(Vanity) Home Security Camera System Recommendations

Ok, I've installed several systems for home and business so I do have pretty good experience with this. It's impossible to go into all the mundane details in a post, but I'll give you a few things to think about.

First, I highly suggest using only IP cameras with POE (power over Ethernet) capabilities. This saves you from having to provide AC power to every camera point. Sure, the cameras and switch cost more, but it makes everything more modular with a single cable going to each camera. Avoid Wi-Fi cameras for the same reason. You have to run cables for power anyway, so there is no point suffering with wireless signal issues. Stick with hard wired Ethernet. CCTV can be done quite a bit cheaper, but there are lots of cables to run and then you need either a CCTV switch-box and a DDTV DVR, or a CCTV card for your PC (such as GeoVision, the ONLY one I would recommend). I will note that the GeoVision software is awesome.

Security DVR's are a pain. They aren't portable, can't be recovered to new hardware, etc. Stick with IP cameras and run DVR software on a dedicated PC instead of a hardware DVR like the ones that come with camera kits. For home use, BlueIris software covers most camera compatibility i've come across. Stick with ONVIF compatible IP cameras and there won't be any problems (ONVIF is just a standardized format for generic IP camera communications). If your DVR PC bites the dust, all you do is load your software onto another PC and keep going. If you are going to have more than 3-4 cameras, make sure you spend money on a high-horsepower PC with a lot of RAM. Ebay yourself an older engineering class PC with dual processors and a lot (12 more more) gigs of RAM, they can be had for under 200 bucks and work great for these applications.

Foscam makes ok-so-so cameras that work well for home use at a lot lower cost than others like Sony or Axis. Pay attention to outdoor and IR (nigh vision) capabilities if applicable (if you need cameras outside and night vision). IR distance becomes an issue for instance if you want to see your entire yard, or just doorways and windows, etc. Cheap cameras will have poor IR distance coverage as a general rule of thumb. People post video samples of many popular cameras on youtube, search for a camera model and often you can see how well or poorly it performs. Cameras with pan/tilt capabilities are over hyped in my personal opinion, but conditions might warrant these features, it's just a personal preference.

You aren't going to be able to make out license plate numbers and faces more than 30-40ft away without spending thousands and you wont see colors at night (you can't identify a vehicle color in night mode). Keep these things in mind to help you decide what coverage you actually have to have.

In the end, the cameras rarely provide any valuable information unless you want to see who's dog is crapping in our yard. They do provide a deterrent when they are visible, but so do sentry lights.

In the end, the cameras rarely provide any valuable information unless you want to see who's dog is crapping in our yard. They do provide a deterrent when they are visible, but so do sentry lights

someone that is coming in the back yard and tried to jimmy the door when my daughter was gone. I'd like to get a photo of that person and the lights didn't matter. I think they were looking at the comings and goings. So I think cameras would help in this case.

Thanks for the advice. What would your recommend for a rental unit that is portable? Also what would you recommend for interior security for an entry way or back porch?

I haven’t personally used them, I’ve only seen the video and photos from them. I wouldn’t be able to give you a specific suggestion but... if you poke around on amazon for reviews, you can get a good feel for them. It’s a pain but if you actually read all of the reviews, people will often suggest “this is better for the money” sort of comments. I do know people sometimes complain that they don’t get along well with rechargeable batteries. this is a common complaint and it is caused by using inferior batteries like energizer rechargeable. this problem can be solved. If you want to use rechargeables, buy eneloop brand and there are generally zero issues.

Mine does that.

All I have to do is switch the input on my TV and I get multi-cam 65” views of everything outside.

Neat to watch birds with, too.

I also have standalone D-Link network cams that I check from my phone.

They have speakers built in so I can call the dogs and yell at them “STOP THAT!”.

Totally blows their minds.

LOL

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