What is the best way to power available cameras?

[wheaton4prez]

I have to replace a "dumb" motion-sensitive flood-light on the side of my house. (It's just too much light and can't be adjusted at all.)

So, I'm shopping for something that includes an IP camera and smaller, directional light. My obstacle is that the market seems to have very few options that are hard wired like the flood-light I'm replacing. Everything is either solar, plug-in power supply or POE.

Is there maybe an adapter kit I can use to convert a hard-wired connection into a cable I can plug into these cameras? Or, am I missing a line of camera/lights that offer a hard-wire option?

Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

[TonyR]

Do you want a camera with flood light (or pair) that can be motion activated that is powered by the 120VAC line voltage?

If so, consider => EmpireTech IPC-FL46N 4MP Fixed-Focal Floodlight Network Camera Built-In Dual Floodlights,Built-In Mic And Speaker

• 4-MP 1/3" CMOS image sensor, low luminance, and high definition image.
• Outputs max. 4 MP (2560 × 1440)@25 fps/30 fps
• H.265 codec, high compression rate, ultra-low bit rate.
• SMART H.264+/H.265+, flexible coding, applicable to various bandwidth and storage environments.
• Built-in microphone and speaker for real-time communication.
• Active alarm with built-in 110 dB Siren.
• The built-in dual floodlights can switch between warm and cool color temperature and have 4 floodlights modes.
• Detects humans, vehicles and animals to reduce the occurrence of false alarms.
• SMART H.264+/H.265+, flexible coding, applicable to various bandwidth and storage environments.
• Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi options, IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
• Supports max. 256 G Micro SD card and NVR storage.
• 100–240 VAC power supply, easy for installation.
• IP65 Protection.

 

[steve1225]

In profesional cctv market there is only one proper way to power cams: POE.
POE is not only for power but also its ethernet cable for data transmission and internet connection.
POE cable must be terminated on POE switch, POE NVR or POE injector.

Most profesional POE cams have also backup 12 or 24v power input for some strange installations where POE is not a option - but they require ethernet cable for data transmission..

If You want something like flood-light + camera + some sensor in one without POE/ethernet cable - there are only solutions from consumer brands.
Cheap/bad/working over WIFI.. Most are 12 or 24v so You must have power connected over power brick.

But You can find 110/220v solutions - like Philips Hue... Not cheap, but they don't require power brick...

Hue Security floodlight camera | Philips Hue

Add the Hue Floodlight Security Camera to your home security system and check your home from any location using your smart mobile device. Shop now!

www.philips-hue.com

 

[bigredfish]

“It's just too much light”

Blasphemy

 

[TonyR]

“It's just too much light”

Blasphemy

Oh, I'd never have one but apparently there IS a market, albeit small. One indication of the market size is the price of the floodlight cam I linked...as my late dad would say, "it's higher than a cat's ass."

 

[johnfitz]

If You want something like flood-light + camera + some sensor in one without POE/ethernet cable - there are only solutions from consumer brands.
Cheap/bad/working over WIFI.. Most are 12 or 24v so You must have power connected over power brick.

I agree, but... I have an EZ-Viz LC1C... it's cheap (about $60 at Amazon right now, $88 - $28 coupon) and it works pretty well... assuming you have a strong 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal where it will be installed... it runs off 120V AC so it's simple to swap out an old floodlight... the LED lights can be dimmed and set on with the day/night sensor or just on motion (at night)... the EZ-Viz iPhone app works pretty well too... I think it might meet your requirements.

EZVIZ LC1C - Smart Security Light Camera

Amazon EZ-Viz LC1C

It's very easy to install/setup. You can insert a cheap SD card in the camera, so it will record motion events without requiring a paid cloud subscription...

As others have/will point out, Wi-Fi isn't great for security cameras... and lots of folks here don't trust P2P apps like the one this camera uses.

 

[wheaton4prez]

If so, consider => EmpireTech IPC-FL46N 4MP Fixed-Focal Floodlight Network Camera Built-In Dual Floodlights,Built-In Mic And Speaker

Thank you for the recommendation.

I should have clarified that this light is illuminating a corridor (~4' wide) between side of the house and fence. So, it needs to be able to point to the side. This type of floodlight ends up sending most of the light directly out (I have a similar one on the other side of house).

In profesional cctv market there is only one proper way to power cams: POE.

That makes sense. I definitely respect the POE approach. I even have a solid POE+ router. But, where this camera is placed... it would be very difficult to wire now. I had the original wiring done for it when we had it down to the studs and easier (really wish I would have planned ahead better for cameras!).

But You can find 110/220v solutions - like Philips Hue... Not cheap, but they don't require power brick...

Hue Security floodlight camera | Philips Hue

Add the Hue Floodlight Security Camera to your home security system and check your home from any location using your smart mobile device. Shop now!

www.philips-hue.com

Interesting. I hadn't seen this one. Thank you. Will look into the specs.

“It's just too much light”

Blasphemy

Haha. Fair.

I should have clarified that the issue with too much light is that 90% of it is going into my neighbors yard and through his windows half the night.

as my late dad would say, "it's higher than a cat's ass."

I thought it was supposed to be a giraffe in that line!

EZVIZ LC1C - Smart Security Light Camera

Amazon EZ-Viz LC1C

It's very easy to install/setup. You can insert a cheap SD card in the camera, so it will record motion events without requiring a paid cloud subscription...

As others have/will point out, Wi-Fi isn't great for security cameras... and lots of folks here don't trust P2P apps like the one this camera uses.

Do you happen to know if that model allows turning one of the lights off? It looks like it might twist one side enough to work for me. But, would want to turn the other off for my neighbors sake.

I totally agree that wi-fi doesn't touch direct wired. But, it would be ok for my needs. I mainly just need some light as a deterrent and a snapshot or two to confirm in case someone does climb that fence over there. Also, just need a minimal amount of light in case I need to run over there in the middle of the night for some reason.

 

[wheaton4prez]

EZVIZ LC1C - Smart Security Light Camera

Amazon EZ-Viz LC1C

It's very easy to install/setup. You can insert a cheap SD card in the camera, so it will record motion events without requiring a paid cloud subscription...

I ordered one of these. It looks adjustable direction-wise and there is a brightness setting so I can turn it down to an inoffensive level as needed.

[For P2P is the trust a matter of reliability/quality? Or, security? For security, I will put this into its own VLAN. So, rest of my network should be safe short of an unusually good hacker.]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[tigerwillow1]

Why do you people keep tempting me with new $$$ toys?

Aside from that rant, 40+ watts makes for a pretty darn powerful LED light.
Max. (Illuminator+IPC): 48.3 W (100–240 VAC )

 

[johnfitz]

Do you happen to know if that model allows turning one of the lights off?

It does not... maybe wire cutters

For P2P is the trust a matter of reliability/quality? Or, security

The P2P works reliably... it's security concerns but the VLAN helps with that... but I still wonder if someone at EZ-Viz is watching my driveway

 

[wheaton4prez]

It does not... maybe wire cutters

Or duct tape.

The P2P works reliably... it's security concerns but the VLAN helps with that... but I still wonder if someone at EZ-Viz is watching my driveway

Got it. In my case, they would receive an extremely boring stream.