Advantages of a NVR Vs. Blue Iris and a PC?

Hello-new to the forum. Want to ask how BI works. I am looking to replace my whole wired system, that runs to a NVR that has a horrible interface that my wife and I hate.
Anyway, I want to go to HD cameras using POE. I'm not sure if I will use a POE switch to connect the cameras to the PC running BI, or how that works. I am just not getting the connectivity part. Can someone help me figure this out?
 
CheesyPoofs said:
Hello-new to the forum. Want to ask how BI works. I am looking to replace my whole wired system, that runs to a NVR that has a horrible interface that my wife and I hate.
Anyway, I want to go to HD cameras using POE. I'm not sure if I will use a POE switch to connect the cameras to the PC running BI, or how that works. I am just not getting the connectivity part. Can someone help me figure this out?
Click to expand...
If you currently have an NVR then you are using ip cameras...all you would need is a poe switch...the switch can then be connected to the pc or any multitude of network setups...
 
I may have misidentified what I have. It is an analog setup with cameras attached via BNC. I'll replace the whole system, and go with 4MP (or greater) cameras.
 
Anyone have experience with running a small amount of 2MP cameras (2-4) at most in a VM on windows 10. I have a Freenas system which is a media server among other things and is idle most of the time and since I already have this PC running 24/7 I would prefer to utilize this for Blue Iris. Since this would be a Win10 VM hardware acceleration for Blue Iris I am guessing would not function, and even if it did the Xeon 1230V3 CPU does not support quicksync.

I am planning at most 4 Dahua 2MP cameras, more then likely it may only end up being 2-3 and I do not need 24/7 recording, also I would set it up for motion detection recording only. Electric costs are basically the highest in the US where I live so I really would like to avoid running another PC for such a small amount of cameras.
 
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the biggest reason i'm not using BI, is it requires a windows instance. would love to see BI for *nix. (if this option exists someone plz point me at it)
 
mark_whocares said:
the biggest reason i'm not using BI, is it requires a windows instance. would love to see BI for *nix. (if this option exists someone plz point me at it)
Click to expand...
would not make a single difference...windows vs linux would not matter at all, zero.....there are other vms that runs on linux if you are that foolishly stubborn...
 
I'm new to security cameras and might have some stupid questions I would greatly appreciate anyone's answers on. To preface my questions I purchased BI, 5MP PoE varifocal lens camera, & a PoE switch to link to my existing router. The main purpose of this camera is to mount on the front exterior of my house to record any would be thieves & vehicles license plates associated with those thieves. We've been having a lot of car break ins in my neighborhood lately. After doing more research I'm thinking I might have jumped the gun on my purchase/set up. I was planing on subscribing to some cloud service to save my recordings & didn't even see anything prior about a NAS system. Here are a few questions I have after reading some articles on y'alls forum:

1. I've installed BI onto my work lap top. Does this computer have to always be on for BI to record? When I'm home this won't be a problem, but when I'm out and about for work the computer will be in my truck with me either turned off or asleep 90% of the time. My personal computer is a Mac so I do not have the option of using it. If the computer does have to always be on I may have wasted my money on BI. If so, any recommendations for a NVR system that will pair up with this camera?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0776Z8W8F/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. Does BI give any option for continuous recording? Obviously the answer to that question doesn't matter too much if my computer always has to be on.
3. Would a NAS system be a better option than a cloud based storage system? If so, any cost efficient recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Stuart
 
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sn1050 said:
I'm new to security cameras and might have some stupid questions I would greatly appreciate anyone's answers on. To preface my questions I purchased BI, 5MP PoE varifocal lens camera, & a PoE switch to link to my existing router. The main purpose of this camera is to mount on the front exterior of my house to record any would be thieves & vehicles license plates associated with those thieves. We've been having a lot of car break ins in my neighborhood lately. After doing more research I'm thinking I might have jumped the gun on my purchase/set up. I was planing on subscribing to some cloud service to save my recordings & didn't even see anything prior about a NAS system. Here are a few questions I have after reading some articles on y'alls forum:

