Which Client Does Not Need to Be Run 24/7

[Mr R Design]

A week ago I came into possession of an unused Reolink RLC520 and decided to have a play. This is the first time I have ever done anything security camera-wise and I have no prior experience whatsoever so still learning.

Do Armcrest, Dahua or Hikvision have a client program (free) which will run on Windows (11 in my case) that does not require an NVR or for my laptop to be left turned on 24/7? (Whether or not there is also an associated mobile phone app does not matter).

The Reolink is actually doing everything I personally need; however, I wouldn't mind changing to one of the more preferred manufacturers and stop using the Reolink. My setup is: Reolink Client installed on laptop with FTP activated and writing to a drive plugged in to a DDWRT router with a CRON job setup to delete any recordings older than 30 days. Any recordings are played back via Reolink Client on my laptop or via Kodi installed on a Firestick. This is a 'home use' scenario and will only ever be running two/four cameras. The RLC520 is currently connected to my router via TP Link passthrough powerline adapters.

Thanks & Ta

 

[Flintstone61]

yes for Amcrest Dahua they have a Windows App, maybe more than one but i have this one installed for my own goofing around purposes...

 

[Flintstone61]

 

[Flintstone61]

 

[Mr R Design]

Thanks for that and I have installed it and looks fine but don't have a Dahua at the moment to test properly.

I can see plenty of posts about recording to a network drive but can't seem to find anything specifically to say whether things will still record when my laptop is powered off. Do you know the answer by any chance?

 

[Flintstone61]

Some cameras have SD card slots which could record motion events on the camera itself, which may possibly be played back in the software. Although I cannot confirm it will. I knowit does in Blue Iris. and I beleive it does on the phone app "Amcrest View pro", and the Dahua smart pss Phone app.
for a network drive you would have to use some software that interfaces with the camera to stream the video. not sure what people are using.

 

[spuls]

What you look for is local recording on sdcard. So far most Dahua, Hikvision,... have this feature. You don´t need an app, you can just look on the footage via browser.

If you´re unsure, just check the camera features and look for the "sdcard" slot.

 

[Mr R Design]

Ok thanks all. I shall now endeavour to locate a Dahua to have a play with.