brand new newbie, help please. NVR or PC

T

tommys

n3wb
Jul 21, 2022
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33333
Hi all,

I have recently bought a property and look to run IP cameras. I have been googling like crazy to find out what is the best out there and keep running into conflicting reviews/views on youtube and even on this forum. I do not have trust with vendor apps such as hi-connect for some reason.
Can someone please recommended how to prcooed? I am looking at building a PC with blue iris? For this to work I am assuming a NVR is still required? can someone mention a brand which is decent?
 
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You do not need an NVR for Blue Iris.

Selecting the correct camera for the distance you want to IDENTIFY is more important than MP. See this thread that also has camera recommendations based on distance:

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP). I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a...
ipcamtalk.com ipcamtalk.com
 
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wittaj said:
You do not need an NVR for Blue Iris.

Selecting the correct camera for the distance you want to IDENTIFY is more important than MP. See this thread that also has camera recommendations based on distance:

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP). I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a...
ipcamtalk.com ipcamtalk.com
Click to expand...

Thank you - Can I please ask how IP wired camera will then plug into the PC? I am assuming a POE will be needed in middle?
 
Yes a POE switch is needed.

See wiki about securing network. Most here runa dual NIC system where the cameras go to one ethernet port on the computer and the internet goes to the other ethernet port.
 
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wittaj said:
Yes a POE switch is needed.

See wiki about securing network. Most here runa dual NIC system where the cameras go to one ethernet port on the computer and the internet goes to the other ethernet port.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am looking to run 5 cameras in total. Can you please confirm if I will need 5 ethernet cards or I can use a switch with multiple POE?
 
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I used to use BI on a custom built PC and was having too many issues with Deepstack integration. So in the end I switched to using a Synology NAS and their surveillance station app. I am using 4 Hikvision Gen 2 cameras. Synology set to have detection done by the camera and it is working perfectly for me. No false alarms anymore and Synology now support the AI function for Hikvision cameras. On the plus side, the Synology NAS is cheaper to run than a PC 24/7
 
setch said:
I used to use BI on a custom built PC and was having too many issues with Deepstack integration. So in the end I switched to using a Synology NAS and their surveillance station app. I am using 4 Hikvision Gen 2 cameras. Synology set to have detection done by the camera and it is working perfectly for me. No false alarms anymore and Synology now support the AI function for Hikvision cameras. On the plus side, the Synology NAS is cheaper to run than a PC 24/7
Click to expand...

You could have used the AI of the cameras with Blue Iris and skipped Deepstack....
 
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Network Topology 2NICs.JPG
 
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Last edited:
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tommys said:
@wittaj can I please ask what spec PC would work for BI + AI + notification? I am on a budget :)

Also can BI push notifications on the app?
Click to expand...
Here are recommended minimum hardware specs for a PC ==>> Choosing Hardware for Blue Iris
Oftentimes a refurbished PC from an online retailer can provide the best value.

Yes, BI can provide push notifications to the BI app for mobile devices.
Or without the BI app you can view UI3, BI's built-in web server, on your mobile device's browser and use Pushover to receive notifications on your mobile device.
 
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TonyR said:
Here are recommended minimum hardware specs for a PC ==>> Choosing Hardware for Blue Iris
Oftentimes a refurbished PC from an online retailer can provide the best value.

Yes, BI can provide push notifications to the BI app for mobile devices.
Or without the BI app you can view UI3, BI's built-in web server, on your mobile device's browser and use Pushover to receive notifications on your mobile device.
Click to expand...

Cant thank you enough! You have taken my headache away!
Can you please be kind enough to guide on decent camera brands that I can look into that will work with POE and BI? The camera needs to support onvif to be able to work with BI?
 
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tommys said:
Can you please be kind enough to guide on decent camera brands that I can look into that will work with POE and BI? The camera needs to support onvif to be able to work with BI?
Click to expand...
Hard to beat the review of the Loryta IPC-T5442T-ZE Varifocal 4mp camera (Dahua)
Available from Andy Wong of Empire Technology (@EMPIRETECANDY), he ships world-wide. Links below:
  • Andy's IPCamTalk store ==> link
  • Andy's AliExpress store ==> link
  • Andy's Amazon store ==> link
Contact Andy via PM or his email found on his signature page. He has many form factors (turret/eyeball, bullet, dome) and cam features to fit your needs and budget.
 
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wittaj said:
You could have used the AI of the cameras with Blue Iris and skipped Deepstack....
Click to expand...
Agree, but I was using Reolinks prior to the Synoglogy switch. I then later upgraded to the Hikvisions. I wanted to hide the solution in my garage to prevent it being stolen should a break-in happen and the PC was to big. I am very pleased with what I have now, but of course it is all down to each individual and their needs.
 
To be clear, your PC that will be your Blue Iris server should have two ethernet ports. It's common for folks to pick up a used business class PC because they are relatively cheap, powerful and expandable. As such, they typically already have an internet port usually integrated on the mother board. So, you just want to add another ethernet port typically via a PCIe ethernet card.

I have a Synology NAS but don't use it for storing video. I prefer to keep my video surveillance system all in one box so to speak. And, if I used the Synology, it would be for storage only....I would never pay a licensing fee for each cam.

I've set up two Blue Iris systems thus far using used Dell Optiplex computers off of eBay. A used HP EliteDesk would also be good used computer to purchase. I would suggest you might want to go with one that has a processor such as an I7-6700 or higher.

For a POE switch, I like to use something inexpensive such as THIS 8-Port POE Switch.

1658415102687.png
 
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While using hardware to isolate your cams is the Most secure, it isn't an absolute necessity. In other words, you don't HAVE to use 2 NICS in the BI machine for everything to work well and be secure. I use one nic (onboard) and it is connected to the same switch as the cams and the rest of my house. I use router rules to disallow internet traffic to and from my camera IP range. They can't get out, and nothing gets in TO them.
 
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sdkid said:
While using hardware to isolate your cams is the Most secure, it isn't an absolute necessity. In other words, you don't HAVE to use 2 NICS in the BI machine for everything to work well and be secure. I use one nic (onboard) and it is connected to the same switch as the cams and the rest of my house. I use router rules to disallow internet traffic to and from my camera IP range. They can't get out, and nothing gets in TO them.
Click to expand...

How do you access your cameras remotely?
 
You can't access the cameras themselves remotely, but you can access the BI machine easily. That let's you use UI3, the built-in web server of BI, to view all cameras real time as well as review all alerts. That works because the BI machine is on both networks at the same time.
 
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