Posted: 8/23/2016 12:04:17 PM EDT
| Any recommendations? I've need 5 to cover everything, want something with decent night vision and quality. Need to be able to check from my phone and what not. I've been seeing a bunch that are wifi now that seems pretty decent but I wonder how the battery life on that works. |
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I want to build a raspberry pi based home security system. I have no idea how yet, it's just an idea at this point. There's a lot of tutorials out there. This is only an option if you have some technical skills. I've messed with them. 1) Buy raspberry pi and camera 2) Enable camera interface 3) Use raspivid command-line tool. It is incredibly easy. -t parameter sets length. You can set an output file and using Linux date commands run a loop that will store it to the device, and/oor you can pipe it out of the raspberry pi using raspivid, piping it to netcat (nc). On your computer, you can grab the live stream using mplayer. There is almost no latency. Aside from that, Arlo works pretty good and has excellent night vision. |
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I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help.
I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. |
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I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. I'm not a pro but I use Hikvision as well. Their product line has great depth and their viewer software is very slick. |
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I just started setting up my own system... All I am going to say is this.
If you want it to be useful... go big or go home. The more resolution/quality the better. I built my own server using Ispy and have put one 720p camera for the front door so far.. but anything beyond close up face recognition and general use it is not enough. Especially if you want to read plates!!! My next few cameras are going to be much much higher resolution. Wifi is just ok for 1 maybe 2 general overview cameras.. beyond that it is a lot of data and will tax your router, frames get dropped, and the compression can become an issue when details are needed. Wired is the way to go. ETA: I already see hikvision mentioned.. that is what I am getting next for my full front field of view. Here is an example of 720p wifi as I was hooking my cam up. 
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I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Seconding Hikvision. I am a home automation guy who sells/installs surveillance cams as part of my business. 90% Hik, 10% Digital Watchdog. If you are buying online, avoid the grey market stuff. It is cheap but no warranty or support. |
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You'll need some ability, but I highly recommend Ubiquiti's line of products. I have (4) of their UVC running connected to their NVR controller. I just used some POE injected tough switches to send power to those and the WAPs. All hardwired via CAT6 and off my WAPs/Wifi. Honestly--the hardest part was running the CAT6 and mounting the cams where you want them. (2) Toughswitches (3) Wireless access points (4) UVC (nightvision) (1) NVR (1) Edgerouter All this came in a little over 1k not including the CAT6. Their free software allows you to access the feeds in real time from anywhere in the world. I believe the NVR had around 1TB of storage. |
| It's getting stupid cheap not to have something. I started with analog, still use it, but I'm going more digital. Hikvision has worked well with a few quirks. I am using the wifi version, but not for continous viewing/recording. They're setup more like deer cameras, emailing me when they see something. |
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Quoted: I just started setting up my own system... All I am going to say is this. If you want it to be useful... go big or go home. The more resolution/quality the better. I built my own server using Ispy and have put one 720p camera for the front door so far.. but anything beyond close up face recognition and general use it is not enough. Especially if you want to read plates!!! My next few cameras are going to be much much higher resolution. Wifi is just ok for 1 maybe 2 general overview cameras.. beyond that it is a lot of data and will tax your router, frames get dropped, and the compression can become an issue when details are needed. Wired is the way to go. ETA: I already see hikvision mentioned.. that is what I am getting next for my full front field of view. Here is an example of 720p wifi as I was hooking my cam up. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8781/28917155955_a92520c91c_b.jpg |
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I just started setting up my own system... All I am going to say is this. If you want it to be useful... go big or go home. The more resolution/quality the better. I built my own server using Ispy and have put one 720p camera for the front door so far.. but anything beyond close up face recognition and general use it is not enough. Especially if you want to read plates!!! My next few cameras are going to be much much higher resolution. Wifi is just ok for 1 maybe 2 general overview cameras.. beyond that it is a lot of data and will tax your router, frames get dropped, and the compression can become an issue when details are needed. Wired is the way to go. ETA: I already see hikvision mentioned.. that is what I am getting next for my full front field of view. Here is an example of 720p wifi as I was hooking my cam up. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8781/28917155955_a92520c91c_b.jpg They stole all your grass and three landscape lights. 
