(Part 2) Best surveillance video equipment according to redditors

Ok so here is the breakdown of what I am doing and a couple more photos of the UI and videos of it in action.

Here is the configuration.yaml and ui-lovelace.yaml files on Github.

The main components that are currently being used on the front end are:

• TP-Link/Kasa WiFi switches/outlets
  
  • HS100, HS105, HS200, HS210, HS220
    
• TP-Link/Kasa WiFi bulbs
  
  • LB130, LB200, LB230
    
• Ecobee 4 with 4 remote sensors
  
• August Lock and Connect
  
• Automatic
  
• Harmony Hub
  
• Foscam cameras
  
  • C1, R2e, FI9928P, FI9900PR
    
• Abode security system
  
• Darksky forecast
  
• Speedtest
  
  I intend for the UI to be displayed on a few Fire HD8 tablets. One that will be centrally located on the main floor of the house. Two others will be used as nightstand clocks in the master bedroom.
  
  At a high level, all I have done is drawn the floor plan and layouts in Sketch and exported individual assets as pngs and position them within a picture-elements card mostly utilizing image and its state_image. I would basically just plop down the button or icon or whatever with style: "top":50% "left":50%. Once the asset was in the UI I would inspect it via Chrome's dev tools inspector and select the parent container that the style was being set on. I would then manually adjust the top and left percentages until I was satisfied. I would then update ui-lovelace.yaml to include the new values and double check them in the browser.
  
  For the buttons, currently the button background and button text are baked into the image but I intend to change that soon. Basically the indicator light is actually the same size as the whole button its just 95% of it is transparent.
  
  Here are some screen caps (since i just posted photos from my phone last night)
  
  Here are a couple videos of it in action:
  
  
• Flipping a couple switches
  
• Switching between tabs
  
  Thats all I can think of for now to answer the basics... I am more than happy to go deeper into anything anyone has any questions about

Everyone’s talking about outlets and cloud storage just do what businesses have done for years. Ive installed 5 like systems. Past two homes, mother’s, mother’s neighbor and my neighbor. $150 done and done.

ANNKE 8 Channel Security Camera System 5-in-1 1080P lite H.264+ DVR with 1TB Surveillance Hard Disk Drive and (4) 1280TVL 1.0MP Weatherproof HD-TVI Bullet Cameras with IR-cut Night Vision LEDs, Instant email alert with images https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZZMVC1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UJ7vBbXMNW2AT

I noticed today's Kasa app update release notes said it added support for "KC120", so I did a little searching amd found this new Nestish cam that was added to Amazon 5 days ago. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WJPPCZ/

5 kids, shitty neighbors and single parenting... If I am in a position to help, I will.

B&H has an 8 channel NVR for $369 (over your budget). Amazon has something (https://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-DS-7608NI-SE-Channel-Ports-Recorder/dp/B00DVODRJ8) but I would look for something filled by Amazon to ensure you have some semblance of warranty. I would offer to sell you one, but my prices are similar or higher than what they would be from B&H and Amazon. I'm in Canada to boot, so a huge PitA to get warranty. A 4-channel unit might be more cost effective that this point.

One more item, you will need a monitor or laptop to set up the recorder, just FYI.

Once you have one unit selected, PM me your contact info and I'll get the cameras out next week.

Do some work in CCTV. But often in non IP cameras, I just run Cat5 and that one wire run can be the power for the camera and the video signal for the DVR. It is not difficult.

Firstrend 4 cam system, with a 1tb hard drive. I I'd give it 4 stars probably. Super easy to set up, does what I need it to, but it's not a very intuitive UI. I also can't find any sort of overwrite settings, I may need to manually format it every few weeks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077HT7P5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kCjJBbTTFZAZ8

I was going to recommend Reolink cameras. I have a few of them and they are great. No clue how their NVR's perform though.


I'd suggest spending the little extra to get the 5mp cameras in the kit though. The extra resolution is nice if you ever have to digitally zoom in the recorded footage. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4CGTKQ


Next up from there is getting the individual cameras and setting up a small computer with software to do the recording. I run Milextone Xprotect Essentials, but I don't really like it. It fees like overkill for a home environment and takes time to maintain (windows needs updates, software needs updates and license renewals, ect...).

You don't need anything fancy. A cheaper analog camera plugged into a Composite-to-HDMI or Composite-toVGA adapter plugged into a monitor will give you want you want for < $100, monitor not included.

