Network security cameras

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xpd

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#316036 10-Sep-2024 14:24

Are network cameras still a thing for home use, as in recording to a PVR ? Or everyone has just gone to those standalone Swan units that cant be accessed easily via PC (unless things have changed since I last looked) ?

I know theres all the "smart" cameras available these days, which are great, but seem to come with limitations/costs for storage.

I'm happy to host my own gear.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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#3280679 10-Sep-2024 14:40

Sure is. I have many of the dirt cheap XM Eye ones off aliexpress that are either installed or sitting around waiting to get installed. POE and reasonable quality image for the $30 they cost.

There are NVRs that work with them, but I pretty much just have those on TVs that I want to watch cameras on as the cost of a NVR is less than distributing HDMI signals.

Actual recording is on my hikvision NVR that I let see the internet so I get alerts etc in the app. It works ok with the generic onvif cameras but not perfect for all the advanced things that they both do, but will not do with each other like face detection. I dont trust the XM eye stuff to see the internet as they have all the lazy person cloud connection things enabled and I am never sure its totally disabled.

Richard rich.ms

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#3280682 10-Sep-2024 14:45

I use Unifi Protect cameras with storage on my UDM Pro.

rscole86

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#3280692 10-Sep-2024 15:39

Dahua camera with Dahua NVR both from AliExpress.

They don't get any internet access.

I don't do notifications, but I could use frigate if I wanted to.

Currently access it all via Tailscale.

CamH

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#3280693 10-Sep-2024 15:46

We recently installed a TP-Link Vigi system (our old Dahua/Hikvision/Blue Iris system was failing), and I'm surprised at how good the quality is for how little money we paid. We paid less than $1k for 7 standard cameras, 1 full pan/tilt camera and a full PoE NVR, and the quality is amazing and we just have it all on it's own VLAN.

Lias

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#3280695 10-Sep-2024 15:58

I use Reolink POE's and Milestone XProtect running on one of my servers.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

freitasm

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#3280720 10-Sep-2024 16:40

Ring camera here, connected to Alexa so I can get notifications on my Echo devices, including live streaming to Echo Show or Fire TV.

davidcole

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#3280723 10-Sep-2024 16:50

rscole86: Dahua camera with Dahua NVR both from AliExpress.

They don't get any internet access.

I don't do notifications, but I could use frigate if I wanted to.

Currently access it all via Tailscale.

I'm the same, also blocked from the internet....but allow the ports needed for DMSS to send push notifications. I get the notification, but then have to connect to tailscale like you to view it. O wish I could decode those notifications and generate them myself.

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panther2

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#3280745 10-Sep-2024 18:38

Use synology surveillance with reolink camera over ethernet / wifi. Usually just use reolink app for notification

MarkM536

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#3280851 11-Sep-2024 00:03

Dahua cameras here, with human/vehicle detection line cross rule AI enabled to an NVR recorder unit.

My Dahua NVR is one of the higher end series with the ability to perform AI functions on 3rd party cameras. Not bad for a unit for the small load of 30w running 100% CPU and to all HDDs.

But if you're going to mix brands, I'd suggest a dedicated PC running xProtect (free to 8 cameras), Frigate or Blue Iris..... cheaper than a $2,000 NVR I got.

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#3280967 11-Sep-2024 15:27

Just bought a couple Tapo TP Link C211 $77 at PB tech with free shipping. Will get a floodlight one for outside. Amazon had good reviews on it. Does pretty much what is needed pan and tilt and night vision and Alexa and Google compatible.

FineWine

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#3281001 11-Sep-2024 16:34

Had these for a couple of years: eufyCam 3C (S300) 2 Pack with HomeBase 3 ($899 PBTech)

One pointing down 35m driveway and the other covering the front door & garage door. Very happy with these. So are the two neighbours as we cover their back door and yard and entry to a carport. We informed them of this coverage from the get-go as the software has the ability to zone areas out. They were quite happy.

Can view them anywhere in the world with internet log-in and also listen and speak.

As with all these non mains powered electronics the downside is that when you activate more features, battery life lessens. We looked at getting the separate Eufy Security Smart Solar Panel option for each but in the end could not be bothered with the installation (drilling water tight holes in roof & soffit) to keep the overall aesthetics of the outside of the house. As it is, with the software triggered options we use, we still get approx 3 months life per charge.

Good buy.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Ramjet007

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#3281227 12-Sep-2024 02:18

i use Blueiris running on a PC as an NVR and 8 aliexpress ip camera's around the house.

Been running this for years.

scuwp

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#3281254 12-Sep-2024 08:20

Have been using basic Eufy wireless cameras, but have been bitterly disappointed in the flaky motion detection, also poor range for detection at night. Shortly changing to a Reolink POE/NVR wired system with 24/7 recording. Waiting for some good deals to come up.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

mdooher

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#3281258 12-Sep-2024 08:48

I'm using unifi protect, I keep slowly slowly adding and upgrading, I still have some of the original cameras and some of the latest gen ones as well. I'm not saying unifi is rock solid, it really isn't. Because I built my house myself I was able to run thousands of metres of cable so that when the day came I could install cameras anywhere I might want

Matthew

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#3281361 12-Sep-2024 11:38

I just use a complete kit from Reolink (four 4k cams and an NVR). It's all on its own VLAN without internet access.

It's decent enough for the price of it, and notifications and camera viewing while out and about is smooth (via Wireguard VPN).

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