(Part 2) Best surveillance video recorders according to redditors

Probably a CCTV capture card similar to this one.

I have this one at my front door and my brother has five of them. Highly recommend.

Ah, yeah. That's a really good theory too.

I know now you can buy a system that does 720p with like 4 cameras and the "control" box for just a couple hundred bucks. I think you buy a HDD separately and put it in (and a monitor if you want to watch "live" vs. retrieve the recordings after the fact via a PC).

So let's just say that there is a 1TB HDD in there, with 4 720p streams I wonder how long it would take to fill up the hard drive?

EDIT: Googled it and found this.

DOUBLE EDIT: Found this. It suggests that 4 HD CCTV cameras will fill up a 1TB HDD in about 2 days.

Ok, here are some options:

https://www.amazon.com/All-Digital-Componet-Composite-Recorder/dp/B01JWI8M5U/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527481360&sr=1-3&keywords=rca+dvr+recorder

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITNOW-Capture-Converter-Adapter-Recorder/dp/B0747R2VMZ/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527481210&sr=1-15&keywords=rca+dvr+recorder

Either of these will record to a flash drive, external hard drive, etc. From what I read, you need an RCA/Composite cable. Hopefully this helped!

Edit: I tried finding one that was battery powered, but I had no luck. Your other option might be to use a Gnarbox, but I don't know if it could record in line. If I had one, I'd test it but they are quite pricey for me right now.

While we're talking cameras.

Make sure whatever system you have conforms to industry standards (Onvif) and you have plenty of storage. My local regulations require 30 days of storage.

Sitewide we have 64 cameras. We use 2 LTS NVR's. Since our campus is split between 2 buildings, 2 lots, with only a single gig ethernet running between them, I kept a lot of the traffic off that one link by having an NVR in each building.

We could have just grabbed a bunch of hard drives and shoved them in the NVR's, but I opted to go with a QNAP 4 bay NAS unit for each building. I export the drive space as an ISCSI mount to the NVR. Works very nice. It also gives me fault tolerance and hot swap, so if any of my drives fail, my monitoring stays up.

Whatever you do, do not go to costco to buy a Q-See, Lorex, etc. These are absolute trash.

                    My own **PERSONAL** recommendations<br />

My Camera being used outside---

https://www.amazon.com/Foscam-Audio-Wireless-Ultra-Camera/dp/B01F4RJV3K/





Recommended Systems---







NVR: http://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV1104-1080p-Network-Recorder/dp/B00X4UDCYE/



Low budget OK all in one: https://www.amazon.com/Security-Systems-Outdoor-Weatherproof-Smartphone/dp/B00HJYVJ1E

Midrange budget Decent all in one with some limitations: https://www.amazon.com/EZVIZ-Security-Weatherproof-Cameras-Channel/dp/B015121KH8/







Recommended Good Cost Minded Cameras---









Budget “Indoor” PTZ Dome Camera (with MIC+SOUND) 2MP ~$98.60 https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-ProHD-Wireless-Security-Camera/dp/B0145OQXCK/ (black also available)

Top End “Indoor” PTZ Dome Camera (with MIC+SOUND) 4MP ~$199.99 https://www.amazon.com/Foscam-Ultra-HD-Wireless-Security-Superior/dp/B01F4RJV3K (black also available)

“Indoor” PTZ Dome Camera [some limitations - Chinese] (with MIC+SOUND) 4MP ~$111.56 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Chinese-Firmware-DS-2DC2402IW-D3-4MP-IP-Camera-Mini-PTZ-Camera-With-IR-30M-Support-ONVIF/32623907200.html



Budget Indoor/Outdoor PTZ Dome Camera (no audio?) 2MP ~$188.00 https://www.amazon.com/ANRAN-Onvif-Vision-Network-Camera/dp/B00LXVU9NI

Top End Indoor/Outdoor PTZ Dome Camera (SOUND Only) 4MP ~$249.99 https://reolink.com/shop/rlc423-4mp-4x-optical-zoom-ptz-poe-ip-camera/





