BlueIris vs OpenSource pros & cons...?

[myipcam]

I realized members(mostly?) use BlueIris here (and probably, I might end up with that as well) but, wanted to compare with OpenSource solution like ZoneMinder for example.

Eventually, I'd like to integrate the security camera feeds into Home Assistant (don't ask me how yet.. will get there). How does BlueIris fare in this aspect? Has anyone done this?

Pros and Cons of both solutions on lets say a new build of I7-8700k with 16GB ram on a decent motherboard and overall system build... (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/s9R8kd).?

I am still reading as much but wanted to put this out for feedback (or points I would/could have missed).
Thanks!

 

[tangent]

I wouldn't recommend ZoneMinder to anyone.

Building your own custom PC isn't cost effective. Buy a refurb dell, hp, or lenovo with a recent i7 and intel on-board graphics for $600 or less.

Here are some other software options: Free VMS Software Directory

 

[tangent]

Currently on dell outlet:
OptiPlex 5000 (5060)
$678.00
Certified Refurbished
Intel Core 8th Generation i7-8700 Processor (6 Core, 3.2GHz, 12MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 10 Pro
256GB Solid State Drive
8GB (2x4GB) 2666MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
Tray load DVD Drive (Reads and Writes to DVD/CD)
Intel Integrated Graphics
Dell Outlet OptiPlex 5060 Small Form Factor

 

[myipcam]

Do you need that much processing power?

Well, you can never have too much power... . I was thinking more about potential encoding and / or transcoding (if that's a normal function) during remote access.

Quite possible I could be over engineering this. But half the price at the outlet, what gives? Performance? Ability to add hdd in some sort of raid? Room for ram?

If you guys are suggesting to go the refurb route, I have no problem. Just didn't have enough faith...

 

[aristobrat]

That particular item in Dell's outlet says it comes with a 3-year on-site warranty, so I'd think risk would be minimal.

For my HA system (ISY994i, a bit of a dinosaur but works great) someone already wrote a Blue Iris plug-in, so all I had to do was configure it. Googling around, looks like getting BI to interface with Home Assistant is fairly straight forward:
Blue Iris Integration Tutorial

Was the last ZoneMinder update really back in 2017? Blue Iris usually gets one or two updates a month. My only meh about Blue Iris is that the interface reminds me of a Windows XP app. Don't let that fool you, as a VMS it's a real best (in a good way).

 

[Whoaru99]

But half the price at the outlet, what gives? Performance? Ability to add hdd in some sort of raid? Room for ram?

Could be used/refurbished/recertified, could be last years model, whatever. But, there are no different restrictions/limitations on the outlet computers other than what is inherent to that model/configuration (case size/form factor, whether or not the mobo supports RAID, max RAM capacity, etc.).

 

[myipcam]

Ok, I am going to order this now. Thank you all for pointing me in good direction (not to mention, saving some money in the process)!

 

[myipcam]

Does the "Direct-to-disk" recording works only on HDD installed in the PC running BlueIris or can it work on NAS drive/network share as well?

 

[BigFoot]

I've never used Dell outlet but there are many bargains elsewhere like eBay, you just have to look

I'm in the UK so I don't know how corporate tax works in the US, but here capital equipment can be offset against profit for tax purposes

For PC/IT equipment this is generally over 3 years - at which point in the company financials the PC is 'worth' nothing - so its usually changed for a newer one

Those other bastions of financial efficiency - Government departments - seem to change even more frequently

Thus 3 months ago with a "Government surplus" specialist on eBay I managed to secure a Dell 5040, i7 (6700) 64-bit, 8Gb, 128 Gb SSD, DVR ROM, Win 10 Pro for £ 300 Sterling including delivery - approx. $ 380 US

Chatting with the seller put me in touch with another 'surplus' seller, this time for peripherals - here I found a nice desktop Linksys 16-port Gigabit switch (8 port POE) for just £ 74 incl PSU & overnight post

Definitely bargains to be had if you take your time & look about

 

[fenderman]

Does the "Direct-to-disk" recording works only on HDD installed in the PC running BlueIris or can it work on NAS drive/network share as well?

Works on any drive.
Always record to a local drive.

 

[myipcam]

...Always record to a local drive.

Is this because of latency (i.e. network). I understand Local will have SATA3 or whatever machine spec, speeds to disk.

OTH, wouldn't it be better to consolidate storage using FreeNAS etc., (have an Atom board that could be repurposed...).

 

[crw030]

Not able to read @fenderman’s mind, but if I had to guess its just fewer points of potential failure. Reliability goes up and failure risk/cost go down.

Examples of the kinds of question that frequently get asked here
Can you build a brand new, prosumer computer to run Blue Iris and would it work: sure
Can you buy a $200 refurb and would it work: yup
The odds that the $200 solution won’t be working when someone steals your stuff: pretty low
The odds your custom built (potential $1000+) PC will operate under the same conditions: about the same.

