Reliable and Inexpensive Home Security Camera Options

jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 20:00
Last edited 11/02/2023 - 21:56

Hi all

We are looking to step into the world of home security with the deployment of a couple of cameras at the front of our property. Keen to know what are good options to achieve this. I am assuming that a decent option would include the ability to record (otherwise what would be the point I suppose).

Anybody got any ideas or experience that they could share that would help with this (novice in this space)?

**EDIT - One thing I forgot to add was whether I could use whatever solution with my NAS that runs Xpenology (Synology Port). Having got a network level device does that make the options wider?

Cheers

Electrical & Electronics Security Camera

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/02/2023 - 20:08
    +3

    Diy option I can recommend eufy outdoor camera - they usually go for $149-179 on sale, record to sd card, weatherproof, has 24-7 recording unlike many other similar options, decent app, inbuilt light. No sub required. Require access to usb power though and everyone still hung up on the privacy issue a few months ago.

    • Bafranz on 11/02/2023 - 20:58
      +1

      Eufy have been good.. front & back coverage for me using wifi, notifications sent to mobile when triggered, no complaints here

  • Bruceflix on 11/02/2023 - 20:09
    +1

    Reolink are probably the best bang for buck around here.

  • 2jzzzz on 11/02/2023 - 20:14
    +1

    Vote for Reolink too. 16 channel NVR, 4k or the soon to be announced 8k cameras, upgrade the storage with CCTV grade drive and POE if possible.

    • jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 20:16

      What does 16 channel NVR mean and how does that benefit things?

      Presumably POE is power over ethernet?

      • Charlieeee on 11/02/2023 - 20:38

        ChatGPT:

        A 16 channel NVR (Network Video Recorder) refers to a device that is capable of managing and storing video footage from up to 16 different cameras. An NVR acts as a central hub for managing and organizing video footage from network cameras. It receives video streams from network cameras and then records the footage to its internal hard drive for storage and playback.

        Having a 16 channel NVR provides several benefits:

        Scalability: The NVR can accommodate up to 16 cameras, providing you with the ability to expand your security system as your needs grow.

        Centralized Management: All footage from the connected cameras is stored in one place, making it easier to manage and organize your video footage.

        Easy Remote Access: With an NVR, you can access your footage remotely via a web browser or a mobile app. This allows you to view your cameras from anywhere at any time.

        Improved Video Quality: NVRs typically provide better video quality than traditional analog systems because they can handle high-definition video streams from network cameras.

        Increased Storage Capacity: NVRs usually come with large hard drives that can store a substantial amount of video footage, ensuring that you have ample storage for your security footage.

        Overall, a 16 channel NVR provides a centralized, scalable, and efficient solution for managing video footage from network cameras.

        • jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 20:49

          Thanks for the info.

  • boomramada on 11/02/2023 - 20:24

    Whats your budget and requirements?
    Wired or wireless?
    HD backup or remote back up?

    • jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 20:49

      At the moment I think its just to provide security coverage at the front of our property. We live in a standard suburban street with a driveway. The driveway doesn't have a gate on it so people can walk up to the garage and front door. Our house is standalone although at the rear of the property we are fenced off from neighbours either side as well as to the rear…..hence just front coverage.

      It's probably just a basic use case. I imagine wireless is always going to be easier to setup than wired as there is no cable to run (happy to be corrected here).

      Budget, I am somewhat in the dark as to what a basic / intermediate / advanced setup would look like, and therefore what the costs would potentially be.

      • boomramada on 11/02/2023 - 21:06

        If its just the front door, why not get a Ring or Google Door bell, no wiring required but there is a subscription (which comes with off site backup, AI human detection, notification etc)
        Or there are other options, but i havent use them.

        I have use Hikvision + NVR, even the video quality is good, their notifications not that great for personal use.

        • jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 21:18

          Thanks for the info. Its not just the front door but the front of the property in general so that all areas are covered.

        • DoctorCalculon on 13/02/2023 - 00:15

          I have use Hikvision + NVR, even the video quality is good, their notifications not that great for personal use.

          I find the app UI and notifications not very user friendly when it comes to Hikvision and Dahua Tech cameras. They haven't really invested in end user experience. This is where Reolink really shines.

  • GordonD on 11/02/2023 - 21:08
    +2

    Our government has a whole lot of perfectly good Chinese made security cameras that it has pulled out of various locations at huge cost to Australian taxpayers for no good reason than the friends of Washington who advise them want to kiss up to Washington and spread fear and doubt and be as nasty as possible about Chinese companies. Like as if the Chinese Communist Party would want to spy on our National War Memorial.

    Check the government surplus to see if they're selling them off cheap. Could be an OzBargain if they are.

    • HardQuiz on 12/02/2023 - 11:09
      +1

      Where will they list them ?

  • kiwiyonip on 11/02/2023 - 21:19
    +1

    Hey, there are online budget cameras with sensor with direct notifications to your phone. My neighbor has 2 of them, forgot the brand. Have you tried Kogan cameras?

  • jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 21:39

    So based on some of the initial responses I started to look at Reolink. Amazon have these for what seems a reasonable price:

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Spotlight-Reolink-Lumus-Detection-…

    Anyone got any thoughts or experience with this?

    Cheers

  • sumyungguy on 11/02/2023 - 21:45
    +1

    Look for low-cost cloud storage or hub-based storage; device-based SD card storage means your recordings get stolen with your camera(s)

    • jollster101 on 11/02/2023 - 21:49

      Is that in relation to the Reolink model I added? Reading through the Amazon listing it looked like this camera could be hooked up to an NVR is preferred.

      • sumyungguy on 11/02/2023 - 21:51

        If you can do a cabled installation Wyze Cam v3 @$60 is the entry-level product I'd recommend. Reolink NVR costs $300+ so you may not want to allocate that much

    • aboabo on 12/02/2023 - 00:26
      -1

      https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-Tapo-Outdoor-Security-Came…

      You'd need certain tools to get the SD card out of this.

  • jollster101 on 12/02/2023 - 07:39

    Does anyone know if the Reolink Lumus is compatible with Synology Surveillance Station?

    Looks a reasonable option if it is.

    I never thought about my existing NAS as the recording capability but given I have it there already, seems to make sense to use it.

    NAS and camera would all be connected to my AX88U router anyway.

    • sumyungguy on 12/02/2023 - 08:34

      Maybe not Lumus but you have over 8200 others to choose from: https://www.synology.com/en-us/compatibility/camera?brand%5B…
      Reolink’s battery models don’t work with Surveillance Station

      • jollster101 on 12/02/2023 - 09:47

        The Lumus is mains operated I think, unless I have read that wrong.

        • sumyungguy on 12/02/2023 - 09:54

          Oh ok, for some reason it's excluded: There are 3 methods to add cameras to Synology, applies to: All IP cameras and PoE NVR (Reolink E1 Pro& E1 Zoom are included) except for all Reolink battery-powered cameras, Reolink E1, B400, D400, B800, D800, and Reolink Lumus

          • jollster101 on 12/02/2023 - 10:01

            @sumyungguy: Thanks for the info, I didn't see that bit. I have asked a question on the Amazon page that is related to the Lumus so I will see if anything comes back. It looks like a Reolink AU verified seller often provides input so if they don't know then nobody would.

            • sumyungguy on 12/02/2023 - 10:28
              +1

              @jollster101: Regardless of which cameras you choose, seems like you'll have an awesome setup with Surveillance Station

  • psdillon on 12/02/2023 - 14:26
    +1

    Some things to think about that will determine which solution is best:

    • Can you wire cat6 to your camera locations?
    • If using wifi cameras you'll probably need to add 1 or 2 wifi extenders to get reliability
    • Generally wifi cameras will only record in short bursts of 30 seconds to 10 minutes when they detect motion. If they all recorded 24x7 your wifi would be saturated. (Though maybe newer routers and standards can cope with this)
    • Do you want it to continue working if someone turns off the power at your meter box?
    • Some cameras have starvis/starlight sensors, which allows you to record in colour at night in most situations. This is a massive help in identifying people using the colour of their clothing, especially if they are not already known to police.
    • Some camera systems support number plate recognition and facial recognition
    • If you want to be able to identify people, camera placement and focal length need to be researched, and it's quite an in-depth topic.
    • Some cameras support pan-and-zoom, which will track and zoom in when it identifies motion, which is fantastic, but usually about 3x more expensive
    • Systems like Ring can be expensive to buy, require expensive subscriptions, have limited choice in cameras and features, but are far far far easier to set up. Open systems like POE cameras with Blue Iris have all the choice and flexibility in the world, but are very difficult and time-consuming to set up.
    • Proprietary systems like Ring carry the risk that they might stop supporting their older cameras, or they might close down that part of their business altogether, and your whole investment goes into the bin.
Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join