low cost ip cam

Remigio

n3wb
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Italy
Hi,
I would buy some of these ip cameras to use on my Motioneye system and I would have advice from you.
Have you ever used one of these chinese low cost cameras? Do they use Jpeg or Mjpeg or Rtsp url? Or maybe could you suggest me one?
Thank a lot and regards
 

Mike

Staff member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
2,982
Reaction score
2,725
Location
New York
That camera does not look like a high quality camera at all. You should pay a little more and get something proven and reliable like a dahua low light or an IPCT camera. Most people here would tell you not to buy that or anything that cheap
 

Remigio

n3wb
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Italy
Hi Mike,
thanks for your reply, your suggestion is really precious for me.
I am seeing this page and I would ask you if one of those could be a good ip camera, considering the price between 40€ and 60€.
Thank you so much
Regards
 

GentlePumpkin

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
193
Reaction score
321
Alternatively, it oftentimes is rewarding to check for used devices of reputable manufacturers on ebay and local equivalents.
 

Remigio

n3wb
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Italy
Alternatively, it oftentimes is rewarding to check for used devices of reputable manufacturers on ebay and local equivalents.
Hi,
I usually don't trust used devices, but which could be a reputable manufacturers in your opinion?
Thanks a lot and regards!
 

SouthernYankee

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Feb 15, 2018
Messages
5,170
Reaction score
5,320
Location
Houston Tx
I had Revotech cameras. I no longer use them. The h.265 and h.264 were not very efficient as far as reducing the size of the data. The picture quality is not very good.
 

GentlePumpkin

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
193
Reaction score
321
Hi,
I usually don't trust used devices, but which could be a reputable manufacturers in your opinion?
Thanks a lot and regards!
Well Axis and Mobotix are renowned for making good, reliable and long-lasting cameras. But both are very expensive, so probably even used devices are not in the area of what you are willing to pay.

And then obviously big players from Asia like Hikvision and Dahua who manufacture very good cameras and sell them at affordable prices. So these might be worthy looking for because they give you the best bang for the buck, especially if bought second hand.

Hikvision geo-locking
Regarding 2nd-hand Hikvision cameras (maybe it'S the same with Dahua, I sincerely don't know) one should keep in mind that Hikvision sells two versions (or even more) of cameras (geo-locking): a version for the Chinese market which is cheaper (most AliExpress offers) and a global version that is supposed to be sold in America, Europe etc. Hikvision won't support you if you bought a china-region camera and you live in p.e. Italy. And, how could it be different :D, most cheap 2nd-hand cameras on ebay are such cams because the seller maybe bought 5 cameras from AliExpress at a very good price and then realized he only needs 4. Still, these cameras are cheap and usually not bad at all, but you should be aware that there will be no firmware updates and no support from Hikvision.
 

Remigio

n3wb
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Italy
Hi GentlePumpkin,
thanks a lot for your reply, I'lllook for an Hikvision or a Dahua ip cam, remembering your advice.
Regards
 

knedit

Young grasshopper
Joined
Nov 1, 2018
Messages
34
Reaction score
6
Location
United Kingdom
dahua and hikvision are your best bets, ive also had a lot of good experiences with amcrest cameras. i personally have a generic floureon one outside but the wifi is not very good.
 

GentlePumpkin

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
193
Reaction score
321
I just tested this super cheap camera module: Sony IMX291-3516E

It has no housing (buy one seperately or diy one), but the image especially at light is awesome. The camera even produces a more or less colored image when it is absolutely dark. The software is annoying (IE ActiveX Plugin) but seemingly stable. It has AlarmI/O, 1080p@20fps, one can chose several different lenses. Best bang for the buck I even bought. China shipping took appr. 3 weeks to Europe.

The day and especially the night images shown in the article description are realistic. This literally is the best night camera I've ever had.

I'll post a review in 3 months when I gained more experience, but my first impression is very good, especially for 30USD.
 

alastairstevenson

Staff member
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
15,930
Reaction score
6,779
Location
Scotland
I just tested this super cheap camera module: Sony IMX291-3516E
VOLDRELI - yes, they have a good selection of low-cost items. And a good price including the VF lens and PoE convertor in the cable.
I wonder whose firmware it runs?

Have you tested whether Hikvision's SADP tool can find it, manage the network and port settings?
Some of these module board firmwares incorporate a 'Hikserver' component.
Also - check if the ONVIF implementation kicks out motion event notifications.
 

GentlePumpkin

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
193
Reaction score
321
I shorty checked both.

Hikvision
Yes, funny, Hikvision SADP recognizes the camera:



Motion:
Blue Iris instantly detected onvif motion event service and by jiggling the camera I caused an alert in BI. Video motion works fine and the events are transmitted to Blue Iris.

The Alarm IN pin serves 3.2V and when grounded, alarm notifications are shown on the camera website. But I wasn't able to receive the Alarm IN alerts in Blue Iris. While Onvif Device Mgr shows the alert events for motion detection, it does not show Alarm IN events. So I'd say Alarm IN sadly does not work.



I will test this module and write an extensive review in 3 months when I have more spare time.
 
Last edited:
Top