Budget & Top End Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Dome Camera (SOUND Only) 4MP ~$73.99 https://www.amazon.com/Reolink-RLC-420-2560x1440P-Outdoor-Detection/dp/B0147XLVIU/





Budget Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Bullet Camera (no audio?) 4MP ~$74.99 https://www.amazon.com/Reolink-RLC-410-Megapixel-Monitoring-Waterproof/dp/B010LH48F4 (wireless option available for $25 more)

Top End Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Bullet Camera (no audio?) 5MP ~$129.00 https://www.amazon.com/GW-Security-Megapixel-Resolution-Varifocal/dp/B01ATUAOTM

Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Bullet Cam Coming soon (with MIC+SOUND) 4MP ~? http://www.foscam.com/FI9901EP.html





Terms---

PTZ = Camera moves/adjusts with a motor and remotely,
Fixed = Camera must be moved/adjusted manually,
MIC = Talk to bystanders,
SOUND = Hear bystanders,
Budget = Decent camera, great price,
Top End = Great camera, reasonably priced but more than budget

You judge.

Cameras.

NVR.

For the cable, one 1000ft box should do it. $75 at Home Depot.

So as an update, these are the two options that I think we're going to go with. Well one of the two, any feedback on why the IP cam setup would be beneficial over the Analog?

Cameras: 4 Hikvision DS-2CD2142FWD-I 4MP WDR
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A6MYOOO/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

• Should we consider turrents as well? Or are Domes the preferred goto for a commercial, indoor setting?
  
  NVR: HIKVISION DS-7616NI-E2
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197X9L7S/ref=twister_B01DBLT7K8?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
  
• Considered the 8 port version as well, but I think we'll be running POE from a TPlink into the NVR, so the extra ports wouldnt matter.
  
  Switch: TP-LINK 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet PoE Desktop Switch with 4 PoE Ports (TL-SG1008P) -
  https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop-TL-SG1008P/dp/B00BP0SSAS?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAISGKVAZL7VOI6HIA&tag=vueville.com-ce-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00BP0SSAS
  
  WD Purple 2TB Surveillance Hard Disk Drive
  https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Surveillance-Hard-Disk-Drive/dp/B00IMPO5MO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1478502241&sr=8-5&keywords=WD+purple+surveillance
  
• Owner is looking for 30 days of recording capability
  
  200ft Cat5e Outdoor Waterproof Ethernet Cable Direct Burial 200 ft.
  https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Waterproof-Ethernet-Direct-Burial/dp/B001B6FY4O?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAISGKVAZL7VOI6HIA&tag=vueville.com-ce-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001B6FY4O
  
  Anything that i seem to be missing from this setup? I was thinking of a UPS as well for power trips and maybe an SD card. But not sure either is seems as necessary?
  
  Conversely, were also considering as mentined, a pure analog setup.
  Amcrest HD 720P 4CH Video Security System - Four 1280TVL
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZSPXR8E?th=1
  
  Is there a sizable benefit of going with the Hik IP cameras, vs the lesser costed CCTV system that Armcrest offers?

Thank you for the response. Do you mean a NVR like this? https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV4108-HS-Network-Recorder-Built/dp/B0743PQYS2

Could you please share which NVR system you are using at home? I do want to research on this.

Some elitists will knock it since it isn't professional grade, but I found the Amcrest brand stuff on Amazon to be pretty easy to set up and reliable enough for home use. You might want to wait for Black Friday deals or whatever special deals they have going on this week though.

There are a lot of systems Amcrest sells, but all of them use the same mobile app, which I have found to be fairly easy to use and quick.

Not sure if you mean under $500 for NVR + 4 cameras, or for one camera and pay to add more later?

For INDOOR use, I would go with this camera: https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-Ethernet-Optional-Recording-IP2M-841EW/dp/B01H2JSC6U/ref=lp_7648105011_1_16?srs=7648105011&ie=UTF8&qid=1511290875&sr=8-16

It lets you pan/tilt/zoom to look around a room to give more coverage, kind of like some baby monitors except better resolution. Should work great, just don't use it outdoors as it isn't outdoor rated and it might gunk up from exposure to the elements.

