security cam for home suggestions

[psychophd]

Hi all,

First time posting in this subforum, so please go easy. And yes, I used the search f(x) first but didn't see much posted recently.

I'm looking for a security cam setup for my home. Nothing fancy as I live in a safe suburbia location. This is being fueled in part by us getting a nanny part time, and want to keep an eye on things. I'm hoping for a dummy-proof system with:

1. Night vision capability (to replace baby monitor in kiddo's room, plus to see around. Doesn't have to be real high-res).

2. 3-4 indoor, 1-2 outdoor cameras. Max 6 cameras.

3. Can use iPhone/iPad to view cameras.

4. Can record for at least one day of activity to be reviewed, ideally a week.

Netgear, uniden and a few other companies seem to have some stuff but don't get well reviewed.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[repomanNWP]

I built my own setup with a linux machine running Zoneminder, and a bunch of indoor and outdoor cameras. I don't recommend this necessarily as its a bunch of work - something turnkey is the way to go. I do recommend a high res cameras for outside. I have a Vivotek IP8372 which covers my entire front yard in HD video. Another interesting solution is dropcam.com , super easy to deploy, video goes to the cloud so no worries about someone breaking in and stealing your dvr.

[Casual_Shooter]

When this topic has come up in the past, the usual suspects are mentioned: Q-See, Lorax from Costco. Seem to be solid systems for not a lot of money.

You can also set up systems using IP based cameras (Airsight) but I have had limited success with the two I've tried (user error for sure).

Yugo (member here) sells security systems as does one other member (can't remember their name). I purchased one from Yugo and have been happy.

Understand that night vision is not very effective on most off-the-shelf systems. You'll be able to see someone walking around, but doubtful you'll be able to identify them.

Used as you describe, any of the off-the-shelf systems will work well.

[the86d]

I was never able to get Zoneminder to work, but I have a bunch of cameras from different vendors that upload to an FTP server of any type (and can then be copied to a remote location securely, as you don't want FTP authentication going through the internet [without a tunnel/VPN] as FTP passwords are sent plain text).

If I had to do it again I would probably do something that uploads video on motion-detect, and mine just uploads X images/second, and it is kind of a pain to flip through jpgs (but I went pretty-cheap at $50-$100/camera):

https://www.google.com/#q=ptz+video+upload+ftp

One thing that I would suggest is to make sure that the cameras support https (of if you have knowledge of how to create an encrypted tunnel into your network/VPN you could do that), because I had some cameras that would send passwords via plain-text (easily captured between locations by just about anyone).

I understand some places charge a monthly fee to connect to their server remotely, and cameras connect to that, but I don't like my eggs in the proverbial "NSA's basket".

[Ninety]

Where you located OP?
Others have given pretty good answers.. Are you going to be installing them yourself? Most systems will allow you to remote view.

IP cameras seem to be the better quality but there is a little more involved in setting them up.. just IP networking stuff.. Remember all cameras need power .. so even wireless cameras need to be wired. I'd look into 960H .. better image without the huge jump in price to HD..

[psychophd]

Thanks for all the info.

I live in Orange County, and would hope to have a simple system. I have looked at the costco stuff, and it might be an option. I'm a bit concerned with web-based stuff, due to people hijacking systems (I've heard of wifi enabled fridges being used as a proxy, people looking through others' webcams, etc. One of my friends had someone talking to their young daughter via the webcam - they used it to look around her room, figure out her name, and interact with her). While I like the idea of checking my house while I'm not there, I'm also concerned about others doing exactly the same. Any way around this?

[JDW67]

This is what we got:

http://www.costco.com/Swann-8-Channel-960H-Security-System-with-1TB-HDD-and-4-700TVL-Cameras.product.100083487.html

Install took about 4 hours on a Sunday and everything was up and running by dinner. System is pretty nice for the small price.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Tagged for later reference.

[furyous68]

This is what we got:

http://www.costco.com/Swann-8-Channel-960H-Security-System-with-1TB-HDD-and-4-700TVL-Cameras.product.100083487.html

Install took about 4 hours on a Sunday and everything was up and running by dinner. System is pretty nice for the small price.

I have the 4-Channel setup. It's nice. Only issue I've had was that one of the camera's IR panel died. I found some good replacements & ordered extras.

1. Yes
2. Yes (for the larger systems, mine only came with 4 cameras/ channels)
3. Yes
4. I get about 1 month continuous recording before it starts over.

[jdben92883]

I picked up a Swann 4 camera, 8 channel system from Costco for $250 or so. Buying from Costco gets you a 5-year warranty and a special concierge phone # to reach Swann tech support. I've been very pleased with the system...have had it installed for over a year. I also get about a month of recording (motion activated, not continuous).

I have the 4-Channel setup. It's nice. Only issue I've had was that one of the camera's IR panel died. I found some good replacements & ordered extras.

1. Yes
2. Yes (for the larger systems, mine only came with 4 cameras/ channels)
3. Yes
4. I get about 1 month continuous recording before it starts over.

[atc4usmc]

I wanted something very similar and decided to go with FOSCAM. I would suggest you take a look at their reviews and products to see what you think. Not the easiest to set up but there is plenty of info on the web about them. I can monitor my entire house from my phone and can even set them to record photos or videos to my NAS or an SD card. They are IP based so any internet connection will allow you to connect to them.

Good luck!

[psychophd]

jdben, and the other users of the costco setup - is there some encryption, or how is the system protected from people hacking into it? I might be a bit paranoid but I'd rather not have others also monitoring me.

[JDW67]

I have the android app which scans the unique code on the dvr. Without that code, I'm told you can't access the cameras. It's kinda like the wps codes on the back of routers.

Haven't had any issues yet. The only issues I've had is when the wife and I get busy in the living room. We forget the cameras are on and recording us.

[jdben92883]

My Swann system is all hard-wired. The app has an encrypted passcode. I only use my cameras to monitor the perimeter of my exterior. I'm not particularly concerned if the system were hacked...there's nothing interesting to see.

[psychophd]

thanks guys. Sounds decent - I'll look into the swann system, and a few others.