My wife is trying to make me buy Reolink for Prime Day

[Bigbore050]

My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of a camera system for our home in a rural area for the past year or so. I have been doing my research and have lucky learned to not buy anything wireless or by the name Reolink. Unfortunately with limited time and self teaching myself on POE camera systems progress is moving at too slow of a pace for my wife. Recently our neighbors camper was stolen during the day while he was home so security is on the top of our minds.

I originally was going to start with a hikvision setup using 2 4mp Darkfighters and then expand to a 6 camera system probably using all darkfighters due to no outside lighting. Considering I still dont know how to make up eithernet cable or fully understand camera positions and lenses I do not feel confident in buying anything yet.

So for at least for the next 10 hours amazon has Reolink 4MP 8CH PoE Video Surveillance System, 4 x Wired Outdoor 1440P PoE IP Cameras for $266.

The wife wants it and happy wife makes a happy life or so I'm told. So my question is would it be a waste of $266 to buy this and install it as a learning aid with the intentions of upgrading in the future(2 years)?

I know Reolink cameras wont work with a different NVR but with the Reolink NVR work with Hikvision or Dahua cameras? I would like to upgrade slowly overtime.

I know Reolink is hated here and is why asked this here.

 

[Mike A.]

Save your money and put it toward something better. @mat200 seems to watch for deals on these systems. Maybe he's seen something?

 

[mat200]

My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of a camera system for our home in a rural area for the past year or so. I have been doing my research and have lucky learned to not buy anything wireless or by the name Reolink. ...

Hi @Bigbore050

lots of poor quality stuff on sale at Amazon during prime days... currently there is nothing that is a deal that is "perfect". There are some nice deals - but nothing perfect.

Various ways to put a system together...

What are you functional needs?
1) Do you have a very tight budget?
2) Do you need good low light performance?
3) Are you good with PCs?

we have a little chit-chat on Amazon deals here btw
Amazon Prime Day deals (security cam related)

 

[Mr_D]

Time for a new wife.

 

[Bigbore050]

Hi @Bigbore050

lots of poor quality stuff on sale at Amazon during prime days... currently there is nothing that is a deal that is "perfect". There are some nice deals - but nothing perfect.

Various ways to put a system together...

What are you functional needs?
1) Do you have a very tight budget?
2) Do you need good low light performance?
3) Are you good with PCs?

we have a little chit-chat on Amazon deals here btw
Amazon Prime Day deals (security cam related)

1) I would like to stay under $600 for a 2 camera setup and add to it later.
2) I think. I have no light at night where the cameras will be but have been looking into motion sensor lights or adding additional IR lights for the cameras.
3) Decent on the hardware side but quite new to networking

 

[fenderman]

I say by the reolink, she deserves to suffer the consequences ofbuying crap.

 

[Mr_D]

I say by the reolink, she deserves to suffer the consequences ofbuying crap.

Take the cost out of her next birthday or Christmas present.

 

[mat200]

1) I would like to stay under $600 for a 2 camera setup and add to it later.
2) I think. I have no light at night where the cameras will be but have been looking into motion sensor lights or adding additional IR lights for the cameras.
3) Decent on the hardware side but quite new to networking

Hi @Bigbore050

I would suggest this
1) get a used i5/i7 windows PC w/Blue Iris
2) get the Amcrest version of a 2MP Dahua OEM PTZ starlight deal ( see the Amazon deal thread - it is the version of the Dahua OEM starlight - btw this appears to be the only starlight model I have seen as a deal during the Amazon Prime Day deals )
3) get the Amcrest PoE+ or other PoE+ switch deal during Amazon Prime Day
4) get the 4TB HDD deal from LaView
5) get a couple of the 8MP turrets from LaView ( same chip family as the Dahua starlights, but more pixels so performs less well in low light - does well in day light )

You can then compare and contrast the 8MP turret with the 2MP PTZ and determine what you'd like to add to it in the future.

( check out the Amazon thread for ideas.. )

of course there are a number of ways to built a system up, so you'll need to decide what works best.

Also, you really should not worry too much about missing any deals - as they will come around again, especially around BF-cyberweek.

 

[Bigbore050]

Thanks for the suggestions. So I guess I will pass on the Riolink deal and look into Blue Iris and a PC.

I already have a dencent PC for cad and cam, Can I throw a Purple drive in there and run BI on it just to get a camera or 2 running? Then Build/buy a dedicated PC. Would I need anything more than a camera, BI, and a POE switch with cables?


