[Closed] Help/advice with home CCTV setup, please?

After a bit more research, seems the Nest Outdoor Cam doesn't have a secure mounting either

Presumably you've discussed the issue with your community Police team?  Or your local Councillor?  Or is it cos it's private land they won't get involved?

I would go for a SWANN setup from Maplin that is reduced for their clearance at the moment.

A friend has recently had it and it's a decent setup and would do everything you need.

Arlo and NEST cams currently use rubbish mounts and don't forget to take in to account the subscription costs monthly on top of those.

Presumably you’ve discussed the issue with your community Police team?  Or your local Councillor?

Yes both are very aware of the issue(s). Quite a few people have had cars keyed/scratched. It's been happening to cars parked on the main streets, but things point to more than just delinquent kids. For example, last weekend someone's car was keyed. They then Facebook posted about it on the Tuesday morning and that very night their car was done again. It seems it was deliberately re-targeted as they'd parked in a different spot. What makes it worse is their original post was in a closed Facebook group, set up for the new housing area and you can't see the posts publicly.

There have been some other things going on too but I'll not go into those now

That sounds horrible for you all.

I've got one of the Ubiquiti Unifi cameras and it works well, been meaning to get some more - powered over ethernet, decent enough low light performance but can fit a more powerful IR thing if needed, you can either run their software on your PC or home server or buy a dedicated recorder box from them. They can record continuously or just on motion. Browser or mobile app access.

There's a load of videos on youtube about how they work and with example footage.

Bear in mind that "weatherproof" means it can be outside but isn't fully waterproofed - so fine under a roof overhang but may need a bit more protection if it's going on an outside wall and isn't under cover.

We have Lorex system (from Maplin) that uses wired camera's to a HD drive unit. The drive is then into a mains wifi extender and does all the stuff for remote viewing over the web or phone app. Records upto 4 channels on ours and stores at least a weeks feed from 4 cameras

I bought 2 additional Swann Cameras as they were on offer so have 4 on my system. Full 1080p and night vision.

PS I also added a microphone to one of the camera's - again wired so used the main 'feed'. That cost peanuts off Amazon, and it's mounted in a hole in the wall near the camera.

Where is Ton? - IIRC this is his business.  Maybe send him a PM?

Thanks for the replies all.

I'm currently trying to understand networked cameras and NVRs. Seems the cameras just sit on your home network and connect to the NVR (Network Video Recorder) via the router.

What I'm not sure about is how the individual cameras are powered?

EDIT: Actually I think there might be difference between "NVR" cameras and IP/Wifi cameras??

Arlo and NEST cams currently use rubbish mounts and don’t forget to take in to account the subscription costs monthly on top of those.

No subscription cost for Alro unless you go above 5 cameras (or extend the storage period, which you probably won't need to).

If you want to get Arlo, you can get aftermarket weatherproof cables

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weatherproof-16ft-Cable-Compatible-Arlo/dp/B06XYN5XXY

NVR just means a Network Video Recorder. The cameras sit on your network and the device records their feed.

IP cameras are cameras that have an IP address whether using WIFI or wired using a cable and just go through your home network.

IP cameras can either have a separate power feed via a power brick or be POE which means Power Over Ethernet.

POE is easier as you just need a POE switch and one cable to each camera.

So for my set up I use a Synology NAS which takes a feed from the POE cameras. I just bought a TP-Link POE switch, plugged the cameras and other bits into that (doesn't matter if they are POE or not as the switch only sends power if it needs it) this is then plugged into my normal home router. Very easy to set up.

If you want to get Arlo, you can get aftermarket weatherproof cables

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weatherproof-16ft-Cable-Compatible-Arlo/dp/B06XYN5XXY/a >

Does the 3rd party warranty in case of failure of the Arlo camera due to water ingress when using the 3rd party cable? Doesn't look like it to me...

NVR just means a Network Video Recorder. The cameras sit on your network and the device records their feed.

IP cameras are cameras that have an IP address whether using WIFI or wired using a cable and just go through your home network.

