If you had this set up what would you use ?

Just a heads up....that's a 3rd gen Interl i7 CPU and should you ever have to replace the drive that Windows 11 is on (should you choose that option) or re-install Windows 11 you'll have some hoops to jump through to do so. Gen 8 or later CPU's accomodate the requirement by Windows 11 for TPM 2.0 for security purposes; Windows 10 and older does not require TPM 2.0 and CPU's older than Gen 8 do not automatically allow the install of 11; there's a process and I personally would not want to be tied into that process.

Therefore, look for gen 8 or above/newer.....my suggestion. :cool:
perfect, nice heads up - i'll do just that. Thanks
 
I use a Shelly smart switch on a lamp, and it can be alerted easily in Blue Iris. When the deer drop by, the lights go on. No need for Home assistant or anything, just the smart switch.

set up an alert as an "http alert" in BI "alert" tab, "on alert":
" lightname:password@192.168.1.xxx/relay/0/?turn=ON " for example.. I have an "ON", a "wait", and an "OFF" action to have them go on for (x) seconds (the wait). Simple and effective, and you can make a profile so it works only during the hours you want.
fantastic, even better ! Thanks for that :) I have plenty of smart plugs, once I'm up and running I'll try those first.
 
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That's the beauty of IP stuff - all you need is an ethernet cable to one point and POE switch at then end and run more.
I'll come back to you on that if that's ok, I have a question but I think it's better if I add some photos. If i'm following correctly (unlikely :wtf: ) then it would make life an awful lot easier !
 
Fred...you are in NV. Vegas or Reno ? If in Reno, I could help locally.
 
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How far down the rabbit hole does your budget let you go?
I started out with 4 cameras (not the correct models for outdoor night time and positioned horribly) just to see what goes on when I'm at work (FedEx truck, garbage truck, foot traffic). A "security event" happened that changed my outlook from "oh look...a bird" to "I want facial identification to give to a judge".
One pathway was super cheap. The other pathway was not.
 
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How far down the rabbit hole does your budget let you go?
I started out with 4 cameras (not the correct models for outdoor night time and positioned horribly) just to see what goes on when I'm at work (FedEx truck, garbage truck, foot traffic). A "security event" happened that changed my outlook from "oh look...a bird" to "I want facial identification to give to a judge".
One pathway was super cheap. The other pathway was not.
This is my first venture but i'm starting with the four camera's (I've ordered two Empiretech as recommended on page 1 here to move them around the positions I have to evaluate what i need) , we live on a gated community that has some sort of plate reader for every car that comes in so I don't need to concern myself with that. I may add another camera or two in the future but i would think the four would be a good starting point. I already know B.I etc is going to be a steep learning curve, like others I was going to get Reolink untiI found this forum an that completely changed my mind. I'm hoping to get it done for around $1300 if possible but it's flexible for sure. I need to check the switch that is installed actually, might be I need a different one if it isn't up to it.
 
Incorrect. That is just a standard network switch. Look for minimum 5 port POE switch. POE. Power Over Ethernet (how the cameras get their DC voltage). 4 ports for cameras, 1 port to feed into your existing switch.
 
Incorrect. That is just a standard network switch. Look for minimum 5 port POE switch. POE. Power Over Ethernet (how the cameras get their DC voltage). 4 ports for cameras, 1 port to feed into your existing switch.
That's why I asked, I wasn't sure if it was even the right thing and it sounds like it isn't. Cheers :)
 
Can I ask a set up question please. So I have to get a POE switch and plug that into that network switch above, all the ethernet cables in that run to points in all the rooms in the house (and one to the router) - am I able to put my blue iris machine directly into an ethernet jack in any room ?
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Can I ask a set up question please. So I have to get a POE switch and plug that into that network switch above, all the ethernet cables in that run to points in all the rooms in the house (and one to the router) - am I able to put my blue iris machine directly into an ethernet jack in any room ?
While your map will work, this is better... add a second NIC (network card, can be cheap $15 card) to the PC running BI. The cameras get connected to that, and not to the internet. The original network card in the same PC gets the internet from your router or network switch.
 

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While your map will work, this is better... add a second NIC (network card, can be cheap $15 card) to the PC running BI. The cameras get connected to that, and not to the internet. The original network card in the same PC gets the internet from your router or network switch.
Hi,

Thanks for the reply ! Wittaj mentioned that earlier but I don't think I made my question clear or I'm not understanding. I have an ethernet cable running from my network switch to the bedroom where the PC lives. I want to know if I can plug a POE switch into the network switch and then access BI ok on the pc - and if so could is that NIC card still an option. I really want to keep the PC out of the closet. I hope that makes sense ?! Failing that I'll get one of the machines linked above on the assumption I can install a NIC card in it, some I have looked at you seemingly can't.
 
Hi,

Thanks for the reply ! Wittaj mentioned that earlier but I don't think I made my question clear or I'm not understanding. I have an ethernet cable running from my network switch to the bedroom where the PC lives. I want to know if I can plug a POE switch into the network switch and then access BI ok on the pc - and if so could is that NIC card still an option. I really want to keep the PC out of the closet. I hope that makes sense ?! Failing that I'll get one of the machines linked above on the assumption I can install a NIC card in it, some I have looked at you seemingly can't.
If the cameras are connected to the POE switch, and that POE switch to your network, that's not ideal since all the camera traffic flows through your main network. Best if the cams, connected to a POE switch, then go to a NIC, not to your main network. Keep them separate. (if I understood you correctly!)
 
If the cameras are connected to the POE switch, and that POE switch to your network, that's not ideal since all the camera traffic flows through your main network. Best if the cams, connected to a POE switch, then go to a NIC, not to your main network. Keep them separate. (if I understood you correctly!)
OK that makes sense but I think that means I have to put the computer in the closet which is going to be a fight with the Mrs lol :wtf:
 
OK that makes sense but I think that means I have to put the computer in the closet which is going to be a fight with the Mrs lol :wtf:

Why? Just put the computer there and remote in. Then it is just the box. No monitor, keyboard or mouse needed in there.
 
Why? Just put the computer there and remote in. Then it is just the box. No monitor, keyboard or mouse needed in there.
yep, the preference is not to have it there but it's looking like it's tough luck! I'm fine with it as long as the machine is quiet, I can just mount it to the wall behind the door. I'm just looking for the best option and it sounds like that's what it is. I've learnt it's better to ask questions before the event to reduce the degree of how much I screw things up!!
 
yep, the preference is not to have it there but it's looking like it's tough luck! I'm fine with it as long as the machine is quiet, I can just mount it to the wall behind the door. I'm just looking for the best option and it sounds like that's what it is. I've learnt it's better to ask questions before the event to reduce the degree of how much I screw things up!!
Purchase a I5-8500 Small Form Factor Dell Optiplex refurbed like this ONE.
It is quiet, very small, energy efficient and will never be noticed in the closet once its all said and done.
 
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Purchase a I5-8500 Small Form Factor Dell Optiplex refurbed like this ONE.
It is quiet, very small, energy efficient and will never be noticed in the closed once its all said and done.
nice username!
Thanks for the links, I think Wittaj's wiki suggests 16gb ram so I'll probably look at a slight upgrade on the one you linked. I'm trying to find out as per advice above if this model has a spare Pcie slot for a NIC card. I'm assuming they are all able to take an internally mounted surveillance HD.

Thanks for the help, I'm starting from the bottom rung of knowledge with all this but I am determined to learn
 
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