Newbie looking for recommendations on equipment

D

Danielhv

n3wb
Aug 25, 2019
7
2
Forney, TX
Been reading for a week now and I’m probably more confused than when I started.

Wanting a security camera system for my home. 4 cameras to start but want an 8ch NVR Incase we decide to add more later.

I feel like 4K would be a better investment.

Trying to decide if I should piece a system together, or just buy a package deal from Lorex or Swann.

This will be for outdoor use only, POE.

Was looking at this Swann system:

4 Camera 8 Channel 4K Ultra HD NVR Security System

I like the idea of the PIR heat sensor.

But then further reading has suggested one of these NVR’s. (Haven’t begun researching cameras yet if piecing a system together.):

Amcrest NV4108E-HS 4K 8CH POE NVR (1080p/3MP/4MP/5MP/6MP/8MP/4K) POE Network Video Recorder - Supports up to 8 x 8MP/4K IP Cameras, 8-Channel Power Over Ethernet Supports up to 6TB HDD (Not Included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743WP62Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xFSyDbEDPHZEP

Or

GW Security 8 Channel H.265 4K (3840x2160p) NVR Network Video Recorder, 8CH PoE Ports - Compatible with 8MP / 5MP /4MP 1080P Realtime ONVIF IP Cameras (No HDD Included, 2X HDD Bay, up to 20TB Total) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J978FEM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fGSyDbBZ6K11R
 
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Danielhv said:
Would like to stay close to the $800 range if possible.
Click to expand...

Welcome @Danielhv

Are you in a rush to get something up due to threats?

If not, I highly recommend taking some time to learn this security camera stuff out as there is typically a lot of misunderstanding of what you can realistically expect when new to this. ( I know I was completely off what to expect.. )

Do check out the cliff notes as well as the reviews, and take some time to determine what you want to accomplish with a setup.
( i.e. watch the car parked on the driveway, watch the street side mailbox, watch for packages dropped at the frontdoor,.. watch for birds / wildlife, watch the kids, .. )
 
Well, main reasons are our neighbor had their car broken in to the other night, and I travel for work so wife is there alone most of the week.

Just another security measure to help deter, and hopefully aid in catching someone that does decide to be stupid.

I browsed through the cliff notes before I posted, but I’ll read it again. I basically stopped when it said to stick with the same brand nvr/cameras cause it added to the confusion from what I’ve previously read elsewhere.
 
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If you don't yet, you need to start with a good monitored alarm system.
She needs a plan of what to do if something should occur, then practice that plan until she can perform it in her sleep, because she may have to.
Studying the Cliff Notes on a real computer, will send you down the right path.
One size does not fit all.
GW is junk, Avoid Reolink, Nest, Ring, Arlo, anything the depends on the cloud, most kits, batteries or Wifi.
Don't do camera research on Amazon or Ebay. LOTs of trash and fake reviews out there.
Our trusted vendor @EMPIRETECANDY
EmpireTech-Andy @ Amazon.com:
EmpireTech Andy | IP Cam Talk
 
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:welcome:
-------------------------
Read study plan.
Your issue is at night, 4K cameras are not very good choice for the night, unless you have a lot of light. Camera placement is critical, You want to know what happened and who did it. you need to test camera placement before installing the cameras.
You need to spend at least 20 hours studying before spending a penny.
Use the same manufacture for your cameras as the NVR. There are really only two real manufactures Dahua and Hikvision, most of the others are just relabeling, resellers with less features.
-------------------------

My standard welcome to the forum message.

Please read the cliff notes and other items in the wiki. The wiki is in the blue bar at the top of the page.

Read How to Secure Your Network (Don't Get Hacked!) | IP Cam Talk in the wiki also.

