Cameras for house (in/outdoor) recommendations needed

[Frippy]

Hello, dear ALL
I am not a Professional Surveillance Installer but I am a Computer Technician with Video/Audio background (this note can reduce some questions, I hope)

I am thinking about purchasing 1-2-3 outdoor cameras and 2-4 indoor cameras. All data I would like to store on NAS server (Windows based? Western Digital NAS? Or just attaching 2TB drive to my router. Something like that)

My first question is - What could you say about Wi-Fi cameras? A DC 12v I can grab from my garage or basement, but I would not like to deal with cables (coax or LAN).

The second question is what to purchase?
The first idea was to buy something from XIAOMI. 50% of reviews are "wonderful" and 50% - do not waste your money.

Next idea was to buy EZVIZ - but I can't find their products in Canada, almost nothing I can bring from USA and EZVIZ mailbox is full - how can I trust them?

Found a lot of info about Dahua but the same problem - can't find resellers in Canada or AliExpress.

Another idea is Hikvision. Really cool things but prices.... $120+ for camera. And I have no idea if it worth it (this one: [DS-2CD2041G1 | Newegg.com)

So, I need you help and recommendations for the system itself and cameras also.

PS: Winter can be very cold, -30...-40C so I need some interesting device that will not die

Thank you very much in advance

 

[mat200]

Hello, dear ALL
I am not a Professional Surveillance Installer but I am a Computer Technician with Video/Audio background (this note can reduce some questions, I hope)

I am thinking about purchasing 1-2-3 outdoor cameras and 2-4 indoor cameras. All data I would like to store on NAS server (Windows based? Western Digital NAS? Or just attaching 2TB drive to my router. Something like that)

My first question is - What could you say about Wi-Fi cameras? A DC 12v I can grab from my garage or basement, but I would not like to deal with cables (coax or LAN).

The second question is what to purchase?
The first idea was to buy something from XIAOMI. 50% of reviews are "wonderful" and 50% - do not waste your money.

Next idea was to buy EZVIZ - but I can't find their products in Canada, almost nothing I can bring from USA and EZVIZ mailbox is full - how can I trust them?

Found a lot of info about Dahua but the same problem - can't find resellers in Canada or AliExpress.

Another idea is Hikvision. Really cool things but prices.... $120+ for camera. And I have no idea if it worth it (this one: [DS-2CD2041G1 | Newegg.com)

So, I need you help and recommendations for the system itself and cameras also.

PS: Winter can be very cold, -30...-40C so I need some interesting device that will not die

Thank you very much in advance

Welcome @Frippy

1) take some time to learn first.
2) determine your functional needs first. ( i.e. watch people coming to front door, bird watching a spot 100' feet away in the day, seeing if the mailman showed up,... )
3) we have lots of good notes and threads here, start with the cliff notes.

 

[Frippy]

Ok. Now I see that Wi-Fi cameras are not for the real life....
Ok. SO, I would not like to observe birds, but I want to see my drive way, who parked (at least car type-color). Also, who is using my front/backyard and how. This is for outdoor.
Also, I see that I need to use Dome cameras (But need to check if it is possible to install them, maybe will need one dome and one bullet for outdoor install)
Not sure if I need to use doorbell but it will be great to have that opportunity in future.
Do not need face recognize functions, just observe + motion detection + line crossing

I think I will go to NVR5208-4KS2, but here are some questions:
1 - could not find info if this device already has HDD
2 - can I connect to it via HTTP(S) and watch recordings?

Cameras. Still need recommendations.

 

[sebastiantombs]

You still need to read the Cliff Notes in the WiKi in the blue bar at the top of the page. The search icon on the far right of the blue bar will also help you. Domes are not the best choice, a turret is the best choice, significant difference. Bullets for outdoor use are generally not very good unless you like to clean spider webs on a daily basis, bugs just love IR lights and spiders love bugs. The newer bullets have started separating the IR source from the lens which makes them much less prone to spider webs, and that's covered in many threads here.

 

[Frippy]

You still need to read the Cliff Notes in the WiKi in the blue bar at the top of the page. The search icon on the far right of the blue bar will also help you. Domes are not the best choice, a turret is the best choice, significant difference. Bullets for outdoor use are generally not very good unless you like to clean spider webs on a daily basis, bugs just love IR lights and spiders love bugs. The newer bullets have started separating the IR source from the lens which makes them much less prone to spider webs, and that's covered in many threads here.

Complete Newbie Guide for setting up your IP CAM

...

ipcamtalk.com

Any other working link (with text) there?

 

[SouthernYankee]

Read , study, Plan before spending money.
----------------------------------
My standard welcome to the forum message.

Read Study Plan before spending money
Cameras are for surveillance to get information for after the fact.

Please read the IP Cam Talk Cliff Notes and other items in the IP Cam Talk Wiki. (read on a real computer, not a phone). The wiki is in the blue bar at the top of the page.

Read How to Secure Your Network (Don't Get Hacked!) in the wiki also.

