What do you think of this equipment an installer is selling me?

jayleoness · Jul 22, 2019

What do you all think of this setup that an installer has quoted me. just 4 cam setup, 3 4k cams for outside (corner of driveway, corner of backyard, front door) and one 2k cam inside. 4k might be overkill but I have a little extra to spend on this. This setup is just for basic surveillance and peace of mind that will be recording 24/7. Id like motion alerts and a smooth viewing experience via whatever mobile app they supply. I'm just curious about what you all think of the equipment chosen. Good quality? Better options for similar cost? Im most concerned with the NVR as I have read bad stories with NVRs in general. I would prefer to stay with LTS as they are local here and is what he mainly deals with. Any insight much appreciated!

NVR
LTS Platinum -LTN8708Q-p8
Professional Level 8
Channel NVR
Platinum
Professional Level 8
Channel NVR, 8 PoE
Ports, 1U, SATA up
to 6TB,
4TB HD included

3x (outside)
LTS Platinum Turret
Network IP Camera
CMIP3382W-28M
4K - 2.8mm
8MP/4K, 2.8mm
Fixed Lens, Matrix IR
2.0, Up to 100 feet,
3840x2160@20fps,
H.265, H.265+,
H.264, H.264+
Ready, True WDR
120dB, IP67,
MicroSD Slot up to
128GB, DC 12V,

1x (I'm not sure the physical size of this one but id like to get a very, very small camera so its not so obtrusive to look at in the living room up in the corner.
LTS 4MP IR Fixed
Network Dome
Camera
CMIP7342W-28MWIFI
1/3" Progressive
Scan CMOS, 2560 ×
1440 @20fps, 2.8
mm fixed lens, Wi-Fi
Connection, H.265+,
H.265, H.264+,
H.264, Color: 0.028
Lux @(F2.0; AGC
ON), 3D Digital Noise
Reduction, Audio I/O:
1 built-in mic, mono
sound, IP66

LTS, 4-Ports
100Mbps
Unmanaged PoE
Switch
PoE Transmit Power
and Data, distance
up to 820ft, 4 PoE
Ports + 1 Uplink
(POE-SW401)

TonyR · Jul 22, 2019

If you don't mind sharing, how much $$$ does he plan to charge you for the above items installed?

jayleoness · Jul 22, 2019

TonyR said:
If you don't mind sharing, how much $$$ does he plan to charge you for the above items installed?

NVR - 349

3x - 8mp cams 250 each
1x - 4mp 150
POE switch - 65
instlaling and running wires - 600

so 1565 plus tax

TonyR · Jul 22, 2019

I'd want better low light performance so I'd go with 2MP Dahua Starlights or 2MP Hikvision Darkfighter cams, all turret style except for the indoor dome.

Why not give @EMPIRETECANDY a crack at pricing, I'd be surprised it he could not save you $300 on the hardware.

Any chance of having someone doing the install if you buy the equipment? His price likely reflected him supplying the equipment; besides, $600 for 4 cams seems a bit steep to me, even with quality, solid copper, CAT-5e or 6 with CMR jacket.

jayleoness · Jul 22, 2019

TonyR said:
I'd want better low light performance so I'd go with 2MP Dahua Starlights or 2MP Hikvision Darkfighter cams, all turret style except for the indoor dome.

Why not give @EMPIRETECANDY a crack at pricing, I'd be surprised it he could not save you $300 on the hardware.

Any chance of having someone doing the install if you buy the equipment? His price likely reflected him supplying the equipment; besides, $600 for 4 cams seems a bit steep to me, even with quality, solid copper, CAT-5e or 6 with CMR jacket.

never heard of him. ill look into that and get a quote or see what he would recommend setting up. I am unable to find examples of these cameras at night. I just youtube their model number but i dont seeany videos or screenshots. are there any comparable models I can look at to see the exact low light quality I would be getting with these? I do like having the higher mega pixel for daytime detail

