Arlo - wireless CCTV - any better alternatives?
Discussion
We've an Arlo 3 camera set up and it is fine for what we need. Yes the the wide angle nature of the cameras means you need the range is affected, but place them well and use the zoom function in the settings and this isn't so much of an issue. 7 days free storage, easy to download and the options for motion, schedules, geofencing etc are useful.Rechargeable batteries last for ages. We love the system, but then it does what we need it to do.
I think I'm right in saying the menu driven zoom function is digital rather than optical zoom. That being the case you aren't getting any more detail by zooming in, just looking at a section of the image which will be more pixelated. So actually you are harming things by zooming in (digitally). We put some information on the difference between optical and digital zoom on the website Here.
If you go away on holiday for a fortnight then 7 days footage might not be ideal. Fingers crossed you get burgled during the second week and are able to process the footage the second you step off the plane. Obviously I hope you don't get burgled at all but you see my point
Henry
If you go away on holiday for a fortnight then 7 days footage might not be ideal. Fingers crossed you get burgled during the second week and are able to process the footage the second you step off the plane. Obviously I hope you don't get burgled at all but you see my point
Henry
Surely you keep your phone on when on holiday, you get the alert and video link from Arlo and forward to the Police immediately ? ...at least thats what people do in USA where there are local Police who react and go and catch burglars in real time LOL
plenty real world examples on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPNbOIzfK0c
so you are doing the monitoring yourself, instead of paying another company for it......but isnt that the difference, between some ad-hoc video monitoring for a few hundred quid versus a couple of grand install with monthly fees.......
plenty real world examples on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPNbOIzfK0c
so you are doing the monitoring yourself, instead of paying another company for it......but isnt that the difference, between some ad-hoc video monitoring for a few hundred quid versus a couple of grand install with monthly fees.......
Edited by bogie on Thursday 13th July 19:19
MrJuice said:
What was the total cost of just the kit please?
Sorry, just seen this, appreciate posted quite some time ago.Was £449 - Swann System, 4 x 4mp POE cameras and 8Ch 2TB HDD. I added a 5th camera (cost £99) from Maplins, so have a dome and 4 bullet cams. They are all a wider angle so may not suit every location and to be honest, others would say that a narrower field would suit my application better - something I may look at if we need to change the system. However, the ones we have do give decent coverage and quality of pic - they are mounted low enough to get a facial pic and high enough not to be disturbed without climbing.
Appreciate that Swann get some stick on here and other forums but not had any issues so far - if it lasts a few years at least I then have the CAT5E in for a replacement system that will be easier to install.
AndyTR said:
We've an Arlo 3 camera set up and it is fine for what we need. Yes the the wide angle nature of the cameras means you need the range is affected, but place them well and use the zoom function in the settings and this isn't so much of an issue. 7 days free storage, easy to download and the options for motion, schedules, geofencing etc are useful.Rechargeable batteries last for ages. We love the system, but then it does what we need it to do.
Andy, which rechargeables do you use?I've just (today) installed a 6 camera set up and have some rechargeable batteries to use after the initial Duracell batteries die, but happy to take your suggestion if I see issues and yours are better.
Cheers.
Exactly the same problem as all the other similar systems Eddie, fixed lens ultra wide angle cameras which spread pixels rapidly as you move away from the camera. Everyone thinks they want wide angle cameras & kid themselves that the image is good enough when it isn't.
Tomo, it wouldn't have cost that much more than the £550 you've spend to do the job properly. Swann only sell fixed lens wide angle cameras, they don't have the variety of cameras you need off the shelf and their systems are based around a number of different technologies so buying elsewhere isn't always easy or indeed possible.
CCTV genuinely isn't complicated, it's all about getting enough pixels on what you want to record. You just need to spend 10 minutes planning with someone who knows what they're talking about then buy the right gear. Simples
Henry
Tomo, it wouldn't have cost that much more than the £550 you've spend to do the job properly. Swann only sell fixed lens wide angle cameras, they don't have the variety of cameras you need off the shelf and their systems are based around a number of different technologies so buying elsewhere isn't always easy or indeed possible.