On the PTZ is there any benefits for home use. I never consider them due price and image quality. I don't plan to look at this system unless something gives me a reason too so I feel I wouldnt benefit from PTZ. Unless there is something more to them that I dont know.

 

[archedraft]

Thanks for the suggestions. So I guess I will pass on the Riolink deal and look into Blue Iris and a PC.

I already have a dencent PC for cad and cam, Can I throw a Purple drive in there and run BI on it just to get a camera or 2 running? Then Build/buy a dedicated PC. Would I need anything more than a camera, BI, and a POE switch with cables?


On the PTZ is there any benefits for home use. I never consider them due price and image quality. I don't plan to look at this system unless something gives me a reason too so I feel I wouldnt benefit from PTZ. Unless there is something more to them that I dont know.

I ran Bl on a virtual machine to test it out for a bit, but found out pretty quickly that a dedicated pc is best. So can you, sure... but I wouldn’t do CAD on the machine while BI is running.

I don’t have an outside PTZ but I do have an inside one. Having the ability to quickly change the view in real-time and position it just right is pretty slick. I will definitely be considering an outdoor PTZ for my next outdoor camera. I have one camera now that needs to be slightly adjusted but life has been crazy so I have not adjusted it yet... with a PTZ it would already be done!

 

[VorlonFrog]

Reolink hardware is a complete waste of time, money, and effort. Be glad you avoided it. It would have been nothing but regrets.

 

[looney2ns]

@Bigbore050
My suggestion.
Purchase two of these: Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
Purchase two 64gb Samsung Evo Plus SD cards.
Purchase a POE switch, the one @mat200 suggested.
Purchase this cable crimper: https://store.ipcamtalk.com/shop/crimper/
Purchase cable from here: Monoprice Cat5e Ethernet Bulk Cable - Solid, 350Mhz, UTP, CMR, Riser Rated, Pure Bare Copper Wire, 24AWG, 1000ft, Blue - Monoprice.com
Purchase these rj45's from here. 8P8C RJ45 Plug with EZ Passthrough for Cat5e Ethernet Cable, 100pcs/pack - Monoprice.com

Install the SD cards into the cameras, set the cameras up to record to the SD cards.
You can view the recording from the cam by connecting directly to the camera with a web browser.

This will get you in business quickly, and then you can decide what else you want to do.
A good external IR is the https://www.amazon.com/Tendelux-Illuminator-BI8-Powerful-Infrared/dp/B0771GQMPT/ref=sr_1_3?crid=F6NMWK9PMNWD&keywords=tendelux+120+ft+ir+illuminator&qid=1563318411&s=gateway&sprefix=tendulu,aps,170&sr=8-3

The issue of your wife "making you" is another matter all together.
Avoid Reolink, foscam, ring, nest, anything that use's wifi or the cloud.
We are here to help.
Order from Andy.

If you haven't as yet, you and your wife need to study this on a real computer, cliff notes.

 

[looney2ns]

Thanks for the suggestions. So I guess I will pass on the Riolink deal and look into Blue Iris and a PC.

I already have a dencent PC for cad and cam, Can I throw a Purple drive in there and run BI on it just to get a camera or 2 running? Then Build/buy a dedicated PC. Would I need anything more than a camera, BI, and a POE switch with cables?


On the PTZ is there any benefits for home use. I never consider them due price and image quality. I don't plan to look at this system unless something gives me a reason too so I feel I wouldnt benefit from PTZ. Unless there is something more to them that I dont know.

More fixed cams are almost always better than a PTZ. There is a high probability that the PTZ will be looking in the wrong direction when something goes down.

 

[TL1096r]

You are lucky you didn't go with reolink. I understand your situation. I purchased it on a whim due to being in a rush and similar situation you were in and just buying the "highest" rated amazon camera kit. I have since learned a lot and upgraded my entire system based on IPCT forum members suggestions and information they provided.

Once you setup a BI system and get it running right you will be very happy with everything you can do. It isn't as easy as buying junk on amazon and a bit more money but worth it.

I used a reolink NVR and it was a complete waste of time and just setup Blue Iris on a computer to pull stream from NVR.

I hope you take the time and get something better for yourself.

Start with what looney2ns has suggested. It is great. You can get setup with a blue iris computer after you have more time.