BUT - I think you will be happier, long-term, if you do keep a few days' worth of video, just in case there's an issue about something. Sometimes being able to prove something didn't happen is as important as proving what did happen. (e.g., the person who's supposed to be watching the door/monitor goes away for 5 mins to use the toilet. wouldn't it be nice to have a record of what, if anything, happened during those 5 mins?)

But, for what you're asking for:

Camera https://www.amazon.com/NYXCAM-Security-Surveillance-Weatherproof-Monitoring/dp/B078H83RHV/

Power supply https://www.amazon.com/ABLEGRID-Supply-Adapter-Security-Camera/dp/B015PWVUSS/

Hybrid power/video cable https://www.amazon.com/Swann-100ft-Surveillance-Security-Cameras/dp/B0104X85X6/

Or, use CAT 5 and a set of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XCGZ3H5/

BNC/RCA adapter: https://www.amazon.com/VCE-5-PACK-Plated-Female-Adapter/dp/B01N20F61M/

and you should be able to plug into a TV/monitor that accepts composite video (typically a single yellow RCA plug/jack) - or if you want to output to HDMI, one of these https://www.amazon.com/GANA-Composite-Converter-Adapter-Supporting/dp/B01L8GG6PW/ + a USB power source.

I haven't personally used those products, I've gone down the IP camera rabbit hole; but if you wanted to do something simple & cheap for < $100, that's how I'd do it.

If you are limited to Satellite and cellular, you want to avoid cloud-tethered solutions entirely, and look for approaches which can work with purely local networking as much as possible. These will be more expensive, but will avoid data caps and also the latency issues with satellite.

Higher end cameras like Axis Communications can be configured with in-camera motion detection and can send an email with a couple of snapshots when motion is detected, limiting their bandwidth consumption. If Axis/Bosch/Sony is outside your price range, check out TriVision.

Many of the popular "smart house" home automation solutions are also cloud-tethered, and run not just voice recognition but pretty much all controls and actions via an Internet service.

Use Power over Ethernet (PoE) then it's a single cable run. I ended up running cable through my soffet and into the attic for a few cameras, and one I used an existing penetration from an outdoor light.

Plus PoE is digital (uses ethernet instead of RCA), so many benefits over analog (higher resolution, easy upgrades, etc)

E: when I first started researching security cameras it seemed a bit daunting, but PoE makes all the cameras super easy, then it's just finding a NVR (network video recorder) that will work. Reolink has a super easy kit I ended up going with (bought from US Amazon, shipped up here for $450 CAD at the time, now it's $530). I also used a wifi extender
with ethernet port to connect the NVR to my home network so I didn't have to do an in-wall wire run (will do it later, just wanted the cameras up and running). So far so good, Reolink has a pretty solid app and desktop client

Budget is somewhere in the range of $200-300. If I need to spend a little more, for something I can use with upgraded cameras down the road, that's fine too. I have a spare PC monitor I can use also

Edit: /u/protogenxl suggested this one;

https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-Security-Recorder-Smartphone-AMDV8M8-H5/dp/B07HPB7D9F

Sorry to keep bugging you...

Reading up on it, I guess Ubiquity is kind of depreciating 24v and moving to 802.3af, but they aren't there yet so in the meantime they are selling adapters for $21. The G3's are still only available on 24v but they are phasing it out of their switches.

The G3's have such nice reviews, it's kind of tempting to get them with the adapters and then use a standard PoE switch.

Do you know anything about Amcrest's NVRs? Looks alright, and I could skip most of the hardware except a hard drive.

That's why 3rd party software is the best. I think there are hikvision DVRs and such, but then you are looking for a turnkey solution. Turnkeys are never as flexible as PCs with software.

Various companies make NVRs with BlueIris. A quick look at amazon got me this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0743WP62Q but I can't speak to the quality of it at all.

I would definitely much rather run a physical cable and route all of them to a small switch, I think I'll give that a shot.

I ordered This for the driveway area, and it will cover all of my vehicles + garage, and should be able to see anyone approaching my home, thanks to the layout that I have.

I ordered These for the other points, 2 will be inside my house, and I'll but the other 2 under my gutters. Blue Iris looks great, I'm 100% giving that a shot. I'll try the beer thing, but I think I'm going to leave actual beer in the case. I want to catch them a few times just to be completely sure, and then I'll forward everything to the police and my lawyer. I'm also going to go door to door with the neighbors that I trust and urge them to file police reports for all of their stolen property so we can potentially get a greater charge if we catch the guy.

