Santeesticks
Getting the hang of it
The DVR on my old HD-SDI system failed a couple of months ago causing me to delve into researching a new system. I consulted Dr. Google and Nurse YouTube for weeks and I read hundreds of threads on this forum, finally subscribing about a month ago so I could view photos and attachments. Due to cognitive issues stemming from a TBI, I initially tried to keep it simple with a plug and play system, a Reolink RLK16-800D8 along with a few additional Reolink cameras to test and compare to the included cameras. The Reolink system was very easy to setup and worked great during the day, even for license plate capture with a pair of their RLC-811A’s. Of course throughout the night, all of the cameras were useless for anything other than simple observing; they were all nearly worthless for capturing anything useful for identification or heavily scrutinized evidentiary purposes due to ghosting/blurring with any type of motion. So, I’m sure much to the joy of many here, I returned the Reolink system and cameras; albeit I understand Reolink could be the route some may want to go due to their ease of setup but understand that absent substantial, stadium-like lighting, they are unlikely to meet expectations during the night.
Despite my challenges and lack of computer/programming/networking knowledge, thanks largely to this forum, I have successfully installed Blue Iris on a repurposed gaming computer, installed a WD Purple drive, a cheap switch (STEAMEMO 8-port) and a few cameras from Andy’s Amazon store (T5442TM-AS, T5442T-ZE, Color4k-T, B5442E-Z4E, and a 5241E-Z12E.) After spending well over a hundred hours of reading, re-reading, and re-reading yet again all sections of the WIKI and what seems like thousands of threads here over and over again, I feel I have most things functioning fairly well, including license plate capturing using the two bullet cameras coupled with the Sunrise/Sunset utility. I also setup an OpenALPR account and integrated it into the system. Additionally, I set up the BlueIris App and connected it to my system after setting up OpenVPN on my router.
As it’s been repeatedly said, cameras multiply like rabbits and I have several more to buy and install, but I feel I’m on the right path with a quality prosumer security camera system. I’m still struggling with a few things in the system but thought it time to finally put up a post introducing myself, share a shortened and simplified portion of my journey, and express my thanks for the information I have obtained here. Thank you...
Despite my challenges and lack of computer/programming/networking knowledge, thanks largely to this forum, I have successfully installed Blue Iris on a repurposed gaming computer, installed a WD Purple drive, a cheap switch (STEAMEMO 8-port) and a few cameras from Andy’s Amazon store (T5442TM-AS, T5442T-ZE, Color4k-T, B5442E-Z4E, and a 5241E-Z12E.) After spending well over a hundred hours of reading, re-reading, and re-reading yet again all sections of the WIKI and what seems like thousands of threads here over and over again, I feel I have most things functioning fairly well, including license plate capturing using the two bullet cameras coupled with the Sunrise/Sunset utility. I also setup an OpenALPR account and integrated it into the system. Additionally, I set up the BlueIris App and connected it to my system after setting up OpenVPN on my router.
As it’s been repeatedly said, cameras multiply like rabbits and I have several more to buy and install, but I feel I’m on the right path with a quality prosumer security camera system. I’m still struggling with a few things in the system but thought it time to finally put up a post introducing myself, share a shortened and simplified portion of my journey, and express my thanks for the information I have obtained here. Thank you...
