New Guy with some Q's

[rdsii64]

Just found this site and have some basic questions. Yesterday someone broke into my wife's car. It seems a few of my neighbors were hit yesterday. Fortunately one of my neighbors security cameras alerted them and the thief is now in the local lock up, and I even got my stuff back. With that being said, I now want my own system.

Should I:
(A) host my own setup with with a POE switch and a dedicated computer running blue iris or something similar,
(B) go with an all in one setup like Neolink, Lorex or the like.

I'm not tied to either of these brands. They are just the only ones I've heard of. If there are better choices in the $500.00 and under price range, I'm all ears.
If it helps, I need to cover my backyard, three exterior doors and my driveway. I think that can be done with a 4 camera setup.
Also, I would rather stay away from cloud storage accounts and store my footage locally.

If I host my own setup, what works with a dual xeon system. Off the bat, that probably is the worst platform but It's what I have and need to use if at all possible.
If trying to use a dual xeon system is just the dumbest idea ever, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[mat200]

Just found this site and have some basic questions. Yesterday someone broke into my wife's car. It seems a few of my neighbors were hit yesterday. Fortunately one of my neighbors security cameras alerted them and the thief is now in the local lock up, and I even got my stuff back. With that being said, I now want my own system.

Should I:
(A) host my own setup with with a POE switch and a dedicated computer running blue iris or something similar,
(B) go with an all in one setup like Neolink, Lorex or the like.

I'm not tied to either of these brands. They are just the only ones I've heard of. If there are better choices in the $500.00 and under price range, I'm all ears.
If it helps, I need to cover my backyard, three exterior doors and my driveway. I think that can be done with a 4 camera setup.
Also, I would rather stay away from cloud storage accounts and store my footage locally.

If I host my own setup, what works with a dual xeon system. Off the bat, that probably is the worst platform but It's what I have and need to use if at all possible.
If trying to use a dual xeon system is just the dumbest idea ever, I'm open to suggestions.

Welcome @rdsii64

Most of our members prefer picking cameras that match their functional needs ( typically low light over day light ) and using open standards ( rtsp ) and IP PoE wired. Combining that with a decent PC running Blue Iris and a decent PoE switch.

Take some time to learn first, perhaps pick one one decent varifocal IP PoE camera to play with before jumping fully in so you make better decisions balancing your needs / want and budget.

 

[rdsii64]

Welcome @rdsii64

Most of our members prefer picking cameras that match their functional needs ( typically low light over day light ) and using open standards ( rtsp ) and IP PoE wired. Combining that with a decent PC running Blue Iris and a decent PoE switch.

Take some time to learn first, perhaps pick one one decent varifocal IP PoE camera to play with before jumping fully in so you make better decisions balancing your needs / want and budget.

Thanks for the response. No wireless for me, wired PoE all the way. I think I will take your advice and find some gear to mess about with and learn what I don't know.

 

[mat200]

Thanks for the response. No wireless for me, wired PoE all the way. I think I will take your advice and find some gear to mess about with and learn what I don't know.

look for southernyankees welcome message to new members, he's got a decent list of camera models to look at.

 

[looney2ns]

Just found this site and have some basic questions. Yesterday someone broke into my wife's car. It seems a few of my neighbors were hit yesterday. Fortunately one of my neighbors security cameras alerted them and the thief is now in the local lock up, and I even got my stuff back. With that being said, I now want my own system.

Should I:
(A) host my own setup with with a POE switch and a dedicated computer running blue iris or something similar,
(B) go with an all in one setup like Neolink, Lorex or the like.

I'm not tied to either of these brands. They are just the only ones I've heard of. If there are better choices in the $500.00 and under price range, I'm all ears.
If it helps, I need to cover my backyard, three exterior doors and my driveway. I think that can be done with a 4 camera setup.
Also, I would rather stay away from cloud storage accounts and store my footage locally.

If I host my own setup, what works with a dual xeon system. Off the bat, that probably is the worst platform but It's what I have and need to use if at all possible.
If trying to use a dual xeon system is just the dumbest idea ever, I'm open to suggestions.

Study the Wiki

 

[rdsii64]

Study the Wiki

This is quite the detailed resource. This looks like just what the doctor ordered. There is a cold beer and a good read in my future!

 

[samplenhold]

If there are better choices in the $500.00 and under price range

It will be basically impossible to get a four camera system that will give you good enough night time images to get a face ID of a perp. Those systems have poor quality cameras and recorders.