TonyR · Jul 22, 2019

jayleoness said:
never heard of him. ill look into that and get a quote or see what he would recommend setting up. I am unable to find examples of these cameras at night. I just youtube their model number but i dont seeany videos or screenshots. are there any comparable models I can look at to see the exact low light quality I would be getting with these? I do like having the higher mega pixel for daytime detail

Okay, we were all newbs at the start but......Andy of Empire Tech is likely mentioned several thousand times on this forum and there are TONS of sample shots of Starlight cams day and night on this forum.
After my post here you'll likely get many responses from other members offering insight regarding Andy and the Dahua Starlights.

jayleoness · Jul 22, 2019

TonyR said:
Okay, we were all newbs at the start but......Andy of Empire Tech is likely mentioned several thousand times on this forum and there are TONS of sample shots of Starlight cams day and night on this forum.
After my post here you'll likely get many responses from other members offering insight regarding Andy and the Dahua Starlights.

ya ive seen the starlight screenshots and video playbacks. but id like to see how different they are from these models at night. unfortunately i cant find shots of these particular cameras.

Mike A. · Jul 22, 2019

LTS looks to be rebranded Hikvison equipment.

bp2008 · Jul 22, 2019

Those 8 MP cameras are not as good at low light as $140 Dahua 8MP cams. http://amzn.com/B07KQ4Z4QP

For an indoor camera, these are pretty good: http://amzn.com/B07BT9GFZ1 It is actually PTZ despite being so small. Wifi version: http://amzn.com/B07CWKX82G

Also small and inexpensive but not PTZ: http://amzn.com/B07C39NQJY

bp2008 · Jul 22, 2019

Here's a much better deal on a PoE switch too: http://amzn.com/B075G2PM17

bp2008 · Jul 22, 2019

Someone else may be able to recommend an NVR. I use Blue Iris running on a PC instead.

mat200 · Jul 22, 2019

jayleoness said:
..1x (I'm not sure the physical size of this one but id like to get a very, very small camera so its not so obtrusive to look at in the living room up in the corner.
LTS 4MP IR Fixed
Network Dome
Camera
CMIP7342W-28MWIFI
1/3" Progressive
..

Welcome @jayleoness

If you are capable of doing a DIY install you should be able to save some cash and get better cameras for your setup.

In terms of cameras, many of us have been unimpressed with the 4MP 1/3" sensors. There are some newer 4MP models out which use better sensors now, so if you can I would not get that particular one if low light capability is important for that position.

TL1096r · Jul 22, 2019

bp2008 said:
Those 8 MP cameras are not as good at low light as $140 Dahua 8MP cams. http://amzn.com/B07KQ4Z4QP

For an indoor camera, these are pretty good: http://amzn.com/B07BT9GFZ1 It is actually PTZ despite being so small. Wifi version: http://amzn.com/B07CWKX82G

Also small and inexpensive but not PTZ: http://amzn.com/B07C39NQJY

These are cams I am using and they are all good so far. Good BI computers used are coming down in price:
HP EliteDesk 800 G4 SFF Desktop Computer Intel Core i5 8500 256GB SSD 192545509039 | eBay

Open Box HP EliteDesk 800 G4 TWR i5-8500 3.0GHz 16GB DDR4 512GB SSD Win10 -J1459 | eBay

They are going for under $400 shipped end of auction of i5-8500. I have been enjoying mine. There is no way I could ever use a NVR after a bi setup.

And good price on 8 port poe+:
https://www.amazon.com/GS1008HP-Gigabit-Ethernet-Fanless-Desktop/dp/B07LH8R3FH

jayleoness · Jul 23, 2019

bp2008 said:
Those 8 MP cameras are not as good at low light as $140 Dahua 8MP cams. http://amzn.com/B07KQ4Z4QP

For an indoor camera, these are pretty good: http://amzn.com/B07BT9GFZ1 It is actually PTZ despite being so small. Wifi version: http://amzn.com/B07CWKX82G

Also small and inexpensive but not PTZ: http://amzn.com/B07C39NQJY

do you know if those 8mp dahuas come in turret form?