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why not 1080p? you said go big or go home? Quoted:
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I just started setting up my own system... All I am going to say is this. If you want it to be useful... go big or go home. The more resolution/quality the better. I built my own server using Ispy and have put one 720p camera for the front door so far.. but anything beyond close up face recognition and general use it is not enough. Especially if you want to read plates!!! My next few cameras are going to be much much higher resolution. Wifi is just ok for 1 maybe 2 general overview cameras.. beyond that it is a lot of data and will tax your router, frames get dropped, and the compression can become an issue when details are needed. Wired is the way to go. ETA: I already see hikvision mentioned.. that is what I am getting next for my full front field of view. Here is an example of 720p wifi as I was hooking my cam up. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8781/28917155955_a92520c91c_b.jpg that might be the minimum, but I can say that unless you have zoom and its pointed in the right direction 720p does not catch needed details at distance. I am still learning, but 2mp or larger would definitely be better... which is ~1080p. |
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EDIT, okay so Amazon is not an authorized Hikvision resller which is why US support tells people to pound sand.
Any leads on a good US authorized reseller? So am reading some reviews for Hikvision on Amazon and one reviewer said Hikvision US would not support him because he had a Chinese model. He called China and they did not speak engrish. Sooooo, is there a way to know if I am getting a US unit or Chinese unit or is this Amazon review BS? Quoted:
Seconding Hikvision. I am a home automation guy who sells/installs surveillance cams as part of my business. 90% Hik, 10% Digital Watchdog. If you are buying online, avoid the grey market stuff. It is cheap but no warranty or support. Quoted:
Quoted:
I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Seconding Hikvision. I am a home automation guy who sells/installs surveillance cams as part of my business. 90% Hik, 10% Digital Watchdog. If you are buying online, avoid the grey market stuff. It is cheap but no warranty or support. |
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Quoted: I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Where do you buy Hikvision gear that has actual support? I bricked mine with a firmware upgrade, and the fucking cocksuckers I bought it from want to charge me $50 to ship me another one. |
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Just get a Swann IP setup. The cameras are basically Hikvisions with a much more user friendly kit setup. I believe Costco or Sams has them.
http://www.swann.com/us/swdvk-446004 More badash 3MP imagery. http://www.swann.com/us/swnvk-873004 |
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EDIT, okay so Amazon is not an authorized Hikvision resller which is why US support tells people to pound sand. Any leads on a good US authorized reseller? So am reading some reviews for Hikvision on Amazon and one reviewer said Hikvision US would not support him because he had a Chinese model. He called China and they did not speak engrish. Sooooo, is there a way to know if I am getting a US unit or Chinese unit or is this Amazon review BS? Quoted:
EDIT, okay so Amazon is not an authorized Hikvision resller which is why US support tells people to pound sand. Any leads on a good US authorized reseller? So am reading some reviews for Hikvision on Amazon and one reviewer said Hikvision US would not support him because he had a Chinese model. He called China and they did not speak engrish. Sooooo, is there a way to know if I am getting a US unit or Chinese unit or is this Amazon review BS? Quoted:
Quoted:
I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Seconding Hikvision. I am a home automation guy who sells/installs surveillance cams as part of my business. 90% Hik, 10% Digital Watchdog. If you are buying online, avoid the grey market stuff. It is cheap but no warranty or support. The USDM Hikvision stuff is somewhat protected from internet sales. Typically available via a local security or AV company (who will do system design and installation for you). Honestly I have no idea where an end user can purchase it over the counter. Mine comes from a wholesaler that I am signed up with. |
So seriously... it looks like you gentlemen have this well in-hand. Hikvision stuff is good, and pretty much plug-and-play. You cannot beat the price point. ETA: and Nelly's does warranty their stuff in-house. They exchanged a non-functional camera for me on one occasion. It's not a "manufacturer's warranty," but they do honor it. |
