Home surveillance recommendations?

[DocGreen]

I have a client/friend who is wanting to add some networked security cameras to his house, and he came to me for some recommendations. I don't really do any home security/surveillance, so I figured I'd pass the question along to those of you who do. Here's what he's wanting:

• Non-cloud - Not comfortable with the idea of some company out there having the potential ability to look in on him... cause that's just creepy.
• He wants to record to a WD MyCloud (4TB single drive, wired), but depending on space requirements, I may have him upgrade... and actually, he's using that WD drive to serve up his media library, so that would probably be quite a bit of added strain on that single drive to be potentially playing multiple HD streams while recording 4-6 cameras. Maybe separate storage locations, or a proper NAS would be a better idea. Thoughts?
• 48 hr recording retention.
• Access via iPhone, Windows PC, Maybe Android
  
• Wired or Wireless... I'd say wired, to cut down on WIFI traffic. He's a union electrician, so he's got no problem running cable.
• Probably night vision on at least some cameras.
• Obviously as affordable as possible. I mean, it's just a home so he's not after corporate grade surveillance or anything. Just something to be able to check-in on his house while he's gone, keep a couple days worth of recording just in case.

I'm thinking this might be a good time to talk him into a minor overhaul of his home network... relocate network equipment to the utility room and properly mount/terminate/etc. since he'll likely be running new cables anyway.

Huge thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[calldrdave]

Swann makes some decent solutions. It's around $200 to start. I've set it up with a few clients. I'm pretty sure it allows external hard drives, but I never set it up that way.

Goes without saying, but I should say, check local laws regarding this. If you violate the law in setup, the client might go back to you for damages. In particular, if your agreement with the client doesn't shift the liability to them, the law might be construed against you. Since you're in a home, you're probably in the clear.

 

[Your PCMD]

AmCrest. Its all I use for surveillance - with what little security surveillance I do.

 

[SAFCasper]

How many cameras and what kind of budget for the equipment?

I'd say the 3 main lines to look into are Dahua, Hikvision and Ubiquiti Unifi. All highly regarded across various CCTV forums.

We use Dahua IP cameras for almost all our installs and they are great. High quality images, setup couldn't be easier and the iOS/Android app is pretty smooth. Only small complaint is the IR could be better on some models - but if that's an issue we just install an IR floodlight next to the camera.

 

[trevm999]

I've found Ubiquiti's Unifi cameras to be excellent. Very versatile for how to you can set it up (except not 32bit OS), can put it on Linux or Windows. I've done a multi-purpose Windows PC, and some dedicated Ubuntu Server NVRs, both work great.

The new generation 3 cameras are great. Very solidly built, and their magic zoom feature is brilliant.

 

[Markverhyden]

Swann makes some decent solutions. It's around $200 to start. I've set it up with a few clients. I'm pretty sure it allows external hard drives, but I never set it up that way.

Goes without saying, but I should say, check local laws regarding this. If you violate the law in setup, the client might go back to you for damages. In particular, if your agreement with the client doesn't shift the liability to them, the law might be construed against you. Since you're in a home, you're probably in the clear.

^^^ This. Statutes vary by location. In many areas just installing a camera system as a vendor/contractor requires some type of licensing and maybe even permits. Home owners can do it themselves, like may other things.

But as others have said Ubiquiti is awesome. You can buy any number of these setups from big box stores but I'd be concerned about security. Always make sure that all default accounts are deleted and new ones created if they are going to expose this to the Internet for remote monitoring.

 

[Digital Micro]

AmCrest. Its all I use for surveillance - with what little security surveillance I do.

One of my clients bought an AmCrest system and had me install it. It was the first time I ever heard of them, but quality was pretty good for a $200 system.

 

[Your PCMD]

One of my clients bought an AmCrest system and had me install it. It was the first time I ever heard of them, but quality was pretty good for a $200 system.

Indeed. For 8 cameras or less, I got with the Amcrest 960H. Can be had for $185 - but I can get them a bit cheaper from my distributor. Can say because of NDA

 

[Diggs]

48 hour retention? Hmmm.... Most police/insurance/etc. request 2-4 weeks retention and with a 4 TB drive that should be comfortable.

If you are putting together your own, I like Xeoma on the software side of things.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I don't like the idea of video cameras on wireless. The rest of the equation for wireless is out of your control. Success, or lack of success, can vary...because of that lack of control. Most "home grade" wireless routers...suck. They can't handle heavy loads over the long run. So...you'll end up with a camera(s) that fall offline. Something happens...you go to review the footage..."crap..that camera hasn't been online in 23 weeks!"

Sure you can go ramp up the wireless solution with with some solid wireless APs...but what about neighbors wireless, other interference, and who will monitor things on a regular basis to take action when a camera falls offline?

So for reliability, simplicity..."wired cameras". You're gonna have a wire going there for power anyways! So make it ethernet and POE it!

For more budget and simple indoor setups...we use Ubiquiti. Decent cameras, very good viewing software...web based for computers, great smart phone viewer app. They had a 1/2 decent outdoor camera, the Pro, but it is discontinued...and their current bullet cam which is rated for outdoors...isn't good for distance often required for outdoor. But the domes and bullet are great for indoor use.
For setups where a better and more rugged camera is needed, we use Hikvision. Better quality cameras, including outdoors, and pretty decent viewing software.
An alarm company I do a lot of work for, they only use high end stuff, they install Honeywell cameras. Big budget...incredible quality cameras, smart phone viewing apps is very good, but budget wise...too high end for residential.

 

[dee001]

Is there one good all around system kit out there for residential 8 wired camera system ? And do I have to spend 1000 bucks or more or can I get a good kit for cheaper with good cameras or does cutting the cost that much hurts the cameras and features?

 

[Digital Micro]

Is there one good all around system kit out there for residential 8 wired camera system ? And do I have to spend 1000 bucks or more or can I get a good kit for cheaper with good cameras or does cutting the cost that much hurts the cameras and features?

Look at LaView. I use their DVR kits 90% of the time. Good quality.

They only sell NVR system on their website. They sell DVR systems on Amazon and Newegg.

 

[Your PCMD]

@dee001 have a look at this, I just installed this same system 2 days ago for a client, couldn't be happier. Only used 4 cameras though, leaving the option for growth.

 

[DocGreen]

Thanks for the input guys. He says he's wanting 4 cameras... not sure if he'll want the ability to expand that later on or not. Those AmCrest systems @Your PCMD linked look pretty decent.

Goes without saying, but I should say, check local laws regarding this. If you violate the law in setup, the client might go back to you for damages. In particular, if your agreement with the client doesn't shift the liability to them, the law might be construed against you. Since you're in a home, you're probably in the clear.

The client is a friend of mine, and I'm only helping him as a favor, not charging. He's going to do the actual install, and I'll just be advising.