Hi, what a great forum! I just read a few threads and it seems I finally found some people who know what they are talking about!! I am hoping to get some guidance here as I am at my wit's end! Bought and returned two CCTV systems (Annke), due to failures and terrible support.
I am looking to replace my Annke 8 cam CCTV system due to fears over security vulnerabilities. I don't like the idea of people easily accessing my DVR/NVR and viewing my home in their leisure time
I heard about Unifi Protect, and it seems to handle security nicely, more nicely than any other system I have seen, thanks to the Cloud Key thing. However I am not sure it can do what I need. It seems to take care of security nicely but doesn't offer monitor connections (VGA/HDMI). Here are my requirements:
24hr recording of various 4mp to 8mp cameras (minimum 4 cameras needed, max 8)
2 or 3 dedicated monitoring stations (TVs ideally via HDMI and/or VGA)
2 dedicated monitoring stations using a Mac computer and a WIndows computer
App alerts and remote access - RELIABLE alerts, all I have tried are useless due to spiders, bad weather here, rain, car headlights, moths..... I need to be woken if someone is on my drive (major security troubles), but not woken for a spider eating a fly
(I heard HikVision Acusense is finally a good solution!)
SECURE from hackers!
I am fairly sold on the Hikvision systems, with 2 Acusense cameras for good alerts on the two main areas where people enter my property (small farm), but 4 more cameras to cover buildings, yard etc.
However I have big concerns over the many vulnerabilities of Hikvision (and many other brands) cameras. I am not technical enough to know how to set up a VLAN and VPN (which was my friend's advice, but lost on me!).
I wish I could just have it not connected to the web, but that's out of the question due to needing the alerts and occasional logging in when i get an alert, to check it's not thieves/stalkers.
Any advice hugely appreciated, I have lost an entire week of work running cables and researching online. I am now back to square one, and hoping to make better choices this time. Grateful to anyone who cares to chip in here.
I am looking to replace my Annke 8 cam CCTV system due to fears over security vulnerabilities. I don't like the idea of people easily accessing my DVR/NVR and viewing my home in their leisure time

I heard about Unifi Protect, and it seems to handle security nicely, more nicely than any other system I have seen, thanks to the Cloud Key thing. However I am not sure it can do what I need. It seems to take care of security nicely but doesn't offer monitor connections (VGA/HDMI). Here are my requirements:
24hr recording of various 4mp to 8mp cameras (minimum 4 cameras needed, max 8)
2 or 3 dedicated monitoring stations (TVs ideally via HDMI and/or VGA)
2 dedicated monitoring stations using a Mac computer and a WIndows computer
App alerts and remote access - RELIABLE alerts, all I have tried are useless due to spiders, bad weather here, rain, car headlights, moths..... I need to be woken if someone is on my drive (major security troubles), but not woken for a spider eating a fly

SECURE from hackers!
I am fairly sold on the Hikvision systems, with 2 Acusense cameras for good alerts on the two main areas where people enter my property (small farm), but 4 more cameras to cover buildings, yard etc.
However I have big concerns over the many vulnerabilities of Hikvision (and many other brands) cameras. I am not technical enough to know how to set up a VLAN and VPN (which was my friend's advice, but lost on me!).
I wish I could just have it not connected to the web, but that's out of the question due to needing the alerts and occasional logging in when i get an alert, to check it's not thieves/stalkers.
Any advice hugely appreciated, I have lost an entire week of work running cables and researching online. I am now back to square one, and hoping to make better choices this time. Grateful to anyone who cares to chip in here.
