Recommend a security camera kit?

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#2216775 14-Apr-2019 09:31

JayADee: Ok so the cameras are working fine over the fritzbox's Fritz VPN but you can't browse the internet using the fritz's VPN so you have to switch the vpn on on your phone/iPad to view the cameras then off to get back online. My spouse will hate that.
Is there another free VPN I could set up in the Fritz that would let me just leave it on all the time? I don't need yet another bill to rent a VPN.

I know I could just use Dahua's built in P2P but I believe VPN is recommended.

Cheers!

This is not an issue limited to FritzBox's VPN. Its more the client supporting the ability to toggle sending all traffic over VPN. Many clients on Mac and Windows allow you to toggle this option. Not sure on the FritBox config anymore sorry as I don't use FritzBox setup. I use an OpenVPN setup with my Synology and this works OK.

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

Aredwood

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#2227068 29-Apr-2019 00:31

This thread has come in very handy. As I just found out that 2 of my neighbours have recently been burgled. So Im installing cameras ASAP, as well as reviewing security around my house. Have just placed an order for 1 of the Dahura Starlight cameras from Empire Technology.

Is there much benefit to using 4K cameras compared to 2K?

As my situation is a house at the end of a 60M approx driveway. So initially I will have just the 1 Starlight camera pointing directly down the driveway. As that is the only means of accessing my house unless you cut through 1 of the neighbours properties. But I do want to add extra cameras to get full coverage of my property. Im considering the Amcrest 4K cameras linked earlier in the thread for that. (as they won't need to work over as large a distance as the driveway). Or should I just stick to the same model of camera for my whole system?

billgates

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#2227078 29-Apr-2019 07:21

The 4K or even the 8K (if your recorder can handle it) are certainly good to have. Because you get more pixels you can zoom in more to get a clear view of say the face or license plate. If you are going to go for 1 or 2 of the 4K model, I would suggest getting one with a varifocal lens of say 2.8mm to 12mm

Do whatever you want to do man.

Jiriteach

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#2227570 29-Apr-2019 19:43

As a heads up for those interested. Dahua has release a couple of new affordable cameras with PIR sensors in them.

Non POE version with WiFi - https://en.lechange.com/index.php/product/info/27.html

POE version - https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/26977

I've ordered a couple so will see how they go! Should have them by the weekend to try out.
Will have a few of my Dahua's for sale if it goes well - https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/3731

These new cameras have PIR plus IVS which should make it awesome for false positives since IVS is pretty good already!

Dahua seems to be making a play to compete with the consumer cameras now.

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

Aredwood

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#2227626 29-Apr-2019 20:52

I might be interested in some of your old cameras.

Only I'm trying to figure out how close the cameras should be to the area to be recorded (especially for night time recording). I'm guessing that is related to the lens size?

Do I just have to try them and see?

Yoban

447 posts

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#2227627 29-Apr-2019 20:56

Jiriteach:

I've ordered a couple so will see how they go! Should have them by the weekend to try out.
Will have a few of my Dahua's for sale if it goes well - https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/3731

Second after Aredwood for interest in second hand kit.

JayADee

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#2227710 30-Apr-2019 08:04

Aredwood: I might be interested in some of your old cameras.

Only I'm trying to figure out how close the cameras should be to the area to be recorded (especially for night time recording). I'm guessing that is related to the lens size?

Do I just have to try them and see?

ipcamtalk.com has some info on this if I remember right. Charts etc.
Unless you have a lot of ambient light or you don’t mind adding extra IR devices or other lighting, your range for night time is going to be limited by the IR range on the camera. I find mine work fine close to the house in the pitch dark which is where I need it. I'll message you some photos this evening after dark so you can see how my five look.

It's really odd how it's pitch black out to the naked eye then you look at the camera view and it looks like there's a light on (albeit in black and white) because of the IR.

I am also down a long driveway, I'd be curious to know how well your camera does focused further away. I haven’t tried it. All of mine are oriented close to cover windows and doors and keep an eye on the approaches in the background. I have a regular sized one story house with five (!) doors, three of which are double French.

The tripwire and intrusion zones are essential if you want half way decent notifications if you have any vegetation to speak of.

We've had such a run of burglaries in this town it isn’t funny. I have just installed some locking patio bolts on 3 of my doors. We were just at the mower shop yesterday for a service and a guy we know was there replacing his birthday present ride on and chainsaw which had just been burgled. There's no stopping people if they are really determined but I reckon making it harder isn’t a bad defence.

Those wyze cams work great through the window with IR turned off (you do need to rig a way to block reflections). If you locate them near one of the IR cameras, it uses their IR. I want a couple more of those for sheltered positions under the shed roofs.

Edit: PIR would be nice.

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Jiriteach

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#2227746 30-Apr-2019 09:29

JayADee:
Aredwood: I might be interested in some of your old cameras.

Only I'm trying to figure out how close the cameras should be to the area to be recorded (especially for night time recording). I'm guessing that is related to the lens size?

