Greetings from Illinois

Hi, new member here. I've been to this site frequently and have done quite a bit of research (cliff notes, various threads, etc.) on this site and others. I recently built a new home in the St. Louis area and am looking for some input/recommendation. I am by no means an expert but I am comfortable with technology and willing to learn. Progress so far is I've got a dedicated machine running BI, an eight port POE switch connected to an asus router A1900. I had two outside cat 5e drops run when the house was built (should have run more but I wasn't as versed in this technology as I am now - hindsight is always 20/20). I have one camera installed and working on the on the upper covered back deck. It's a Sunba 305 PTZ 4X. (I know, not an ideal camera but I'm learning.) House is on a cul de sac and backs up to woods/preserve so nobody will be building behind me. The other drop for the cat 5e is on the NE corner of the house under an eave but is still pretty exposed. House orientation is exactly east/west with the front facing E and is a walkout. My thoughts are a Dahau/OEM 2MP PTZ 12X from Andy to cover the cul de sac, front and N side of house. There is a bit of wildlife around and I'd like to capture some of their movements. I did purchase and install a Ring Doorbell Pro and it's working just fine all things considered but the view is somewhat limited. Will probably add wireless IP cameras (or run more cat 5e) to cover other areas at a later date (i.e. west side of house and driveway, garage, inside cameras) but for now, am looking for thoughts on the NE corner cam.
Thanks!

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Don't get caught trying to cover everything with a PTZ camera. Unless you're going to sit there and watch/move it constantly you're too likely to miss something you want to see. We have lots of wildlife, here too, but I have yet to use a PTZ. Sure, you can put it on "patrol" and/or follow motion, but inevitably when it's looking east something will happen to the west. Multiple cameras with overlapping coverage are much more effective. With woods behind the house I'd be particularly interested in protecting that area, but I've been called paranoid.

Thanks awsum for the thoughts. I figured a PTZ on patrol would be less expensive and easier to install than multiple fixed cameras to provide the coverage I am wanting. Thinking about things, your approach is better suited to providing secure coverage. I never gave any thought to self managing security/cameras when we were in the planning and building phases. I wish I would have found this forum earlier.

Me too. I could have saved a few hundred bucks that I've spent on crap cameras and a few bottles of Gaviscon.

Welcome, more fixed cams are almost always better than a PTZ.