Guys/gals,
Look. I get it. You guys get asked the same questions over and over again. There's dozens of Wiki's and Cliff's notes (most of which I've reviewed) and thousands of recommendations that wonderful folks have took countless hours to compile (with my undying appreciation), but it leaves my head spinning.
Here's the skinny- I've currently got a piece of junk starter Swann 7300 system with 4 cameras that, though it has generally left me satisfied, is lacking. It was a good starter system, but Swann's remote viewing is garbage, I have problems pulling and saving video if needed, and now the power adapter is out and instead of spending $25 on a new one, I'd rather invest in a new system in and around (or under) $1,000.
Here's what I want to do- I want to purchase a used Windows 10 tower (~$200) with at least an i5, 4-8gb of memory, a 2TB HDD and run it with Blue Iris. I want to then run (at least) four IP cameras using my current setup and be able to monitor them on-site as well as remotely via iPhone. I believe I want to use 2mp varifocal bullet cameras for good low-light recording that also have a microphone (ideally). I also want this system to be secure from hackers and intrusion. But...
I am not a computer whiz, but I'm also not technologically challenged. I do not know about network security. I've never built a PC. I do not know about low-lux levels, bitrate, compression, creating a VPN, etc. (I could go on and on and on). But I also know I DON'T want another Swann, or Lorex, or Q-See system. So I'm left in this spiraling vacuum of overwhelming information while at the same time thinking that, perhaps, I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be. I also do not know anyone personally who knows anything about this stuff and can offer recommendations.
But I understand that this forum is a wealth of information (which is mostly out of my league) and is my best resource for getting this planned out.
So I'm asking- in a step by step fashion from you guys who are more knowledgeable about this subject than I am, what do I need to do to make this system happen and what would you each personally recommend for quality components for an average homeowner who wants to be able to identify people and vehicles in and around his property during all conditions. From the initial tower, to easy LAN security, to what cameras (I've been looking at Dahua Starlight), through actually getting this thing up and running both on site and remotely, what would YOU do and what would YOU use while staying around a $1,000 budget.
I understand that this is subjective, that "well it all depends on...", I get it. But as I look at the two-dozen or so open tabs on my browser screen and this flood of information, somebody just please break it down for me.
Look. I get it. You guys get asked the same questions over and over again. There's dozens of Wiki's and Cliff's notes (most of which I've reviewed) and thousands of recommendations that wonderful folks have took countless hours to compile (with my undying appreciation), but it leaves my head spinning.
Here's the skinny- I've currently got a piece of junk starter Swann 7300 system with 4 cameras that, though it has generally left me satisfied, is lacking. It was a good starter system, but Swann's remote viewing is garbage, I have problems pulling and saving video if needed, and now the power adapter is out and instead of spending $25 on a new one, I'd rather invest in a new system in and around (or under) $1,000.
Here's what I want to do- I want to purchase a used Windows 10 tower (~$200) with at least an i5, 4-8gb of memory, a 2TB HDD and run it with Blue Iris. I want to then run (at least) four IP cameras using my current setup and be able to monitor them on-site as well as remotely via iPhone. I believe I want to use 2mp varifocal bullet cameras for good low-light recording that also have a microphone (ideally). I also want this system to be secure from hackers and intrusion. But...
I am not a computer whiz, but I'm also not technologically challenged. I do not know about network security. I've never built a PC. I do not know about low-lux levels, bitrate, compression, creating a VPN, etc. (I could go on and on and on). But I also know I DON'T want another Swann, or Lorex, or Q-See system. So I'm left in this spiraling vacuum of overwhelming information while at the same time thinking that, perhaps, I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be. I also do not know anyone personally who knows anything about this stuff and can offer recommendations.
But I understand that this forum is a wealth of information (which is mostly out of my league) and is my best resource for getting this planned out.
So I'm asking- in a step by step fashion from you guys who are more knowledgeable about this subject than I am, what do I need to do to make this system happen and what would you each personally recommend for quality components for an average homeowner who wants to be able to identify people and vehicles in and around his property during all conditions. From the initial tower, to easy LAN security, to what cameras (I've been looking at Dahua Starlight), through actually getting this thing up and running both on site and remotely, what would YOU do and what would YOU use while staying around a $1,000 budget.
I understand that this is subjective, that "well it all depends on...", I get it. But as I look at the two-dozen or so open tabs on my browser screen and this flood of information, somebody just please break it down for me.