recommendation for an inexpensive (~50 USD) ONVIF/RTSP friendly wifi IP camera for apartment

[Anchal Nigam]

I've checked around this forum and many folks are asking about, or recommending, legit home security systems that need PoE or hardwiring or other complex setups. I don't need/want anything that robust.

I see Amazon is filled with inexpensive IP cameras. Some comments claim they do or do not support ONVIF/RTSP. I wanted to see if folks had recommendations here.

• 1080p
• pan + tilt
• night vision
• tracking is a plus

I want ONVIF/RTSP support so I can **eventually** install software on my Linux home lab/server to record/save the videos. For now I just need/want to be able to access them from my phone (LAN or WAN).

 

[TonyR]

You did not state for indoor or outdoor use; if indoors:

I suggest you consider the Amcrest IP2M-841 (re-branded Dahua) . It's ONVIF compatible, provides RTSP, is 1080p, IR, 2-way audio plus mike in/speaker out, has pan/tilt/digital zoom, wired or wireless and has alarm in/out, great with Blue Iris, VLC, etc. Available in white, black or silver for under $60.

I have installed it and it's lower-res cousin (720p) , the IPM-721 at 5 locations in 3 years with no hiccups. It runs about $48,

EDIT 4/1/21: V3 of the IP2M-841 does NOT provide relay I/O nor jacks for an external mic and speaker.

 

[Anchal Nigam]

I suggest you consider the Amcrest IP2M-841

Thank you! This is very helpful. The website doesn't say if it it supports automatic tracking. I assume that means it can't but thought I'd check with you first?

 

[TonyR]

Thank you! This is very helpful. The website doesn't say if it it supports automatic tracking. I assume that means it can't but thought I'd check with you first?

No, it does not, neither the 841 or 721.
Not sure if auto-track is available on these small cams; if so, I doubt it costs less than $60.

 

[Anchal Nigam]

I see cheap ones on Amazon that do but then they don't say if they support ONVIF or RTSP which is more important to me. I suspect even if they do support, it isn't documented and would be a PITA to figure out.

https://www.amazon.com/YI-Wireless-Security-Surveillance-Auto-Cruise/dp/B01CW4BN5M/

 

[mat200]

I see cheap ones on Amazon that do but then they don't say if they support ONVIF or RTSP which is more important to me. I suspect even if they do support, it isn't documented and would be a PITA to figure out.

https://www.amazon.com/YI-Wireless-Security-Surveillance-Auto-Cruise/dp/B01CW4BN5M/

Hi @Anchal Nigam

If you do not find references that a camera supports ONVIF, rtsp - then I would recommend not purchasing it.

There's a lot of crappy products sold on Amazon, so definitely only go with vendors and products which members recommend.

 

[Anchal Nigam]

Hi @Anchal Nigam

If you do not find references that a camera supports ONVIF, rtsp - then I would recommend not purchasing it.

There's a lot of crappy products sold on Amazon, so definitely only go with vendors and products which members recommend.

Agreed. I will only get what folks here recommend and/or I can confirm it supports ONVIF/RTSP. If nobody else has any recommendations I will get that Amcrest one.

 

[looney2ns]

Follow @TonyR suggestions.
Auto tracking is a gimmick, and does not typically work well, if at all.

IMHO, Amazon and Ebay are NOT the places to be researching cameras. Lots of scams and pure garbage on both.