Argh.. I need help with choosing items for security camera system & recording device

[Keith Francis]

I'm planning on having 8 exterior cameras (Hikvision 2532's 3332's and 2132's). I have Cat5e run to my camera locations and my original thinking was to have them go into a ZyXel ES2108PWR Managed 8 Port PoE + Gigabit Uplink. Then have a QNAP or Synology 8bay NAS to capture recordings. My concerns are a few. One would be will those handle the recording of 8 cameras at the same time and two will it overwhelm the NAS so using it as a multimedia server would cause streaming issues. I haven't purchased the Cameras yet or the NAS so I could go another direction. I do have two of the ZyXel 8 port switches however.

I've read so many things now I have no idea what I should do anymore. I started looking into QNAP as it is supposed to work with Control4 Home automation which interests me but some of the install quotes I have received on Control4 is scary. The home is over 5000sqft so I'd like to be able to have a live stream of 4 or 8 of the cameras to different locations in the house. Example would be a 4k monitor in my bedroom or my 4k 65" TV in Bonus room.

I know this is all rambling so please excuse as this is the state of my thinking now!

Was thinking maybe some of you on here have had some ideas of things that would work the easiest. Any suggestions are appreciated

Keith

 

[Mike]

Good choice on the Hikvision cameras, they are solid and work well. Have you thought about picking up an 8 channel Hikvision NVR? Could do something like this http://flark.it/nvrhik8 with this http://flark.it/camhd . For the feeds on the other monitor, you could use a mini pc (android stick) such as this one (or a newer model) http://flark.it/minipc (I also have this http://flark.it/minikeyboard) along with the IP Cam Viewer app or another similar app.

Another recording option is a PC running Blue Iris.

There's other ways to do it as well.

 

[fenderman]

I agree with mike. Simplest solution is to go with a NVR from hikvision. I would go with a 16ch so you have room to expland. IF you want/need more customization a pc running, blue iris is a great choice. The Hikvision NVR will be more stable and sort of a set it and forget it solution. I prefer using blue iris, because of all the options for alters and notifications it allows. Dont for get hikvision also offers free ivms software as well if you want to go that route.

 

[Keith Francis]

Good choice on the Hikvision cameras, they are solid and work well. Have you thought about picking up an 8 channel Hikvision NVR? Could do something like this http://flark.it/nvrhik8 with this http://flark.it/camhd . For the feeds on the other monitor, you could use a mini pc (android stick) such as this one (or a newer model) http://flark.it/minipc (I also have this http://flark.it/minikeyboard) along with the IP Cam Viewer app or another similar app.

Another recording option is a PC running Blue Iris.

There's other ways to do it as well.

Yes I have seen some posts with those suggestions, my question is would that be enough storage room in the DVR to hold a couple weeks of footage and another question is will android stick allow viewing multiple streams of say 4 or 8 cameras on to a 4k TV ?

Thanks for your quick response by the way !

 

[Keith Francis]

I agree with mike. Simplest solution is to go with a NVR from hikvision. I would go with a 16ch so you have room to expland. IF you want/need more customization a pc running, blue iris is a great choice. The Hikvision NVR will be more stable and sort of a set it and forget it solution. I prefer using blue iris, because of all the options for alters and notifications it allows. Dont for get hikvision also offers free ivms software as well if you want to go that route.

My budget is 6-7k or less of course for storage, cameras and backup power. I do have a strong Windows 7 PC I don't really use much I could convert as I've moved to Mac's. It's a i7 quad core with 16gb ram and 2 video cards I use to play games on (3 kids so no time anymore!)

 

[Keith Francis]

Another thing I should mention is I have multiple (4-6) Cat6 drops to each of my areas (Bonus room and master bedroom) I can utilize for feeds instead of using wireless. They can be setup on a separate network so it doesn't mess with internet speeds etc. So maybe that changes things?

 

[fenderman]

6-7k is a huge budget. What model i7 is it? the first generation was not very efficient. You will want to remove your video cards as Blue iris or any recording software will not benefit from them and they will suck power, to the tune of hundreds a year if the system is on 24/7.
If you go with an NVR make sure it can display the primary stream via the hdmi if you intend to connect the unit to a large tv (some only display sub stream). Some NVR's allow for two drives, regardless you should be fine for a few weeks of recording if you do motion detection and with two large drives WAY more than that depending on the action your cameras are subject to. The android stick will allow you to display multiple streams on the tv. Realistically how often are you going to pop on the tv to view the cams? better off just using your phone or with your budget you can buy a large tablet and pop it on when you want to look around.
You really need to be more specific as to what you want to accomplish.

