Noob Needs Help

[tone363]

Hey there,

Thanks for reading this as I am new to the IP cam world. So after finding something questionable outside of our home the other day we have decided to dive in to the world of home surveillance. I had been looking at just analog system packages but after finding out about the POE cams I am hooked. As an IT professional it just makes sense to go this route.

Now having said that I am overwhelmed with choices. What we are looking at to start with is a 4 camera system that will target all four corners of our house in the day as well as night. As far as recording goes I would like for it to be accessible on my home PC and network so not sure if an NVR would be needed or if I could just use my home PC. I have also read up on the Blue Iris software and this looks to be something that I would setup as well.

As far as budget i would like to keep the cameras under 100 each, the more the better of course.

So any thoughts you all can give me would be much appreciated. I have been going through the different brands sub forums and its just hard to know whats good or will work for me when this is all new. Now having said that I have heard of Hikvision but that is about my extent of cameras.

Thanks again for your feedback.

 

[tone363]

After looking through the site I went ahead and ordered 4 of these based on reviews and the sale going on. http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Multi-language-Full-HD-V5-3-3-1080P-CCTV-Camera-DS-2CD2335-I-With-30m-IR/319147_32464044170.html

Any thoughts on them I would be glad to hear. I plan on using an I7 machine running blue iris. Thanks

 

[stoney7713]

Those are decent cameras, I have 2 of the 4mp versions.

#1 don't upgrade the FW, if it isn't broke don't fix it. Bricking your camera isn't worth it.

#2 the i7 should be ok depending on which gen it is

#3 read read read, field of view, lens size, there is no 1 camera for all applications. Use what you learn from these before ordering more.

#4 you said your adding more cams, prepare to be ordering a lot more, they are fun and you'll be wanting to try new ones to tinker with.

 

[tone363]

Those are decent cameras, I have 2 of the 4mp versions.

#1 don't upgrade the FW, if it isn't broke don't fix it. Bricking your camera isn't worth it.

#2 the i7 should be ok depending on which gen it is

#3 read read read, field of view, lens size, there is no 1 camera for all applications. Use what you learn from these before ordering more.

#4 you said your adding more cams, prepare to be ordering a lot more, they are fun and you'll be wanting to try new ones to tinker with.

Thanks for this, let me ask you would there have been something better around the same price I should have looked at instead? Just trying to maximize the budget, thanks

 

[tomw]

Those cams are the "Multi-Language" aka hacked chinese firmware. Do not change the firmware (not sure you can anyway without brinking the cam).

IMHO, you should have got the full English (upgradable) 4MP versions - they also have (better) WDR. But hey, that horse has bolted.

What lens did you get? Does it cover the desired fov/areas? If not, consider access routes a person would take and cover those first.

i7 is fine, but you will at some stage want to consider a dedicated NVR so it's set and forget...be that a dedicated PC or an appliace (like the HIK NVR's).

Personally, I'd have gone with the Longse 5MP IMX 178 S500's but others have experienced quality issues...mine is rock solid and freaking great for the price.

Oh, and as stoney said, watch out...cams are adictive!

 

[tone363]

Those cams are the "Multi-Language" aka hacked chinese firmware. Do not change the firmware (not sure you can anyway without brinking the cam).

IMHO, you should have got the full English (upgradable) 4MP versions - they also have (better) WDR. But hey, that horse has bolted.

What lens did you get? Does it cover the desired fov/areas? If not, consider access routes a person would take and cover those first.

i7 is fine, but you will at some stage want to consider a dedicated NVR so it's set and forget...be that a dedicated PC or an appliace (like the HIK NVR's).

Personally, I'd have gone with the Longse 5MP IMX 178 S500's but others have experienced quality issues...mine is rock solid and freaking great for the price.

Oh, and as stoney said, watch out...cams are adictive!

Thanks for this, I literally just ordered them an hour ago so it is still possible to cancel as it has not gone through. Does Ali have the full English versions or is there a better place to buy the ones you mentioned?

For the lens I got the 480 and I think it should be fine. Our property is rather small with houses closer together, typical cookie cutter subdivision.

Thanks again

 

[tone363]

Totally second guessed my order and canceled it due to the replies which i greatly appreciate. I am just new to all of this so any direction you guys can point me in please let me know. I think the full English versions would be great.

 

[stoney7713]

For the price they are good, a lot of people like the turret style, tend to get less "Web coverage " from the spiders, unlike bullets. Yet they offer better IR then domes. Just not as stealthy or vandal resistant.

If you're trying to maximize your budget they are a good choice. Being the hacked version there is no warranty or tech help really. You can try with the seller but the shipping to return the is usually prohibited.

There are a lot of choices out there, you made a good one.

Typically the advice of trying out a few cams at a time is given and go from there. Everyone has different needs, it just depends on what yours are.

Bumping up your budget can get you a lot more, varifocal for the front door maybe, PTZ for the backyard. Huisun mini ptz 10x have a few bugs but are nice. The Dahua black face ptz is nice too but not ip66/outdoor rated.

 

[tomw]

I assume you mean a 4mm lens? Thats ok. Do not recall but I think that's abot 78 degrees fov.?

Up to you, a the price is more for the English version and they are harder to find on Ali.