CCTV genuinely isn't complicated, it's all about getting enough pixels on what you want to record. You just need to spend 10 minutes planning with someone who knows what they're talking about then buy the right gear. Simples
Henry
Hi folks - CCTV time, been putting it off due to 3mb internet speed but soon to be upgrading to fibre. Is there an alternative to the Netgear Arlo product range for my requirements?
Wireless cloud offering is preferred as running trunked power and DVR wiring will be an eyesore with my specific floor layout in mind. 7 day rolling storage will be sufficient. Any issue if the camera is facing a window in order to look out over driveway? Appreciate the clarity of this camera will suffer due to mix of wide angle/low pixel count/depth of view
Two packages on Amazon for 5 camera setups:
Arlo 4 Camera + 1 Add-On Bundle @ 720p using 4x CR123 batteries = £515
Arlo Pro 5 Camera Bundle @ 1080p using Rechargeable battery = £969
The 515 option fits my needs and there isn't enough to justify the £450 uplift to Pro version , is there anything else to consider on the market? Anyone know if these will be discounted once the Arlo Pro 2 comes out in January '18 ?
Thanks
Jr
Wireless cloud offering is preferred as running trunked power and DVR wiring will be an eyesore with my specific floor layout in mind. 7 day rolling storage will be sufficient. Any issue if the camera is facing a window in order to look out over driveway? Appreciate the clarity of this camera will suffer due to mix of wide angle/low pixel count/depth of view
Two packages on Amazon for 5 camera setups:
Arlo 4 Camera + 1 Add-On Bundle @ 720p using 4x CR123 batteries = £515
Arlo Pro 5 Camera Bundle @ 1080p using Rechargeable battery = £969
The 515 option fits my needs and there isn't enough to justify the £450 uplift to Pro version , is there anything else to consider on the market? Anyone know if these will be discounted once the Arlo Pro 2 comes out in January '18 ?
Thanks
Jr
I've got 3 Arlo Pro for outside use and 1 Arlo Q for indoors - and am very happy with the set up, notifications, scheduling, etc.
I think if i was buying now i'd wait for Arlo Pro 2, but other than that i have no complaints.
One thing though, if you have a camera inside pointing outside then the infrared will simply reflect off the window and you'll see NOTHING at night time.
I think if i was buying now i'd wait for Arlo Pro 2, but other than that i have no complaints.
One thing though, if you have a camera inside pointing outside then the infrared will simply reflect off the window and you'll see NOTHING at night time.
I have a number of Arlo Pro cameras.
For my use it is ok, i move the cameras around quite a bit for different reasons.
As a security camera it is pretty poor. It often doesnt trigger despite sensitivity at maximum. I have three cameras covering the back of the house, cats, foxes etc in the garden are often only picked up by one camera.
It sometimes misses people approaching the house, best I get is the back of someone walking away from the house.
Our cat had a major operation last year so i placed a lot of cameras around the house to see where she was going at night. She would often appear on one camera having walked past another that didnt trigger. But it worked for what we wanted, I do have 9 cameras though so there is a bit of resilience.
Since last November their authentication system has crashed at least 3 times, cameras can't be accessed when that happens.
I find it useful to see who is at the door etc.
If I needed it as a security camera system I would get something else.
For my use it is ok, i move the cameras around quite a bit for different reasons.
As a security camera it is pretty poor. It often doesnt trigger despite sensitivity at maximum. I have three cameras covering the back of the house, cats, foxes etc in the garden are often only picked up by one camera.
It sometimes misses people approaching the house, best I get is the back of someone walking away from the house.
Our cat had a major operation last year so i placed a lot of cameras around the house to see where she was going at night. She would often appear on one camera having walked past another that didnt trigger. But it worked for what we wanted, I do have 9 cameras though so there is a bit of resilience.
Since last November their authentication system has crashed at least 3 times, cameras can't be accessed when that happens.
I find it useful to see who is at the door etc.
If I needed it as a security camera system I would get something else.
Russ T Bolt said:
I have a number of Arlo Pro cameras.
For my use it is ok, i move the cameras around quite a bit for different reasons.
As a security camera it is pretty poor. It often doesnt trigger despite sensitivity at maximum. I have three cameras covering the back of the house, cats, foxes etc in the garden are often only picked up by one camera.
