Hi all, a new member here trying to better structure what I already know and have (preferably without breaking a bank lol)
I got my first Amcrest IP2M-841B a few years ago to try watching nocturnal fish in one of my fish tanks, and it worked so well that I got another IP2M-841B shortly after. Didn't bother with hack-proofing it, didn't even record anything, but rather just used it to watch fish on my cellphone via Amcrest app.
Fast forward several years - got in an unpleasant family situation and figured I need to eventually beef up on home security a little. I then got two Amcrest IP8M-T2499EW turret cameras on a deal @ Sl**Deals (thanks to @mat200 and his explanations there!) and a cheap used PoE switch off ebay - I recently installed the cameras overseeing the driveway / porch and the backyard. I am also trying to use an old laptop with i5 as a dedicated BI server, but even with these 2 cameras at 15fps it hovers at 80-90% CPU util with all other settings seemingly optimal.
Lots of mistakes have been made already (like using cheap CCA ethernet cable, however distances are quite short).
Some future plans:
1) Getting a better dedicated BI server (something like i5-6500 / 8Gb RAM workstation from Dell Refurbished or better)
2) Network security - setting up proper OpenVPN for the home network and eventually closing P2P access to all cameras from the outside
3) Putting 2 more cameras outside (ideally cheaper ones) to capture faces of whoever approaches either of doors.
4) Possibly getting motion activated flood lights
Anyway, looks like I have a lot to read/learn/test
Thanks for all that knowledge you share here!
I got my first Amcrest IP2M-841B a few years ago to try watching nocturnal fish in one of my fish tanks, and it worked so well that I got another IP2M-841B shortly after. Didn't bother with hack-proofing it, didn't even record anything, but rather just used it to watch fish on my cellphone via Amcrest app.
Fast forward several years - got in an unpleasant family situation and figured I need to eventually beef up on home security a little. I then got two Amcrest IP8M-T2499EW turret cameras on a deal @ Sl**Deals (thanks to @mat200 and his explanations there!) and a cheap used PoE switch off ebay - I recently installed the cameras overseeing the driveway / porch and the backyard. I am also trying to use an old laptop with i5 as a dedicated BI server, but even with these 2 cameras at 15fps it hovers at 80-90% CPU util with all other settings seemingly optimal.
Lots of mistakes have been made already (like using cheap CCA ethernet cable, however distances are quite short).
Some future plans:
1) Getting a better dedicated BI server (something like i5-6500 / 8Gb RAM workstation from Dell Refurbished or better)
2) Network security - setting up proper OpenVPN for the home network and eventually closing P2P access to all cameras from the outside
3) Putting 2 more cameras outside (ideally cheaper ones) to capture faces of whoever approaches either of doors.
4) Possibly getting motion activated flood lights
Anyway, looks like I have a lot to read/learn/test
Thanks for all that knowledge you share here!
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