Anyone recommend any home security cameras?

[DandelionMan77]

Looking to get CCTV installed in new property I've recently moved into. Looking to spend around £200, trying to get one that has the best quality/performance for the price.

Amazon reviews are misleading as certain brands have multiple different CCTV cameras for sale and the reviews on Amazon are all jumbled up and mixed and some aren't related to the specific product I might be looking at, but rather another product that is sold by the same brand if that makes sense (typical Amazon).

Any advice would be appreciated, prefer something that supports H265 but not essential.

TIA

edit: not sure if this topic may be better suited to the help section, please move if so.

 

[EMS]

I'm just going to get a small one with audio, that way I can hide it easily.....they come with 1080p quality, night and movement activated....that's what I would look for

 

[DandelionMan77]

I'm just going to get a small one with audio, that way I can hide it easily.....they come with 1080p quality, night and movement activated....that's what I would look for

Yeah looking for something similar ideally don't want to drill too many holes as it's council property and I'm not experienced using power tools. I would opt for wireless but honestly don't really see the point if I'm going to need to route the power cables for each camera anyway, there's cameras available that advertise like 180 days runtime on a battery but they often limit storage or have the storage inside the camera on an SD card (very insecure because a thief would just rob the evidence, or they offer expensive cloud storage).

There's some type of existant feed coming from the loft inside a wooden pipeline in a few rooms (best I can explain it, pipelines probably the wrong term), don't know what is inside could be some sort of pipes or what not. But thinking of using them feeds that already exist to avoid drilling and just feed the cables through whatever they are.

 

[DandelionMan77]

Not sure if I'm allowed to post Amazon links here but the product I'm currently looking at is

ANNKE 8 Channel Outdoor Security CCTV Camera System with Smart Human & Vehicle Detection, 5MP Lite H.265+ DVR with 1TB Hard Drive and 4x 1080P Home Security Cameras, Email & APP Alert with Images-E200

On Amazon has mostly good reviews.

 

[EMS]

You don't need 180 days.......if you check it every couple of days, or get it with wifi and check it on the android or iphone. Then just take it off the stand and plug it via usb....done. If its motion activated depending on where the camera is, you probably won't use a lot of space anyway. If you happen to be at a wild animals crossroads then yeah you're going to need a lot of storage

 

[DandelionMan77]

You don't need 180 days.......if you check it every couple of days, or get it with wifi and check it on the android or iphone. Then just take it off the stand and plug it via usb....done. If its motion activated depending on where the camera is, you probably won't use a lot of space anyway. If you happen to be at a wild animals crossroads then yeah you're going to need a lot of storage

I'm a bit unsure what you mean, I'm referring to the battery life lasting that long. And on the cctv in question you can't check it every few days if a thief decides to take the device or SD card. The device I'm on about doesn't have a DVR every bit of recording gos on the SD card inside the camera which is a bit dumb imo, you can watch it on your phone but that might not have the ability to store the recordings but idk.

Only work around would be a cloud subscription which is why I'm probably going to opt for the one I mentioned above.

 

[EMS]

you can get USB rechargable cameras with WIFI and sd card. I would think you could get a bigger sd card depending on the cameras tech. If it goes to your phone you should be able to record it surely? The thing is if its motion activated and sends an alert direct to your phone, you would see whomever it was on the camera. If the camera is small enough, they won't see it anyway. I was thinking of cutting a small hole in the shed or I just attach one just underneath the bedroom window. Although, you said you're not very good with power tools, Its only 3 holes, one for cable to come in and the others to hold the camera in place. The droidess did one herself.

If you don't get any alerts you know no one has been there and if necessary then pull the sd card out and check on a device

 

[DandelionMan77]

With USB rechargeable cameras wouldn't you have a small amount of downtime when it needs charging?, Ideally I want to minimize any downtime. The sheds a good shout tbh. Although no experience with power tools I'm sure I can drill 3 holes without destroying the property (hopefully). I know hidden cameras are adventagious to some degree but sometimes having a visible camera can act as a deterrent to intruders and they might do one if they see it. Ahh well if all else fails my backup is a baseball bat

I'm now looking at my options, can't put a price on safety, there's one for £274 that can record up to 1440p and has reduced wiring, think it's one Ethernet for all 4 cameras if that's correct looking at the description.

I'll have to do more research and decide what I want, when it comes to things like this and buying different gadgets I am VERY picky. I go through tonnes of reviews when buying anything like monitors, PC parts etc. My aim is always to get best value for money, if that happens to be the budget option then so be it, I find mid price range often performs close enough to high price range in vast majority of cases.