What's confusing me is Swann's product range. They have both NVR cameras and IP/Wifi cameras. I think the NVR cameras use an Ethernet connection directly to the NVR recorder. Where as the IP/Wifi cameras can use your home network and router to connect to a NVR also on your home network.

An IP camera that could use my own NAS would be good. I could connect this using a powerline adapter

Does the 3rd party warranty in case of failure of the Arlo camera due to water ingress when using the 3rd party cable? Doesn’t look like it to me…

No, me either. Reviews seem positive.

Pay money (or not) take choice.

Ton does this stuff for a living  PM him ?

I think, and I'm no expert here, that some of the kits have a coax from the camera to the recording unit which then uses IP/Ethernet/WIFI to connect to your network so you can view the recordings.

PM Ton. He will be able to sort you out.

Regarding Arlo....

Netgear Arlo
– Not continuous as relies on batteries outdoors (no outdoor rated power lead sold). The Arlo Pro 2 can do Continuous Record (CVR) if you buy the additional Support contract, but like you say, it will drain the battery which is rechargeable. You and others are right, there is no outdoor NETGEAR power supply.
– Motion trigger recording is only within 10ft. Depends actually, on the Pro 2, you can set 'activity zones' where it will trigger the recording and start recording. And 10ft is a bit light - where did you learn that? I would say, it senses at about 10-15m.
– Expensive Yep - but cheaper than a re-spray and they actually act as a deterent more.
– Battery life 1-3 months - get the Pro or Pro 2 and they are rechargable. Last about 2 months depending on usage. And if you use the supplied charger, usually recharges in a bout 1 hour.
– Mount doesn’t look that secure - again, depend. The magnetic mount is not secure at all, its a magnet. But mount it high enough and you'll be fine. The screw on type is better, but can still just be unscrewed. We are develeoping a secure screw on type, or there are 3rd party ones you can use. Ultimately, if you mount it high, they can't take it.

I work for NETGEAR, but use the Arlo - its not marketed as CCTV (you need to be careful if you do install CCTV for privacy laws), the image quality is great, its very user friendly, easy to set up and work. The free basic subscription will give 7 days free cloud storage, 5 cameras and what you actually need - motion sensing, night vision, 2 way audio.

Have a look here for info

https://www.arlo.com/uk/products/default.aspx

Keep an eye on Amazon for Arlo Pro deals.

where did you learn that?

I read most of the reviews on Amazon

its not marketed as CCTV (you need to be careful if you do install CCTV for privacy laws)

AFAIK there is no difference between using Arlo or "CCTV". You'd have to abide by privacy laws for both.

The Arlo system falls short in a number of areas, it's not suitable for my purpose

Also

Ultimately, if you mount it high, they can’t take it.

...and I need a ladder each time I need to recharge it

Have a look at the hi watch range by hikvision, but use the 4mp IP cams using a single Ethernet cable using the built in POW switch.

i have 4 cams on an 8 port NVR, access via phone app with notifications but I just use continuous recording.

You can then use smart review to watch any activities that triggers motion detections.

loads of kits to pick and mix from plus the addition of non hikvision cams

https://www.cctvsuppliersuk.co.uk/products/hiwatch-by-hikvision-4mp-ip-cctv-kit-with-2-cameras

Have messaged Ton, thanks

Last night I was almost tempted to buy a Nest Outdoor Cam just to get something in place and also due to the cost of NVR/DVRs.... then realised over 2 years I'd spend the cost of an NVR/DVR on the Nest Aware subscription

The Hikvision stuff looks good value

I bought an wifi IP camera (Wanscam HW0026) for 12 pounds that does all this. It's an indoor one (they do an outdoor one was well), but I put it behind a window and switched the IR off and use a PIR security light to illuminate anything. Mostly it seems capture hedgehogs, foxes and cats. Records to an SD card or NAS or FTP server or whatever you want.

I changed the DNS, passwords and made sure telnet was disabled to make it a bit more secure.

