Looking for advice selecting a security camera

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#2554425 31-Aug-2020 21:38

I am sorry you went with Swann. The person at JB HiFi has no experience with those things, clearly.

Swann is an absolute piece of crap. The software is terrible, support is horrible, the experience is dismal. Never use Swann.

@michaelmurfy just got something that can be useful.

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#2554426 31-Aug-2020 21:41

Also, continuous recording to an app won't go very far - I guess you mean continuous recording to some cloud storage? This in general requires a subscription. The on-premises recording someone mentioned is a good idea but requires hardware (usually a NAS) and lots of storage (mainly for mirroring).

Ring devices are good - activated when they sense movement, recording to the cloud, you can easily control from a smartphone or an Amazon Echo device using your voice. You have two way voice including recording.

Continuous recording may be something you want but may not be the thing you need.

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michaelmurfy

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#2554551 31-Aug-2020 22:55

It sounds like you've got a bit of a situation on your hands.

The Eufy cameras may be what you're after. These are fully wireless, and have a base. The cameras can either record to local storage on the base itself or over to cloud storage (subscription).

1) 2 pack of the 2nd generation cameras (cheaper) - shop around for this to find the best deal but they're available from JB Here.
2) 4 pack of Eufy "Big" cameras with a home base (On sale currently at JB) - these are excellent cameras but the thing I really like about them is the home base has a backup battery built in also.

They scream, loudly, if an attempted removal happens and the app is very quick and responsive. The good thing about these cameras is you can take them with you when you leave your flat.

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MarkM536

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#2554697 1-Sep-2020 10:25

Quote 'booksarered':

I will be able to do up to around 1000$, but not more than that as I just don't have the finances. Elive seemed to be pretty good (only around the 200-400$ range and probably around a few hundred more for the DVR)

/End of quote

I hope you got an IP camera and not an AHD/HDCVI...... IP cameras are modern network cameras and the other type is analogue high definition. Trust me, AHD is only good when the existing wiring is analogue cabling, otherwise its network cameras. The network cameras also allow for settings to be changed on the camera itself. The cameras can also record directly to a NAS without an NVR.

If you're reading this and becoming worried that network cameras will clog your home network then don't. They're completely separate LAN to your home one.

The NVR's network port to your router is the only link between and will only send data to your phone when you view the app. All the constant data from the camera goes straight to the NVR.

michaelmurfy:

The Eufy cameras may be what you're after. These are fully wireless, and have a base. The cameras can either record to local storage on the base itself or over to cloud storage (subscription).

1) 2 pack of the 2nd generation cameras (cheaper) - shop around for this to find the best deal but they're available from JB Here.
2) 4 pack of Eufy "Big" cameras with a home base (On sale currently at JB) - these are excellent cameras but the thing I really like about them is the home base has a backup battery built in also.

They scream, loudly, if an attempted removal happens and the app is very quick and responsive. The good thing about these cameras is you can take them with you when you leave your flat.

I can tell no one here is an installer Lol.

There was mention above about crap from JBHiFi..... we don't need to go back to that store.

Then as I mentioned in my first post about wireless... it's okay to view playback but video feed is crucial, you cannot afford for video frames to be lost. There's a reason you do not see wireless cameras about often.

freitasm:

Also, continuous recording to an app won't go very far - I guess you mean continuous recording to some cloud storage? This in general requires a subscription. The on-premises recording someone mentioned is a good idea but requires hardware (usually a NAS) and lots of storage (mainly for mirroring).

Ring devices are good - activated when they sense movement, recording to the cloud, you can easily control from a smartphone or an Amazon Echo device using your voice. You have two way voice including recording.

Continuous recording may be something you want but may not be the thing you need.

Trouble with Cloud cameras is your internet. For most people it's fine but it's still sending HD video and consuming your monthly allowance. As soon as your network goes down then recording goes down.

A NAS can be used, but an NVR is preferred because it manages the cameras (units with built in PoE switch).

If you want home automation then I'd go from an NVR to a dedicated PC running something like BlueIris. In general server with VMS software gives better flexibility and quality but NVR's are quick easy things for home owners like yourself who have no idea.
Ring's API's are very locked down. Like I said before, stay away from home brand crap that locks you into their branded items.

- Sorry for the first quote not being withing quote formatting, seems that this forum has a limit per post.

freitasm

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#2554699 1-Sep-2020 10:28

You have to balance the budget, requirements and other constraints when deciding on a solution. All good comments but everything has to be taken in consideration before deciding how to go about it.

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michaelmurfy

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#2554715 1-Sep-2020 10:58

MarkM536:

I can tell no one here is an installer Lol.

You're mistaken... I've installed many, many wired solutions over the years. This solution is great as a simple self-install option.

