PoE Digital CCTV systems

[anxious_ant]

I am looking to install a 4 camera digital CCTV system and would appreciate some advice please.
I've found a decent kit which is branded HiLook by Hikvision ( eBay link)
2TB 4 camera system is around £480. A bit of shopping around and I managed to get the parts cheaper at another website (https://connectec.uk/)

Is HiLook a decent brand? App functionality is important to me, as I really like the analog Swann app I am currently using.
Does anyone have any experience with this brand?
My budget for NVR (with HDD) + 4 cameras is £500 max.

NVR model : HiLook NVR-104MH-C/4P 8MP 4 Channel
Cameras : HiLook IPC-T259H 5MP IP Colorvu Turret (what is the difference between 2.8 and 4mm lens?)

[LocoBlade]

Hikvision are a reputable brand so presumably HiLook is their budget spin-off although I thought Annke performed that role already.

Reolink would be another option to look into, the NVR is apparently very good and the cameras are very good for the price.

[anxious_ant]

LocoBlade said:

Hikvision are a reputable brand so presumably HiLook is their budget spin-off although I thought Annke performed that role already.

Reolink would be another option to look into, the NVR is apparently very good and the cameras are very good for the price.

Yes, I've seen Reolink options too but not really familiar with the brand.
Besides the quality (which shouldn't be an issue for digital CCTV systems) I would prefer the app to be functional.

I am used to the Swann app which is brilliant.

[BobSaunders]

Got reolink. The front end is great and it “just works”. Busy model is to get you to upgrade the cameras, they update with new models constantly.

Customer support it good, have had an issue with a camera and they have RMA’d it without to much fuss. Although the damn thing has started working again..

Hikvision is usually the go to due to bullet proof, but it’s not direct to consumer. Used to have it on an old property and it was great. No experience of their budget hilook, sorry.

[normalbloke]

I’ve got Hikvision on the house. 5x 5mp turrets and 2x PTZs for the wildlife. Been on the house for 2.5 years. Zero complaints or faults. Would choose the same again.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Another fan of Hik Vision here.

[S6PNJ]

anxious_ant said:

Cameras : HiLook IPC-T259H 5MP IP Colorvu Turret (what is the difference between 2.8 and 4mm lens?)

I've used this site to see how the different cameras would work on my property - I'm not sure why but it's coming up as an insecure site in Google Chrome - it is fine and a genuine site. https://calculator.ipvm.com/
Once you've found your location, pick your camera (or if it is not listed simply put in the specs) and look at the example shots you'd get and coverage angels etc.

I've got 2 Hikvision IP PoE cameras running into a Synology NAS - most 'entry level' Synology NAS only come with 2 free licenses so you'd need to buy 2 more if you went this route - plus you'd need a PoE switch or PoE injectors etc. (I have a PoE switch).

[Diderot]

HIK system here. Would highly recommend.

[anxious_ant]

S6PNJ said:

anxious_ant said:

Cameras : HiLook IPC-T259H 5MP IP Colorvu Turret (what is the difference between 2.8 and 4mm lens?)

I've used this site to see how the different cameras would work on my property - I'm not sure why but it's coming up as an insecure site in Google Chrome - it is fine and a genuine site. https://calculator.ipvm.com/
Once you've found your location, pick your camera (or if it is not listed simply put in the specs) and look at the example shots you'd get and coverage angels etc.

I've got 2 Hikvision IP PoE cameras running into a Synology NAS - most 'entry level' Synology NAS only come with 2 free licenses so you'd need to buy 2 more if you went this route - plus you'd need a PoE switch or PoE injectors etc. (I have a PoE switch).

Cheers for the link, really helpful as there are some tight spots to cover.

[anxious_ant]

Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like HikVision is a decent brand, shame it's hard to procure for non trade.

I am leaning towards HiLook as it's within budget. Might have a look at Reolink too.

It would be awesome if someone here happens to have first hand experience with the HiLook range.

[snotrag]

Reolink here. Its superb. App and web interfaces work really well, got loads of smart/AI type tech so I've set up all sorts of custom alerts, time zones, areas to ignore etc.

I've got the 4k cameras and they actually give useful (ie, identifiable!) faces, and they work so well in the dark that I don't even have to use the IR mode, and thus get colour pictures at night too.

