The Annual CCTV at home thread.

[ferrisbueller]

I've been looking at this for a while now and read all the historic threads and online consumer reviews. It's clear the tech evolves quickly.

I'd like a system with minimum cable runs. I only need a couple of cameras so don't need mega storage or huge complexity.

Thinking along the lines of a couple of indoor IP cameras pointed out the windows.

Sensible budget, DIY install.

Looking at Dahua, Hikvision etc.

Any recommendations for an off the shelf plug and play system please?

[ferrisbueller]

LocoBlade said:

Unless you only want to monitor daytime activity, pointing indoor cameras through glass won't work as the Infrared LEDs for night vision will just reflect off the glass and you'll see nothing when its dark.

If you want something cheap but still reasonabe quality have a look at Reolink cameras, their £40-50 cameras aren't quite as good as Dahua and Hikvision but there's not a lot in it and the cameras are less than half the price. They also do an NVR thats meant to be be pretty good value but not used it myself, I've got a mix of Dahua and Reolink cameras connected to a home server PC running Blue Iris.

Edited by LocoBlade on Sunday 2nd May 13:30

My local authorities have put in street lighting that necessitates blackout curtains which may negate the need for IR. Or I could put an IR lamp outside?

[ferrisbueller]

LocoBlade said:

Is there a reason you want the cameras inside? Exterior ones aren't any more expensive and if mounted indoors you'll have wiring etc to contend with around the window frame etc that you'll struggle to hide, as well as the camera itself obviously.

Cable indoors around the window frame/down the wall to skirting level doesn't really bother me, nor does a small camera in the top corner of a window. Also easier to install and maintain.

[ferrisbueller]

Shnozz said:

ferrisbueller said:

Cable indoors around the window frame/down the wall to skirting level doesn't really bother me, nor does a small camera in the top corner of a window. Also easier to install and maintain.

To be fair many of these cameras will last months on a charge so you could have them without wires and just give them a charge every so often. Before I had a nearby socket installed in my garage the Reolink in there lasted 2-3 months.

Ah, that's better than I thought. I will take a look. Thanks.