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BlinkyBill

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#2554723 1-Sep-2020 11:20

I suggest the Eufycam sale at the retailer is on because the EufyCam2 release to this part of the world is imminent. I understand, but stand to be corrected, that the 2 base unit has more capability than the current base unit.

dt

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#2554729 1-Sep-2020 11:31

Depending on where they are installed, if they are in arms reach you may run into the same issues and the Eufy cameras can be just as easily ripped down as a Swann camera, it's the design of them.. their software is however miles better than swanns..

I'll also add, stay away from Arlo cameras they are complete garbage

Since you have a stalker you should seriously be talking to a company that installs CCTV solutions as their bread and butter, they'd tailor a fit for purpose solution to fit in your budget and take all the guess work out..

On a side note, if you haven't already I hope you have a restraining order against this person so they can be arrested the next time you catch them on camera?

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#2554746 1-Sep-2020 12:20

We have 3 nest out door camera's , Nest is now owned by google.

Good camera's excellent day and night image, records 24/7 and you select the retention time on your plan.

Very easy to go back through footage to find any motion as its all marked

App (for iphone) works very well and has two way so you can tell somebody to piss off and receiving audio is very clear.

I am happy with ours and we also have the nest protect smoke detector hooked in to ours.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

mattwnz

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#2595577 31-Oct-2020 18:03

@rogercruse:

I got two Amcrest outdoor security cameras from Amazon just before the NZ government introduced GST for imported purchases. These are high resolution, weatherproof and powered using POE (so only one cable required). They also work with Alexa so I can monitor them using my Echo Show.

Would be interested as to the models, as there seem to be so many. They look good due to the software they come with.

sleepy

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#2595795 1-Nov-2020 07:54

Hi can I recommend talking with John Buckingham a installer in dunedin with many years experience, he is jb security http://www.jbsecurity.co.nz/

does many shops and homes

hope your situation improves soon

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rogercruse

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#2596015 1-Nov-2020 21:57

mattwnz:

@rogercruse:... Amcrest outdoor security cameras from Amazon...

Would be interested as to the models, as there seem to be so many. They look good due to the software they come with.

The particular camera I purchased was: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077Y52782/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 as my purchase was more than a year ago, these may have been superseded by now.

Wheelbarrow01

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#2596050 1-Nov-2020 23:49

I'm also looking for a new CCTV system as the old Swann just doesn't cut it. Unreliable as - detects motion when there's nothing there, then fails to record when there is, and I never worked out how to log in to view remotely as it was all just too complicated.

I've been considering the Eufy 2C system (1080p cameras) but I have learnt that USA customers can already buy the 2C Pro (same basic system but with 2K cameras) so I am holding off a bit longer as no sign of those in NZ yet. What appeals about Eufy is that the footage is stored locally - no subscription to worry about (although it is an option), and they have varying settings for motion detection - including setting off floodlight and siren activations. Plus it can be integrated with a Eufy 2K wireless camera doorbell. And based on many reviews I have seen, the 180 day camera battery life appears to be broadly accurate. One catch is that it only records when motion is detected but for most people that would likely be ok if the settings are properly adjusted.

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#2596056 2-Nov-2020 06:00

Wheelbarrow01:

One catch is that it only records when motion is detected but for most people that would likely be ok if the settings are properly adjusted.

I’d be sure that you can adjust the settings so as to not miss action before you buy, as my experience with a different brand of wireless camera (Wyze) is this is damn difficult. For the life of me I’ve thus far not been able to set my two front cameras up in such a way. I even tried shifting one so instead of looking up the driveway it looks across it, as supposedly the sensors on these are better at picking up motion going across than top/bottom, but it’s surprising how I still miss many (what should be) triggers. Or the recording starts so late in the piece the moving object isn’t in the recording for long!

I bought these to take the place of USB-powered Wyze Pancams, and kinda regret it. Those previous ones I shifted to where I have easy power access, and they can sit there recording 24/7, so even if they do miss recording one-off events they’ll still be available locally.

Other brands may not be so temperamental, but the ability to record only short snippets when triggered (and you’re sure it’ll always trigger) is something to be sure you’re ok with before purchasing.

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#2596068 2-Nov-2020 07:22

Wheelbarrow01:

I've been considering the Eufy 2C system (1080p cameras) but I have learnt that USA customers can already buy the 2C Pro (same basic system but with 2K cameras) so I am holding off a bit longer as no sign of those in NZ yet. What appeals about Eufy is that the footage is stored locally - no subscription to worry about (although it is an option), and they have varying settings for motion detection - including setting off floodlight and siren activations. Plus it can be integrated with a Eufy 2K wireless camera doorbell. And based on many reviews I have seen, the 180 day camera battery life appears to be broadly accurate. One catch is that it only records when motion is detected but for most people that would likely be ok if the settings are properly adjusted.

The real problem with wireless battery powered cameras is the issue of battery life. It's not uncommon in a lot of professional installs to be doing full time + motion detection recording, and that's something you simply can't do with a wireless battery powered camera or you'd find the battery life to be days rather than months. I still recommend hard wired cameras from a bigger mainstream CCTV brand, but in terms of compact home wireless systems I do like the Eufy.

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