[bgunn]

anxious_ant said:

Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like HikVision is a decent brand, shame it's hard to procure for non trade.

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

No connection to these other than a happy customer - they do HikVision to non trade. I've fairly recently fitted an 8 cam setup with 4MP turrets and a bullet cam for my garage, and an I series NVR. Works great, very happy.

HikVision stuff is POA unless you use a proper supplier, and you have to register with them.

[Baldchap]

I have used these guys in the past for Hikvision stuff, with no issues (I'm not trade or anything):

https://www.cctvkits.co.uk/

[rigga]

Have the Hilook system in my garage, two cameras external, one inside, app works well, and can set parameters for triggering alarms etc, been rock solid in operation for nearly a year now, very happy with it.

[Last Visit]

snotrag said:

Reolink here. Its superb. App and web interfaces work really well, got loads of smart/AI type tech so I've set up all sorts of custom alerts, time zones, areas to ignore etc.

I've got the 4k cameras and they actually give useful (ie, identifiable!) faces, and they work so well in the dark that I don't even have to use the IR mode, and thus get colour pictures at night too.

Also have Reolink and agree with all of that. The app is really good imo. Ive got 6 Reolink cameras on my house and have no complaints.

[thebraketester]

Hikvision are pretty much industry standard and used everywhere.

If you are on Mac then software is about 5 years behind and some functions are limited (one being you cannot view the camera streams via safari)

The apps and hardware are good and rarely fail. The only issues we have ever had with ours is hard drives failing but that's not a hikvision issue.

[anxious_ant]

So found a pretty good deal for Reolink, link below.
This is even cheaper than the HiLook bundle.
Question about the dome cameras in the deal, can they be mounted vertically on wall?


https://reolink.com/product/rlk8-520b2d2/

[Chris Type R]

anxious_ant said:

So found a pretty good deal for Reolink, link below.
This is even cheaper than the HiLook bundle.
Question about the dome cameras in the deal, can they be mounted vertically on wall?


https://reolink.com/product/rlk8-520b2d2/

Another Reolink user here - happy with mine.

I think the system you linked to can be had cheaper on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H3G6KTN/

They have a number of permutations on there - and almost always there are vouchers on Amazon to reduce the price.

I have a couple of dome cameras, and think they're more suited to ceiling / soffit mounting - the wall mounted fitting seems more versatile.

Something to consider is that a CCTV system will be installed for (hopefully) a long period of time. It might be worth stretching the budget to go for 4K / 8MP - e.g. £553-£50 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reolink-Detection-Continu... or with 6 cameras - if you need it £585 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WCNSZ4Z/

Amazon Reolink page here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/REOLINK/page/67E00...

Edited by Chris Type R on Sunday 9th January 11:00

[anxious_ant]

Chris Type R said:

anxious_ant said:

So found a pretty good deal for Reolink, link below.
This is even cheaper than the HiLook bundle.
Question about the dome cameras in the deal, can they be mounted vertically on wall?


https://reolink.com/product/rlk8-520b2d2/

Another Reolink user here - happy with mine.

I think the system you linked to can be had cheaper on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H3G6KTN/

They have a number of permutations on there - and almost always there are vouchers on Amazon to reduce the price.

I have a couple of dome cameras, and think they're more suited to ceiling / soffit mounting - the wall mounted fitting seems more versatile.

Excellent! Cheers for the link. Bundle is good as there are 2 turrets and 2 domes, but I might go for all turrets as realistically only need dome in the porch.
Always wary with the cheaper CCTV systems hence why I have always went with Swann.
Seriously considering Reolink now


edit: I was browsing Amazon for Reolink version with 4 turret type cameras and the price shot up considerably. Example below.
Realistically the 2 most important cameras is for the garage/drive (side of house) plus the front of the house for my parked cars. Perhaps one to monitor the front door just to check if we have missed deliveries etc.
I am a total newbie at this, so hopefully someone could kindly recommend. I have approached local installers but what they are recommending (including labour) is well over £1.5k.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reolink-Detection-Continu...

Edited by anxious_ant on Sunday 9th January 11:05

[Chris Type R]

anxious_ant said:

Seriously considering Reolink now

I've updated my reply above with a few other "man-math" options

I'm not sure how much of this is marketing, but this is an interesting image:

Edited by Chris Type R on Sunday 9th January 11:04