Quick start
1) Use Dahua starlight cameras or Hikvision darkfighter cameras or ICPT Night eye cameras (https://store.ipcamtalk.com/) if you need good low light cameras.
2) use a VPN to access home network (openVPN)
3) Do not use wifi cameras.
4) Do not use cloud storage
5) Do Not use uPNP, P2P, QR, do not open ports,
6) More megapixel is not necessarily better.
7) Avoid chinese hacked cameras (most ebay, amazon, aliexpress cameras(not all, but most))
8) Do not use reolink, ring, nest cameras (they are junk)
9) If possible use a turret camera , bullet collect spiders, dome collect dirt and reflect light (IR)
10) Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire. , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)
11) use a test mount to verify the camera mount location. My test rig: rev.2
12) (Looney2ns)If you want to be able to ID faces, don't mount cams higher than 8ft. You want to know who did it, not just what happened.
13) Use a router that has openVPN built in (Most ASUS, Some NetGear....)

Cameras to look at
IPC-HDW2231R-ZS Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
IPC-HDW5231-ZE Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE
IPC-HFW4239T-ASE IPC-HFW4239T-ASE
IPC-T5442TM-AS Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Full Color, Starlight+)
IPCT-HDW5431RE-I Review - IP Cam Talk 4 MP IR Fixed Turret Network Camera
DS-2CD2325FWD-I

My preferred indoor cameras
DS-2CD2442FWD-IW
IPC-K35A Review-Dahua IPC-K35A 3mp Cube Camera

Read,study,plan before spending money ..... plan plan plan
Test do not guess
 
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You’ve got great advice and all I will add in is INVEST. Invest TIME before money and read and ask questions. I’ve been doing it for 2 years plus and still have a TON of learning to do. Do this and incorporate the advice given and you’ll be ahead of the curve.
 
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I've read through the cliff notes and honestly it's just bringing more uncertainty. I simply don't have time to invest 20+ hours of research to figure out what the perfect system is. I'm not looking to make this a new hobby, I have plenty of those... I just need something that works.

But if the consensus is that the "packages" that are available are all junk and should be avoided, then what is left for someone not wanting to make themselves a self educated expert on this subject? This topic seems to be so confusing when it comes to researching on the internet... some ppl say this setup is great, others say it's junk.

Hard to know which way to go, and not a whole lot of options here unless someone is willing to spend days upon days (likely weeks) researching to make a decision.

Just seems like it should me more cut and dry than that....

Like "this nvr and these cameras are good starters, great all around setup. Want something more high end/advanced, take a look at this setup.

I assume ppl wanting the advanced features already have some knowledge base (possibly from ownership of a previous system) that helps them base their decisions moving forward....

I dunno, sorry for the rant. Just frustrated.
 
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The 20 hours is not for a perfect system. It is one that will do an ok job. Do not spend the time, waste your money and then you get to do it again after you get hit.

Give up a few weekend football games and there is you time. It is simply a later of priorities.

It is not cut and dry because each property is different. We live in different neighborhoods. We live in different weather. We have different lighting. Some live with car checkers, some live with cows across the street. Some have violent neighbors. Some live across the street from a high school. Some have packages on the porch. Some have very big dogs.

First define you requirements. What is the system meant to do.

Stop being lazy.

Set it up wrong and your home network will get hacked. Set it up wrong and it can not be used in a court of law when you have a law suit
 
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Danielhv said:
I simply don't have time to invest 20+ hours of research to figure out what the perfect system is. I'm not looking to make this a new hobby, I have plenty of those..
Click to expand...
Get a PRO to install it for you but at least you know what brands to avoid. You can tell them what you want - star light etc and the brands. Best of both worlds without having to do lots of work yourself.

Otherwise you will need to put in the time. In my area a PRO quoted me about $4000 for a 4mp Dahua system which is nice but I managed to do it for half the price with better specced cams etc after research. I did ask them to wire it for me though which cost me $600. I know my limitations.

