Nothing is stopping you from just using and NVR from the same brand of camera vendor. All of them have smart applications along with direct access to the video feed. If the NVR meets your near term need just stop there and if not invest the time and finances for a PC enabled VMS using BI or other.
Like your beautiful home take a slow and gradual approach with the video recording.
You literally could do this in a stepped manner:
- Install cameras with internal edge recording and just use that companies smart application to view on the phone / tablet. If you like what you see and realize the Micro SD card simply can't store enough video to be practical.
- Install the same brand NVR as the camera and have the ability to store more video and see the same. Happy with that solution than stop.
- Not so happy and want more ability than purchase / build a computer that you can install a VMS from BI to Other.
All three are small milestones that you can follow and use (IF) and when you're ready. It makes no difference in the short term because you did the hard part and invested in the wiring infrastructure with the eye toward expandability for tomorrow etc. Now, unlike many here another word of wisdom is to run the video security independent and isolated from the main network.
Why??
Because this completely avoids congestion and bandwidth issues from impacting your main network which you use daily for telephone, streaming content, to just surfing the web. This also lessens the possibility of a breach in the network as it isn't on the same physical and electrical network as the main. Obviously it goes with out saying if you intend to view the system off site you need to consider best practices of using VPN. Speaking for myself only I don't allow any inbound / outbound connection to the internet at all ~ ever.
This offers zero possibility for anyone to invade your privacy or impact your families safety. As an aside the increase in the child pornography and child molesters for what ever reason is steadily on the rise.
Regardless, I have to stress again the importance of investing the proper amount of finances in grounding, power supply, and isolation. Every year thousands of homes are impacted by electrical surge events which are caused from internal forces: Fridge, Freezer, Sump, Well, HVAC, etc. This doesn't even address dirty power from surge / spikes to the most dangerous a voltage sag / lull or what many know as brown outs.
Once the system is running on dedicated breakers, properly grounded, and using well regulated PSU / UPS.
I would encourage you to sit down with the Insurance Co and document what you have in terms of electronics and have in force the proper amount of coverage. At the end of the day the only thing that will make you somewhat whole is insurance so insure your home owner insurance co provides you the needed coverage.
Peace . . .
