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Madao

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#298539 25-Jun-2022 16:29
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Hi

 

Our neighbourhood is going through a mini crimewave of letterboxes being prized open along with the non stop car break ins.

 

While I have ADT monitored security signs up and have just fitted a "surveillance operating" sign to the letterbox lockable flap to give the morons a chance to pause before having a crack, my surveillance is actually woefully poor. I have a couple Smartthings cameras that seem to regularly stop working and need a reset (24 hours clip capture when they are working) and a couple Foscam cameras that are only good for live viewing.

 

So, I'm in the market for a camera doorbell, preferably non wired, and 2 or 3 cameras to cover the outside that will all back up to the Cloud. Preference for all is non wired for ease of setup. I've Alexa through the house, including a couple shows, so have internal camera options along with the Smartthings cams but may switch to use the same new outside provider solutions internally over time. 

 

I'm looking at Eufy as they don't appear to charge a subscription, something like a couple of their Solocam S40 as these are inbuilt solar, video doorbell and floodlight camera to replace the existing driveway light.

 

Any issues with Eufy I need to be mindful of or any better options out there?

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 


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freitasm
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  #2934329 25-Jun-2022 17:52
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If you have Echo devices, including Show then Ring is a great option. Completely integrated with Alexa ("Show my driveway on Kitchen Echo")




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  #2934549 26-Jun-2022 10:36
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If you're willing to spend a bit more, you can't beat Amcrest-branded Dahuas, after going through several whiz-bang ones that all ended up with the sorts of problems you're describing for your SmartThings ones I went with Dahua (via Amcrest) and they've been running solid for years now. You can get an outdoors PTZ one for $170 if you want to specifically monitor people outside near your letterbox.

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  #2934644 26-Jun-2022 16:58
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The battery cameras have a slight delay in detecting motion before they wake up and start recording.

 

 

 

I went hard wired cameras recording 24/7 and have timestamps when it detects a human/person.

 

IP cameras to an NVR that are POE are the go-to these days. 'DVR'/'AHD'/'HDCVI' are analogue cameras.




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  #2934645 26-Jun-2022 17:00
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reminds me I really should get my new HDDs into my DVRs so I can record again. Missed out on seeing how one of the neighbours visitors managed to get their car stuck on the wall between driveways.





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  #2934652 26-Jun-2022 17:35
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Since we're on the topic, I'm thinking of getting one of these (Ring Floodlight Camera Wired Plus) but I've noticed that my current porch light is only wired with 2-core wire - in reality, do I actually need a ground wire for this? If I need to get a sparky in, I don't think I'll bother grabbing one.





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  #2934654 26-Jun-2022 17:43
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My only advice is surveillance doesn't deter thieves if they are motivated. They are only useful for investigating after the fact.

 

Consider things such as:

 

  • Motion flood lights installed around ALL exterior the house
  • Smart doorbell (as you mentioned) are a good idea as you can answer it remotely and pretend you're home
  • Alarm system - doesn't need to be monitored as long as it makes a decent noise inside and outside, they'll be long gone before anyone shows up
  • Keep your doors locked, even during the day if you're home
  • Limiting people's ability to wander outside around your house easily

Most break ins are opportunistic, they'll walk past a house and see something easy to smash and grab. Making the most of people on holiday, mailboxes filled with mail are dead give away. If you get a lot of mail and go on holiday its worth getting a neighbour to empty it regularly or get it held via NZ post for a small fee. 


 
 
 

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  #2934659 26-Jun-2022 19:28
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Nate001:

 

My only advice is surveillance doesn't deter thieves if they are motivated. They are only useful for investigating after the fact.

 

 

Very true. We had a thief walk directly towards a camera and stand directly under another, both at night with IR lights active. If you've gone to the trouble of powering them, they're probably not dummies, unlike the lady who is now awaiting sentencing for this and multiple other offenses as a result of not heeding this warning. If she ever turns up for sentencing that is... they get way too many opportunities.

 

We now have a driveway alarm that sounds a buzzer inside the house if anyone crosses the beam and a warning light to warn potential thieves that their presence is known.


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  #2934663 26-Jun-2022 19:49
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Nate001:

Consider things such as:

 

  • Motion flood lights installed around ALL exterior the house
  • Smart doorbell (as you mentioned) are a good idea as you can answer it remotely and pretend you're home
  • Alarm system - doesn't need to be monitored as long as it makes a decent noise inside and outside, they'll be long gone before anyone shows up
  • Keep your doors locked, even during the day if you're home
  • Limiting people's ability to wander outside around your house easily

 

 

  • Have a washed-out break-a-leg driveway courtesy of watercare that most people take one look at and go somewhere else, and that you certainly wouldn't want to go up while carrying anything you've nicked.

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  #2934735 26-Jun-2022 23:03
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Nate001:
  • Alarm system - doesn't need to be monitored as long as it makes a decent noise inside and outside, they'll be long gone before anyone shows up



  • I live at a beach with lots of occasional homeowners. You'll have more chance of someone showing up if you have an alarm system that doesn't go off randomly at all hours and you've made contact with your neighbours and left contact details.

    When it comes down to it insurance is your friend.

    Journeyman
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      #2934766 27-Jun-2022 08:48
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    Consider this option:

     


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      #2934785 27-Jun-2022 10:19
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    We have recently installed a Eufy camera floodlight like This

     

    Eufy Smart Floodlight with Camera 1080P White - T8420CW2, , scanz_hi-res

     

    But in black. It replaced a wired in motion-detection spotlight. Easy to install, easy to set up and easy to use. 

     

    You can set up 2 zones to monitor and it will alert my phone whenever there's movement detected and start recording. 

     

    Overall, I am suitably pleased with its performance thus far. 





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