Security monitoring is a specialised area for a reason. Requirement for experts and that takes time. You will never install a system better than a seasoned PRO in your first attempt or in your fifth. :)
 
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SouthernYankee said:
Stop being lazy.
Click to expand...

Not being lazy dude. It's called I travel M-F, come home, and have a wife and 3 young kids that I want to be with, not sitting up here on the computer studying something I hopefully only have to do once in a GREAT while. Not everyone's situation is like yours... I don't watch football, I don't watch TV. I work 60+ hours per week, and then I come home and give my family what little time is left.
 
If you are on the road use the airplane and nights to study.
 
Danielhv said:
Not being lazy dude. It's called I travel M-F, come home, and have a wife and 3 young kids that I want to be with, not sitting up here on the computer studying something I hopefully only have to do once in a GREAT while. Not everyone's situation is like yours... I don't watch football, I don't watch TV. I work 60+ hours per week, and then I come home and give my family what little time is left.
Click to expand...

Hi @Danielhv

1) Understood - we made the cliff notes for people like you. They're designed to lay out the info to guide you. The are probably one of the best sources of information available that is not a sales pitch / marketing fluff. Naturally they're not perfect, but they're one of the best resources you can find right now on this subject on the internet.

2) Do you remember the first car you bought? Did you take time to research it? Or did you just buy a deal? Did that first car meet all the expectations and requirements?
Do you just want to buy a good car and be done?

If so see SouthernYankee's recommended cameras -
IPC-HDW2231R-ZS Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
IPC-HDW5231-ZE Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE

Get 2 cameras for the garage door - one on each side, mount them 6-8 feet high.
Get 1 camera for each side of the house, mount them 6-8 feet high.
Do you park on the street? - get another camera to watch where you park
Do you have a mailbox on the street? - get another camera to watch that if it is not the same place you park.

Frontdoor and package drop area.. get one of these and mount it at facelevel by the frontdoor - point one lens to the package drop area and one at whomever will be at the frontdoor.
Review-Dahua IPC-HDBW4231F-E2-M Dual Starlight Cam

OK - that covers the front and side of the house.. typically the most critical threat areas. If you want you can add more cameras on the back of the house.

For recording purposes most members prefer Blue Iris on a used i5/i7 PC + a PoE switch.
 
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Danielhv said:
Not being lazy dude. It's called I travel M-F, come home, and have a wife and 3 young kids that I want to be with, not sitting up here on the computer studying something I hopefully only have to do once in a GREAT while. Not everyone's situation is like yours... I don't watch football, I don't watch TV. I work 60+ hours per week, and then I come home and give my family what little time is left.
Click to expand...

Ok, here's a purchase list:
 
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looney2ns said:
Ok, here's a purchase list:
Click to expand...


Thank you sir. I've done research on the NVR, now I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to put everything to help narrow down camera choices.

My current home network setup is all tucked away in the attic... not sure I want to put an expensive POE switch up there though...
 
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Danielhv said:
Thank you sir. I've done research on the NVR, now I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to put everything to help narrow down camera choices.

My current home network setup is all tucked away in the attic... not sure I want to put an expensive POE switch up there though...
Click to expand...

NO electronics in the attic.

Always test proposed cam locations for at least 24hrs. Use a 5gal bucket, 2x4x8', rocks for ballast as a temp test rig.
Don't mount cams higher than 8ft. You want to know who did it, not just what happened.
 
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Danielhv said:
Thank you sir. I've done research on the NVR, now I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to put everything to help narrow down camera choices.

My current home network setup is all tucked away in the attic... not sure I want to put an expensive POE switch up there though...
Click to expand...

unless that is a conditioned attic space, you really don't want any powered networking equipment in an Texas attic space... just asking for trouble imho
 
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Danielhv said:
Yea I need to find a better solution. Haven't found a good place in the house to put all the "stuff". :/
Click to expand...

HI @Danielhv

I would consider redoing the attic to a conditioned space - it should also help with your cooling if done right.
 
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