Looking for a home security camera system

[davidg4781]

I'm looking to add some cameras around the exterior of my home and am looking for some advice. I'd rather not have a monthly fee and I guess wireless would be best. It's an older house and I don't know if we can run wires from the attic to outside. I'm not that handy, I guess. I also don't think I can get to all exterior walls from the attic.

I was kind of leaning towards Eufy but they seem to have 2 different types of cameras, some that store video on the device and some that stream it to the HomeBase. I had planned to use an old Mac mini to store video footage but the one I had died and I sold it. I'd be ok buying another one, probably a 2012 or 2014 model for this. I looked at Ring and Logitech, too.

As far as cameras, I'll need maybe 4-6 total, considering expansion down the road.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Find a way to hardwire it. Power over Ethernet (PoE) so you only need one wire, and it will be upgradable in the future without having to run new wires.

I have a Flir NVR system with 2 HD (maxed out storage) 8 cameras and 31+ days of recordings. I can remotely access it (but the web based interface is out of date and only works on IE), from iOS. I'm happy with it, I do not pay any monthly fees, and I have it set to send motion pictures to a dedicated email address. The system I have does not let me backup to their cloud, but that would be a nice feature to have.

 

[velocityg4]

With outdoor wireless. You need to deal with solar panels, batteries and such. There's also way fewer options. Plus issues with wifi coverage outdoors. WiFi does not like going through exterior walls. Getting on a ladder and fiddling with a camera having connection issues isn't fun.

I'd look into getting a bid for running the wires. So, you'll instead have the option of way more PoE cameras to choose from.

Also there's nothing saying you can't run the cables through steel conduit. Doesn't look as nice but you can paint them, to blend in, and run them from an easy place in the house to access the exterior walls. Giving the wires some added protection from being casually cut with a pair of dikes. Also it's not like you're dealing with secret agents most likely dope heads. Thieves see a camera and either turn around and walk away or don't give a crap and break in. It's unlikely they're going to sit around and cut through conduit. Which you'd have a recording of them doing.

 

[davidg4781]

Any suggestions for a brand of wired, outdoor ones? I've really just looked at wireless ones. I'm guessing they're all tied into a router or something to connect them to the network?

I'm looking at the NightOwl system and it looks manageable. I've been trying to find a picture of what the setup looks like. I have my routers by TVs so would it really just be the box along with a bunch of wires going into the wall?

I think part of the reason for going wireless was because I want to put one on the far side of the detached garage. I can put a Velop Node in the garage (the one I have right now may even work) but it may not be as easy to run the cable. May be easier, but it would run between the 2 structures.

And I don't mean to sound like I'm dismissing wired. For the last few years I've been looking at wireless and never really considered the wired, so it's kind of new to me.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Do it once, and do it right. Wired PoE is the only way to go. Wireless is for supplemental security (places you cant wire).

I hired a company to run my setup. We mapped it out and came up with a plan. I walked into it knowing I wanted wired, PoE, and local storage.

 

[Huntn]

Besides a wired, monitored security system that monitors doors, windows, and interior movement I first bought a ring doorbell so I could answer the front door without opening it. And then got a Ring outdoor security light/camera.

Both work great, the only caveat to this setup is it is wireless and it requires a functional internet. And after the first year complimentary, they charge annually after that. If you don’t pay the monitoring fee you get functionality, but nothing is recorded, which drastically reduces it’s effectiveness imo.

 

[velocityg4]

For the detached building. If you use that regularly for something like a home office or guest house. I'd consider running an Ethernet line. Either overhead or trenching. As it's one of those things you can use for the next 20 years.

If you don't want to deal with it. Point to point wireless. Then you can bridge it inside for wired and WiFi. If it's just the camera. Then whatever cheapest method you can do to get WiFi their for one or two cameras.

I can't tell you too much about brands. I had a client with a Night Owl system (hardwired, DVR). As far as the cameras and DVR are concerned. They just worked. You could turn on the monitor anytime and view live feeds or review footage.

The big fault was remote reliability. Trying to view the cameras remotely was a pain and highly unreliable. Their iPhone app was horrible.

Lorex seems to get good reviews. But I've never seen the system in action.

Ring is something where it works great for some people. For others it's a completley unreliable pain in the behind. Which I think mainly comes down to how badly a homes walls absorb a wifi signal. Some homes are no issue. While others can have an access point literally five feet from the camera and can't get the signal through the walls or doors.

 

[JohnMaldaner]

I'm looking to add some cameras around the exterior of my home and am looking for some advice. I'd rather not have a monthly fee and I guess wireless would be best.

I am looking to do this, too, and have been researching options. I’ve decided to use Apple HomeKit Secure Video. There aren’t too many cameras compliant with this, but the system is really secure, IMO. You might research it a bit. Several YouTube videos to give you an overview. There is a new camera out, Eve Outdoor Cam, that I am interested in for a remote garage exterior application. I have a reasonable WiFi signal there, but if it’s not strong enough I’ll consider either a mesh system or simply an extender. But, definitely going with a WiFi connected system. I would prefer hard wired cameras for power. I’ll be interested to see what you end up with!