Harvey Norman shop and they didn't have any, so that decided it for me.

The one thing I don't like about the Wyze cameras is that they have a cool-down period. So if motion is detected then 12 seconds of video are recorded and a notification is sent to your phone, then there's a 5 minute period when any further motion isn't recorded. So the camera might record someone looking in a window but not what happens for 5 minutes after that (eg the actual break in). There is a new service called Complete Motion Capture that keeps recording while there's motion, but this is a paid service.

That cool down is strange!!! Does the cool down also apply to micro SD local recording or is that recording continuous?

The cooldown isnt that strange. They provide free recording and I guess their server would get swamped with motion activated clips if they didnt put the cooldown in place. But it just applies to the cloud upload (on free accounts). The camera can keep recording continuously to SD card.

You can buy complete motion capture which has no cool down period for a very small amount of money.

Their site says:

Complete Motion Capture is an add-on service and upgrade to the free 12-second motion recording included with Wyze Cam. This upgrade will record motion to the cloud for as long as motion is detected, with no wait time between recordings.

Try now for free for 14 days. Upgrade any time for $1.49 (USD) per Wyze Cam per month.

https://support.wyzecam.com/hc/en-us/sections/360007310151-Complete-Motion-Capture-FAQ

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

MurrayM

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#2511293 24-Jun-2020 09:52

dunnersdude:

That cool down is strange!!! Does the cool down also apply to micro SD local recording or is that recording continuous?

Given that the service was free, and videos were kept for 14 days, I can understand the cool-down period. And buying the extra service for continuous recording is pretty cheap compared to others that I've looked at. I still think the Wyze cameras are great for the price.

jonathan18

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#2511450 24-Jun-2020 14:28

And now Wyze is close to releasing their outdoor model. May swap one of our pan/tilt models for one of these, as the lack of cables would be a big advantage.

Has anyone had any luck ordering directly from Wyze, even if via a YouShop or similar?

https://wyze.com/wyze-cam-outdoor.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WCO+General+EA+Launch+-+2

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