It sometimes misses people approaching the house, best I get is the back of someone walking away from the house.
Our cat had a major operation last year so i placed a lot of cameras around the house to see where she was going at night. She would often appear on one camera having walked past another that didnt trigger. But it worked for what we wanted, I do have 9 cameras though so there is a bit of resilience.
Since last November their authentication system has crashed at least 3 times, cameras can't be accessed when that happens.
I find it useful to see who is at the door etc.
If I needed it as a security camera system I would get something else.
Thanks it does seem the best of the smart cameras judging by what I’ve read.For my use it is ok, i move the cameras around quite a bit for different reasons.
As a security camera it is pretty poor. It often doesnt trigger despite sensitivity at maximum. I have three cameras covering the back of the house, cats, foxes etc in the garden are often only picked up by one camera.
It sometimes misses people approaching the house, best I get is the back of someone walking away from the house.
Our cat had a major operation last year so i placed a lot of cameras around the house to see where she was going at night. She would often appear on one camera having walked past another that didnt trigger. But it worked for what we wanted, I do have 9 cameras though so there is a bit of resilience.
Since last November their authentication system has crashed at least 3 times, cameras can't be accessed when that happens.
I find it useful to see who is at the door etc.
If I needed it as a security camera system I would get something else.
Ideally a wired one would be best but I’ve got no idea how I would get the wire from front to rear easily.
Having already discussed the failings of wide angle cameras spreading their pixels too far apart as you move away from the camera causing you to be a tiny blob in the middle of the screen who can't be identified a few other thoughts:
In my humble opinion forget anything that uses rechargeable batteries. You simply won't bother after the initial euphoria of having CCTV dies off and sods law says that just when you need footage the batteries have run out. CCTV needs to be fitted then forgotted until you need it.
You need to record 24/7 rather than only on motion. Consider a simple but increasingly common scenario:
Your mail order computer / toaster / dual voltage item of a personal nature in plain brown packaging fails to arrive as promised. Delivery company claim to have delivered and left in your porch as instructed and say it must have been stolen. You say ha ha, we have CCTV and there is no triggering of events so it hasn't been delivered. They say you need better CCTV and put the phone down. If you had recorded 24/7 you would be able to prove that no delivery took place because you have footage covering that entire period and no one came up the drive. We've already seen here that motion triggering isn't infallible. Sometimes the gaps are just as important as the motion events. Similarly for motion triggering to work best you want a small trigger patch and sometimes critical footage happens on the edge of the screen.
Multiple HD cameras sending 24/7 footage up to cloud based storage require the network / internet connection and everything else in the chain to work. Given the number of calls we get in a day from people who can "no longer remote access their CCTV system" I would suggest this doesn't always happen and so you risk losing your footage. Constant streaming of multiple HD feeds places increased demands on your network causing issues not limited to dropped CCTV footage. At this point you will all tell me how you have enterprise grade networks and a pipe as thick as my bicep hooking up to the internet. I can only go on experience seen when looking at network based home / small business systems.
7 days rolling footage is not enough. I would suggest you aim for 3 weeks rolling 24/7 footage to cover holidays, realising something is wrong and allowing you time to make back ups of critical footage. This will undoubtedly require monthly payments of money to the cloud people. Work out how much that costs for 4-6 cameras over say 3 years. With traditional local hard drive solutions there are no monthly costs including for remote access 24/7.
The benefit of modern CCTV systems which hook up to your router / network for remote access is that they can be tucked away safely in the attic or somewhere similar. Not only does this make cable runs easier but it also makes it less likely to have the DVR unit stolen. You can still have images of motion triggered events emailed to your free CCTV Gmail account and even push notification to your phone.
IP / PoE : You don't have to fit IP based CCTV using PoE (power over ethernet) to connect cameras using a single length of CAT5e or CAT6 cable. Simple video baluns and cheap DC plugs / sockets allow you to use a single length of cable to both power cameras and also get video signal back from the camera to the DVR for runs of up to around 50m. The benefit of this simple solution is you get to choose how many pairs of wires do each job and we suggest using 1 pair of wires for video signal then 3 pairs for 12 volt power so as to avoid voltage drop. Also make sure you are using pure copper cable rather than the more horrible CCA (copper coated aluminium). There is a guide to wiring using CAT5e / 6 cable Here
Hope that all makes sense. I'm sure others will come along with different ideas but I'm a huge fan of keeping things simple and aim for CCTV which genuinely stands a good chance of identification / prosecution which 99% of CCTV fitted particularly on people's homes doesn't achieve.