I've used that too, worked great. If you have the extra money the netcamviewer listed below is pretty nice. Just a pi with a nice web ui for adding/managing the camera feeds and it's easy to add sequences if you have a lot of cameras to monitor.

[netcamviewer - amazon.com] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076DH6S4P/ref=s9_acsd_simh_hd_bw_bxmgD_c_x_1_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=DYZB94BS33T45Z31RVNW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=4d0d7171-1ef6-55cf-bbbf-7e63844cb806&pf_rd_i=14248481)

I was considering buying the G3 and NVR until I read the reviews for the NVR. Lots of people saying they turn off randomly.

Do you think it's worth a try?

I use a HD camera with motion detection, text picture alerts, built in DVR, and full internet accessibility. Had mine for two years:
https://www.amazon.com/Sharx-Security-SCNC3905-Definition-Weatherproof/dp/B00IAZ3R0C

Ideally you would want the 4k offering for future proofing

https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-Security-Recorder-Smartphone-AMDV8M8-H5/dp/B07HPB7D9F

[Newest] Wireless Security Camera System, Firstrend 8CH 1080P Wireless NVR System with 4pcs 1.3MP IP Security Camera with 65ft Night Vision and Easy Remote View,P2P CCTV Camera System(No Hard Drive) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077HT7P5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AUnvDbJH4P69C

I bought this system for my husband for Father's Day, and have been pleasantly surprised with how nice they are considering the price.

We got this monitor for the baby even though she'll be sleeping in the same room as us as well. I set it up a while ago and it works really well with the cell phone app. I can even push a button on the app and talk through it to the baby if we aren't in the same room. I think it'll be useful if I want to shower/cook something while she's sleeping in a different room.

All you need is a recorder:

https://www.amazon.com/Support-Standalone-Surveillance-Security-Recorder/dp/B07DQ7T573

https://www.amazon.com/ZOSI-Security-Capability-Surveillance-Detection/dp/B06WP6Q898

A hard drive for the recorder: https://www.amazon.com/Purple-1TB-Surveillance-Hard-Drive/dp/B072L175ZW/

And a monitor if you do not have a spare lying around:

https://www.amazon.com/Haiway-Security-Surveillance-Controller-Resolution/dp/B07WCQ627G

and a mouse and keyboard, if you do not have spares:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Wired-Computer-Keyboard-Bundle/dp/B00B7GV802

So one like this is no good? Asking for a friend, haha. Have a blind spot on one side of house I'd like to put one in, got power and good wifi. But know next to nothing about these items. Thanks for any input

Was this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DQ7T573/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gyrKDbP3NXCE6

The one you bought?

This says it supports a max of 6tb

https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV4108E-HS-1080p-Network-Recorder/dp/B0743WP62Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1525080661&sr=8-4&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rps=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=amcrest+nvr+poe

I saw that there are 8tb and 12tb hdds out and I thought the nvr wouldn't be able to support it.

I was also thinking a beater computer with multiple smaller hard drives running in raid would be more fool proof

Would a synology clog up the network? Or any other NAS?

I used Mod Podge and some cheap comics instead of vinyl. Funny u should talk about the swivel bc I have https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072N2YGXN/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and works good but wanted a swivel and been looking at phone/tablet mounts since a VESA mount probably wouldnt fit (also probably cheaper too).

All of the "pre-packaged" sets are made in China from Chinese manufacturers. Example here.
If you're ambitious, you could build a small PC with BlueIris (a IP camera software) and just buy the cameras individually and have BlueIris record them. You'd already have a POE switch which can do the power - all you'd need is the NVR.

Since my Unraid Box is in my Homeoffice I have a KVM connected to it.

In your case, you maybe also need a vga => hdmi converter.

I also used a 10" LCD Monitor for a while

> You're better bet is to either buy an inexpensive NVR

would a cheap Amcrest nvr like this one work?