1. I've installed BI onto my work lap top. Does this computer have to always be on for BI to record? When I'm home this won't be a problem, but when I'm out and about for work the computer will be in my truck with me either turned off or asleep 90% of the time. My personal computer is a Mac so I do not have the option of using it. If the computer does have to always be on I may have wasted my money on BI. If so, any recommendations for a NVR system that will pair up with this camera?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0776Z8W8F/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. Does BI give any option for continuous recording? Obviously the answer to that question doesn't matter too much if my computer always has to be on.
3. Would a NAS system be a better option than a cloud based storage system? If so, any cost efficient recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Stuart
Click to expand...
1 - yes....its software, how do you expect it to run without a pc on? It will also have to be in your house not in your truck. You should dedicate a computer to use for BI, just as you would buy a dedicated nvr...cost is 100-500 depending on your load. (you will be disappointed with that 5mp camera...you will need to dedicate a camera for lpr)...
2- yes of course..
3 -- no...
 
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fenderman said:
Dont chase megapixels....see the threads on the 2mp starlight dahua cameras...much much better nightvison and low light vision than 4mp cams...
Click to expand...

I'm glad I've just read this but after using Hikvision 3MP dome cameras with success I've just ordered a
Hikvision DS-2CD2185FWD-IS 8MP Network Dome Camera
Could I have made a better decision?

Sorry about the font
 
fenderman said:
1 - yes....its software, how do you expect it to run without a pc on? It will also have to be in your house not in your truck. You should dedicate a computer to use for BI, just as you would buy a dedicated nvr...cost is 100-500 depending on your load. (you will be disappointed with that 5mp camera...you will need to dedicate a camera for lpr)...
2- yes of course..
3 -- no...
Click to expand...

Fenderman,

Any recommendations for a computer to purchase to run 4-5 cameras? Only one being the 5MP camera I sent the link to. The others will be lower resolution cameras just for surveillance. Most likely this one unless you have a better recommendation:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPME35U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, why would I be disappointed in that camera? I read that with the varifocal lens that I can manually adjust it to where it's zoomed in correctly to get license plates around street distance.
 
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sn1050 said:
Fenderman,

Any recommendations for a computer to purchase to run 4-5 cameras? Only one being the 5MP camera I sent the link to. The others will be lower resolution cameras just for surveillance. Most likely this one unless you have a better recommendation:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPME35U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, why would I be disappointed in that camera? I read that with the varifocal lens that I can manually adjust it to where it's zoomed in correctly to get license plates around street distance.
Click to expand...
Please read the threads discussing it ..don't buy those crap cameras... start reading the forum..
 
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1. BI can only record when the computer is turned on and the cameras are connected. No.
2. Yes but yes the computer has to be turned on.
3. You can set your cameras to record to edge storage (NAS or internal SD card) but I consider that as more like a backup while simultaneously recording with a VMS (Blue Iris, MIlestone, or whatever).
 
sn1050 said:
Fenderman,

Any recommendations for a computer to purchase to run 4-5 cameras? Only one being the 5MP camera I sent the link to. The others will be lower resolution cameras just for surveillance. Most likely this one unless you have a better recommendation:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPME35U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, why would I be disappointed in that camera? I read that with the varifocal lens that I can manually adjust it to where it's zoomed in correctly to get license plates around street distance.
Click to expand...

Hi sn1050,

I completely agree with fenderman, looney2ns, Kawboy12r,..

avoid those cameras! There is no good reason to be buying cheap 720p cameras when better 1080p cameras are available for reasonable prices.

'HOSAFE 1MD1G HD IP Camera Outdoor 720P Night Vision ONVIF H.264 Motion Detection Email Alert Remote View Via Smart Phone/Tablet/PC, Working With Foscam Wireless IP Camera Software Blue Iris IP Camera DVR (Grey)"
 
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jchinchilla said:
Hi, I'm still deciding between BI or a NVR, so far I like BI, but I need something with low energy consumption like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B077...eelink+z83&dpPl=1&dpID=41v97rlG-CL&ref=plSrch

I have 12 ip wansview cameras running, will it work for BI?

Thanks
Click to expand...

@jchinchilla The above PC does not look sufficient for BI. Also, do you see room in PC to add 1 or more WD purple drives for video recordings?

Some guidance can be found here: Choosing Hardware for Blue Iris | IP Cam Talk

My recommendation is to buy a refurbished Optiplex small form factor or tower from Dell Outlet store. Make sure to get i5 or i7 6th generation or newer.
 
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