A little lost on what to use - Outdoor live streaming cameras

[carrcomp]

Hey guys,

Not too sure what to use here, so I'm hoping a fellow nibbler has done something like this and can give some insight.

I have a client asking me to setup 2 wifi cameras for them attached to a lighthouse, to look over the docks and the water.

I have no idea what kind of camera to use here, as I don't want to just believe the manufacturer and I don't know anyone that's setup an outdoor HD livestream camera to tell me what worked for them.

 

[skdmaster]

Is he looking to stream them for public viewing? If so I would check out Axis cameras and then match up a model that works with http://camstreamer.com/ software. The software allows you to direct stream to a YouTube account. You can check out https://www.youtube.com/user/CamStreamer and view the live feeds to get an idea of Axis cameras and the quality. I did a lot of research on this for a large church that I am waiting to get approval on the quote. The biggest hang up I kept finding was the streaming portion till I found this software. Axis also has a reseller program.

 

[rsarceno]

I also recommend Axis but if budget is limited I recommend Foscam. Both are solid cameras
The only issue is the power adapter. Make sure it's not expose to sunlight or direct heat.

Both camera includes software / DVR but I prepare Blue Iris. I also sign up with cheap backup (unlimited backup) and automatically backup the image. In the even the Camera / DVR / PC is stolen, hopefully the images are already on the cloud.

 

[Diggs]

Yep - Foscam has big bang for the buck on cameras. I prefer Xeoma over Blue Iris on the software side. Cameras can really eat up WiFi bandwidth so you really should put them on a separate subnet.

 

[carrcomp]

Thanks guys.

I'll check out both and see what the customer wants to do

 

[BlackLabTechs]

I haven't watched the video but saw it and remembered your inquiry. It's short at just over 10 min so may be worth a peek for any tips or tricks.

Best Outdoor Streaming Webcam for Wordpress

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'd go with a much more commercial grade, heavy duty camera, designed for extreme outdoor use. Not some sub-300 dollar camera...and certainly nothing under 200 or 150 bucks. This is outdoors, in a water environment, possibly even salt water environment. And you're up north? Winter? Freezing? Ice buildup inside. I'd be doing outdoor heavy duty grade cameras put inside of an outdoor camera enclosure..with all the features for extreme weather including winter.


A GREAT forum for a resource....lots of experienced camera peeps here.
http://www.cctvforum.com/
Recommend you spend some time there.
Here is a good guide within that forum of what brands are decent, what brands are considered crap, and what brand actually makes units for other brands to relabel.
http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=35868

I'd also use ultra heavy duty outdoor grade cable, and ethernet grounds. A lighthouse is the only thing with any height, out on the water.

What does this lighthouse has for a connection? Is it out in the water by itself? Or a lighthouse on the land...out on a peninsula?

 

[carrcomp]

I'd go with a much more commercial grade, heavy duty camera, designed for extreme outdoor use. Not some sub-300 dollar camera...and certainly nothing under 200 or 150 bucks. This is outdoors, in a water environment, possibly even salt water environment. And you're up north? Winter? Freezing? Ice buildup inside. I'd be doing outdoor heavy duty grade cameras put inside of an outdoor camera enclosure..with all the features for extreme weather including winter.


A GREAT forum for a resource....lots of experienced camera peeps here.
http://www.cctvforum.com/
Recommend you spend some time there.
Here is a good guide within that forum of what brands are decent, what brands are considered crap, and what brand actually makes units for other brands to relabel.
http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=35868

I'd also use ultra heavy duty outdoor grade cable, and ethernet grounds. A lighthouse is the only thing with any height, out on the water.

What does this lighthouse has for a connection? Is it out in the water by itself? Or a lighthouse on the land...out on a peninsula?

We have 0 ways of getting a proper wired connection out there. I've setup an open mesh network and we're getting a strong signal out there for the weather collecting devices, so I know the signal is strong. Can always add another AP closer to it if needed but I don't think that'll be needed.

I was either going to get a wireless camera or setup a wireless receiver that will let me connected wired cameras to it. Told them i'll need plenty of time to plan as I hadn't done this type of camera deploy, and I don't want to mess up.

Glad I pick clients that appreciate when I tell them these things

 

[SAFCasper]

We use nothing but Dahua. Great quality and never had any issues. Hickvison are also highly rated.

Are you looking for something PTZ controlled or just a static camera?


PS.
I would avoid wireless cameras. Mostly junk that is designed for home users to install themselves - not professional quality

 

[Matthew Bradley]

Yeah, we have a ton of Dahua cameras outside in pretty harsh places and haven't had an ounce of problems. They're inexpensive but a ton of value. For full disclosure we also have very high end commercial cameras with built in heaters and fans and in most instances its a waste of money. I've had way more problems with these types of cameras. Check out nelly's security. They specialize in Hikvision but their support is top notch. Use some cheap nanostations to get a wireless link and you're set.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We have 0 ways of getting a proper wired connection out there. I've setup an open mesh network and we're getting a strong signal out there for the weather collecting devices, so I know the signal is strong. Can always add another AP closer to it if needed but I don't think that'll be needed.

I was either going to get a wireless camera or setup a wireless receiver that will let me connected wired cameras to it. Told them i'll need plenty of time to plan as I hadn't done this type of camera deploy, and I don't want to mess up.

Glad I pick clients that appreciate when I tell them these things

I don't mean running ethernet out to the lighthouse, I mean....you'll be doing POE from inside the lighthouse (from switch/router), to the cameras outside. You'll want to properly ground that.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Our wiring/data/phone/alarm guy loves Hikvision.
Honeywell also makes some really good units...I do a lot of co-installs with an alarm company that uses them. Very good outdoor units.
(notice most of us are trying to steer you away from wireless cameras)

 

[trevm999]

The only person I know who does this uses Axis
http://www.coloradowebcam.net/

 

[carrcomp]

I don't mean running ethernet out to the lighthouse, I mean....you'll be doing POE from inside the lighthouse (from switch/router), to the cameras outside. You'll want to properly ground that.

Oh yeah ... derp.

They have power running out there, but I need to go out and get into the lighthouse to see what they are using now for power. They have the weather measuring devices already so I'm hoping that I'll just be able to plug in, but nothing ever works that way