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why not 1080p? you said go big or go home? Quoted:
Quoted:
I just started setting up my own system... All I am going to say is this. If you want it to be useful... go big or go home. The more resolution/quality the better. I built my own server using Ispy and have put one 720p camera for the front door so far.. but anything beyond close up face recognition and general use it is not enough. Especially if you want to read plates!!! My next few cameras are going to be much much higher resolution. Wifi is just ok for 1 maybe 2 general overview cameras.. beyond that it is a lot of data and will tax your router, frames get dropped, and the compression can become an issue when details are needed. Wired is the way to go. ETA: I already see hikvision mentioned.. that is what I am getting next for my full front field of view. Here is an example of 720p wifi as I was hooking my cam up. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8781/28917155955_a92520c91c_b.jpg Hell, forget 1080p (2mp), even 3mp is old news right now. 4mp (2688×1520) is the baseline right now for cheap $100-$150 cameras. |
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Where do you buy Hikvision gear that has actual support? I bricked mine with a firmware upgrade, and the fucking cocksuckers I bought it from want to charge me $50 to ship me another one. Quoted:
Quoted:
I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Where do you buy Hikvision gear that has actual support? I bricked mine with a firmware upgrade, and the fucking cocksuckers I bought it from want to charge me $50 to ship me another one. I've gotten US retail versions from: wrightwoodsurveillance.com https://www.jmac.com/ http://www.nellyssecurity.com/ https://www.surveillance-video.com/ I haven't checked to see if they are "authorized" dealers or not but they are all based in the US with an actual number you can call to talk to an English speaking person. |
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I went with a hikvision nvr 7608 something ($299 or so from nelly security) and so far 5 hikvision cams, three bullets and two domes with audio and very happy so far, waiting on a mini ptz from China to complete the install. The hikvision ivms app works great for me. A few issues in figuring out the setup for emailed alerts, but nothing serious.
Nelly security calls the hikvision the h series I believe |
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does anyone use their nas or home file server to pull double duty as a dvr for poe cameras? or would it be too much strain to handle both on one system? Some posters have had a problem with this approach. In one case, the manufacturer would not update the web plug-in, and the poster cannot view his video at all. It is outdated, and literally doesn't work with any current web browser. I'd stick with PC-based, or a DVR of the same brand as your cams |
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Some posters have had a problem with this approach. In one case, the manufacturer would not update the web plug-in, and the poster cannot view his video at all. It is outdated, and literally doesn't work with any current web browser. I'd stick with PC-based, or a DVR of the same brand as your cams Quoted:
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does anyone use their nas or home file server to pull double duty as a dvr for poe cameras? or would it be too much strain to handle both on one system? Some posters have had a problem with this approach. In one case, the manufacturer would not update the web plug-in, and the poster cannot view his video at all. It is outdated, and literally doesn't work with any current web browser. I'd stick with PC-based, or a DVR of the same brand as your cams so a dvr based poe kit.. those you can view from outside the network, like from at work or things like that? just a web interface? I'm assuming you can split the output to multiple monitors? what if I got a 4 camera kit and wanted to use the 4th as a baby monitor? is there a way to separate the output from the dvr to a different monitor, say my bedroom tv? |
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I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Your mailbox is full. Can you just post a link to the Hikvision cameras here? |
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I went with a hikvision nvr 7608 something ($299 or so from nelly security) and so far 5 hikvision cams, three bullets and two domes with audio and very happy so far, waiting on a mini ptz from China to complete the install. The hikvision ivms app works great for me. A few issues in figuring out the setup for emailed alerts, but nothing serious. Nelly security calls the hikvision the h series I believe That sounds like a $1400 or so setup dude. I am in for $600 so far with one H series and a EyeSurv dome, Ion NVR. I wish the H series did motion only record with this NVR, otherwise it's great. Cloud service is in the works. I think they call the Hik's NSC cameras now. |