 

[Keith Francis]

3770k 3.5Ghz 77watt. I'd like to be able to turn TV on at night and have either 4 or all 8 up on the screen if we hear something going on outside. Also like to have a monitor in family room separate from main TV on during day so my wife can see everything outside just by walking by it. Is there something that would allow me to just stream the live feeds via wired network and just watch TV or a Monitor (with mini PC attached) ? I'm not too worried about electric costs, more interested in convenience. Going completely Solar powered in the next 1-2 years so I won't worry as much on the monthly bills. Does that help explain any

 

[fenderman]

The electrical cost reference was with respect to re purposing a dual video card pc. Pull the cards out or it might cost more in electrical cots than buying a new pc. Or test with a kill a watt meter under load.
Heres the problem with using the tv. Say you here a noise. Now you need to get the remote, turn the tv on, then switch to the correct input for the mini pc or whatever other source you are looking at. And even then you will not be able to see what triggered the motion because it has moved in the 30 seconds it took to go through that sequence. You are way better off using a tablet on your nightstand where you can review alters instantly (with blue iris this is particularly easy).
As far as the always on monitor, you can use a mini pc, or even a NUC or slim pc or laptop to display the stream. Where will you be placing your primary NVR?

 

[Keith Francis]

ok, yes i would remove those cards for sure. Nvidia 780GTX's I think so they gobble electric. Ok i just started looking for videos on Blue Iris software introductions. I'm guessing I would buy a raid card for the PC and throw 12-16 TB in there? I see what your saying about the turing on things to find footage. My original idea was to have 28" 4k monitor on my night stand where I could just hit a mouse and it would waker up. Not sure if wife would like!!

 

[Keith Francis]

My primary source of video feeds come into a large walkin closet off my office. I was thinking of doing a rack in there as all network, security, ceiling speakers, satellite come into the same spot. Would a Apple TV work? I have one i'm not using but if something else is out there that is easier I would just buy that.

 

[fenderman]

12 to 16tb is way overkill. You need one 4tb and you will be fine, use motion detection so you are not recording empty footage. You don't need a raid at all. For that mater a 4k monitor is a waste on these security cams.

 

[Keith Francis]

ok I see your point, my idea on the 4k was to be able to see 4 images on the screen and they are still in 1920x1080. So no raid, what do I do then just mirror or backup software?

You think Blue Iris is the way to go then and just repurpose the computer when I move in? Also someone else had mentioned Milestone Software in their posts. Do you know it at all

Thanks for your help, I feel like I'm heading to finish line so you've helped a lot.

Keith

 

[fenderman]

Milestone is very good as well. Though they have a per camera license fee. It also allows you to use in camera motion detection instead of software based which lowers cpu use, but i prefer blue iris. Its a preference, and milestone is very good. I suggest trying both in trial versions and then decide.
You dont really need to mirror NVR footage unless you are a r bank or casino but if you really want to, most pc's allow for raid 1 out of the box, but its total overkill for a home system.

 

[Keith Francis]

ok thanks, Last question I promise. Is the ability of being able to pan and tilt the Hikvision outdoor cameras a big positive? Is this something I should spend some extra money on and is the quality as good as fixed cameras by Hikvision?
The was my plan based on coverage ares I needed..
DS-2CD2532F-I(S) 2.8mm (2)

DS-2CD3332-I 2.8mm (4) DS-2CD2132-I 6mm (2)

 

[fenderman]

PTZ is generally a total waste when it comes to security. You are way better off with 24/7 coverage with fixed cams. The cams you listed are all fixed which are perfect.

 

[hmjgriffon]

Yes I have seen some posts with those suggestions, my question is would that be enough storage room in the DVR to hold a couple weeks of footage and another question is will android stick allow viewing multiple streams of say 4 or 8 cameras on to a 4k TV ?

Thanks for your quick response by the way !

4k TV and 6k budget. #firstworldproblems

 

[fenderman]

Its his money, he can do as he wishes.

 

[Keith Francis]

6k is for cameras, NVR/NAS setup and hard drives and possibly a small 4k monitor which run $600-1000. The 4k is my TV in Bedroom and Bonusroom which is not in Budget.

 

[Keith Francis]

4k TV and 6k budget. #firstworldproblems

I don't mind spending money on items that will last a long time. 4K monitor i'm sure should last me 8-10 years