Recommend a security camera kit?

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#2203099 21-Mar-2019 21:57

JayADee:
Jiriteach:
rp1790:

If you can I'd strongly recommend the Dahua Starlight cameras. They would seem like lower resolution at 2MP but it's all about the optics. And Andy at Empire Tech, ships really really fast and very responsive.

Starlight camera: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/IPC-HDW2231R-ZS-2MP-Starlight-IR-Eyeball-Network-Camera-2-7-13-5mm-varifocal-lens-IPC/1200032_32884384754.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.11.21ee1f6bAXPa5g

Empiretech: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1200032?spm=0.8937474.0.0.1cc52e0eMBqHmI https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1200032?spm=0.8937474.0.0.1cc52e0eMBqHmI https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1200032?spm=0.8937474.0.0.1cc52e0eMBqHmI https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1200032?spm=0.8937474.0.0.1cc52e0eMBqHmI

Generally you get the cameras in days from Andy!

Totally agree with this. I purchase of Andy regularly. His cameras are Dahua OEM
and ship with English firmware allowing for official updates Fromm Dahua. His prices might look expensive compared with others in AliExpress but it’s this plus that his prices include DHL Express shipping which is ~ 2 days to NZ.

Yeah that 2MP from Andy looks like it will do the job.

Is it a good idea to get one camera with mic in and audio out or an alarm in case somebody is up to something? I'd rather deter than catch later. As the door cam maybe? Any thoughts on which one would be good for that? :)

Also when ordering from Andy what's the answer to his 'Please leave message to let us know the format (PAL/NTSC) and the power standard of the DVRs or NVRs you buy in case any mistake' question? Just in case someday I decide to get one.

Aaaand, on one of the posts on I think Amazon a guy said don't put the pigtail (I am guessing that is the other lead which does I am not sure what) in the casing or junction box because the cable is not shielded and it will interfere with the signal. Well that's exactly why I would want a junction box. To put the cables in to Minimise the hole size I have to drill for the cable so I don't have to stick them up into the hole. Is he right about that? And what is that other cable for?

Are you guys using junction boxes or wall mounts with your cameras to put the wire in?

Thanks for your patience.

Depends on the camera you purchase re-audio. Most of the Dahua turrets have microphones on them and come with anti-tamper alarms built into the casing. I have 4mp cameras but same thing applies. I turn off audio to save on recording space.

You want PAL cameras. Not really a biggie nowadays but its the standard we use in NZ. Power standard = 240v which is out voltage in NZ as opposed to the US.

Re-endpoints - Depends on the cameras but most of the Dahua turrets come with 2 cables from the camera. RJ45 for ethernet and a 12v dc lead if you are not using POE. You will need your own 12v adaptor though as these are not supplied.

I don't use junction boxes or wall mounts as all of my cameras are mounted onto soffits so its flush to the boards and the cable is hidden. Depends on your situation.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

JayADee

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#2203406 22-Mar-2019 15:07

I think this switch should do ok for five cameras with a few extra ports for just in case?

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DAHUA-8Port-PoE-Switch-Unmanaged-Two-layer-industrial-PoE-switch-Support-IEEE802-3af-IEEE802-3at-standard/1200032_32791802979.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.2.10147868leq7Hm

And did you say you are using cat5e?

Is credit card ok on aliexpress? I've never bought anything there before. such a noob I am. :)

Jiriteach

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#2203476 22-Mar-2019 17:15

JayADee: I think this switch should do ok for five cameras with a few extra ports for just in case?

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DAHUA-8Port-PoE-Switch-Unmanaged-Two-layer-industrial-PoE-switch-Support-IEEE802-3af-IEEE802-3at-standard/1200032_32791802979.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.2.10147868leq7Hm

And did you say you are using cat5e?

Is credit card ok on aliexpress? I've never bought anything there before. such a noob I am. :)

Yup that POE switch is fine. I'm actually using cat6 since its the standard nowadays so got the electricians to run this.

Purchasing off Andy - I used my CC. AliExpress is pretty good as they dont realise the funds to him to until you have marked the transaction as completed and you are satisfied.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

JayADee

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#2203499 22-Mar-2019 17:29

Thanks Jiriteach, I'm going to order 5 cams and the PoE switch then. :)
Does anyone in NZ sell these things? I can't find the camera anywhere and Ascent has the PoE but out of stock so I will grab it off Andy too.

Jiriteach

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#2203509 22-Mar-2019 17:47

JayADee: Thanks Jiriteach, I'm going to order 5 cams and the PoE switch then. :)
Does anyone in NZ sell these things? I can't find the camera anywhere and Ascent has the PoE but out of stock so I will grab it off Andy too.

There are a few placed but not much with stock. Ingram Micro who's a distributor/supplier bring in a bundle every now and then. They don't sell to the public.

PB Tech has a few - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CCTDHA1428/DAHUA-21-Starlight-HDCVI-IR-Dome-Camera-Max-30fps but not much stock. Mainly security and alarm companies keep stock but again wouldn't be much.