 

[EMS]

I'm pretty picky when it comes to security, just as I am with my pc security.......My deterrent...the droid dog, I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to attempt something so silly, plus I suffer insomnia so I'm up most of the night. Best value for money is always the aim of the game. I hope you find what you're looking for. £274 is too expensive for my pocket, being on disability and all that.

Don't forget...thieves only come out at certain times. Full moon because it lights up everything and you don't need a torch, when its peeing down with rain because who the hell else would go out at that time, night time but remember they are usually fast asleep by about 4am, that's why the police raid at silly o'clock because they know they will be in and asleep. Not many work in broad daylight unless really desperate for the money....usually that time is shop lifting time lol

 

[DandelionMan77]

£274 is too expensive for my liking too, it's definitely more of a deterrent and might opt for something cheaper. But unless you pay something like £500 plus you probably won't get a crystal clear 1440p or 4k image anyway. Some 1080p CCTV isn't that clear so doesn't really come in handy if you're trying to identify someone. I don't have insomnia or anything like that but I stay up ridiculously late a lot for no apparent reason most the time.

I've never had my house broken in, in my life (touch wood) but I'm always paranoid as I don't want any of my shit going missing because I'd really see my arse. Just stuff that's sentimental to me I suppose, don't even use half of it. Got over 40 odd Xbox 360's, 7 ps2's, 4 Xbox originals, 3 or 4 Sega saturns. Mind you they probably wouldn't be interested in all that, they'd have a job shifting it all, I'd get home before they took it all lol.

Edit: ended up purchasing a rather costly one, 1440p recording. Brand is reolink, it's used but "like new" last one in stock in Amazon for that specific one, cost £274

Hopefully it does the job, with 2.5x the pixel density of 1080p (think it's that much) it should help identify number plates and people a lot easier. Not happy about paying that much because I can't really afford it, but hey ho it's the bad purchase decisions I tend to make fairly often lol.

 

[EMS]

You'll have to grab a pic so we can see how clear it is I'm going to have to wait until the new year as I got my money early and that needs to factored into the financial despair that this government has caused most of us. Just like they have ignored the British homeless with preference going to people illegally entering our country and getting 4* hotels to wreck....hotels have had to cancel all their dinner reservations and staff dismissed right before christmas because SERCO have forced the hotels to do it, on behalf of the British government, so security will have to be tightened. I've pretty much always had a dog, they don't argue with you, the love you unconditionally, loyal, no so trustworthy with some things and a great deterrent. For the cost of food each week, it solves multiple issues....loneliness, security and they are part of the family and treated like children lol

 

[DandelionMan77]

You'll have to grab a pic so we can see how clear it is I'm going to have to wait until the new year as I got my money early and that needs to factored into the financial despair that this government has caused most of us. Just like they have ignored the British homeless with preference going to people illegally entering our country and getting 4* hotels to wreck....hotels have had to cancel all their dinner reservations and staff dismissed right before christmas because SERCO have forced the hotels to do it, on behalf of the British government, so security will have to be tightened. I've pretty much always had a dog, they don't argue with you, the love you unconditionally, loyal, no so trustworthy with some things and a great deterrent. For the cost of food each week, it solves multiple issues....loneliness, security and they are part of the family and treated like children lol

Don't think I'd ever get a dog tbh, a lot of hard work and commitment, having to go out for regular exercise depending on what breed you get. I've got my hands full with my little one and got another one on the way next month lol, nevermind a pet.

I wouldn't trust myself to look after a goldfish lol

 

[EMS]

Don't think I'd ever get a dog tbh, a lot of hard work and commitment, having to go out for regular exercise depending on what breed you get. I've got my hands full with my little one and got another one on the way next month lol, nevermind a pet.

I wouldn't trust myself to look after a goldfish lol

I have 1 step daughter@7yrs and the mini me who was 1 just last week sunday, a droidess, my dog and their 4 rabbits to look after Dogs do need exercise but so do humans and it usually helps with social interaction with other people....even at a bit of a distance. If I didn't have the dog.....I wouldn't go out voluntarily....I would only do doctors and dentist, even my shopping would be delivered. So, dogs do help in multiple ways. 10 minute walk twice a day is usually enough for most dogs, mine is nuts....if its hot out and he's just walked a fair distance, he'll get home have a drink and want to go back out lol Of course that doesn't happen because of the heat issue...although, we don't see a lot of hot weather here....usually rainy. Yeah it can be tricky balancing so much. If they are here, most of my attention is on them, if they are not here...no problem or I wait until bed time then its time to chill, sit at the pc look through requests, have a quiet drink and that helps my back for a while before I have to get up and go elsewhere or lie down.

