Home NVR systems for cctv
Discussion
Hi folks
I have a cctv system that I installed about 18 months ago, which has 9 wired network Cameras attached. These are all run from an old Cisco PoE 24 port switch.
I bought the cctv setup from a company called domar, U.K. based and came recommended by a friend. They sold me, at the time zxtech cameras and the zxtech NVR, with a simply LAN port and hdmi. I bought one without PoE ports because I already had the switch.
The cameras are excellent, great quality and apart from an issue with one seemingly randomly not getting power, all good. The thing is, the NVR is pretty crap. The web application is IE only, the software you can install crashes all the time and the app, well it’s basic to say the least. It’s a Chinese rip-off of what an NVR software really should be!
So, I’m thinking of replacing the nvr and see if I can’t get closer to being happy from a usability point of view. What I need:-
1. 16 channels (9 cameras currently)
2. Just a LAN port, No need for PoE ports that just increase the cost
3. A reliable system, with a good app and decent web application
I could build one on a windows pc, I’ve heard about blue iris which sounds interesting. Or happy to buy one off the shelf if it gives me (reliably) the features I want.
Thanks I’m advance for the help
I have a cctv system that I installed about 18 months ago, which has 9 wired network Cameras attached. These are all run from an old Cisco PoE 24 port switch.
I bought the cctv setup from a company called domar, U.K. based and came recommended by a friend. They sold me, at the time zxtech cameras and the zxtech NVR, with a simply LAN port and hdmi. I bought one without PoE ports because I already had the switch.
The cameras are excellent, great quality and apart from an issue with one seemingly randomly not getting power, all good. The thing is, the NVR is pretty crap. The web application is IE only, the software you can install crashes all the time and the app, well it’s basic to say the least. It’s a Chinese rip-off of what an NVR software really should be!
So, I’m thinking of replacing the nvr and see if I can’t get closer to being happy from a usability point of view. What I need:-
1. 16 channels (9 cameras currently)
2. Just a LAN port, No need for PoE ports that just increase the cost
3. A reliable system, with a good app and decent web application
I could build one on a windows pc, I’ve heard about blue iris which sounds interesting. Or happy to buy one off the shelf if it gives me (reliably) the features I want.
Thanks I’m advance for the help
Many years ago I used something called Zoneminder, I even have a bug report in there when it consumed all of my dual Opteron server doing motion analytics. It still seems to be going (open source) and looks very good.
I spent some time using Luxriot which was a bear to configure, and quite expensive.
These days I use Ubiquiti fully integrated. It works, but no use to you as you'd need new cameras.
I spent some time using Luxriot which was a bear to configure, and quite expensive.
These days I use Ubiquiti fully integrated. It works, but no use to you as you'd need new cameras.
Edited by rxe on Thursday 12th November 14:32
If the cameras are ONVIF compatible then you can't go wrong with Dahua or Hikvision NVR. There's not a lot between them tbh, but they are pretty much industry standard, rock solid and can be had for around 2/300gbp (less hard drives) and support for 4K IP cameras and now do some pretty interesting stuff like face detection/people counting etc.
rxe said:
Many years ago I used something called Zoneminder, I even have a bug report in there when it consumed all of my dual Opteron server doing motion analytics. It still seems to be going (open source) and looks very good.
I spent some time using Luxriot which was a bear to configure, and quite expensive.
These days I use Ubiquiti fully integrated. It works, but no use to you as you'd need new cameras.
I think that was a bit short-sighted on Ubiquiti not to support ONVIF. (Not that it's affected their share price!)I spent some time using Luxriot which was a bear to configure, and quite expensive.
These days I use Ubiquiti fully integrated. It works, but no use to you as you'd need new cameras.
Edited by rxe on Thursday 12th November 14:32
Brother D said:
I think that was a bit short-sighted on Ubiquiti not to support ONVIF. (Not that it's affected their share price!)
I agree. But compliance with standards costs money, and slows down progress. Ubiquiti is a system - you either buy into it or you don’t - similar to Apple. For me, it just works, I can access 4 systems from my phone and I don’t have to put any admin effort into any of them.Just to educate me...
Do cameras plug straight into an existing POE switch OR they plug into the supplied camera branded NVR.
Are they the two options? Bar providing internet to the NVR, do these two devices join in any way?
I.e. you don't plug the cameras and the NVR into the POE switch and they all find each other?
Do cameras plug straight into an existing POE switch OR they plug into the supplied camera branded NVR.
Are they the two options? Bar providing internet to the NVR, do these two devices join in any way?
I.e. you don't plug the cameras and the NVR into the POE switch and they all find each other?
Gingerbread Man said:
Just to educate me...
Do cameras plug straight into an existing POE switch OR they plug into the supplied camera branded NVR.
Are they the two options? Bar providing internet to the NVR, do these two devices join in any way?
I.e. you don't plug the cameras and the NVR into the POE switch and they all find each other?
If they're all on the same network/sbunet/vlan then yes they should be able to see each other whether you use a switch or directly into the NVR.Do cameras plug straight into an existing POE switch OR they plug into the supplied camera branded NVR.
Are they the two options? Bar providing internet to the NVR, do these two devices join in any way?
I.e. you don't plug the cameras and the NVR into the POE switch and they all find each other?
HantsRat said:
Gingerbread Man said:
Just to educate me...
Do cameras plug straight into an existing POE switch OR they plug into the supplied camera branded NVR.
Are they the two options? Bar providing internet to the NVR, do these two devices join in any way?
I.e. you don't plug the cameras and the NVR into the POE switch and they all find each other?
If they're all on the same network/sbunet/vlan then yes they should be able to see each other whether you use a switch or directly into the NVR.Do cameras plug straight into an existing POE switch OR they plug into the supplied camera branded NVR.
Are they the two options? Bar providing internet to the NVR, do these two devices join in any way?
I.e. you don't plug the cameras and the NVR into the POE switch and they all find each other?
NVR does all of the recording, and in most cases runs whatever backend required to display the picture.
For example, I can look at all my cameras without an NVR. Go to their IP with a browser, log in, look at picture. But with an NVR I can fire up an app on my phone thst displays all at once and gives me access to recordings.
For example, I can look at all my cameras without an NVR. Go to their IP with a browser, log in, look at picture. But with an NVR I can fire up an app on my phone thst displays all at once and gives me access to recordings.
rxe said:
I agree. But compliance with standards costs money, and slows down progress. Ubiquiti is a system - you either buy into it or you don’t - similar to Apple. For me, it just works, I can access 4 systems from my phone and I don’t have to put any admin effort into any of them.
Even though I have bought into the Ubiquiti network kit (USG, cloud controller, 6 access points, 5 switches....even the shed has a flex mini for the Zwift setup), I drew the line at their approach to CCTV. I went for Blue Iris on a refurbished HP Prodesk (off ebay) and a 5TB purple WD drive. 8 Dahua turret cameras all controlled by Blue Iris which is fantastic once you get to grips with the functionality. I have even set up a couple of the cameras to send motion detection via MQTT to my Home Assistant server, effectively extending the burglar alarm system.
I found this site excellent for reading up on Blue Iris and recommended cameras: https://ipcamtalk.com/
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff