Hi all, my first foray into home security cameras so I thought possibly I'd note down here some 'first timer' lessons learned -- probably so obvious to experienced folks that they are not worth mentioning. However, had they been here might have helped me get things rolling faster!
So my system is Dahua -- all through B&H (an 'official' distributer) as I was worried about posts around firmware not being upgradable etc.
I purchased an NVR 8P POE model (DHI-NVR42A08-8P) and a single IP fixed dome camera for the porch (DH-IPC-HDBW42A1EN-AS-2.8MM) [More to be added as I get time/$]. I went with NVR as I wanted to setup and forget -- I already run various home media centers (Kodi/HDHomeRun) and Home automation ... that takes enough time already
. Maybe one day I'll switch to S/W but not for now.
The NVR will be in the basement with a local monitor and a HDMI splitter feeding the local monitor AND a large screen TV in the family room (main level) -- with easy remote to switch from Kodi (HTPC) to cameras if needed.
So some notes about Dahua first ever setup (please no laughing):
1. The NVR software is ok and seems fairly feature rich. BUT the UI/logic is not always obvious. It might take some time to get up to speed, lots of trial and error, etc. Manuals are generally useless. Took me about a day or so to get to a point I sort of understand the major parts ... Just try out stuff. Trail and error. Still lots of items I have no idea what they mean -- possibly to experienced folks its obvious. Not to me -- yet!
2. Recording schedule: It comes setup so it is recording all the time (At least I think it does). The issue with this is that all I wanted was recording on motion detection ONLY. I had the events all setup to do this BUT there was an element missing that took me hours to figure out (its not really logically linked to the camera setup). The 'schedule' recording screen -- make sure it has ONLY MD set. If you have normal recording that overrides it (or seems to). Also, do not assume 'MD and Alarm' are exclusive (as I did) -- To trigger recording in that mode requires BOTH an MD event AND an ALARM (I am assuming it does at least) -- choose MD only. That one took me some time! See screenshot below to see what it needs to look like.
3. Physical Dome camera orientation. I thought that I had to figure out how to orient the camera before I drilled holes etc -- I held it up and had my Wife tell me best angle etc and I carefully marked the location. So when I go to put it up and take of the dome -- you can orient/move the camera manually once you take of the dome. Dumb I know but hey ... Just find somewhere to put it and you can the adjust the actual insides of the cameras as needed.
4. Mobile. So iOS apps seem to work ok (got PLUS for both iPhone and iPad). A few bugs but generally seem to be good. I am currently using port forwarding to get to the NVR and its camera (Both on Verizon FIOS router and internal router). I seem to have to forward only port 37777 (TCP) and 37778 (UDP). This is ONLY for the app -- not remote web access. No need to forward the other ports.
5. The 'default' user. So I tried to delete this -- you can't. So while I was trying to figure out how to have my setup not need a login and just display on local monitor it hit me THIS is what the default account is for! You do need to update permissions to see the specific cameras -- no other permissions needed. The NVR 'defaults' to this account!! Duh. Yeah I know. Out of the box, this user has no permissions so the screen is blank at startup. Once you add viewing capabilities, it shows the cameras.
6. Think about integration with Home automation. I have a Vera at home and thought yeah I'll figure that out later. Turns out not a good idea. If you want integration you need a SEPARATE POE switch -- see various threads here ... Not a big deal for me but might have gone with a separate POE switch had I research a bit more. I suspect I'll use Dahua app mostly anyhow. Just would be nice with integration ...
I am actually pleasantly surprised so far -- after initial starting with S/W and UI I was dubious. Now its all running, NVR seems to be good, screens are good, camera seems fine, IOS is working well with PUSH alerts from inside and outside local network. Wife and daughter can use easy enough on phone. Once I get my splitter from Amazon should also be able to see on BIG screen easily too! Our pumpkins are now well watched! I hope not to have to mess with it once its rolling. Other than to add new cameras!
Now you can laugh!
Cheers, Tony.
So my system is Dahua -- all through B&H (an 'official' distributer) as I was worried about posts around firmware not being upgradable etc.
I purchased an NVR 8P POE model (DHI-NVR42A08-8P) and a single IP fixed dome camera for the porch (DH-IPC-HDBW42A1EN-AS-2.8MM) [More to be added as I get time/$]. I went with NVR as I wanted to setup and forget -- I already run various home media centers (Kodi/HDHomeRun) and Home automation ... that takes enough time already
. Maybe one day I'll switch to S/W but not for now.The NVR will be in the basement with a local monitor and a HDMI splitter feeding the local monitor AND a large screen TV in the family room (main level) -- with easy remote to switch from Kodi (HTPC) to cameras if needed.
So some notes about Dahua first ever setup (please no laughing):
1. The NVR software is ok and seems fairly feature rich. BUT the UI/logic is not always obvious. It might take some time to get up to speed, lots of trial and error, etc. Manuals are generally useless. Took me about a day or so to get to a point I sort of understand the major parts ... Just try out stuff. Trail and error. Still lots of items I have no idea what they mean -- possibly to experienced folks its obvious. Not to me -- yet!
2. Recording schedule: It comes setup so it is recording all the time (At least I think it does). The issue with this is that all I wanted was recording on motion detection ONLY. I had the events all setup to do this BUT there was an element missing that took me hours to figure out (its not really logically linked to the camera setup). The 'schedule' recording screen -- make sure it has ONLY MD set. If you have normal recording that overrides it (or seems to). Also, do not assume 'MD and Alarm' are exclusive (as I did) -- To trigger recording in that mode requires BOTH an MD event AND an ALARM (I am assuming it does at least) -- choose MD only. That one took me some time! See screenshot below to see what it needs to look like.
3. Physical Dome camera orientation. I thought that I had to figure out how to orient the camera before I drilled holes etc -- I held it up and had my Wife tell me best angle etc and I carefully marked the location. So when I go to put it up and take of the dome -- you can orient/move the camera manually once you take of the dome. Dumb I know but hey ... Just find somewhere to put it and you can the adjust the actual insides of the cameras as needed.
4. Mobile. So iOS apps seem to work ok (got PLUS for both iPhone and iPad). A few bugs but generally seem to be good. I am currently using port forwarding to get to the NVR and its camera (Both on Verizon FIOS router and internal router). I seem to have to forward only port 37777 (TCP) and 37778 (UDP). This is ONLY for the app -- not remote web access. No need to forward the other ports.
4A. Push events. I created separate (restricted) admin users for each one of my family that might want to use the app. You seem to have to create an admin user as to create a push alert in app, you need the 'EVENT' permission. As such, I created an admin user and removed all ADMIN permissions except EVENT and CAMERA (at least that I know of so far -- needed CAMERA for a different app feature). See below for perms for a iOS user (basically normal user plus event and camera).
4B. For the IP address -- use the external one all the time (the one you need to port forward for). It works on my network even if you are on local WiFi -- I initially had one configuration for internal and one for external as the app does not seem to have two IP cfgs for a device (like other apps do). However, using just the external address seems to work well. I suspect it bounces out to the Verizon router and back in (not sure). Doesn't really matter -- works and only 1 configuration within app.
4B. For the IP address -- use the external one all the time (the one you need to port forward for). It works on my network even if you are on local WiFi -- I initially had one configuration for internal and one for external as the app does not seem to have two IP cfgs for a device (like other apps do). However, using just the external address seems to work well. I suspect it bounces out to the Verizon router and back in (not sure). Doesn't really matter -- works and only 1 configuration within app.
5. The 'default' user. So I tried to delete this -- you can't. So while I was trying to figure out how to have my setup not need a login and just display on local monitor it hit me THIS is what the default account is for! You do need to update permissions to see the specific cameras -- no other permissions needed. The NVR 'defaults' to this account!! Duh. Yeah I know. Out of the box, this user has no permissions so the screen is blank at startup. Once you add viewing capabilities, it shows the cameras.
6. Think about integration with Home automation. I have a Vera at home and thought yeah I'll figure that out later. Turns out not a good idea. If you want integration you need a SEPARATE POE switch -- see various threads here ... Not a big deal for me but might have gone with a separate POE switch had I research a bit more. I suspect I'll use Dahua app mostly anyhow. Just would be nice with integration ...
I am actually pleasantly surprised so far -- after initial starting with S/W and UI I was dubious. Now its all running, NVR seems to be good, screens are good, camera seems fine, IOS is working well with PUSH alerts from inside and outside local network. Wife and daughter can use easy enough on phone. Once I get my splitter from Amazon should also be able to see on BIG screen easily too! Our pumpkins are now well watched! I hope not to have to mess with it once its rolling. Other than to add new cameras!
Now you can laugh!
Cheers, Tony.
