Security Cams?

[Knightsman]

I just looked up the Synology and same deal - 2 streams included and each additional is $50 (one time purchase). Does seem expensive compared to the other options out there.

its very expensive if you compare it to other options.

.

 

[trevm999]

I think I'm convinced on the Unifi Video (my first Unifi WAPs arrived yesterday). What would you recommend for a PoE switch? Right now they have two Linksys 10/100 24 port switches, so it's about time for some upgrading, but really the 10/100 haven't causes any problems since they don't have much for network resources. So maybe just one 24 port switch with PoE (the second switch doesn't have too much on it right now anyway) would fit the budget better.

Also, they have an office (with one computer) not far away, but it have it's own internet connection and they want one camera there. Any good way to set this up with unifi video where I won't have to setup a second NVR? The Unifi NVR says it has multi-site support, but I'm not exactly sure what they mean by that and I haven't found much information on it.

And I can't seem to find any information on what generation the cams are that my supplies have, any tips?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Just snag one of Ubiquiti's own POE switches.

It's multi-site just like their Unifi wireless controller software....drop down menu to work with the site you want.

 

[BlackLabTechs]

And I can't seem to find any information on what generation the cams are that my supplies have, any tips?

The Gen1 cameras are the airCam, AirCam Dome, etc. As long as the model starts with UVC (UVC, UVC-Dome, etc.) these are Gen2 cams.

 

[SAFCasper]

It seems like most people build/install their own NVR's here? I'm quite surprised by that.

We mainly use Dahua systems with their own NVR's such as this 8-channel one - http://www.amazon.com/Dahua-NVR4208...UTF8&qid=1446068016&sr=8-2&keywords=dahua+nvr

It has a built in 8-port POE switch. So to connect a camera you simply plug one end of a CAT5 into the back of the NVR... the other into the camera... done!

The only downside is when you buy for example an 8-channel system it really is limited to 8 cameras. You want to upgrade to 10... you need a whole new NVR.

 

[lilcpu]

I have had great luck with the Synology line of products.
https://www.synology.com/en-us/surveillance/7.1/main

 

[Pacific Blue IT]

FYI - Just from a legal stand point - here in Aus we are required by law to have a security licence to install security cameras.

 

[acscva]

Just wanted to let you know that with the Synology $50 license (Which you can get for $40 at Synnex and possibly others) that this is a lifetime license and can be transferred if you do upgrade your NAS in the future.

 

[Digital Micro]

FYI - Just from a legal stand point - here in Aus we are required by law to have a security licence to install security cameras.

Yeah in my area you do if your offering monitoring of the system. Also some areas require an electrician to run the cables even if it is low voltage.

 

[Pacific Blue IT]

Yeah we also either need a cablers license which has not been an easy process to get here in Aus or usually we get an electrician who also has the cabling licence.

 

[glennd]

FYI - Just from a legal stand point - here in Aus we are required by law to have a security licence to install security cameras.

Seriously? I need a license to screw a camera into the wall?

 

[Markverhyden]

FYI - Just from a legal stand point - here in Aus we are required by law to have a security licence to install security cameras.

^^^ This is very important. And not just the installation part. Every jurisdiction has varying regulations related to operating a video recording system. In my area the EU has to post a sign advising video recording in progress. Employees also need to be advised as well as sign a document they have been advised of this activity.

As far as headless, all of the good ones are headless with an option to hook up a local monitor. Many allow direct connection to the cameras, if they are IP, or to the DVR. Either directly through the site network or via the vendor's website. Personally I prefer to have the direct connection since I do not want the feeds to be going to someone else. In those cases you can use Dynamic DNS, which I do not recommend, or a fixed IP, obviously the preferred method.

 

[TechSource]

Regarding NVRS HIK-Vision is excellent and they have a number of companies that whitelable their NVRS and cameras for a fraction of the price.
With regards to Ubiquiti cameras I have never tried them but their AP are a dream to work with just remember they are 24v poe instead of the standard 48v so you must use their injectors in order for them to work or their switches.

 

[trevm999]

So in theory, I should be able to port forward the one Unifi cam and have the NVR at the main office doing the recording?

I kind of suspect that the small office doesn't have a fixed IP though

 

[Moltuae]

So in theory, I should be able to port forward the one Unifi cam and have the NVR at the main office doing the recording?

I kind of suspect that the small office doesn't have a fixed IP though

You need to forward the ports to the NVR rather than the camera. The web interface for the cameras is too limited to use for monitoring.

And the NVR software works fine using DynDNS or similar if you don't have a static IP.

 

[fencepost]

I'd be very very careful forwarding any ports to cameras or vendor systems - or to any embedded systems like that for that matter. Those systems are basically thrown out into the world and never updated, and they quite often have major security problems that can be exploited if they're reachable from the real world. The issue isn't so much someone having the ability to see what the camera is showing, it's having the ability to log in with a hard-coded backdoor password like "0000", then either take advantage of security issues (e.g. bad URL handling leading to a busybox shell on the embedded Linux) or upgrade firmware with something that gives them access to the entire network.

At a bare minimum I'd require port knocking to open the connection, but I'd be uncomfortable even with that - a VPN is a much better option.

 

[Michael_]

We use Hikvision for most jobs and they are great. Looking at Avigilon for the top end, as they have some really cool analytics. Still tempted to try the Unifi Video stuff as I use their wifi stuff all the time and can't fault it...

 

[trevm999]

So I did end up going with the Unifi cameras. The NVR computer is running Ubuntu and it has been rock solid, and easy to set up. I've used some bullet and some dome cameras. I like the bullets better because it is easy to adjust the focus. I'm not sure how you adjust the focus on the domes, I read something about people creating a special tool to do it, but maybe that was just for the aircams.

 

[acscva]

Did you go with the regular UVC cameras or the UVC-Pro's?

 

[trevm999]

Just the regular. I kind of wish I had the pro at the one spot because if they want to be able to capture licence plates, and it would be nicer if it was just a little bit clearer. With the regular UVC there they might be guessing at one of the letters/numbers of the plate. However it is quite the price jump to go to the Pro.