I dont really see anything on if hik cameras would work with it

I'm partial to Zyxel and I own a few models.
This one is more than sufficient for your needs, and it comes with loads of enterprise level features which usually fetch hundred$ more:

http://www.amazon.com/ZyXEL-Internet-Security-Firewall-Gigabit/dp/B0042W7CAI/ref=pd_sim_147_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41AkmS1JaxL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1K3EJMNYK7HYGAEXPYRV

A NVR is 10x more reliable and sooo much simpler to use than a PC. Overall a Hikvision 8 channel with drive costs ~$350 and includes power-over-ethernet ports, so you plug cams via ordinary patch cables straight into it. A PC is better than nothing, but personally, there is nothing worse than 'almost' getting video footage when a PC has rebooted and is stuck at 'Press F1 to continue'.....dedicated NVRs don't do dumb things like that.

• https://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-DS-7608NI-SE-Channel-Ports-Recorder/dp/B00DVODRJ8
  
  For redundancy, many Hikvision IP cameras record to a NVR AND can record to local storage (onboard microSD card slot). Hikvision makes cams from 1MP all the way to 10MP. If a cam has local storage, in some cases you don't need a NVR, since effectively the NVR is built into the camera. Most cams support up to 128GB micro-SD, which would save a lot of footage.
  
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cpAKA4SZ1o
  
  The most common Hikvision cam is the DS-2CD2132-I 3MP dome.
  
  
• DS-2CD2132 is an outdoor cam but would be fine for indoors as well. A dome is what you want for inside a store. About $125 each. These are rock-solid reliable, produce excellent video. Hikvision uses the Texas Instruments DaVinci processor for their cams, the same one the GoPro uses. The video is clear under all lighting conditions. (FWIW I own a dozen Hikvison cams)
  
  http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1942
  
  For example, an expensive but versatile camera they make is their 360 degree fisheye. This device is simply awesome. Expensive, but could do the work of five of six cameras all in one.
  
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTiJ55ieBcY
  
  This is a $400 camera, but could easily cover a significant portion of your store with this one camera.

Recently there was an article that a lot of people noticed the 1080p quality of these cameras.

I have the Sharx ip cam. It's pretty sweet.

https://www.amazon.com/Sharx-Security-SCNC3905-Definition-Weatherproof/dp/B00IAZ3R0C

I have ALL parts of my property under video surveillance. I think all pet owners should. You never know when some twisted individual will go out of their way to take "revenge" on your beloved pet.

I started doing this since I found a few suspicious pieces of cheese on my side of the property near the fence. Luckily my dog is extremely shy and won't accept food from people she doesn't know well.

It's easy to setup even if you're not tech savvy.

You need one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-Network-Recorder-UVC-NVR/dp/B00LSNM1DM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494653840&sr=1-1&keywords=unifi+nvr

And one or more of these: https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UVC-G3-UniFi-Video-Camera/dp/B01EZYTYLC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494653840&sr=1-2&keywords=unifi+nvr

The cameras are fully weatherproof (I've got mine mounted under sidings, on poles and on trees outside my property) and they've been working well for 2+ years.

Don't take the risk - protect yourself.

You'll find that people's demeanour changes once they find out they're being watched as well.

I have and like the Hikvision cameras, they're cheap and very good quality, both physically and image wise. That said if you want something that your grandparants can operate without you being there Ubiquiti is pretty nice for that. I affectionately refer to Ubiquiti as the Apple of prosumer devices. They may cost a bit more and may not be as high spec'd as their competition, but it'll work, and it'll look good doing so. You can run Ubiquiti (or Hikvision) NVR software as a VM on your R710, but are you planning to be there for many years? how often do you reboot, or take your R710 offline? An alternative that you may want to consider is buying a hardware NVR, Ubiquiti's is fairly nice and decently cheap.

If it is within your budget, I would highly recommend that you get a NVR that includes hook ups for IP cameras with PoE (power over ethernet), I would avoid getting a coaxial system unless you are on a smaller budget. The coaxial hookups look like round circles on the back of the DVR, compared to the IP cameras that hook up into Cat5/ethernet type cable connections (rectangular). Here is an example of an 8 channel NVR, see the photo of the back: https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV4108E-Ethernet-Network-Recorder/dp/B00X4UDMJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500416949&sr=8-3&keywords=nvr+PoE

I currently have a coaxial system in my home, but I installed it many years ago when the price of a NVR / PoE camera system was simply too high for me. They have come down in price, but I don't want to buy a whole new system and cameras, and cables, and re-run all the cables, when my existing system works alright. BUT... if you want really high resolution and the ability to upgrade the cameras in the future, go with the network type cameras, not the coaxial ones. You will be able to see things like license plates, etc. with more clarity and have better camera upgrade options for the future.

