Security Cams?

trevm999

trevm999

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I'm looking into setting up a 4 channel IP security cam system, but I'm not really sure where to start. It's to be run headless, so if there was access to the live video in the web interface that would be great, but I'm not really sure what brands I should be looking at.
 
Depends on your required spec and budget really.

My personal favourite presently is the Ubiquiti Unifi system. Install and setup the NVR software on your server/PC, detect/add the cameras, forward/open the relevant ports for the web interface ... and you're done.
 
trevm999 said:
I'm looking into setting up a 4 channel IP security cam system, but I'm not really sure where to start. It's to be run headless, so if there was access to the live video in the web interface that would be great, but I'm not really sure what brands I should be looking at.
Click to expand...

For clients on a budget I use LaView. They have some very affordable all-in-one packages. Just make sure you buy ones with good video quality. Don't cheap out on the picture quality. Also with LaView, I am sure others do this, their Peer 2 Peer system works very well. No need to port forward. Just install the app or go to their live viewing website, then enter your user name and password.
 
We purchased a bunch of Ubiquiti cameras last year to play with...a Pro, standard, couple of domes, and that little mini.
The NVR software..can install on any PC....Ubiquiti also makes a tiny NVR appliance.

Similar to their wireless hardware, and network hardware.....great performance especially considering the price. Great smart phone app, and remote web viewing...on the NVR software.

Hikvision was another brand that a lot of people like, more of a "white label" brand.

Honeywell also makes great camera hardware...although pricey...but very good.
 
I'll 2nd (or 3rd) the Ubiquiti UniFi Video platform. I have various setups running on both Windows machines and the Ubiquiti NVR's. I will say the most recent release v3.1.28 has been the most stable and fixed some issues in the previous releases. Also to note when purchasing, when they release UniFi Video v3.2 - it won't be backward compatible with Gen1 cams so if you are doing a new system, make sure to get the new cams for future compatibility.
 
I honestly dont think you will find a reliable headless system for cheap. at least not easily for only a 4 camera system.

HikVision makes great cameras. We use BlueIRIS as the DVR software, runs on an decent hardware.
 
YeOldeStonecat said:
a Pro, standard, couple of domes, and that little mini.
Click to expand...

What were your observations between these 4, if you don't mind sharing? Price, bang-for-buck, quality, recording sizes (need a massive NAS?

Moltuae said:
Install and setup the NVR software on your server/PC
Click to expand...
Can we run the software on a PC but save the data to a NAS?).... so many questions on these units!

I had a Pro and Standard on order but they were delayed, and delayed, so I cancelled.

This mini looks pretty sweet! Does it perform as desired?
 
I've never tried myself, but some / most Synology Nas's have recording capability as well. I haven't even looked at the solution but I know it's there. I believe most systems offer 2 streams included and you can purchase licenses for more.
 
Mainstay said:
Can we run the software on a PC but save the data to a NAS?).... so many questions on these units!
Click to expand...
Absolutely. That's exactly how one of my setups is configured.

The only issue I've noticed -- and this is nothing to do with the NAS -- is that the Linux version of the NVR software tends to consume most of the system memory after a few days, causing slow running/streaming, but that may be more of a Linux issue (or more likely, my lack of Linux knowledge) or even just the fact that we're running 24+ cameras. My workaround was to schedule a daily reboot of the system. The Windows version of the NVR software seems more stable in my experience.
 
BlackLabTechs said:
most Synology Nas's have recording capability as well
Click to expand...

My QNAP has 2 streams... but the licensing beyond that seemed expensive when I looked at it...

Moltuae said:
Absolutely. That's exactly how one of my setups is configured.
Click to expand...

Awesome - I'll get a system going with this.... I have zero practical experience with IP cameras and I every time I go to jump in there is always something that diverts me.

An office I helped set up added a Nest camera (very loosely setup) and on their second night it recorded some shenanigans at their front door. They watched from home. I am long past due for this sort of upgrade.
 
Mainstay said:
What were your observations between these 4, if you don't mind sharing? Price, bang-for-buck, quality, recording sizes (need a massive NAS?


Can we run the software on a PC but save the data to a NAS?).... so many questions on these units!

I had a Pro and Standard on order but they were delayed, and delayed, so I cancelled.

This mini looks pretty sweet! Does it perform as desired?
Click to expand...

I expected more from the Pro camera...for about 4 times the cost, it didn't give 4 times the picture. Although the camera itself is built like a tank.
The standard camera was decent, the domes decent, and that little mini....wow...surprisingly good for under 90 bucks. Delicate though. Good for hiding in small (indoor) places.

As for the NVR software, I didn't track usage/space consumption..running just 5 cams. I just installed it quickly on a little old Dell Optiplex small form factor for a test at our office. I did the linux install. Ran solid. But again..I just ran 5 cams on it.
 
Ubuntu Server LTS...probably vesion 12.something back then.
Same distro I built our Unifi cloud server on for our wireless clients sites.

Quick note on the mini cam....setup is not typical like their others..since it's wireless only. It defaults to some default out of the box SSID in ad-hoc mode. You join it with another wireless client (like your laptop)..and then launch a browser and hit the default IP of the mini CAM...from there you log in and set its SSID and wireless security so it can join your sites wireless. Doesn't take long.
 
Dahua is another popular one.
Both Hikvision and Dahua seem to make most of the baic/semi cheap "box store" brand camera systems....such as LaView, Swann, QSee...as well as their own mid-range systems.
 
This is a screenshot taken a few moments ago of my 24+ camera Linux setup:


(click the thumbnail for the full size image)


Actually, I've just noticed the memory consumption issue may have gone. Looks ok presently and it's been up for nearly 12 hours. I did install some Ubuntu updates recently, so perhaps that fixed it ..


This system is running mainly domes, with 3 or 4 Pro outdoor cameras. It runs as the only VM, under Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 (core OS), on an old HP ProLiant DL360 G6 Server (2 x Intel Xeon L5630 Quads @ 2.13GHz, 12GB RAM), using a Synology 1U NAS for storage. As you can see, even with 24 cameras (most of which are continuously recording), the resource usage is fairly light.
 
Last edited:
Mainstay said:
but the licensing beyond that seemed expensive when I looked at it...
Click to expand...

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.

As for recording stats, I haven't really calculated out but I know the NVR hardware device has a 500gb drive and I'm running 9 cams (5 over Nanostation link) all recording motion only, high res with 90 day retention in a busy retail location and haven't come close to running out of storage. The 5 over the Nanostation link are powered by a UBNT ToughSwitch and in an unheated building through Maine's winter with no issues. Not even a reboot required. The camera's have held up through rain, sleet, snow, well below freezing temps for 2 winters now w/o a glitch (besides older software).
 
Just be very weary of using a synology. Sure they work great, but during a power outage, they will corrupt if you do not have it set to gracefully shutdown while its being being written to. Essentially if your not monitoring it, Raid1 will mirror. The last thing you want, is for something to get stolen, and your system not be able to provide feeds.
 
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