Can you build a RAID10 array to record all your security footage onto: sure
Could you just put a single 10TB drive in your BI PC and probably be fine for at least 6+ years : yup
What’s the odds you will have a hard drive failure at the same time as your garage gets broken into and all your tools get stolen: pretty low

It’s just a cost/benefit analysis. A solid 99% of what you record won’t be terribly useful, but if something about your NAS setup isn’t working when crap hits the fan, we can GUARANTEE you WILL have regrets!

 

[Q™]

Do you need that much processing power?

+1 IMO...as @myipcam wrote: one can never have too much processing power...to which might be added, if one can afford it.

If you're like many of us, and you become infected with IpCamophrenia, you will purchase many more cameras than originally planned and your processing requirements will grow proportionally.

 

[myipcam]

"IpCamophrenia" Mind already paved the path for this.

 

[looney2ns]

Look at all the NAS problems that get posted here.

 

[looney2ns]

I recently scored a Dell Optiplex I7-7700 SFF for $389 delivered from Ebay, with 2 yrs of warranty left, so deals exist. Great little computers!

 

[myipcam]

Tangent suggested the Dell refurbished and while processing, transaction error occurred. Tried again but stock was not available, possibly stuck in broken transaction? Later on it was available but by then, I bought an HP.

Anyway, I ended up with a HP Pavilion Refurbished Desktop ($537.00 @ WalMart, of all places!) - Not sure if it is the best deal but, here are the Specs:

Processor & Chipset

• Processor Manufacturer: Intel
• Processor Type: Core i7
• Processor Generation: 8th Gen
• Processor Model: i7-8700
• Processor Speed: 3.20 GHz

Memory

• Standard Memory: 12 GB
• Memory Technology: DDR4 SDRAM

Storage

• Total Hard Drive Capacity: 1 TB
• Optical Drive Type: DVD-Writer
• Optical Media Supported: DVDR/RW

Display & Graphics

• Graphics Controller Manufacturer: Intel
• Graphics Controller Model: UHD Graphics 630
• Graphics Memory Technology: DDR4 SDRAM
• Graphics Memory Accessibility: Shared

Network & Communication

• Wireless LAN: Yes
• Bluetooth: Yes

Interfaces/Ports

• HDMI: Yes
• Total Number of USB Ports: 9
• Number of USB 2.0 Ports: 2
• Number of USB 3.1 Ports: 6
• USB Type-C: Yes
• USB Type-C Detail: USB 3.1-Type C: 1
• VGA: Yes

Software

• Operating System Platform: Windows
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• Operating System Architecture: 64-bit

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 13.3"
• Width: 6.7"
• Depth: 10.9"
• Weight (Approximate): 11.35 lb

Miscellaneous

• Package Contents:
  • Pavilion 590-p0070
  • Wiireless Keyboard
  • Wiireless Mouse
  • USB Receive

The only thing I didn't like is the Windows 10 Home. Will have to get a different license. But, researching the hardware, it seemed to be good starting with an 90% efficient power supply and fairly new chipset -H370 (APR 2018), with Raid capability.

Don't really care for its Bluetooth and/or WLan. Will probably disable it anyway.

MODS:

1. M.2 SSD boot drive.
2. WD Purples in RAID
3. Extra NIC with VM to run NAS -no need for another system to running 24/7 since this will be ON all the time.

Probably an overkill but performance wise, it might be good for a while even with higher MP cameras later on...

What do you guys think? Feel free to tell me if I got ripped off .

Now, I gotta find a refurbished monitor... You guys got me hooked on refurbished... !!!

 

[BigFoot]

Myipcam - certainly looks like a well-spec'ed machine & more than capable

Not a fan of HP myself, more a Dell person - but hey, price wise it certainly looks good

 

[crw030]

Not really a comment one-way-or-the-other but I see that system is available new at Staples for $660.

I can't tell precisely from the published specs on that motherboard (a custom LINCS board), but the image (https://support.hp.com/doc-images/259/c05992202.jpg) it definitely looks to have an M.2 SATA port, and three (although they are 3 different colors, so not sure what that signifies) SATA headers. I don't see anywhere in the system specs where it says anything about being able to add a hard drive.

Please post pics once you get it apart in case anyone else is looking at a similar model they will know what they are getting into. Some of these small prebuilt systems are very limited in mounting additional hard drives (like to add a purple or SSD surveillance boot disk). Anyway keep posting your experience, so anyone in the future that finds a deal on one of these will know what they are getting into!

 

[Q™]

FuQ the refurbished monitor! Purchase one of those $149.00 Dell 32” displays at Costco...they are OUTSTANDING. And huge.