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so a dvr based poe kit.. those you can view from outside the network, like from at work or things like that? just a web interface? I'm assuming you can split the output to multiple monitors? what if I got a 4 camera kit and wanted to use the 4th as a baby monitor? is there a way to separate the output from the dvr to a different monitor, say my bedroom tv? Quoted:
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does anyone use their nas or home file server to pull double duty as a dvr for poe cameras? or would it be too much strain to handle both on one system? Some posters have had a problem with this approach. In one case, the manufacturer would not update the web plug-in, and the poster cannot view his video at all. It is outdated, and literally doesn't work with any current web browser. I'd stick with PC-based, or a DVR of the same brand as your cams so a dvr based poe kit.. those you can view from outside the network, like from at work or things like that? just a web interface? I'm assuming you can split the output to multiple monitors? what if I got a 4 camera kit and wanted to use the 4th as a baby monitor? is there a way to separate the output from the dvr to a different monitor, say my bedroom tv? No... the output from the DVR is the output from the DVR... never seen anybody split a single camera off. If you want to do that, just get a separate IP cam, put it in the baby's room, and access it independently. (some of the Foscams do PoE) |
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so a dvr based poe kit.. those you can view from outside the network, like from at work or things like that? just a web interface? I'm assuming you can split the output to multiple monitors? what if I got a 4 camera kit and wanted to use the 4th as a baby monitor? is there a way to separate the output from the dvr to a different monitor, say my bedroom tv? Quoted:
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does anyone use their nas or home file server to pull double duty as a dvr for poe cameras? or would it be too much strain to handle both on one system? Some posters have had a problem with this approach. In one case, the manufacturer would not update the web plug-in, and the poster cannot view his video at all. It is outdated, and literally doesn't work with any current web browser. I'd stick with PC-based, or a DVR of the same brand as your cams so a dvr based poe kit.. those you can view from outside the network, like from at work or things like that? just a web interface? I'm assuming you can split the output to multiple monitors? what if I got a 4 camera kit and wanted to use the 4th as a baby monitor? is there a way to separate the output from the dvr to a different monitor, say my bedroom tv? NVR (Network Video Recorder) with POE ports is a good way to go. Simple and robust. Viewing from outside the network will be possible one of 3 ways (maybe more): 1) The NVR maker provides a service to make the connection. For Hikvision I think it's called "HiDDNS". 2) You can do port forwarding on your home router and put the NVR on a port that is exposed to the internet. 3) You can create a VPN connection on your home router and connect to the network this way. You'll have to consider the security risks associated with any of these options. I'm probably not "expert" enough to really give you a good opinion here so just consider this a primer. I've used all three options successfully. At the very least you'll want to make sure you use STRONG passwords and change the username on the NVR to something other than the default "admin" that most devices come configured with. I have the Hikvision iVMS-4500 on my phone and can simultaneously view cameras at my house, my cabin, my work, and my parents house in under a couple seconds from starting the app. Yes, you can absolutely use a 4th camera as a baby monitor. Lots of ways to get the feed to your TV. You can either plug in the NVR directly to your TV with it's VGA/HDMI output or if you have another device like a PC that can access the web browser based GUI of the NVR then you can do it that way as well. ETA: To clarify. You can't split the output from the NVR itself but the output from the NVR isn't the only way to view the cameras. You can use the output of the NVR itself to play only the baby cam to a TV will still being able to access all four cameras via the Web GUI on your PC or an app on your phone. |
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For any computer savvy folks out there that like to roll your own... With a Raspberry Pi 3 and an external USB hard drive, you can install Orchid (free) and record 6-8 cameras with a nice, easy web based interface.