Most "home" or consumer users won't install Dahua camera's are they do need some setup and configuration compared with cameras like Arlo's etc. Ascent would be buying from Ingram Micro and I checked just before and they have no stock.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

JayADee

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#2204585 25-Mar-2019 10:45

I am having trouble getting this 8 port PoE from Andy, anywhere in NZ I can get one? Or one similar you guys can recommend? Sold out in places I am looking. PFS3110-8P-96 I have emailed Ascent to see if they are getting more in.

Jiriteach

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#2204592 25-Mar-2019 10:53

JayADee: I am having trouble getting this 8 port PoE from Andy, anywhere in NZ I can get one? Or one similar you guys can recommend? Sold out in places I am looking. PFS3110-8P-96

http://www.swl.co.nz/product/580-dahua-pfs3110-8p-96-8-2-poe-switch-96w-din-rail-mount-

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

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JayADee

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#2204595 25-Mar-2019 10:58

They are wholesale? Emailed them anyway. In case they can or can point me to shop. Thanks.

rp1790

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#2204610 25-Mar-2019 11:11

You can use any POE switch, including the cheapies. https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/networking/switches?fs=8366483&o=lowest_price

JayADee

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#2204733 25-Mar-2019 15:22

rp1790:
You can use any POE switch, including the cheapies. https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/networking/switches?fs=8366483&o=lowest_price

Thanks and for all your other advice as well.

Yoban

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#2207089 29-Mar-2019 13:56

@sbiddle/@jiriteach - really appreciate your knowledge and feedback as this is an area I am relatively new to.

The backstory is an introduction to Dahua from a fellow GZer while preparing for a home reno and wanting to include this in my setup - 3 years later now and realising I could have run some more cat6 to places on the house that initially did not come up in the thought process and battling budgets :-) All in all been very happy with the brand. Started with the HFW2100 and running on a PC (24x7) using the dahua software. Got a couple more HFW4300S-V2 and plugged this in to a readyNAS 314 running Netgear Surveillance software (Now EOL and no alternative although zoneminder is available in app store).

Really it was a case of plugged in and left and during a time when firmware was hard to get and since not use Dahua NVR software I just left it especially since I was recording 24x7. This has worked well for when I have needed to look at the footage, but the Netgear software was clunky with using plugins and struggled with browsers etc.

What has sparked my review is the need to new NVR software on the NAS and some new Unifi gear in the house.

jiriteach:
Regular firmware updates on the official Dahua website? Mainly to address security issues and bugs but there’s the admin interface is functional and once setup, I never have to access it. I rarely access them.

What are you using for remote viewing?

I use iDMSS Plus on iOS and have no problems with this. I can access all my cams and have push notifications as well and see video playback etc. All from my phone and tablet.

On Mac I use SmartPSS and again no problems with that.

I have since had a rummage on Dahua site and found the firmware for the HFW2100 (DH_IPC-HX2(1)XXX-Adreia_Eng_P_V2.420.0009.0.R.20151106) and HFW4300 (DH_IPC-HX5(4)XXX-Adreia_Eng_P_Stream3_V2.420.0009.0.R.20151106).

I will definitely relook at smartPSS and IOS app, which I did initially try for my remote camera access via VPN to home network - I assume this is still necessary? Certainly the push notifications is arrtracticve too. Would be good to get smartPSS on to the NAS in a docker container of some form.

sbiddle:

What's the issue with either?

If you have genuine Dahua cameras firmware is on the Dahua website.

Their P2P solution is also a (relatively) secure solution for remote access that avoids having to open any ports and expose your network.

Could you explain the P2P solution or point to some reading details? I am focused on a software NVR rather than hardware. The use of VPN, albeit necessary and understand the risks of exposing CCTV from all the posts on GZ, can be a hassle sometime to enable before connecting.

Thanks team.

Jiriteach

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#2207116 29-Mar-2019 14:47

Yoban:

I have since had a rummage on Dahua site and found the firmware for the HFW2100 (DH_IPC-HX2(1)XXX-Adreia_Eng_P_V2.420.0009.0.R.20151106) and HFW4300 (DH_IPC-HX5(4)XXX-Adreia_Eng_P_Stream3_V2.420.0009.0.R.20151106).

I will definitely relook at smartPSS and IOS app, which I did initially try for my remote camera access via VPN to home network - I assume this is still necessary? Certainly the push notifications is arrtracticve too. Would be good to get smartPSS on to the NAS in a docker container of some form.

Yoban:

Could you explain the P2P solution or point to some reading details? I am focused on a software NVR rather than hardware. The use of VPN, albeit necessary and understand the risks of exposing CCTV from all the posts on GZ, can be a hassle sometime to enable before connecting.

Thanks team.

VPN is not required for remote access. That would just be a pain!
There are two options effectively - port forwarding or P2P.

Port forwarding could be considered and I have had this work successfully. Choosing high-end random ports. Only the TCP port would need to be opened so no HTTP access to the cameras web interface and apply really strong passwords.

