Why Do All Home Security Apps Suck? Need Advice PoE IP Cam with Good Software

Goremans on 15/06/2021 - 15:39

Hi all,

I have a 7 month old puppy I need to monitor remotely as I am starting full time work again.

I have a D-Link remote cam set up for the back door, but need more Cams and the D-Link software is pretty terrible.

Looking around I find heaps of systems that would suit, mainly 2-3 cams (1 that swivels) PoE, but then I look at the app store, both IOS and Android, and the apps suck.

Most have terrible reviews and going by the D-Link app I currently use its so frustrating when it won't connect or display the stream.

Can anyone give me some advice on the system they would recommend?

Less concerned with cost (within reason) and features and more concerned with the usability of the app/software. Being able to record the video or use detection isn't very important either, just quickly and easily be able to to view whats going on.

Are there third party apps that allow you to simple add a IP cam and watch the stream remotely?

Appreciate any help you can provide.

Cheers, Ryan

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • JCrown9 on 15/06/2021 - 15:47

    have a look at tp link / tapo cameras.
    app is good, multiple cameras, and can set up with a bit of work to view remotely from a pc.
    if using the app only. is fine.

    amazon sell them for around $50 a camera.

  • toomuchdogfur on 15/06/2021 - 15:47
    +1

    Yeah, never trust a hardware company to make an app. They just simply don't care about the app, and it's even worse when its a cloud dependent service (like IP cameras, as you've unfortunately found).

    Personally, for direct IP streams over the internet (i.e. you've exposed your camera on an open port… be wary of security here though) I've had success with OWLR and IP Camera.

    If you're willing to do some more work to set up a Synology NAS, their Surveillance Station functionality is pretty good. Along with all the other benefits of pulling camera feeds to a central device.

  • SF3 on 15/06/2021 - 15:53

    Cheers, Ryan

    Hey Ryan - have you checked google’s Nest Cameras? Their app can sent notifications to your phone (by installing their app) when it detects motion.

  • NewbiefromVic on 15/06/2021 - 16:17
    +5

    Accessing the camera by punching a hole through your router (via port forwarding) is risky for many reasons. If you could see the number(s) of attempts to access the camera by scanners (automated or otherwise), you'd find it hard to sleep. And relying on the IOT / IP camera manufacturers to continue releasing firmware updates to address vulnerabilities is probably not realistic when they need to keep pushing the latest / greatest to market ..

    Personally, I don't trust Cloud simply because I have seen too many cases of users given access where they shouldn't have.

    Step 1
    Segregate your home network into 2 subnets with 1 mainly for your trusted devices (e.g. phones, laptops etc) and another for IOT / cameras that is blocked from the internet. On the the 1st one configure a VPN so that you connect to it when you are outside your home network and need to access your IOT / camera devices.

    Step 2
    Setup VPN to access your home network from outside. If your router does not support VPN by default, then use a PiHole / pivpn to add OpenVPN or Wireguard to your home network easily.

    Step 3
    For Android, TinyCam Pro is the best I've used and frequently updated, and supports many different camera brands and also allows you to do recording / motion detection / notification so you can have everything done locally without the IOT devices talking to the Inernet.

    All the best. Cheers

    • Goremans on 15/06/2021 - 22:34

      That app looks great, I don't mind paying if it does the job and gets updated. Other than security the worst thing about vendors is they move on and don't update legacy apps.

      So would u recommend something like these

      https://m.reolink.com/product/rlc-520/?sscid=61k5_k5lsq

      https://m.reolink.com/product/rlc-410/?sscid=61k5_k5ltx

      With a PoE switch like this.

      https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/networking/switches/8143…

      Then find cheap basic VPN, a bunch of cat 6 and the app u recommended?

      I just did a networking course, and learnt I'm not cut out to be a network admin but I can prob fumble my way through VPN and the such.

      Just to clarify: The cams don't need to be connected correctly to a poe router just a poe switch that connects to my router?

      Thanks for your help btw

      • NewbiefromVic on 16/06/2021 - 08:04

        TinyCam has a free aka ad-supported version for up to 4 cameras, so you can try it out first if you want (in case you weren't already aware)

        According to https://tinycammonitor.com/support.html, RLC-410 is supported, but RLC-520 is not on the list. You can try contacting the app author to check if it's already supported or support can be added. Or you can try to find the direct HTTP / web links that to make it work and use that in the app. You might actually be able to get Reolink to help with the specific camera model you have in mind since they have done a short write-up before - https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/900000658143-H…. Sorry, I don't have experience with Reolink cameras so can't really comment if they are good or not.

        Connecting the cameras to the router via the PoE switch should work, so long as you can assign another subnet on your router or switch, and segregate it from the Internet.

        The other and much more covenient option (albeit with some tradeoffs in terms of wired vs wireless connection) is to daisy-chain 2 Wireless Access Points, and use wireless IP cameras. Best to use 2.4Ghz (vs 5Ghz) which has better transmission over distance. This will make it easier for you to move your cameras if you need to, and position them where you need coverage. For some areas, a fixed POV is good, but for others, a PTZ might be more suitable.

        For VPN, you don't need a paid service unless you also intend to use it to connect to the Internet. Setting up Wireguard VPN server on a Raspberry PI is easy and it gets updated automatically so long as the OS and apps are supported.

        I recommend Wireguard because of the ease of use and speed - https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-wireguard/ The advantage of this approach is you can also use the PI for other applications (e.g. ad-blocking, dynamic DNS updates, IOT command center, DVR storage via SMB / sFTP etc.). It'll be a fun project, if you have time, and gives you another opportunity to learn about Linux, networking etc. if you wish.

        Note : you will need to open 1 port on your router to the PI to allow VPN to work, but this is 1 port vs numerous ports for numerous cameras, and I dare say Pi and Wireguard will have a much much higher chance of remaining updated against vulnerabilities as compared to IP cameras but do be careful with putting too much stuff on the PI in case it does get compromised ..

        Hope this helps.

        Cheers

  • Traveller107 on 15/06/2021 - 16:30

    Been using swan cam for the cats. Works beautifully and the app is great. Allows us to speak with them too which helps with their anxiety if we are running late. Tried others before and found them frustrating until found this swan cam. Cheers

  • FareEvader on 14/09/2021 - 23:13

    Hey OP, what system did you end up buying?

    • Goremans on 15/09/2021 - 19:16
      +1

      I bought a Reolink kit DVR kit. Good software and hardware (although Chinese cough cough..), and good price.

      Specifically RLK8-520 B2D2. The B = bullet (wide angle) D = dome(narrower angle with zoom).

      My only regret, if even a regret, is going with the B2 D2. I should have swapped to D4 or 4 domes as my use case could benifit from wider angles.

      Cheap to buy add ons, the software never messes up. I added on a wifi cam of theirs as it has a speaker in it (helps with the dog/puppy) on back deck.

      I would definelty recommend to others.

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