Goldfish aren't a very good example as you don't hear goldfish, you don't trip over goldfish, they are in a little bowl tucked away somewhere out of view usually lol I would probably forget a goldfish too lol

When I have my camera I'll try to take a shot of the view. Maybe that could be a new thread....post a pic from your security cam

 

[DandelionMan77]

I live with my partner our 1year old girl (almost 2) and the new little man on the way next month. I just tend to keep myself to myself, a little interaction in work and socializing is enough for me, I only work twice a week at the moment. I just enjoy my own company and tend to get a bit over anxious in large crowds, not that I can't socialize in large crowds I just prefer to be on my own or just with my partner.

I think a pet could be a possibility in the future but not at the moment, don't fancy getting my furniture destroyed etc and my house smelling of dog, not saying that's the case for everyone as there is obviously steps you can take to prevent some of that but it's never a guarentee.

 

[Tango]

I have a ring doorbell, its excellent. And its more discreet than a camera.

The only downside is an optional yearly subscription to store data, there is no option to use your own storage.

 

[EMS]

I have a ring doorbell, its excellent. And its more discreet than a camera.

The only downside is an optional yearly subscription to store data, there is no option to use your own storage.

The storage is a big issue and don't those door bells only show who is there when they ring the bell? I can't see many burglars doing that somehow

 

[DandelionMan77]

Forgot to mentioned, my missus has got on of them for the door too lol. Hoping it's enough to deter people, either way hopefully I'll have some footage of some sort if someone did try to rob me or vandalise my house.

Wanted CCTV anyway because the previous tenants to us weren't liked that much and kids were coming round and egging the house (heard this off the neighbours). Hopefully they realise we are new tenants and don't bother us.

 

[Tango]

The storage is a big issue and don't those door bells only show who is there when they ring the bell? I can't see many burglars doing that somehow

It motion activates, you can set exclusion zones & it ignores cats etc. footage is uploaded so never lost, it has many settings to suit yourself.

 

[EMS]

It motion activates, you can set exclusion zones & it ignores cats etc. footage is uploaded so never lost, it has many settings to suit yourself.

Didn't know they were that good tbh.....I wonder if the software that sends it to their server can be edited and set to your own server

 

[uncledude]

i install security systems and the one i use is professional grade. IQeye 5 meg pixel day/night with infared cut filter for night use. the software is Milestone.
not cheap but it provides excellent coverage. with a server and Tera Byte disks you can archive weeks of storage.

if you want to install a less expensive solution, ARLO is one of the best. wireless and easy to install. you can get an optional solar panel to charge the camera for outdoor use.
the ARLO 4 is the best cam, but the archive requires a monthly subscription. the ARLO 3 (also wireless) uses a HUB for archive. the cams are excellent too. this is the best solution IMO.

there are many options on the market. video archive is the most important thing, as you are not going to be sitting in front of the cam.
battery life is a function of the amount of recording the cam does. the more sensitive and action the cam sees, the less battery life. you can set the options in the camera,
motion detection grids. noise sensitivity and resolution all effect battery life.
most cam solutions offer email notifications.

 

[Tania Tee]

UncleDude - would you recommend HIKVISION as a decent brand to use? Also which is better wired or wireless (pro's & con's). Any insight or things to consider would be helpful

 

[Weaserlorian]

I have wireless (no running wires) indoor and outdoor D-link cameras they work great.

 

[uncledude]

i haven't seen them but they look like a less expensive system. the cams will do the job if you are looking for a complete system. the wired uses power over ethernet (POE). they use a Network VIdeo Recorder (NVR) that archives the recordings. i didn't see any wireless cams on their site. i couldn't recommend the system as i don't have any experience this them, but it looks like a typical cam system offered by many vendors.

from a review site: Poor software which could be improved. The actual hardware behind this software is fine, but the front end lets it down.

wired vs: wireless is a matter of where you are going to install the cams. indoor installs are a great option for wireless, as you can provide a power source for the cam. if you are going to install cams outdoors, wireless is the way to go: much cheaper to install. the issue is battery life. if you are going to install cams in your residence, swapping batteries is not a problem. if it's a remote site, battery life is an issue. you can adjust the settings on the cam to reduce video recording. there are options for solar panels for outdoor cams from ARLO. i really like this option.

amazon has a 6 cam system with an NVR for $700 US. not a bad price.

i still like ARLO cams as they are wireless, 2 way audio, spot light, and the support is pretty good.

 

[Tania Tee]

Thanks Weasie

Thank you UncleDude for the detailed explanation. Cams will be for outdoor install so sounds like wireless is the way to go and will be at a residence not remote.

I will take a look at ARLO

 

[Dr Pickles]

I went with a wired Bolide system for home. The DVR sits in the safe and has a battery backUPS. I maintain full control of the data. Spent $5k and getting $500 a year discounted off homeowners.