DIY home surveillance with IP camera?

[reddevil0728]

Anyone done DIY home surveillance with IP camera before?

I am looking at just a 2 camera setup.

Able to cater power socket, RJ45 point and PoE switch if necessary.

Was wondering whether I should use IP camera or should I just get those surveillance kit with 2 cameras?

 

[thomasmoor]

I have installed door phones from the experts at phone systems denver , for the security of my home and they are controlled by my phone .

 

[kanewolf]

My house has 6 IP cameras. I only record based on motion detection. I can access all 6 cameras from my phone or tablet. The cameras also e-mail a dozen or so JPEGs to my ISP so that there is an offsite copy of motion detection. Even if the local storage is stolen there is still a set of JPEGs offsite.

 

[Shelbrain]

My house has 6 IP cameras. I only record based on motion detection. I can access all 6 cameras from my phone or tablet. The cameras also e-mail a dozen or so JPEGs to my ISP so that there is an offsite copy of motion detection. Even if the local storage is stolen there is still a set of JPEGs offsite.

Can you elaborate on your setup? Are you using POE? What kind of camera and software are you using? I am interesting in setting up a small system myself as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[htismaqe]

My house has 6 IP cameras. I only record based on motion detection. I can access all 6 cameras from my phone or tablet. The cameras also e-mail a dozen or so JPEGs to my ISP so that there is an offsite copy of motion detection. Even if the local storage is stolen there is still a set of JPEGs offsite.

I too would like to know more about the setup, specifically what brand of camera you are using and whether or not they are wireless capable.

I'm looking for a 2 or 3 camera setup that can store video/stills locally and activate with motion detection.

 

[TonyH]

I too would like to know more about the setup, specifically what brand of camera you are using and whether or not they are wireless capable.

I'm looking for a 2 or 3 camera setup that can store video/stills locally and activate with motion detection.

Look up the freeware iSPY. My favorite camera are Vivotek. I have only two watching house from outside
24/7. Recording on motion detection alarm, etc. Many many choices oit there.

 

[htismaqe]

Holy cow, Vivotek is expensive.

 

[Shelbrain]

I use and recommend Hikvision DS-2CD2032. I have four of their cameras, all purchased on Amazon. I am using them with BlueIris software and the combination seems to work very well. They utilize Power over Ethernet (POE) and I am using them with this injector which supports up to 8 cameras depending on power requirements.

 

[htismaqe]

Thanks.

 

[Shelbrain]

Hikvision also has their own DVR software available for download that can be run on a PC or server and is less CPU-intensive than Blue Iris. I have only run Blue Iris on my i7 which also acts as my Plex server so I cannot comment on how the software runs on a lower powered machine. Blue Iris has a free trial you can download to test out their software once you get the camera(s) set up and running. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[TonyH]

Holy cow, Vivotek is expensive.

Good commercial grade cameras out of Taiwan.

 

[kanewolf]

I too would like to know more about the setup, specifically what brand of camera you are using and whether or not they are wireless capable.

I'm looking for a 2 or 3 camera setup that can store video/stills locally and activate with motion detection.

My cameras are all wired. You have to get power to them somehow, usually getting POE to them is the same difficulty.

 

[sfx2000]

Holy cow, Vivotek is expensive.

You could always do it ghetto style like I do...

1) Motion detecting lights - they work
2) Over at the local e-Waste place, found a couple of camera housing - mount them conspicuously...
3) Get an Alarm Company sign, mount it prominently
4) I've got a cheap motion activated "game camera" that covers the front of the house, the back, due to topology defends itself

Haven't had a problem so far...

That being said - for IP based cameras, I really like the Panasonic line - not wireless, so they need power/connectivity, but they're a pretty decent value.

Alt approach - Costco and Fry's occasionally have specials on home security systems, which include up to 8 cameras and an 8 channel server for less than $500USD - these are a bit of work, but the cameras are coax, and only the server is IP based, but it's got Android and iOS apps along with Web...

Costco has one right now - 8 cams plus server with 2TB storage... $499

 

[pkbristol]

If night vision capable cameras aren't needed, ie security lights are being used, then an android and pc based cctv system is almost free to set up and works just as well.

Paul.