This just an intro at this point . I am researching and attempting to understand before asking questions. There is just so much info available here I am getting a little turned around. I don't want to be totally clueless. 
Hello evryone....
- Thread starter KF0FOH
- Start date
This just an intro at this point . I am researching and attempting to understand before asking questions. There is just so much info available here I am getting a little turned around. I don't want to be totally clueless. 
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 15,137
- 25,594
Welcome @KF0FOH
Definitely look at the cliff notes, while the particular products are now older models - the basic concepts still apply.
The DORI section and topic ( see the cliff notes ) we've recently covered in a few threads and imho is something a lot of people over look and do not pay enough attention to when considering their setup.
sebastiantombs
Known around here
This may be a little repetitive depending on how much you've already read, but it may help with some of the basics.
Don't chase megapixels unless you have a really BIG budget. Chase sensor size and bigger is better. To confuse you more sensor sizes are listed in fractions so do the basic math to be sure, 1/2.7 is bigger than 1/2.8 or 1/3. General rule of thumb is that a 4MP camera will easily outperform an 8MP camera when they both have the same sensor size. Reason being that there are twice as many pixels in the 8MP versus the 4MP. This results in only half the available light getting to each pixel in an 8MP that a pixel in the 4MP "sees".
A dedicated PC doesn't need to be either expensive to purchase or to run. A used business class machine can be had from eBay and various other sources. The advances made in Blue Iris make it easily possible to run a fairly large system on relatively inexpensive hardware which also makes power consumption low, as in under 50 watts in many cases. The biggest expenses turn out to be hard drives for storing video and a PoE switch to power the cameras and, of course, the cameras themselves.
The three basic rules of video surveillance cameras-
Rule #1 - Cameras multiply like rabbits.
Rule #2 - Cameras are more addictive than drugs.
Rule #3 - You never have enough cameras.
Quick guide -
The smaller the lux number the better the low light performance. 0.002 is better than 0.02
The smaller the "F" of the lens the better the low light performance. F1.4 is better than F1.8
The larger the sensor the better the low light performance. 1/1.8" is better (bigger) than 1/2.7"
The higher the megapixels for the same size sensor the worse the low light performance. A 4MP camera with a 1/1.8" sensor will perform better than a 8MP camera with that same 1/1.8" sensor.
1/3" = .333"
1/2.8" = .357" (think a .38 caliber bullet)
1/1.8" = .555" (bigger than a .50 caliber bullet or ball)
1/1.2" = .833" (bigger than a 20mm chain gun round)
Don't believe all the marketing hype no matter who makes the camera. Don't believe those nice night time captures they all use. Look for videos, with motion, to determine low light performance. Any camera can be made to "see" color at night if the exposure time is long enough, as in half a second or longer. Rule of thumb, the shutter speed needs to be at 1/60 or higher to get night video without blurring.
Read the reviews here, most include both still shots and video.
Avoid Reolink, Foscam, SV3C, Nest, and all the other consumer grade cameras. They all struggle mightily at night and never get anything useful on video. Here's a link to a whole thread debunking Reolink in particular.
Compiled by mat200 -
Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"
Executive Summary: DO NOT be a sheep. Ask what a reviewer can be missing, ask if a reviewer is using hype words to sell the cheapest product. Test your cameras and kits right away. Just do a bench test. Test real world conditions. Test moving suspects. Test at night, test at day. Use a test rig...
Avoid WiFi cameras, even doorbell cameras. WiFi is not designed for the constant, 24/7, load of video that a surveillance camera produces. At best, with two cameras on WiFi, they will still experience dropouts multiple times daily. Murphy's Law says that will happen at the worst possible moment.
Lens size, focal length, is another critical factor. Many people like the wide, sweeping, views of a 2.8mm lens but be aware that identification is problematic with a lens that wide. Watch this video to learn how to analyze each location for appropriate lens size and keep in mind that it may take two cameras to provide the coverage you need or desire. Another factor that effects view angles is the sensor size. Typically larger sensors will have a larger field of view in any given lens size.
SouthernYankee
IPCT Contributor
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.
When I'm ready for everyone's advice do you think it better to post in this thread or start a new thread in the "camera installation question" section?
SouthernYankee
IPCT Contributor
I feel it is best to ask a question in a separate thread. That way all the info for the one question is in one place. Also a post with a good title will get more and better answers.
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That's what I was thinking too. Since I was getting some excellent feedback here I wanted to ask though.
Southern Yankee, I have the post with your "standard welcome to the forum message" cut and pasted into a document for future use. Thanks much.
Flintstone61
Known around here
Watchout. These guys are a bad influence. 1.5 years in this forum, and all i have to show for it is 4 recorders at 2 properties, and 36 cameras. 
And my brain hurts from reading camera-ese techno jargon.
And my brain hurts from reading camera-ese techno jargon.
I've been around 66 years, so I have much experience with bad influences. Matter of fact, I've been accused of that a few times myself.Watchout. These guys are a bad influence. 1.5 years in this forum, and all i have to show for it is 4 recorders at 2 properties, and 36 cameras.
And my brain hurts from reading camera-ese techno jargon.
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Yes, lots of knowledge here, and it is readily shared. In addition to the other suggestions, check out the camera captures and camera reviews to see how the many factors (distance, height, lens, FOV, lighting, etc.) influence and affect video quality. I really started understanding things better when I was able to apply terms and get a visual of good or bad footage.