OT: Home Security Camera System

[bulldogcountry1]

I've been putting it off for years, but the time has come to invest in a home security camera system. I'm not sure what I need because there are so many options. What I do know:

- I don't want professional monitoring or any kind of subscription service
- I think I want "wireless" because of ease of installation.
- I want to be able to monitor with my apple devices.
- Most, if not all, cameras will be outside.

I see a lot aren't sold with a hard drive. Why would anyone bother if they can't save videos? Are they using some other means to record the video? Home computer? The cloud?

Also, I have no clue about camera resolution. I don't see why 1080 is necessary, but that's why I am here. I was hoping to get something under $400.

Any useful advice from the pack is appreciated.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

I have the Arlo system which is wireless and would be right around your price point. The videos are saved to the cloud and from there you can download videos to your phone/computer. I have been pretty happy with it. My biggest worry was the batteries but my most active cameras I only charge every 2 months or so.

 

[MarkDallas]

I have a Samsung system that I got in sale at Sam's. I REALLY like it. I was basically in the same situation. I can get the model number when I get home.

Mine stores it's own video. You want that. Too many failure points between your camera and the cloud.

Mine makes the video available via an app. It's really nice to be able to check in on things when I'm gone. I do wish I could change more settings with the app.

I would avoid wireless cameras if possible. They are much less reliable than a wired connection.

Leave yourself more camera slots than you think you'll need in case you want to expand. Mine came with 8 cameras but can handle 16. I'm only using 5 now.

You should be able to get what you want for that price.

 

[AnotherOldDog]

Go to the Bass Pro Shop and buy some Moultrie game cameras. They worked pretty good for me.

 

[RivaDawg]

Blink home security. Easy set up with WiFi. App on your phone stores video. Alerts sent to your phone when camera is activated ( motion sensor and you can control the sensitivity), and automatic scheduling. My system comes on automatically at 8:00 and turns off at 5:30; Mon-Fri. You can arm and or disarm from your phone.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

Thanks for the information.

I have noticed some of the "wireless" systems still require corded 120v hookup. Then, others are completely wireless. I am concerned about batteries and my motivation to keep changing/charging batteries on 4-6 cameras. The corded 120v ones would be a bit tougher to install but doable.

So, are the wifi cameras not so reliable? A corded signal connection would definitely be the most difficult installation. Is it typical, for the ones that have a corded signal wire, to also be powered through the same cable set (from the control box)?

 

[RocketDawg]

I have a Samsung system that I got in sale at Sam's. I REALLY like it. I was basically in the same situation. I can get the model number when I get home.

Mine stores it's own video. You want that. Too many failure points between your camera and the cloud.

Mine makes the video available via an app. It's really nice to be able to check in on things when I'm gone. I do wish I could change more settings with the app.

I would avoid wireless cameras if possible. They are much less reliable than a wired connection.

Leave yourself more camera slots than you think you'll need in case you want to expand. Mine came with 8 cameras but can handle 16. I'm only using 5 now.

You should be able to get what you want for that price.

Did you install it yourself?

 

[MarkDallas]

Did you install it yourself?

Yes. For me, a few hours in the attic one time was much better than dealing with lost signal and dead batteries every few months forever.

I put my box in the AC closet, drilled a big hole in the top plate, and ran the wires up. Then distributed out to the eaves from there. With a helper it's very simple.

 

[o_ArcadeDawg]

I have the Samsung 8 camera system and it works great. The night vision also works a lot better than I thought it would.

 

[RocketDawg]

Yes. For me, a few hours in the attic one time was much better than dealing with lost signal and dead batteries every few months forever.

I put my box in the AC closet, drilled a big hole in the top plate, and ran the wires up. Then distributed out to the eaves from there. With a helper it's very simple.

It wouldn't be simple for me. My eaves are about 30 feet in the air. But I'd like to have a system, and the cost is very reasonable, at least for the equipment.

 

[MarkDallas]

It wouldn't be simple for me. My eaves are about 30 feet in the air. But I'd like to have a system, and the cost is very reasonable, at least for the equipment.

My house is 2 story. Wasn't bad with an extension ladder. 30 ft is a long way, are you sure? You can also lean out a window.

 

[Nicephorus]

Use POE cameras

My house is 2 story. Wasn't bad with an extension ladder. 30 ft is a long way, are you sure? You can also lean out a window.

Ideal solution is to use POE (power over Ethernet) cameras. Just drill a hole to the camera and run any standard cat5e or cat6 Ethernet into them. Connect other end to the labeled POE ports on a POE switch which plugs in the wall. Will also need to run Ethernet from your router to one of the open POE switch ports (can be an unpowered port). This solution gives you a reliable hard wired network and power connection through the Ethernet cord without requiring any electrical work. POE switches are less than $50 on Amazon.

Unless you have a dedicated computer processing your video feeds, those outdoor cameras will be firing off alerts all the time as motion detection performed on the camera in general is not very good for most outdoor surveillance other than a simple scene like a parking lot (no moving trees or shadows). I use Sighthound which greatly reduces the false alarms but runs on a dedicated small computer (Intel NUC).

 

[MarkDallas]

Mine is Samsung SDH-ST581N. It was $399 at Sam's I think.