Henry
In my humble opinion forget anything that uses rechargeable batteries. You simply won't bother after the initial euphoria of having CCTV dies off and sods law says that just when you need footage the batteries have run out. CCTV needs to be fitted then forgotted until you need it.
You need to record 24/7 rather than only on motion. Consider a simple but increasingly common scenario:
Your mail order computer / toaster / dual voltage item of a personal nature in plain brown packaging fails to arrive as promised. Delivery company claim to have delivered and left in your porch as instructed and say it must have been stolen. You say ha ha, we have CCTV and there is no triggering of events so it hasn't been delivered. They say you need better CCTV and put the phone down. If you had recorded 24/7 you would be able to prove that no delivery took place because you have footage covering that entire period and no one came up the drive. We've already seen here that motion triggering isn't infallible. Sometimes the gaps are just as important as the motion events. Similarly for motion triggering to work best you want a small trigger patch and sometimes critical footage happens on the edge of the screen.
Multiple HD cameras sending 24/7 footage up to cloud based storage require the network / internet connection and everything else in the chain to work. Given the number of calls we get in a day from people who can "no longer remote access their CCTV system" I would suggest this doesn't always happen and so you risk losing your footage. Constant streaming of multiple HD feeds places increased demands on your network causing issues not limited to dropped CCTV footage. At this point you will all tell me how you have enterprise grade networks and a pipe as thick as my bicep hooking up to the internet. I can only go on experience seen when looking at network based home / small business systems.
7 days rolling footage is not enough. I would suggest you aim for 3 weeks rolling 24/7 footage to cover holidays, realising something is wrong and allowing you time to make back ups of critical footage. This will undoubtedly require monthly payments of money to the cloud people. Work out how much that costs for 4-6 cameras over say 3 years. With traditional local hard drive solutions there are no monthly costs including for remote access 24/7.
The benefit of modern CCTV systems which hook up to your router / network for remote access is that they can be tucked away safely in the attic or somewhere similar. Not only does this make cable runs easier but it also makes it less likely to have the DVR unit stolen. You can still have images of motion triggered events emailed to your free CCTV Gmail account and even push notification to your phone.
IP / PoE : You don't have to fit IP based CCTV using PoE (power over ethernet) to connect cameras using a single length of CAT5e or CAT6 cable. Simple video baluns and cheap DC plugs / sockets allow you to use a single length of cable to both power cameras and also get video signal back from the camera to the DVR for runs of up to around 50m. The benefit of this simple solution is you get to choose how many pairs of wires do each job and we suggest using 1 pair of wires for video signal then 3 pairs for 12 volt power so as to avoid voltage drop. Also make sure you are using pure copper cable rather than the more horrible CCA (copper coated aluminium). There is a guide to wiring using CAT5e / 6 cable Here
Hope that all makes sense. I'm sure others will come along with different ideas but I'm a huge fan of keeping things simple and aim for CCTV which genuinely stands a good chance of identification / prosecution which 99% of CCTV fitted particularly on people's homes doesn't achieve.
Henry
Thanks Henry for the advice.
As I've said problem for me is getting the wiring routed through the house, I've had a quote for a system installed which was pretty expensive I thought he said the wiring would be the tricky part getting it from cameras to loft.
The house is a 3 storey townhouse which is semi detached. Don't have much to cover just a parking space in front and a smallish rear garden.
Think I need to decided either simple Arlo type set up or 'get a man in' as I have no skills or patience
As I've said problem for me is getting the wiring routed through the house, I've had a quote for a system installed which was pretty expensive I thought he said the wiring would be the tricky part getting it from cameras to loft.
The house is a 3 storey townhouse which is semi detached. Don't have much to cover just a parking space in front and a smallish rear garden.