Something like that would be ideal to start with, although only worth the effort if I can find one with decent day and night image quality. Could easily setup a FTP server with a Raspberry Pi or similar

…and I need a ladder each time I need to recharge it

Or just mount it near a window?

We are develeoping a secure screw on type, or there are 3rd party ones you can use.

Is there a third-party secure screw-on mount out there?

.
– Mount doesn’t look that secure – again, depend. The magnetic mount is not secure at all, its a magnet. But mount it high enough and you’ll be fine. The screw on type is better, but can still just be unscrewed. We are develeoping a secure screw on type, or there are 3rd party ones you can use. Ultimately, if you mount it high, they can’t take it.

What I meant in my post above, was is there a secure screw-on mount out there, which prevents the Arlo from simply being unscrewed from the mount?

The other, irritating thing about Arlo, if anyone's interested, is that the indoor Arlo Q cam works differently from the standard Arlo Pro units, so can't be connected to the Arlo base station, which in turn means it can't directly be incorporated into rules - by that I mean you can't programme it within the Arlo system to automatically record when, say, one of the other cams is activated. You can hack it using IFTTT, but it seems daft that the functionality isn't built in already.

It'd also be nice if there were an Arlo smart doorbell that worked with the rest of the Arlo stuff.

Seeing as theres some know-how assembled here... Can I ask a supplementary question?

Looking for a camera (indoor) thats able to send notifications to an iPhone if theres activity detected (and then give access to a live feed) but I'd want to configure those notifications so that they only occur within a certain time frame - for instance only send notifications when theres activity after 9pm and before 8am. Does such a thing exist?

Arlo here, been pleased with it. 3 cams in use, all on batteries. Have rechargeables ready to fit but the originals are still going strong (since early December)

No extra fees. I have one outside facing my house, sort of hidden as they're small and inobtrusive

I agree the mount isn't great but it's mounted up relatively high and has been good so far. App is easy to use

The only problem is I can't get 2 person geofencing working, only one person. very annoying. Can't get this to work on hive either though

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<div class="bbp-reply-author">maccruiskeen
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Seeing as theres some know-how assembled here… Can I ask a supplementary question?

Looking for a camera (indoor) thats able to send notifications to an iPhone if theres activity detected (and then give access to a live feed) but I’d want to configure those notifications so that they only occur within a certain time frame – for instance only send notifications when theres activity after 9pm and before 8am. Does such a thing exist?

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I know my Synology NAS Surveillance Station Software does this. ( https://www.synology.com/en-uk/surveillance)

You can set up trigger areas, what amount of movement that causes the trigger and multiple schedules.

ie, 9-5 trigger on movement then 5-9 record continuously.

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For night you will be better with a bullet camera, with domes etc you get light interference from the dome at night.

have a look at these

https://www.use-ip.co.uk/ip-cameras/turret

The other option is to turn the LEDs off and install a stand-alone LED in.

if you PM me your email address I’ll send you an email with examples.

I know my Synology NAS Surveillance Station Software does this.

seems a bit involved! 🙂

Good to know the concept at least exists though. Was wondering more if theres something like a single camera and a phone-based app.

Looking for a camera (indoor) thats able to send notifications to an iPhone if theres activity detected (and then give access to a live feed) but I’d want to configure those notifications so that they only occur within a certain time frame – for instance only send notifications when theres activity after 9pm and before 8am. Does such a thing exist?

Arlo would do that. Either the Arlo Q, which is the dedicated indoor camera and needs a USB cable for power or an Arlo Pro, which runs on battery power. Both are motion activated. They'll send you a push notification via the Arlo app, then you'd simply open the app and click 'live' for a live feed from the camera.

The basic - free - plan gives you seven days free rolling storage for clips, but you can also store locally with some Arlo options using a USB drive or, with a top-level Arlo Q, a micro-USB card.

Generally works really well. Easy to set up because they're wireless. If you want movement trigger through glass you need a Q rather than an outdoor Arlo, they use different systems.

And yes, you can set up a schedule so they're only active within certain time periods.