NAS for camera backup

SledMack

SledMack

n3wb
Dec 27, 2023
23
4
Pennsylvania
Hello,

I'd like to setup a NAS that I can have the camera record to only during specified events. The NVR will do the bulk of the work, but if it should go down for any reason this would have back up files in another location.

I'm new to using NAS devices. They seem to want to be "in control" of your data for backup purposes, sorting/storing photos, etc. Are there any specific features I need for this application or that I should avoid for this application? I used a security camera rated HD in the NVR, do I need the same/similar for the NAS? They don't seem to come with them, but I think that's because they are geared toward PC and data backup.

Thanks for any pointers you can help me with!
 
If your cameras are on the POE ports of the NVR, then the NVR acts as a firewall of sorts and places the cameras on a different IP subnet of your internet, so the NAS wouldn't be able to access it.

There would be things you could do like bridge mode, etc. but then you are exposing your cameras to the internet.

Most here put SD cards in the cameras for redundant backup and some NVRs can then pull from the SD card and fill in the missing video on the NVR.
 
Is it a POE NVR?
If so, is there an unused port on it?
 
It is this NVR, about 1 year old: EmpireTech NVR16CH-AI 16 Channels 1U 2HDD Network Video Recorder

No POE. Cameras come to a router, router connects to NVR and to home Wi-fi router. Home router is where the isolation happens, I can access the camera from anywhere in my home over the network. I'd like to put the NAS attached to the home router in my office.

Everything is on local UPS stations. I can ride out power loss up to about 3 hours, maybe more, at most locations.

I've thought about the SD cards. But this is far more convenient with the cameras being installed. Not that lazy should be a driving part of the decision. But this is a home setup, not a high security facility. It's also a bit like my first batch of cameras last year - I bought a few cheap Foscams. That helped me to understand what I really needed at the different locations I wanted cameras, and where I needed to add a camera because the first locations didn't cover some areas. Now that I understand more, I'm asking much better questions about cameras, and upgrading with more thought. I might find out the NAS isn't needed. Or I might be adding SD cards to all the cameras next summer. I just don't know yet?
 
Ok not connected to the NVR does give you more options.

NAS is kinda expensive for redundancy if the NVR craps out. NAS is usually to store video for longer periods of time, which sounds great in theory, but the reality is most homeowners don't need months of storage. It would probably be cheaper to run another NVR.

NAS would take more power so it would burn through your UPS backup faster. The cameras are already running, so saving to SD cards would probably be less power consumption.

If someone where to break in, they could take the NVR and NAS - remote and probably not both, but they are not going to bring undue attention to themselves putting up ladders and accessing your cameras.

I am not sure the files it would send to NAS, but if they are files encoded for the NVR for the NVR to pull from the NAS for playback, etc., then you wouldn't be able to open the files on a computer and would need the NVR or OEM of an NVR to read the files as they are not stored in a Windows or MAC operating system.
 
SledMack said:
Cameras come to a router, router connects to NVR
Click to expand...
First place I'd check if your ever get stuttering or choppy video......Cameras usually go to their own switch (best if giagbit-rated) then switch to NVR's LAN and one port of the switch going to the router.

The switch portion of many routers, even gigabit-rated, don't perform as well as a separate switch or POE switch.
 
OK, it looks like SD cards are the way to go. I think I saw on here that Sans Disk are highly considered, and they have to be camera rated?

I mis-spoke about the network. It is a gigabit switch that the cameras come to, with a connection to the NVR and a connection to the home router. I haven't noticed any issues with choppy video, I was just looking for a backup option.

Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom