Any good guide on do it youself video surveillance?

[AgAwAgA]

Hello,

I am looking for a good guide for setting up a video surveillance system? I want to install wifi cameras with recording on premise and also on a remote location?

Thank you

 

[TonyR]

Welcome to IPCT!

I suggest you begin by reading, then re-reading, the Cliff Notes in the Wiki in the blue bar at the top. Also spend some time in various areas of the forum.

IMO, it's best that you spend some time studying and planning and don't be too anxious to jump in without first testing the waters....there is no "one size fits all" and it's actually up to YOU to decide what is best for you and your needs. And those needs, your budget, and your expectations can, and most likely will be, different from others here.

Some knowledge on the subject of surveillance cameras and what accompanies it will better equip you to make those decisions about what to buy, where to mount it, how to configure it, etc. You're more likely to be satisfied with your installation and what it does for you.

 

[mat200]

Hello,

I am looking for a good guide for setting up a video surveillance system? I want to install wifi cameras with recording on premise and also on a remote location?

Thank you

Welcome @AgAwAgA

The cliff notes are the place to start, and then I would look at some of the camera reviews by members.

Also, I would recommend avoiding wifi cameras as they tend to be more problematic and less reliable than a wired IP PoE camera.

 

[Hammerhead786]

Welcome to the forum. Wired is the way to go for reliability. Use a managed POE switch for securing the network side of things along with a VMS (Blue Iris) and you should be all set.

 

[SouthernYankee]

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Wifi is not reliable for a surveillance camera system. Wired is the only way to go.
Start slow, learn as you go. This is not one size fits all.

Read study plan before spending money..... plan plan plan
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My standard welcome to the forum message.

Please read the IP Cam Talk Cliff Notes and other items in the IP Cam Talk Wiki. The wiki is in the blue bar at the top of the page.

Read How to Secure Your Network (Don't Get Hacked!) in the wiki also.

Quick start
1) If you do not have a wired monitored alarm system, get that first
2) Use Dahua starlight cameras or Hikvision darkfighter cameras if you need good low light cameras.
3) use a VPN to access home network (openVPN)
4) Do not use wifi cameras.
5) Do not use cloud storage
6) Do Not use uPNP, P2P, QR, do not open ports,
7) More megapixel is not necessarily better.
8) Avoid chinese hacked cameras (most ebay, amazon, aliexpress cameras(not all, but most))
9) Do not use reolink, ring, nest cameras (they are junk), no cloud cameras
10) If possible use a turret camera , bullet collect spiders, dome collect dirt and reflect light (IR)
11) Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire. , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)
12) use a test mount to verify the camera mount location. My test rig: rev.2
13) (Looney2ns)If you want to be able to ID faces, don't mount cams higher than 8ft. You want to know who did it, not just what happened.
14) Use a router that has openVPN built in (Most ASUS, Some NetGear....)
15) camera placement use the calculator... IPVM Camera Calculator V3

Cameras to look at
IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Full Color, Starlight+)
IPC-T5442TM-AS Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+ - 4MP starlight+
IPC-HDW2231R-ZS Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
IPC-HDW2231T-ZS-S2 Review-OEM IPC-T2231T-ZS 2mp Varifocal Starlight Camera
IPC-HDW5231R-ZE Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE
IPC-HFW4239T-ASE IPC-HFW4239T-ASE
IPCT-HDW5431RE-I Review - IP Cam Talk 4 MP IR Fixed Turret Network Camera
DS-2CD2325FWD-I
IPC-T2347G-LU Review of the Hikvision OEM model IPC-T2347G-LU 'ColorVu' IP CCTV camera. (DS-2CD2347G1-LU)
N22AL12 New Dahua N22AL12 Budget Cam w/Starlight -- low cost entry

Other dahua 4MP starlight Dahua 4MP Starlight Lineup

My preferred indoor cameras
DS-2CD2442FWD-IW
IPC-K35A Review-Dahua IPC-K35A 3mp Cube Camera

If interested in Blue Iris and other setup items see the following post

Newbie Starter Guide to IP Cam System – VPN setup – Computer Hardware – Blue Iris – Dahua Cameras

This is an intermediate / newbie guide for people just starting out looking for a surveillance setup. I know this setup might not be for everyone and there are many options. You can find a lot of this information in the Wiki: IP Cam Talk Wiki | IP Cam Talk A great place to start in the Wiki...

ipcamtalk.com

Read,study,plan before spending money ..... plan plan plan
Test do not guess