I know empire andy has great reviews but I guess one thing buying LTS from this local installer was the local tech support I could get. LTS is local to my house here. does LTS have any cameras that are better in low light? What would I want to look for under the description of the camera that will tell me its better in low light.

jayleoness · Jul 23, 2019

TL1096r said:
These are cams I am using and they are all good so far. Good BI computers used are coming down in price:
HP EliteDesk 800 G4 SFF Desktop Computer Intel Core i5 8500 256GB SSD 192545509039 | eBay

Open Box HP EliteDesk 800 G4 TWR i5-8500 3.0GHz 16GB DDR4 512GB SSD Win10 -J1459 | eBay

They are going for under $400 shipped end of auction of i5-8500. I have been enjoying mine. There is no way I could ever use a NVR after a bi setup.

And good price on 8 port poe+:
https://www.amazon.com/GS1008HP-Gigabit-Ethernet-Fanless-Desktop/dp/B07LH8R3FH

i know everyone says blue iris is the way to go. I was debating that but just figured I wouldnt be getting too involved in the settings and different things you can do with each camera. So figured an NVR was just the simpler and easier route. Also cheaper from electricity standpoint no?

TL1096r · Jul 23, 2019

jayleoness said:
i know everyone says blue iris is the way to go. I was debating that but just figured I wouldnt be getting too involved in the settings and different things you can do with each camera. So figured an NVR was just the simpler and easier route. Also cheaper from electricity standpoint no?

It only uses 25w more than average NVR so not much more usage. Ask @fenderman - he is pro with this.

At the end I understand what you mean as I was just like you. I used both a NVR and BI. There is no way you can pay me to use a NVR ever in my lifetime:
-bi is more secure and has updates so you are not with issues for long if they ever do arise, you can do more with it than you can a NVR, it has a better GUI. You can get a lot of help on the forums for troubleshooting. It is inexpensive software.

bp2008 · Jul 23, 2019

jayleoness said:
do you know if those 8mp dahuas come in turret form?

They do not.

Mike A. · Jul 23, 2019

jayleoness said:
LTS have any cameras that are better in low light? What would I want to look for under the description of the camera that will tell me its better in low light.

Not sure exactly what equivalent cams they're quoting you but Hikvision (LTS' OEM) does make some better low-light cams. if you want to stick with them might ask if they carry versions of what Hikvision calls their "DarkFighter Lite" cameras. Should be familiar with them. Don't have the patience to look through each of LTS' listings and there's more to it but if you want to do a quick scan of what they have by looking at specs, then under minimum illumination (color) lux look for cams with numbers at the third decimal place (e.g., 0.00n). You'll probably not like the pricing much which is why most here are pushing you to the Dahua. I have some of both. They're good cams but overall I'd give the win to Dahua on both price and performance.

They do have turrets (just examples):
Hikvision DS-2CD2345FWD-I 4MP Outdoor Network Turret Camera with Night Vision & 2.8mm Lens
https://www.amazon.com/HIKVISION-Ultra-Low-Outdoor-Security-DS-2CD2335FWD-I/dp/B07CCJZNV5

Also, you might want to rethink all 2.8mm cams. Likely some better choices for specific locations.

jayleoness · Jul 25, 2019

Talked to andy he recomended these IPC-T5442TM-AS at 155 each. said its the latest model 4 MP starlight. What do you guys think of that cam? also if I order from him is everything in english and easy to setup just plug it into the POE and fire up blue iris?

fenderman · Jul 25, 2019

jayleoness said:
Talked to andy he recomended these IPC-T5442TM-AS at 155 each. said its the latest model 4 MP starlight. What do you guys think of that cam? also if I order from him is everything in english and easy to setup just plug it into the POE and fire up blue iris?

its a great camera. you still need to setup the ip addressers user pass etc in blue iris after first logging in and setting up the cam.

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What do you think of this equipment an installer is selling me?

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

TonyR

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

TonyR

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

TonyR

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

Mike A.

Known around here

bp2008

bp2008

bp2008

mat200

TL1096r

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

TL1096r

bp2008

Mike A.

Known around here

jayleoness

Young grasshopper

fenderman