Works very well but I understand that many are still uncomfortable with this setup even though its only accessible Dahua's TCP communication.
The other option is the P2P feature which allows access to the camera without having to forward ports by using an intermediary server to handle connectivity between the client and the camera.

Very simple to setup. Scan the QR code on the camera's GUI (P2P menu) or enter in the Serial Number (SN) into the Smart PSS or iDMSS to have direct access to those devices remotely.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

Yoban

447 posts

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#2207141 29-Mar-2019 15:37

Jiriteach:

VPN is not required for remote access. That would just be a pain!
There are two options effectively - port forwarding or P2P.

Port forwarding could be considered and I have had this work successfully. Choosing high-end random ports. Only the TCP port would need to be opened so no HTTP access to the cameras web interface and apply really strong passwords.

Works very well but I understand that many are still uncomfortable with this setup even though its only accessible Dahua's TCP communication.
The other option is the P2P feature which allows access to the camera without having to forward ports by using an intermediary server to handle connectivity between the client and the camera.

Very simple to setup. Scan the QR code on the camera's GUI (P2P menu) or enter in the Serial Number (SN) into the Smart PSS or iDMSS to have direct access to those devices remotely.

Brilliant thanks for that! Will have a sit down this weekend and check out the P2P menu within the camera webpage and get firmware sorted. If I can get Smart PSS running on my NAS then looks like I have a good path forward using native apps. As I have did not run some extra cables, I am looking at the 180 degree cameras so sticking with Dahua would be my desired. My other option I came across is ivideon (https://www.ivideon.com) which has a linux installer for the server.

Chris14

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#2207397 29-Mar-2019 23:06

Been reading over the discussion.

Something I am interested in, 2 cams for the outdoors of the house. Trying to keep away from wiring and drilling holes, which appears to be the most reliable method.

Quite interested in thee Wyze cams you mentioned, hadn't heard of them before.

natedog:

Just received and set up my first Wyze Cam. Will definitely be ordering more. So impressive for the price.

So for those the purchased the Wyze cam... we need an electrical plug adaptor to get it to work?

Where did you source yours? Where did others source theirs please?

Anyone else using the Wyze cams have any further praises/complaints about them? Anyone tried them outdoors?

As their website doesn't post to NZ.. looking at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076H3SRXG/?coliid=I3E4Y9I8LN8SI4&colid=11ZDHVZYEPZTI&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

With the cam mount cover for outdoors:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H33JQCM/?coliid=IN08E7Z2YSEXZ&colid=11ZDHVZYEPZTI&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Free rolling 14 clouds plus local sd storage with management by an app.... primo.

Otherwise, what's a similar option for the same pricing and reliability?

I looked at Trademe, Wish and Alliexpress... doesn't give me confidence in buying this sorta stuff from there especially with such a lack of knowledge.

jonathan18

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#2207399 29-Mar-2019 23:23

@Chris14: answers to some of your questions re Wyse cameras are covered in earlier posts, eg we all seem to have purchased them from Amazon, which ships them here directly.

I paid around $200 NZ for two Cam Pans, the outdoor housing/brackets, a long USB cable, and a three pack is US
Below I've just copied some comments I provided to another member, noting I received some useful comments in reply to the questions I raised on the site. After a couple of weeks I'm pretty happy with them, and have generally got the settings sorted.

Oh, just to say the nighttime image is a bit better (can see more) on my iPad then my phone. Am thinking' this is a result of the OLED screen on my phone.

These cameras certainly do provide a good option for an affordable camera security system! But I think it's worth trialing one to see if it works for you before committing to a whole suite...

I actually bought 2 x Cam Pan models, rather than the standard; in the end, probably didn't need the panning for the unit by the front door, but a bit late now!

This means I went with cases/brackets for this camera - these are the ones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NV438PG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

They work fine, and given I've got both mounted well under the eaves I think they'll be well-protected. The ones you're looking at look like they'll do the job perfectly as well; these cameras are also much more compact, so less obvious too.

I've elected to run power straight out the windows; one is positioned right next to that window, and it can close with the cable through so not an issue; the second one is more of a hassle - tight squeeze out the window, and the camera's a long way away from the window so I'll need to attach the cable in permanently when sorted. So sorry I can't advise on other options!

Two things I'd note in regards to using these as outside cameras (even if positioned inside):

1: they still need a decent level of light to show anything at night; my street is really badly lit, and unless there's a passing car or we have the security light set to turn on the image is basically fully black. This isn't the case if a person, say, comes close to the camera. I think our solution will be to set that light to auto (it's normally off).

2: I really can't work out the motion detection - it is so sensitive to even the smallest thing (a few leaves moving in the wind) that it 1. records pretty much constantly, despite being set to only record on motion (not constant); and 2 sends very few motion notifications, as it won't send unless it's been five minutes between motion detection. I'm going to ask on GZ for advice on this as this is a real frustration. And this is even when it's set to the least sensitive motion setting!

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