Quick start
1) If you do not have a wired monitored alarm system, get that first
2) Use Dahua starlight cameras or Hikvision darkfighter cameras if you need good low light cameras.
3) use a VPN to access home network (openVPN)
4) Do not use wifi cameras.
5) Do not use cloud storage
6) Do Not use uPNP, P2P, QR, do not open ports,
7) More megapixel is not necessarily better.
8) Avoid chinese hacked cameras (most ebay, amazon, aliexpress cameras(not all, but most))
9) Do not use reolink, ring, nest, Arlo cameras (they are junk), no cloud cameras
10) If possible use a turret camera , bullet collect spiders, dome collect dirt and reflect light (IR)
11) Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire. , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)
12) use a test mount to verify the camera mount location. My test rig: rev.2
13) (Looney2ns)If you want to be able to ID faces, don't mount cams higher than 7ft. You want to know who did it, not just what happened.
14) Use a router that has openVPN built in (Most ASUS, Some NetGear....)
15) camera placement use the calculator... IPVM Camera Calculator V3
16) POE list PoE Switch Suggestion List
17) Camera Sensor size, bigger is general better Sensor Size Chart
18) Camera lens size, a bigger number give more range but less field of view. Which Security Camera Lens Size Should I Buy?


Cameras to look at
IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED . Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Full Color, Starlight+) - 4MP starlight
.................... Dahua IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED review
IPC-T5442TM-AS ..... Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+ - 4MP starlight+
IPC-B5442E-ZE ...... Review - OEM IPC-B5442E-ZE 4MP AI Varifocal Bullet Camera With Starlight+
IPC-T2347G-LU ...... Review of the Hikvision OEM model IPC-T2347G-LU 'ColorVu' IP CCTV camera. (DS-2CD2347G1-LU)
IPC-HDW2231R-ZS .... Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
IPC-HDW2231T-ZS-S2 . Review-OEM IPC-T2231T-ZS 2mp Varifocal Starlight Camera
IPC-HDW5231R-ZE .... Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE
IPC-HFW4239T-ASE ... IPC-HFW4239T-ASE
IPCT-HDW5431RE-I ... Review - IP Cam Talk 4 MP IR Fixed Turret Network Camera
IPC-T5241H-AS-PV ... Review-OEM IPC-T5241H-AS-PV 2mp AI active deterrence cam
IPC-T3241-ZAS ...... Review-OEM IPC-T3241-ZAS 2mp AI Lite series Varifocal -- 2mp AI Lite series Varifocal
IPC-HFW2831T-ZS ... Review-Dahua IPC-HFW2831T-ZS 8MP WDR IR Bullet Network Camera -- 8MP Bullet 1/1.8” sensor variable focus.
DS-2CD2325FWD-I
N22AL12 ............ New Dahua N22AL12 Budget Cam w/Starlight -- low cost entry
IPC-T2347G-LU....... Review-Loryta OEM 4MP IPC-T2347G-LU ColorVu Fixed Turret Network 4mm lens & Junction Box -- 4MP ColorVu
.................... Review of the Hikvision OEM model IPC-T2347G-LU 'ColorVu' IP CCTV camera.

Other dahua 4MP starlight Dahua 4MP Starlight Lineup

My preferred indoor cameras
DS-2CD2442FWD-IW
IPC-K35A Review-Dahua IPC-K35A 3mp Cube Camera

If interested in Blue Iris and other setup items see the following post

Newbie Starter Guide to IP Cam System – VPN setup – Computer Hardware – Blue Iris – Dahua Cameras

This is an intermediate / newbie guide for people just starting out looking for a surveillance setup. I know this setup might not be for everyone and there are many options. You can find a lot of this information in the Wiki: IP Cam Talk Wiki | IP Cam Talk A great place to start in the Wiki...

ipcamtalk.com

Before asking a question search the forum first...
The best way to search the forum is to use Google
In the google search window enter.. site:ipcamtalk.com ?????? ..where ?????? is the items/terms you are interested in.
Example site:ipcamtalk.com PALE MOON BROWSER

Read,study,plan before spending money ..... plan plan plan
Test do not guess

 

[SouthernYankee]

Amazon.com: EmpireTech NVR5208-4KS2 8 Channel 1U 4K&H.265 Pro None POE Version Network Video Recorder English Version: Electronics

Buy EmpireTech NVR5208-4KS2 8 Channel 1U 4K&H.265 Pro None POE Version Network Video Recorder English Version: Surveillance Video Recorders - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

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if you are interested in International Dahua cameras, a forum member sells dahua (and some Hikvision) and ships world wide. You can read some of the members recommendations on his service. He also provides cameras to other forum member for evaluation and reviews.
You can email him for a quote, or purchase from his Aliexpress store or his Amazon store. The cameras are fully upgradable, he posts upgrade software when available.

I recommend email andy

Andy
@EMPIRETECANDY
kingsecurity2014@163.com
Andy's ipcamtalk vendor forum: EmpireTech Andy
Andy's AliExpress store: Empire Technology Co., Ltd - Amazing prodcuts with exclusive discounts on AliExpress
Andy's Amazon store: Amazon.com

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