Popular cams with reviews:
Dahua Cameras - Quick Reference Guide (Cam Specs & Reviews)

 

[reeves1985]

I second all of the above.
All the long time contributors are here to help and wont sell you or tell you BS!

I started with hikvision and now moved over to the dahua starlight line. (Well worth it).

I've also moved from a dedicated nvr to a dedicated blue iris machine.
Take the advice and buy a used business level dell or HP. Dell optiplex or hp elitedesk.
You'll find good deals on 6th gen i5 machine's for basically peanuts compared to building/buying new.

Start with a couple of the 2mp starlight cams either the 5232R-ZE or the above mentioned 2231.

These are varifocal and will help guide you to understanding lenses sizes as well for field of view.

@EMPIRETECANDY will sort you out with all things dahua. Dont be put off with him being based in china. Hes a good guy sells at a good price, ships fast and actually backs up with warranty.

Study the cliff notes and understand the basics of a cctv system and how to get the best out of it.

The long standing contributors on here will save you a lot of time effort and most importantly money if you take the advice that's given.

We have all been in your position and believe me it does pay just to sit back and read and study about it for a little while before jumping straight in.

 

[Bigbore050]

Thanks for the help, you guys are the best.

I got the IPC-HDW5231R-ZE IP from Empiretech's Amazon store along with the Armcrest POE switch in my cart.

Looking for 500' of cable and a crimping tool so hopefully I can start playing around this weekend.

I figured I can start with this one camera and scope out all my locations and then due a bulk order through Andy.


For just a occasional use tool what do you guys think of this crimp setup. Can I save some bucks on this or will I be cursing when making cables.
https://www.amazon.com/Crimping-Pro...ol&psr=PDAY&qid=1563321087&s=prime-day&sr=1-4

 

[looney2ns]

Thanks for the help, you guys are the best.

I got the IPC-HDW5231R-ZE IP from Empiretech's Amazon store along with the Armcrest POE switch in my cart.

Looking for 500' of cable and a crimping tool so hopefully I can start playing around this weekend.

I figured I can start with this one camera and scope out all my locations and then due a bulk order through Andy.


For just a occasional use tool what do you guys think of this crimp setup. Can I save some bucks on this or will I be cursing when making cables.
https://www.amazon.com/Crimping-Pro...ol&psr=PDAY&qid=1563321087&s=prime-day&sr=1-4

All answered in my reply above.

 

[VorlonFrog]

For just a occasional use tool what do you guys think of this crimp setup. Can I save some bucks on this or will I be cursing when making cables.
https://www.amazon.com/Crimping-Pro...ol&psr=PDAY&qid=1563321087&s=prime-day&sr=1-4

Should be okay. Others may have different opinions.

 

[TempTag]

I bought a Reolink 5MP turret, it was cheap (less than $50), but was made (mostly) of metal, image quality was decent (usable at night), and it works fine with BI. Disabling UID, synchronize, and push is supposed to stop all the network chatter, but I have not tested yet if that is true.

Sure, my Dahuas seem better, but they do not seem the average 3.5 times better with BI that they cost, and the Reolink does work.

Honest question, what is so bad about Reolink?

 

[fenderman]

I bought a Reolink 5MP turret, it was cheap (less than $50), but was made (mostly) of metal, image quality was decent (usable at night), and it works fine with BI. Disabling UID, synchronize, and push is supposed to stop all the network chatter, but I have not tested yet if that is true.

Sure, my Dahuas seem better, but they do not seem the average 3.5 times better with BI that they cost, and the Reolink does work.

Honest question, what is so bad about Reolink?

You cannot judge a camera based on the metal housing. The reolink cameras do NOT work well in blue iris when using Direct to disk recording which is a requirement to minimize cpu usage. This is because the cameras firmware does not allow you to adjust the iframe interval. You will see this manifest itself as tearing in the image - it will come at the most inopportune time, I assure you. The image quality at night is also poor because if its small sensor relative to the 5mp resolution - if you want to see a good night image look at the crisp images captured by the dahua starlights.
You are confused about Dahua pricing, A much BETTER dahua camera can be had for 90-100 dollars not 3.5.
Finally, Reolink is a lying spamming company that posts fake reviews and comes to forums like this and tries to laud its cameras pretending to be end users. They lie to their customers about reasons why they dont implement iframe interval settings and they lied to me when I busted them on the forum with fake posts. Reolink is for suckers, you got scammed.