Hi all,
I'm looking for a recommendation for an internal camera to set up to keep an eye on my cats while I'm away (i.e., check they're around and if they're not I can get somebody to pop in and check them). I plan to use Synology's surveillance tool so that the cameras can be entirely internal and not have any internet access (I can watch them via my VPN).
So far, I've tried two £35 IP cams from China, and I'm sick of them already. Their apps are terrible, the signup and privacy dubious (even if I block the devices themselves from web access via my router) and the ONVIF compatibility utterly flawed. The fact that it's impossible to configure these things without signing up for an account is really irritating. The fact that the apps request every permission (including my health stats) on the phone, frankly worrying. Although I'm not really surprised - my expectations were low.
So I need to get something better, and perhaps spend a little more money. I'd like to keep it well under the £100 mark (£60-70 would be ideal). The device needs to be able to be configured to work with Synology without requiring me to set up a user account via some dubious app. I want a wifi camera so I'm not limited to a wired connection - dual-band would be great, but I can run it on the 2.4Ghz network of my router so doesn't really matter.
Any suggestions/recommendations? I was looking at Amcrest and Neolink, but I've seen the comments re: Neolink so have engaged my bargepole to keep them at bay. Amcrest look okay (something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amcrest-Dualband-Surveillance-Wireless-IP3M-941B/dp/B01M15WH9C or this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amcrest-ProHD-Wireless-Security-Camera/dp/B0145OQXCK although it's more money than I want to spend, and I've read the comments about it being rebranded Dahua).
I see there's a lot of Dahua recommendations, but they seem to be dome cameras and way more expensive than I need. What's the next-best thing?
Thanks in advance for any help.
I'm looking for a recommendation for an internal camera to set up to keep an eye on my cats while I'm away (i.e., check they're around and if they're not I can get somebody to pop in and check them). I plan to use Synology's surveillance tool so that the cameras can be entirely internal and not have any internet access (I can watch them via my VPN).
So far, I've tried two £35 IP cams from China, and I'm sick of them already. Their apps are terrible, the signup and privacy dubious (even if I block the devices themselves from web access via my router) and the ONVIF compatibility utterly flawed. The fact that it's impossible to configure these things without signing up for an account is really irritating. The fact that the apps request every permission (including my health stats) on the phone, frankly worrying. Although I'm not really surprised - my expectations were low.
So I need to get something better, and perhaps spend a little more money. I'd like to keep it well under the £100 mark (£60-70 would be ideal). The device needs to be able to be configured to work with Synology without requiring me to set up a user account via some dubious app. I want a wifi camera so I'm not limited to a wired connection - dual-band would be great, but I can run it on the 2.4Ghz network of my router so doesn't really matter.
Any suggestions/recommendations? I was looking at Amcrest and Neolink, but I've seen the comments re: Neolink so have engaged my bargepole to keep them at bay. Amcrest look okay (something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amcrest-Dualband-Surveillance-Wireless-IP3M-941B/dp/B01M15WH9C or this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amcrest-ProHD-Wireless-Security-Camera/dp/B0145OQXCK although it's more money than I want to spend, and I've read the comments about it being rebranded Dahua).
I see there's a lot of Dahua recommendations, but they seem to be dome cameras and way more expensive than I need. What's the next-best thing?
Thanks in advance for any help.