I would use this NVR: https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV2104E-1080p-Network-Recorder/dp/B0723HGHPV/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511291166&sr=1-3&keywords=amcrest+nvr+poe

and this HDD:
https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Surveillance-Hard-Disk-Drive/dp/B071RM2HS7/ref=pd_bxgy_421_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KRHDZW54J592EW7DR50K

edit: Amcrest also has pretty good tech support from the reviews I have read, so that is another selling point for them IMHO.

This one? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074G2SJTX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B8gxCbYVPYEW1

Cameras are going straight into a POE NVR.

https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV4116E-1080p-Network-Recorder/dp/B07478C3CJ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1540071426&sr=8-5&keywords=amcrest+poe+nvr

NVR is connected to router which is also connected to computer with SADP tools.

If you havent already bought that NVR, do yourself a favor and look at this one. Much better and will handle just about any tye of analog camera plus allow you to use IP cameras when you're ready.

https://www.amazon.com/Penta-brid-XVR5116H-4KL-Digital-Recorder-Support/dp/B01MZ6ZUYU/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1550103811&sr=1-4&keywords=dahua+xvr

this one if you have a lot of books/bookshelf

this alarm clock

this picture frame for valentines day with a picture of you guys or your family

modern looking "smart clock" with app

this pen

you can also leave a laptop or computer webcam open and im sure there are streaming or recording apps that don't just show up on your screen or flash your light. again, make sure there aren't laws about it because there might be a privacy law since she could be naked or in her own home and you can only turn it on if you are also present unless your state allows no party consent (which is really rare).

Higher resolution than 2MP, for one.

If you need just two cameras and a pre-built kit, check out the following Zmodo kits:

https://www.amazon.com/Zmodo-Wireless-Outdoor-Indoor-Security/dp/B01IT8LLQG/

https://www.amazon.com/Zmodo-Replay-Outdoor-Wireless-Surveillance/dp/B01LXJZ5G3/

Some brands like Unifi give you poe injectors with the cameras, but they're cheap enough to buy separate. You can also get an NVR with POE built in like this.

http://bbs.foscam.com/forum.php



Yes, thats the one. Its a mess. Daily, its being spammed and the moderators are not keeping up. It will scare your customers away, nobody thinks they will get help when their posts get moved down because of all the spam posts. Maybe moderate the sign up procedure so that bots cant register new accounts.

Your NVR is 9 channel by the way. NVR

I'm guessing your cloud uses a lot of tech from the NVR, I think it records at 720p as well.

Is there any way you can suggest for the nvr that it shows how many days of recording you could get at your specific quality/schedule and number of cameras? Right now, it really doesnt give an estimate.

Also, what do you recommend on your outside hd camera (just got two of the FI9928P) should these be mounted high, or eye level?) how do you keep the lenses from getting dirty (rain protection?)

I have another camera arriving today. I took the camera and plugged it straight into my network's gigabit switch and powered it via 12v. I found that the issue went away. I've been streaming for several hours through iVMS and VLC without stutter. I believe the NVR is at fault, maybe a bit too old to work with 4mp streams? I'm looking at this guy for a replacement https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019LSXU76/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Per le camere Hikvision o Foscam vanno bene e costano il giusto.

Se prendi Hikvision ti consiglio di usare l'NVR loro, di solito installiamo il DS7616-NI-I2, stessa serie ma 16 canali. Hanno anche qualche modello più piccolo ma non l'ho mai provato.

Altrimenti puoi usare un normalissimo NAS Synology con le licenze per le cam, ma è una soluzione un po' artigianale che ti sconsiglio.

sell these

http://beforeitsnews.com/mediadrop/uploads/2014/02/b79fa9c124d069a92a07e42ce91e96db6fc74186.jpg

and buy these

http://www.amazon.com/Infrared-Vision-Security-Optional-Included/dp/B00KBB1BBK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_p_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=17TR7V0EWHF2B02F0WCJ