I'm in Canada and had a break in recently (last week) as well.

I ended up getting an POE NVR and 1 POE camera to test for now. The camera is rated down to -30C (probably a little lower) so it should handle the winter here.

NVR: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00X4UDMJ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Camera: http://www.lightinthebox.com/hikvision-ds-2cd2132-i-3-0mp-ip66-network-mini-ip-dome-camera-4mm-lens-poe-onvif-protocol_p1481773.html

Can't say anything about it yet, NVR should arrive today and Camera shipped from China yesterday but should be here between Friday and Tuesday (paid for 3-5 day shipping).

It sucks that the Camera is the chinese version and you can't update the firmware. But this camera will be going outside so I'm not too worried about it. I'll eventually get some cheaper 720P cameras for inside.

I dunno why I linked that other NVR. I must have clicked the wrong one on Amazon. This is the correct NVR: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4UDMJ4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

8 channel PoE.

I was given a similar system to this. It works really well and is expandable if needed. $150 gets you a DVR, and some cameras.

ANNKE 8 Channel Security Camera System 5-in-1 1080P lite H.264+ DVR with 1TB Surveillance Hard Disk Drive and (4) 1280TVL 1.0MP Weatherproof HD-TVI Bullet Cameras with IR-cut Night Vision LEDs, Instant email alert with images https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZZMVC1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LeYcBbHA38WHN

ANNKE 8 Channel Security Camera System 5-in-1 1080P lite H.264+ DVR with 1TB Surveillance Hard Disk Drive and (4) 1280TVL 1.0MP Weatherproof HD-TVI Bullet Cameras with IR-cut Night Vision LEDs, Instant email alert with images https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZZMVC1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8vC9AbYWWEM99

I have Yi Home for part of my home security. Got the 1080 for my front door and then got their dash cam. So I'm pretty happy with them. Last week I brought one of the cameras on vacation, just to be safe... We were staying with friends who brought their dog, the get along but we just wanted to be sure they weren't doing anything while we were away.

My daughter and son-in-law have something like this installed. There must be 4 or 5 similar systems on their block. Again, its all the rage here.

https://www.amazon.com/YI-Wireless-Security-Surveillance-Monitor/dp/B01CW4B1UY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1520179364&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=home+security+camera+system+wireless&psc=1

This zywall should be able to do it- http://www.amazon.com/ZyXEL-Internet-Security-Firewall-Gigabit/dp/B0042W7CAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416495985&sr=8-1&keywords=zywall+20


This ERL should be able to do it, as well- http://www.amazon.com/EdgeRouter-ERLite-3-512MB-Ethernet-Router/dp/B00CPRVF5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416496041&sr=8-1&keywords=ubiquiti+edge

0- WAN
1- LAN1
2- LAN2

Keep in mind, the ERL would need a firmware upgrade to be able to do this via the GUI, unless it is shipped with the latest firmware, not sure.

You seem to be knowledgeable, any thoughts on this system?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y1DNBSY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

For an nvr something like this would work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0719WXZTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7fAQBb0834T4X

And maybe 2 of these cameras

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07522NBJV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UiAQBbVVQG47B

They are only 1080p cameras which is considered low resolution by today standards but they should be decent.

Even then you are still at $300. Also note that any hard drive you put in will not be expected to last only long unless it is a drive designed for Nas or nvr. Regular dinners are not meant to be spinning constantly.

You can get a POE switch for fairly cheap. Look for an NVR that is ONVIF capable and then add whatever cameras work best for you. Kits are/can be extremely limiting when it comes to adding cameras. I have this NVR with a mix of SV3C and Dericam cameras. I run 4 POE cameras off a POE switch. Once I run some Cat5e to a few more cameras they will all be wired, wireless can be problematic at times.

This kinda thing happens all the time and yet Riot still has your client display your IP maybe that's it's happening in the tournaments they will take a closer look now. About all you can do is use a nice ISP and a good Firewall to help protect your self but they are not all ways 100%. Here is a nice external firewall that can help stop a ddos and seems to work most of the time.

http://www.amazon.com/ZyXEL-Internet-Security-Firewall-Gigabit/dp/B0042W7CAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382826586&sr=8-1&keywords=firewall