I got mine from there guys...but other sellers have them too.
This is the 4MP version: (Note the WD in the product code - also note they have blured out the HIKVision logo as HIK is getting nasty on Ali sellers selling English versions)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DS-2CD2342WD-I-English-version-4MP-CCTV-camera-EXIR-CCTV-Camera-120dB-WDR-p2p-ip-camera/32462583732.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.21.yTG2hq&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201644_2_505_506_503_504_10020_502_10001_10002_10017_10005_10006_10021_10003_10004_10022_10018_10019,searchweb201560_1,searchweb1451318400_-1,searchweb1451318411_-1&btsid=64cb5fef-1632-407a-ac32-a5868bc65e19

That seller does not seem to have the English version 3MP cam.

I have seen issues with the firmware that has benefited from upgrades (ie. white flashes) and so highly recomend getting upgradable firmware unless you know your cams.

- - - Updated - - -


I assume you mean a 4mm lens? Thats ok. Do not recall but I think that's abot 78 degrees fov.?

Up to you, a the price is more for the English version and they are harder to find on Ali.

I got mine from there guys...but other sellers have them too.
This is the 4MP version: (Note the WD in the product code - also note they have blured out the HIKVision logo as HIK is getting nasty on Ali sellers selling English versions)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DS-2CD2342WD-I-English-version-4MP-CCTV-camera-EXIR-CCTV-Camera-120dB-WDR-p2p-ip-camera/32462583732.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.21.yTG2hq&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201644_2_505_506_503_504_10020_502_10001_10002_10017_10005_10006_10021_10003_10004_10022_10018_10019,searchweb201560_1,searchweb1451318400_-1,searchweb1451318411_-1&btsid=64cb5fef-1632-407a-ac32-a5868bc65e19

That seller does not seem to have the English version 3MP cam.

I have seen issues with the firmware that has benefited from upgrades (ie. white flashes) and so highly recomend getting upgradable firmware unless you know your cams.

- - - Updated - - -


I assume you mean a 4mm lens? Thats ok. Do not recall but I think that's abot 78 degrees fov.?

Up to you, a the price is more for the English version and they are harder to find on Ali.

I got mine from there guys...but other sellers have them too.
This is the 4MP version: (Note the WD in the product code - also note they have blured out the HIKVision logo as HIK is getting nasty on Ali sellers selling English versions)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DS-2CD2342WD-I-English-version-4MP-CCTV-camera-EXIR-CCTV-Camera-120dB-WDR-p2p-ip-camera/32462583732.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.21.yTG2hq&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201644_2_505_506_503_504_10020_502_10001_10002_10017_10005_10006_10021_10003_10004_10022_10018_10019,searchweb201560_1,searchweb1451318400_-1,searchweb1451318411_-1&btsid=64cb5fef-1632-407a-ac32-a5868bc65e19

That seller does not seem to have the English version 3MP cam.

I have seen issues with the firmware that has benefited from upgrades (ie. white flashes) and so highly recomend getting upgradable firmware unless you know your cams.

 

[stoney7713]

Totally second guessed my order and canceled it due to the replies which i greatly appreciate. I am just new to all of this so any direction you guys can point me in please let me know. I think the full English versions would be great.

I was typing my last reply and did not see this. Getting the English version is nice, be careful on Ali, some claim are English but still hacked FW.

Buying them state side is about the only sure way of getting true region cams that have the full warrenty. Cost nearly doubles per cam though.

It just depends on what you want, a system to use and tinker with or a set it and forget it system. For the latter a NVR would be best. BI can be used as that too but tends to throw a lot more variables into it, but that is why people like BI, they are not locked to the limitations of the NVR.

 

[tone363]

I was typing my last reply and did not see this. Getting the English version is nice, be careful on Ali, some claim are English but still hacked FW.

Buying them state side is about the only sure way of getting true region cams that have the full warrenty. Cost nearly doubles per cam though.

It just depends on what you want, a system to use and tinker with or a set it and forget it system. For the latter a NVR would be best. BI can be used as that too but tends to throw a lot more variables into it, but that is why people like BI, they are not locked to the limitations of the NVR.

Yeah I just saw a neighbors system and he is using blue iris on his PC and it seems pretty awesome how much you can configure it. Hes using Dahua cams and has been for about 3 years now. I thought it looked really good and personally have no preference on the brands. Just really trying to research and read and get the best cameras i can for the budget. Thanks again.

 

[Stealth22]

If you want a 'true' English version with a full warranty, order from a trusted dealer like Nelly's Security. I haven't placed my order with them yet, but I've read nothing but good things about them, and they offer a 5% discount for IPCT members.

Check out their website, or contact @RyanODan for more info. Ryan's crew are awesome about answering questions that you may have.

 

[stoney7713]

And check out milkisbad there is a thread 50+ pages long, PM him for a catalog, his company sells Hikvision cameras but they are rebranded.(a little bit cheaper) They come with a warrenty and nothing but good things on here about him.

 

[tone363]

Thanks I am going to reach out to them to get their thoughts. Any other info please feel free to add, thanks everyone.

 

[tone363]

Thanks everyone. I bought 4 hikvision cams off aliexpress and wanted to see if anyone could recommend an NVR that will work with these multi language versions, DS-2CD2332-I and DS-2CD3345-I.