Do I just have to try them and see?

ipcamtalk.com has some info on this if I remember right. Charts etc.
Unless you have a lot of ambient light or you don’t mind adding extra IR devices or other lighting, your range for night time is going to be limited by the IR range on the camera. I find mine work fine close to the house in the pitch dark which is where I need it. I'll message you some photos this evening after dark so you can see how my five look.

It's really odd how it's pitch black out to the naked eye then you look at the camera view and it looks like there's a light on (albeit in black and white) because of the IR.

I am also down a long driveway, I'd be curious to know how well your camera does focused further away. I haven’t tried it. All of mine are oriented close to cover windows and doors and keep an eye on the approaches in the background. I have a regular sized one story house with five (!) doors, three of which are double French.

The tripwire and intrusion zones are essential if you want half way decent notifications if you have any vegetation to speak of.

We've had such a run of burglaries in this town it isn’t funny. I have just installed some locking patio bolts on 3 of my doors. We were just at the mower shop yesterday for a service and a guy we know was there replacing his birthday present ride on and chainsaw which had just been burgled. There's no stopping people if they are really determined but I reckon making it harder isn’t a bad defence.

Those wyze cams work great through the window with IR turned off (you do need to rig a way to block reflections). If you locate them near one of the IR cameras, it uses their IR. I want a couple more of those for sheltered positions under the shed roofs.

Edit: PIR would be nice.

The IR on these do ~ 20m. My current ones ~ 50m but not great. I've had Arlo's before which did 7m and Nests which do ~ 7m and they were good. I actually get too much bounce from the white soffits since mine are mounted on soffits so keen to try these new ones out.

The only cameras that I've tested with PIR's have been the Arlo's and they worked OK - this new Dahua setup with PIR plus IVS will be sweet. Will let you guys know how it runs and am looking to bring a few more in!

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

JayADee

2148 posts

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#2228058 30-Apr-2019 16:10

Yeah, do that please. I have too many waving palm tree shadows etc. out front that change throughout the day and I've turned off email alerts otherwise I get a ton of spam on my trip wires and intrusion shapes on a windy day. PIR would cut all that out. My wyze cam in the window with sensitivity turned way down is doing a better job of real alerts than my Dahua is. Maybe I'll try swapping the Dahua over to motion detect in that location.

Mavarick

207 posts

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#2231451 6-May-2019 10:21

Went with Zmodo 1080P POE , 8 camera 1TB box and night vision, come initially with 4 cameras, pretty easy to set up,

recording override, mobile access and alerts. only issue i have so far is it only seems to be alert recording for about 10 seconds, but at least that gives you a time stamp, you can review the continuous recordings too , also a cloud based storage option

ashtonaut

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#2231831 6-May-2019 17:34

If you are on the iOS ecosystem with an Apple TV and a Raspberry Pi (and some moderate tech knowledge), I’d encourage you to check out Homebridge. It has allowed me to have access to my 4 cameras directly from the iOS UI with rich motion-based iOS notifications when motion is detected at each camera (and no one is home). This works very well with my Techage (AliExpress) setup but should work with most IP cams.

GeekRay

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#2349770 7-Nov-2019 20:42

Can someone kindly tell me if this is the 'English' version we better get? Please DM me if the answer isn't suitable to be made public.

Link: https://www.trademe.co.nz/2383440039

NVR: NVR2104HS-P

Camera: IPC-HDW4433C-A

I didn't search the NVR on the US Duhua site but no luck (not a good sign?)

Many thanks

tukapa1

725 posts

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#2360630 25-Nov-2019 20:27

Looking at an Arlo kit. Can get about 15 percent off at the moment which is about as good as I've seen.

Considering getting the Ultra 3 camera kit. Not cheap but sounds easy to get up and running quickly and the one year included subscription gives a good chance to try it out before committing to paying for a sub.

Any updated opinions/views on the Arlo set up?

Cheers.

neb

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#2360639 25-Nov-2019 21:22

GeekRay:
Can someone kindly tell me if this is the 'English' version we better get? Please DM me if the answer isn't suitable to be made public.

Link: https://www.trademe.co.nz/2383440039

NVR: NVR2104HS-P

Camera: IPC-HDW4433C-A

For that price you're probably better off ordering it from Amcrest in the US, that's genuine supported English-version Dahua.

GeekRay

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#2361373 27-Nov-2019 09:50

tukapa1: Looking at an Arlo kit. Can get about 15 percent off at the moment which is about as good as I've seen.

Considering getting the Ultra 3 camera kit.

Cheers.

I was looking at these cameras too; was impressed by the reviews and comparisons online. The latest Arlo Ultra cameras seem to get better picture quality and sound quality, plus the long-complained battery life has been improved.

Noelleeming has Arlo Ultra 2 camera kit for $896 (today only). If I hadn't got Wyze cams, I would go with this deal.

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