Newbie, looking to start simple and on the cheap

[mc510]

For now, I'm envisioning putting up one or two cameras and hoping to keep it cheap and simple. I've already got a large NAS hard drive on my home network, so I'm wondering if I could just use the on-camera software to detect motion, send alerts, and save video on the NAS hard drive, instead of buying a NVR or dedicated PC for Blue Iris/similar? If I get a decent camera brand, is the on-camera software flexible and reliable enough? What would the main drawbacks be?

 

[looney2ns]

Welcome, Study here: Cliff Notes.

 

[mat200]

For now, I'm envisioning putting up one or two cameras and hoping to keep it cheap and simple. I've already got a large NAS hard drive on my home network, so I'm wondering if I could just use the on-camera software to detect motion, send alerts, and save video on the NAS hard drive, instead of buying a NVR or dedicated PC for Blue Iris/similar? If I get a decent camera brand, is the on-camera software flexible and reliable enough? What would the main drawbacks be?

Welcome @mc510

Suggest picking up one of the Dahua OEM 2MP starlight varifocals - see looney2ns review on the IPC-HDW2231rp-zs, imho that is a great camera to pick up and start learning with.

Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal