CCTV talk to me....Anyone recommend Reolink?
Discussion
Hi all,
My garage was broken into last week. Thankfully, I seem to have got away relatively lightly, with only some DeWalt tools being taken. The bikes, cars and everything else were left alone.
As a result, I've installed some Ring sensors in the garage (although I keep forgetting they're there and setting them off myself!).
The property is fairly large, with gardens backing onto open fields, so I'm not sure it's ever going to be possible to make it completely secure. However, it's highlighted that my current Lorex CCTV setup needs upgrading. The existing cameras only cover the area around the house, and I'd like to extend coverage to the garages and outbuildings.
I already have network cabling run to the garages, so installing PoE cameras and replacing the existing cameras/NVR would be straightforward.
Reolink seems to get a lot of positive reviews, and the newer systems look impressive. I'd appreciate any feedback from people using Reolink, as well as recommendations for other brands worth considering.
Good night-time image quality is a must, as the current system is pretty dreadful after dark.
Thanks in advance.
My garage was broken into last week. Thankfully, I seem to have got away relatively lightly, with only some DeWalt tools being taken. The bikes, cars and everything else were left alone.
As a result, I've installed some Ring sensors in the garage (although I keep forgetting they're there and setting them off myself!).
The property is fairly large, with gardens backing onto open fields, so I'm not sure it's ever going to be possible to make it completely secure. However, it's highlighted that my current Lorex CCTV setup needs upgrading. The existing cameras only cover the area around the house, and I'd like to extend coverage to the garages and outbuildings.
I already have network cabling run to the garages, so installing PoE cameras and replacing the existing cameras/NVR would be straightforward.
Reolink seems to get a lot of positive reviews, and the newer systems look impressive. I'd appreciate any feedback from people using Reolink, as well as recommendations for other brands worth considering.
Good night-time image quality is a must, as the current system is pretty dreadful after dark.
Thanks in advance.
K50 DEL said:
I've had reolink at my place for several years now, so the newer cameras are undoubtedly even better.
I've got nothing bad to say about the whole infrastructure though, it's been fit-and-forget really.
Same here, just moved my camera to our new place. Seamless and just works.I've got nothing bad to say about the whole infrastructure though, it's been fit-and-forget really.
Sideways Tim said:
K50 DEL said:
I've had reolink at my place for several years now, so the newer cameras are undoubtedly even better.
I've got nothing bad to say about the whole infrastructure though, it's been fit-and-forget really.
Same here, just moved my camera to our new place. Seamless and just works.I've got nothing bad to say about the whole infrastructure though, it's been fit-and-forget really.
I have 7 Reolink cameras on the outsode of my house and garage. All POE and linked to an NVR.
They have worked perfectly as has the app. I've nothing bad to say. They do a large range of cameras with various resolutions and tech, 4k, wide angle doubles that stitch together, ones with sensor lights built in and so on.
They have worked perfectly as has the app. I've nothing bad to say. They do a large range of cameras with various resolutions and tech, 4k, wide angle doubles that stitch together, ones with sensor lights built in and so on.
Of all the budget diy brands reolink is really decent.
Reliable, decent support for firmware updates, reasonable picture to the untrained eye, although they rely heavily on software processing to make up for cheap optics.
Hikvision has the edge on picture quality but their analytics are crap. Hik connect platform has become very buggy of recent, really noticable this year compared to previous.
Dahua better analytics, worse picture and lots of firmware problems.
Unifi. Excellent but you need to spend double hik money for good nightvision. The analytics and linkages are mind blowing.
At work we favour unifi, or hik ip cams with other nvrs, mostly nx witness, although at home I use scrypted.
Reliable, decent support for firmware updates, reasonable picture to the untrained eye, although they rely heavily on software processing to make up for cheap optics.
Hikvision has the edge on picture quality but their analytics are crap. Hik connect platform has become very buggy of recent, really noticable this year compared to previous.
Dahua better analytics, worse picture and lots of firmware problems.
Unifi. Excellent but you need to spend double hik money for good nightvision. The analytics and linkages are mind blowing.
At work we favour unifi, or hik ip cams with other nvrs, mostly nx witness, although at home I use scrypted.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Tuesday 28th July 20:44
Great responses ; guess its reinforced the decision to remove Lorex and purchase 10+ Reolink.....
Next issue is how to monitor footage on multiple screens in various locations. Reading up, I can use the TinyCam app on NVIDIA Shield Pro or purchase another decoder to pick up the streams.
Next issue is how to monitor footage on multiple screens in various locations. Reading up, I can use the TinyCam app on NVIDIA Shield Pro or purchase another decoder to pick up the streams.
Are your existing cameras IP or analogue via coax cable?
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:09
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:30
Been running Reolink for years
Good - set and forget
App is good
I used POE eithernet cables and a NVR
Only downside is the cameras exposed to elements have lasted 2/3 years , they just die
Under eaves helps & all mine inside the building are 7 years old and never missed a bit
TBH I just like their basic £40 ones
Try and order domes , spiders love the tunnel style ones and the webs fck up the night vision
Good - set and forget
App is good
I used POE eithernet cables and a NVR
Only downside is the cameras exposed to elements have lasted 2/3 years , they just die
Under eaves helps & all mine inside the building are 7 years old and never missed a bit
TBH I just like their basic £40 ones
Try and order domes , spiders love the tunnel style ones and the webs fck up the night vision
megaphone said:
Are your existing cameras IP or analogue via coax cable?
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
IP hardwired, Will use a mixture of domes and bullet I think.
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:09
IP hardwired, Will use a mixture of domes and bullet I think.
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:30
jrinns said:
megaphone said:
Are your existing cameras IP or analogue via coax cable?
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
IP hardwired, Will use a mixture of domes and bullet I think.
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:09
IP hardwired, Will use a mixture of domes and bullet I think.
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:30
I have 3 dome (zoom,tilt, wireless, 13 amp socket ) and 2 bullet tube (fixed,PoE) , all are on smart switches , so I can power on reset remotely if I loose connection . Don't have a problem with the dome (although others complained about foggy up) .. the most annoying is spiders webs over the tube (which require manually cleaning for infra red) . I used TINYCAM on ANDROID with ONVIF stream without any difficulties (with obsolete ACTIONTILES , need to fix now I'm on SHARPTOOLS), although the REOLINK APP on WINDOWS and ANDROID is very good . All my cameras are reasonably easily accessible.
Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Wednesday 29th July 18:24
megaphone said:
Are your existing cameras IP or analogue via coax cable?
Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
Have you actually used hikvision vpro or deepinmind AI kit?Look for cameras with 'AI' capability, cameras that can id a person and send you an alarm. You need to be able to set-up line crossing, and smart zones.
If not you will just be watching recordings of people walking off with your power tools.
As above Unifi Protect is very good, but cameras are pricey. Or the AI kit from Hikvision is ok, the app/web interface is not as slick as Protect but cheaper.
Also avoid 'dome' cameras outside, the domes get dirty and mess with IR etc. Use turret cameras.
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:09
Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 29th July 08:30
I mean trying to actually get it to do what they claim it can do?
Turn on the AI search and you lose all the perimiter protection features.
Facial rec never works properly .
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