Think I need to decided either simple Arlo type set up or 'get a man in' as I have no skills or patience
I've got Arlo Pro and i'm happy with it - sensitivity seems to work perfectly, picks up everything from birds and foxes and badgers to the postman and myriad delivery drivers.
In the event i have no internet connection (very rare) it records on the base station on to a USB stick anyway. This doesn't work when there's a powercut but then neither would any other CCTV without a UPS.
I actually have one of the cameras hard-wired to power because i got bored of going up a long ladder every couple of months, but the other cameras go 3 to 4 months without charging anyway and are easier to access. I also have an Arlo Q in the house.
Not disagreeing with Henry, just pointing out that my solution works for my circumstances. We're all different.
In the event i have no internet connection (very rare) it records on the base station on to a USB stick anyway. This doesn't work when there's a powercut but then neither would any other CCTV without a UPS.
I actually have one of the cameras hard-wired to power because i got bored of going up a long ladder every couple of months, but the other cameras go 3 to 4 months without charging anyway and are easier to access. I also have an Arlo Q in the house.
Not disagreeing with Henry, just pointing out that my solution works for my circumstances. We're all different.
VerySideways said:
I've got Arlo Pro and i'm happy with it - sensitivity seems to work perfectly, picks up everything from birds and foxes and badgers to the postman and myriad delivery drivers.
In the event i have no internet connection (very rare) it records on the base station on to a USB stick anyway. This doesn't work when there's a powercut but then neither would any other CCTV without a UPS.
I actually have one of the cameras hard-wired to power because i got bored of going up a long ladder every couple of months, but the other cameras go 3 to 4 months without charging anyway and are easier to access. I also have an Arlo Q in the house.
Not disagreeing with Henry, just pointing out that my solution works for my circumstances. We're all different.
Thanks good to know.In the event i have no internet connection (very rare) it records on the base station on to a USB stick anyway. This doesn't work when there's a powercut but then neither would any other CCTV without a UPS.
I actually have one of the cameras hard-wired to power because i got bored of going up a long ladder every couple of months, but the other cameras go 3 to 4 months without charging anyway and are easier to access. I also have an Arlo Q in the house.
Not disagreeing with Henry, just pointing out that my solution works for my circumstances. We're all different.
We have the house pretty secure now with locs,alarm etc. Nice just to have the ability to get a heads up if someone is snooping about.
I have and Arlo cam outdoors powered by solar panels so its completely standalone. Also have the older wire free cameras, change the batteries every 4-5 months. Im away at random a couple of nights a week on business. Its handy to keep any on things and a backup to the "real" alarm system.
The key decision as posted earlier; by a ready to go, easy to install, wireless battery system for a few hundred quid. Up and running 20 mins, fine for most people.
or
if you want serious belt and braces must not miss a second, record on site to local storage, wired mains system - pay a company to come in for a few days and £££
Similar to the situation on alarm systems; you can get a wireless kit from B&Q for a few hundred and put it up yourself in an afternoon, or a pro monitored ADT installed system for a lot more cash.
The key decision as posted earlier; by a ready to go, easy to install, wireless battery system for a few hundred quid. Up and running 20 mins, fine for most people.
or
if you want serious belt and braces must not miss a second, record on site to local storage, wired mains system - pay a company to come in for a few days and £££
Similar to the situation on alarm systems; you can get a wireless kit from B&Q for a few hundred and put it up yourself in an afternoon, or a pro monitored ADT installed system for a lot more cash.
VerySideways said:
I've got Arlo Pro and i'm happy with it - sensitivity seems to work perfectly, picks up everything from birds and foxes and badgers to the postman and myriad delivery drivers.
Unless you constantly monitor or have other damers, how do you know it catches everything ?As an example, about 4 weeks ago I had an obviously hardworking chap in a Transit pickup offer to do my drive. He wouldn't take a simple 'No' so we had a bit of a disagreement before he left, i followed him back to his van.
He turned to me and said 'write the reg down then' I told him i didnt need as there were cameras recording him. Only problem was they weren't, i put another camera out the front at right angles to the 2 existing.
The rest of your post I agree with, I dont have a problem charging the cameras and the convenience is really useful, i actually rotate the cameras so I just swap a charged one with one where the battery has tun out.
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