If you are serious, then study the cliff notes and the wiki here. Decide if you want to go the PC/BlueIris route (that is what I did) or the NVR route. @EMPIRETECANDY can get you good low light cameras and an NVR at very good prices. So far, I have purchased 17 cameras from him and have yet to be disappointed. But I did not buy them all at once. I started with one to learn and test ideas with. Then slowly built up my system from there. I still will be picking up a few more later this year. There are a lot of different cameras and each one has it's own pros and cons. I actually have eight different models as each one has it's specific job to do.

Good luck and ask questions.

 

[SouthernYankee]

Read sturdy plan before spending money.
Old Xeon system use to much energy and generate to much heat. The older ones do not support Intel quicksync for hardware video process for blue iris.
If going with Blue Iris read hard selection in the wiki.

--------------------------------

My standard welcome to the forum message.

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.

Quick start
1) If you do not have a wired monitored alarm system, get that first
2) Use Dahua starlight cameras or Hikvision darkfighter cameras if you need good low light cameras.
3) use a VPN to access home network (openVPN)
4) Do not use wifi cameras.
5) Do not use cloud storage
6) Do Not use uPNP, P2P, QR, do not open ports,
7) More megapixel is not necessarily better.
8) Avoid chinese hacked cameras (most ebay, amazon, aliexpress cameras(not all, but most))
9) Do not use reolink, ring, nest, Arlo cameras (they are junk), no cloud cameras
10) If possible use a turret camera , bullet collect spiders, dome collect dirt and reflect light (IR)
11) Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire. , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)
12) use a test mount to verify the camera mount location. My test rig: rev.2
13) (Looney2ns)If you want to be able to ID faces, don't mount cams higher than 7ft. You want to know who did it, not just what happened.
14) Use a router that has openVPN built in (Most ASUS, Some NetGear....)
15) camera placement use the calculator... IPVM Camera Calculator V3
16) POE list PoE Switch Suggestion List
17) Camera Sensor size, bigger is general better Sensor Size Chart


Cameras to look at
IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED . Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Full Color, Starlight+) - 4MP starlight
.................... Dahua IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED review
IPC-T5442TM-AS ..... Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+ - 4MP starlight+
IPC-B5442E-ZE ...... Review - OEM IPC-B5442E-ZE 4MP AI Varifocal Bullet Camera With Starlight+
IPC-T2347G-LU ...... Review of the Hikvision OEM model IPC-T2347G-LU 'ColorVu' IP CCTV camera. (DS-2CD2347G1-LU)
IPC-HDW2231R-ZS .... Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
IPC-HDW2231T-ZS-S2 . Review-OEM IPC-T2231T-ZS 2mp Varifocal Starlight Camera
IPC-HDW5231R-ZE .... Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE
IPC-HFW4239T-ASE ... IPC-HFW4239T-ASE
IPCT-HDW5431RE-I ... Review - IP Cam Talk 4 MP IR Fixed Turret Network Camera
IPC-T5241H-AS-PV ... Review-OEM IPC-T5241H-AS-PV 2mp AI active deterrence cam
IPC-T3241-ZAS ...... Review-OEM IPC-T3241-ZAS 2mp AI Lite series Varifocal -- 2mp AI Lite series Varifocal
IPC-HFW2831T-ZS ... Review-Dahua IPC-HFW2831T-ZS 8MP WDR IR Bullet Network Camera -- 8MP Bullet 1/1.8” sensor variable focus.
DS-2CD2325FWD-I
N22AL12 ............ New Dahua N22AL12 Budget Cam w/Starlight -- low cost entry
IPC-T2347G-LU....... Review-Loryta OEM 4MP IPC-T2347G-LU ColorVu Fixed Turret Network 4mm lens & Junction Box -- 4MP ColorVu
.................... Review of the Hikvision OEM model IPC-T2347G-LU 'ColorVu' IP CCTV camera.

Other dahua 4MP starlight Dahua 4MP Starlight Lineup

My preferred indoor cameras
DS-2CD2442FWD-IW
IPC-K35A Review-Dahua IPC-K35A 3mp Cube Camera

If interested in Blue Iris and other setup items see the following post

Newbie Starter Guide to IP Cam System – VPN setup – Computer Hardware – Blue Iris – Dahua Cameras

This is an intermediate / newbie guide for people just starting out looking for a surveillance setup. I know this setup might not be for everyone and there are many options. You can find a lot of this information in the Wiki: IP Cam Talk Wiki | IP Cam Talk A great place to start in the Wiki...

ipcamtalk.com

Before asking a question search the forum first...
The best way to search the forum is to use Google
In the google search window enter.. site:ipcamtalk.com ?????? ..where ?????? is the items/terms you are interested in.
Example site:ipcamtalk.com PALE MOON BROWSER

Read,study,plan before spending money ..... plan plan plan
Test do not guess