Home security Cameras

Just in case anyone is concerned there will be no covert videos made inside my house. Other than the obvious really pissed off provider reason, I'm just not a fan of seeing myself in action. It pretty much destroys the illusion I have of what a stud I still am for my age.

That said I want to start from scratch with something I can install myself. Nothing to complicated. I need to monitor my driveway and maybe the backyard at some point. What I REALLY REALLY want is to know who is at my door from anywhere in the world or at least from the bedroom where my lazy is ass is being lazy.

Arlo/Netgear makes a system that is completely wireless and is the number one contender. But it's limited to a single style of camera. They are indoor and outdoor, run on batteries and are just about perfect. I just can't figure out how to hide the damn thing from the yoyo ringing the doorbell.

I like canned systems where there are fewer compatibility issues. I just haven't found one that would allow the use of obvious deterrent style of cams and the more covert.

Has anyone been down this route? I don't want a Vivant or ADT nothing monitored. Something that would alert my android and record at a base dvr or something similar. If you don't want the world to know you're a spy cam expert send me a PM and your secret is safe with me.

There are plenty of options out there. I think the Arlo systems are garbage if you actually want "security" and not just unimportant surveillance. The battery life is nowhere near what they report and wireless isn't as reliable as they suggest. You also have the cloud component to worry about...the recordings don't goto a local hard drive they goto the cloud and you have to download them if you want to store them or purchase storage at a monthly cost...so if wireless goes out or internet cuts off or bandwidth isn't good enough, you don't get your recordings.

So with that said, you'd have to decide on how many cameras, at what quality. Regular analog, 720p HD, 1080p HD, 4mp, etc....some cameras get super crisp without breaking the bank. I recommend going wired, its not too difficult if you're handy, and setup isn't too big of a deal with the package deal purchases.
I'd go with something like 4 camera 1080p, should run you about $800. If you have a lower budget and don't care for that kind of clarity, PM me and i'll figure out what you're looking for.

There are plenty of options out there. I think the Arlo systems are garbage if you actually want "security" and not just unimportant surveillance. The battery life is nowhere near what they report and wireless isn't as reliable as they suggest. You also have the cloud component to worry about...the recordings don't goto a local hard drive they goto the cloud and you have to download them if you want to store them or purchase storage at a monthly cost...so if wireless goes out or internet cuts off or bandwidth isn't good enough, you don't get your recordings.

So with that said, you'd have to decide on how many cameras, at what quality. Regular analog, 720p HD, 1080p HD, 4mp, etc....some cameras get super crisp without breaking the bank. I recommend going wired, its not too difficult if you're handy, and setup isn't too big of a deal with the package deal purchases.
I'd go with something like 4 camera 1080p, should run you about $800. If you have a lower budget and don't care for that kind of clarity, PM me and i'll figure out what you're looking for. Originally Posted by dentonseek

^^^^what he said^^^^^

I will add that I am about to install wired HD ip cams with color might vision and remote access. Historical footage will be going to a cloud in 30 day increments, but 2-3 days will be kept on site. I am literally downsizing a commercial system for the house because I can and sonce i own a dealer I get it cheap.


Maybe for the door thing it might be as simple as integrating a sky bell? Ring doorbell? Or one of those similar products. I will likely do that with in my home automation package, but security will be completely different and segragated from my automation (preference).


Good luck! This stuff is only as complicated as you make it.

Hard wired Nightowl system.

Good daylight/infrared cameras, menu on the recorder is PITA but you can learn to use it, remotely viewable on a smart phone.

Sold in most big stores, Walmart/Best Buy/Costco (maybe).

I have a hard wired Nightowl system, installed by the previous owner. It has six cameras, recorder, computer monitor.

Basic daylight/infrared cameras, menu on the recorder is PITA but you can learn to use it, supposed to be remotely viewable on a smart phone, supposed to be switchable on your TV if it's a connected type TV.

I haven't mastered all the features. Instructions are a little fuzzy.

Systems are sold in most big stores, Walmart/Best Buy/Costco (maybe).

There's a few 720P hd 4 camera systems on eBay and Amazon sold for under $250 with the ability to view them live from a smart phone and they have 2T of storage, I believe they connect with a single LAN wire

There are audio video doorbell units available that connect via wi-fi directly to your system. They can be monitored and/or answered via a smart phone app.
Check the Spy Store, various local Dallas locations.

Get yourself a box of Cat5e a bunch of 8P8C connectors and a termination tool. Then order yourself a Hikvision NVR and some cameras, or get a kit like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-DS-...=hikvision+kit

Great advice all around.

Thanks for all the input everyone. A couple of y'all knew quite bit and helped a lot. As dysfunctional a family as ECCIE is most of us have some sort of value in other parts of life. It's nice to just be able to ask a question to the crowd and get responses that really help.

There are audio video doorbell units available that connect via wi-fi directly to your system. They can be monitored and/or answered via a smart phone app.
Check the Spy Store, various local Dallas locations.
Originally Posted by Chainsaw Anthropologist

I have been looking at Ring and a couple of other door bell set ups. I don't know but I assume these things are motion activated? If not they are useless with people that like to knock. And if someone is in home invading mode there isn't much chance they will take time to ring the doorbell. They probably can't react fast enough to give you time to make a stand against someone set on coming through the door anyway. If someone can confirm they don't require a button push to activate that would be good to know.

Get yourself a box of Cat5e a bunch of 8P8C connectors and a termination tool. Then order yourself a Hikvision NVR and some cameras, or get a kit like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-DS-...=hikvision+kit Originally Posted by Sfoster

And that is exactly what I am going to do. It seems that the Hikvision NVR is the way to go. Amazon has a 4 channel for $140 and a 8 channel for $270. I just need to make up my mind and jump in.