Help finding the right camera

[Roboman]

Hi,

I'm looking to set up some cameras in our home and, after spending some time researching online, I'm feeling overwhelmed by the options. I’m hoping someone with more experience can guide me in the right direction.

Here’s what I have in mind:

• 3 outdoor cameras, mounted directly on the house
• 1-2 indoor cameras, ceiling-mounted or positioned high up
• A PoE switch in the attic or in a network rack on the first floor
• LAN cables to all cameras, including those outside, there is however a good WIFI if that is sufficient.
• High-quality imaging for both day and night
• Accurate motion detection
• Privacy zones to respect neighbors' boundaries
• Streaming to a local PC (Windows 11) or NAS (RTSP, ONVIF, iSpy, or Blue Iris)
• No media from indoor cameras should be sent outside the local network
• Storage in a local NAS, with possible sync to OneDrive or similar
• A monitor for real-time streaming
• Phone notifications when movement is detected
• Stream to phone view

I’ve already purchased a TP-Link Tapo C320WS, but even in daylight, the image quality is disappointing—significantly worse than a standard smartphone. Another option might be the Reolink RLC-510A, but I’m unsure if it’s an improvement. Arlo seems underwhelming, Eufy has had security concerns, and Ajax seems new to cameras. I could get Dahua cameras from Amazon but they have a lot of different models and will it be better then the Tapo?

Budget: I’m not looking for high-end professional equipment around €2000 but something more affordable, in the range of €400-900.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Roboman]

Here is an image of how I’m planning to set up the cameras. There will also be an indoor camera, but it’s not shown in the picture.




EmpireTech cameras are frequently recommended on this forum, but they can be difficult to obtain in Sweden. Are there any other good options? There is a "EmpireTek Outdoor 4 MP Low Light Starling IR IP Turret Camera, PoE och ePoE-support, built in mic, TM-AS-S3 (3,6 mm or 2.8 mm) S3" and there is a lot of different Dahua models.

Any suggestions?

 

[steve1225]

You can order cams from Empiretech by directly contacting with Andy by DM to @EMPIRETECANDY
He can send cams to EU in normal or tax free way - second one usually takes about 3 weeks..

As You read in this forum we mostly propose Dahua 5442 (54IR) camera line-up.
It have good night performance (big image sensor 1/1.8"), IR, big line-up of models with different lens (fixed 2.8/3.6/6.0mm -AS/-ASA, varifocal 1-3x -ZE/-ZHE or tele varifocal 3-9x -Z4E), chassis and color options..

Search: 7 results found for "54ir"

Building security systems for home and business offices. Protecting customers' personal safety and property security. All the security cameras and NVRs we sell are of great quality and at affordable prices.

empiretech01.com

As alternative there is a new line-up called TIOC-PRO. Those cams are designed for house market, they have big sensors, very good night performance (better that 5442), dual light system (IR + white, white can be activated by human motion), dual mic + speakers, deterrent features (alarm/siren/police lights)).

EmpireTech IPC-Color4M-T 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP Smart Dual Light Active Deter

4-MP 1/1.8" CMOS | Built-in multi-core light | Max. IR distance is 30 m | Max. warm light distance is 30 m | Intelligent monitoring: Intrusion, tripwire | Supports max. 512 G Micro SD card | Built-in dual Mic | Support two-way talk | IP67 protection | Sound and light alarm (red and blue lights)...

empiretech01.com

As You plan to mount only 3-4 cams outside. Normal project (normal simple shaped houses) usually have 6 cams outside. 2 in front of (from left and right end of wall), 1 per each side, 2 in back. Cameras should be mounted at the end of walls or in the corners (fixed 2.8/3.6mm have 90-110 degree Field Of View).

Cams should be rotated in that way that they record (on left or right side of image) area next to the building walls / especially house doors and windows.
Also You should position them in that way to record all entrances / pathways inside plot.
Cam numer 2 should be mounted on second side of entrance (to record pathway). Camera 3 on left or right corner.
There is missing cam in front of house. I don't known how big fence is, but there is big blind spot there not covered by any cam.

All cams have ability to blur same part of image for neighbor privacy.