http://www.ipconfigure.com/products/orchid It's really easy to set up and works great with HikVision cameras (as well as any other camera that supports ONVIF and H.264 RTSP streaming) I have it recording 6 cameras right now with no issues at all. |
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Quoted: Where do you buy Hikvision gear that has actual support? I bricked mine with a firmware upgrade, and the fucking cocksuckers I bought it from want to charge me $50 to ship me another one. Quoted: Quoted: I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Where do you buy Hikvision gear that has actual support? I bricked mine with a firmware upgrade, and the fucking cocksuckers I bought it from want to charge me $50 to ship me another one. There is a way to unbrick it. I did the same thing to mine with a bad firmware upgrade. It took me about 8 hours of research, effort, installing different utilities and then I was finally able to get a proper firmware back on it. It is a royal PIA if you aren't setup for it but easy once you are. |
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That sounds like a $1400 or so setup dude. I am in for $600 so far with one H series and a EyeSurv dome, Ion NVR. I wish the H series did motion only record with this NVR, otherwise it's great. Cloud service is in the works. I think they call the Hik's NSC cameras now. Quoted:
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I went with a hikvision nvr 7608 something ($299 or so from nelly security) and so far 5 hikvision cams, three bullets and two domes with audio and very happy so far, waiting on a mini ptz from China to complete the install. The hikvision ivms app works great for me. A few issues in figuring out the setup for emailed alerts, but nothing serious. Nelly security calls the hikvision the h series I believe That sounds like a $1400 or so setup dude. I am in for $600 so far with one H series and a EyeSurv dome, Ion NVR. I wish the H series did motion only record with this NVR, otherwise it's great. Cloud service is in the works. I think they call the Hik's NSC cameras now. Damn, I guess it adds up, The 5 cameras so far ranged from $70 to $120 off amazon picked up over the past year, the mini ptz has hikvision firmware and was 150 shipped off alibaba, saw it on a post here, so probably ~1200 + some drives I had laying around. Off my iPad with the hikvision app, still tweaking all the cameras though, but it is a fun project except for running the wiring. Best $7 bucks I ever spent was on a harbor freight fiberglass wire running kit. 
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I've gotten US retail versions from: wrightwoodsurveillance.com https://www.jmac.com/ http://www.nellyssecurity.com/ https://www.surveillance-video.com/ I haven't checked to see if they are "authorized" dealers or not but they are all based in the US with an actual number you can call to talk to an English speaking person. Quoted:
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I am a surveillance technician by profession, I will shoot you my number if you want some advice and help. I would recommend Hikvision stuff. The $120 Hikvisions I use at my house are 90% of the $1000 Dallmeier cameras I use at work. Either way, I recommend PoE IP cameras. Don't dick around with analog stuff or wifi cameras. Where do you buy Hikvision gear that has actual support? I bricked mine with a firmware upgrade, and the fucking cocksuckers I bought it from want to charge me $50 to ship me another one. I've gotten US retail versions from: wrightwoodsurveillance.com https://www.jmac.com/ http://www.nellyssecurity.com/ https://www.surveillance-video.com/ I haven't checked to see if they are "authorized" dealers or not but they are all based in the US with an actual number you can call to talk to an English speaking person. Avoid JMAC. I got an earful about JMAC from one of the network companies I use when a client found the products I spec'ed for their house for less then my wholesale cost at JMAC. Some of these companies play cat and mouse games with selling products on line. They find and cut off their supply only to have them get another source and start selling again. If they cut them off, their customers are SOL for warranty and/or product replacement. It is to the point where everything from certain brands that I buy from a few suppliers is tied to my dealer account via serial number. If product that I buy starts showing up in random places all over the country or an end user calls the company and rattles off a serial number of a product I bought and says "I got it on Amazon", I am in a fair bit of trouble. |
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Something to keep in mind if you are doing a DIY cam and NVR system is network traffic.
Throw a bunch of HD cameras on your network and you are going to be able to see your network bog down pretty badly. Especially if you are doing say 5+ cams. Up until about 2 years ago we would have to do managed switches and create a separate VLAN just for the cameras and NVR. Totally fine if you do this for a living or have a networking background but kind of a PITA for the average DIYer who can run wire but is stumped by the intracacies of network management (not really my strong point). A lot of the newer NVRs have an onboard POE switch, the NVR creates a VLAN by itself just for the cameras. It is about as plug and play as it gets. Also: If you buy Hik stuff, get it all hooked up and you can't see the cameras, the NVR probably has stale firmware. I have had two in a row that required an update before they would even see the cams, one was so old I had to do a stepped firmware upgrade. Dunno if that is their supply chain or my distributor. Just figured I would throw that out there though. |