[gregfisk]

For mounting a dome, I was going to get an exterior, metal version of something like this
http://www.hikvision.com/us/Products_1_10666_i8811.html#prettyPhoto

I figured that it would be "safer" (less likely to be stolen and damaged) than a bullet.

This is for by the front door.

The driveway cam will be under the eaves, and can be a bullet.  Same for back of house.

Randy

That will work well, if you are under the eave and have a flat surface you may be able to also use a dome but we mostly use bullets.

[randytsuch]

If you already have a Synology or QNAP NAS, or were planning on getting one for media server and backup duties, they both have surveillance apps.

Running on a lower power 24/7 Linux-based NAS is probably a more efficient platform with less maintenance than using a PC.  Synology Surveillance Station supports 4700 camera models from 90 manufacturers and the maximum number of cameras will depend on the model chosen.

Steve

FYI, I saw a warning at ipcamtalk about trying to run camera software on these, basically not enough horsepower, but obviously depends on how many cameras and resolution, etc.  It is a lot of data, so a dedicated machine may be a better solution.

And I don't have a NAS, so don't plan to go this route.

Randy

[randytsuch]

Almost bought a system from Frys on sale yesterday, but it sold out quickly. 
This was $400,
http://www.frys.com/product/8856132?site=20email100616
Camera's maybe not too good, but you get 8 of em, lol

So now, I think I'm back to a PC, waffled back in that direction.

Blue Iris is a well known free software for this, but it requires a high horsepower CPU, most use I5 or I7, depending on number of cameras.

Started Monday, Milestone Essentials software is free, for up to 8 cameras, so equivalent to the 8 port nvr I was considering
https://www.milestonesys.com/newsletters/distributor2/americas/2016/september/xprotect-essential-now-for-free/

Few year old review here
http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1902

Since I have old/extra PC case, mb, cpu, ram, sdd, I think I just need to spend $40 on another windows license, and I have my PC based NVR.  And my MB has two ethernet ports, so it will be perfect, I think I can have my cameras on their own network, keeping the traffic isolated.

I will need a Western Digital Purple drive, $80-100 for a 2 or 3 tb.  The cheaper NVR's don't include a hdd, so no difference unless you buy a nvr with hdd.

And around $50 for a POE switch, people like dlink and trendnet.

Cameras will likely come from aliexpress, I'll use recommended seller's from ipcamtalk threads that I've been reading.

So that's my plan, at least for now, lol.

I can see if you do this for a living, buying a NVR because it's easy.  But I've put together a lot of PCs, and it's pretty easy to do that.  And I'm working on it at home, so can do at my leisure.

Randy

[gregfisk]

Almost bought a system from Frys on sale yesterday, but it sold out quickly. 
This was $400,
http://www.frys.com/product/8856132?site=20email100616
Camera's maybe not too good, but you get 8 of em, lol

So now, I think I'm back to a PC, waffled back in that direction.

Blue Iris is a well known free software for this, but it requires a high horsepower CPU, most use I5 or I7, depending on number of cameras.

Started Monday, Milestone Essentials software is free, for up to 8 cameras, so equivalent to the 8 port nvr I was considering
https://www.milestonesys.com/newsletters/distributor2/americas/2016/september/xprotect-essential-now-for-free/

Few year old review here
http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1902

Since I have old/extra PC case, mb, cpu, ram, sdd, I think I just need to spend $40 on another windows license, and I have my PC based NVR.  And my MB has two ethernet ports, so it will be perfect, I think I can have my cameras on their own network, keeping the traffic isolated.

I will need a Western Digital Purple drive, $80-100 for a 2 or 3 tb.  The cheaper NVR's don't include a hdd, so no difference unless you buy a nvr with hdd.

And around $50 for a POE switch, people like dlink and trendnet.

Cameras will likely come from aliexpress, I'll use recommended seller's from ipcamtalk threads that I've been reading.

So that's my plan, at least for now, lol.

I can see if you do this for a living, buying a NVR because it's easy.  But I've put together a lot of PCs, and it's pretty easy to do that.  And I'm working on it at home, so can do at my leisure.

Randy

If you want to go cheap just go to Costcos web site and get a package. They have bundles for half what I buy the HIK stuff for, we've tried them and they are O.K. picture quality wise. The specs. make them seem like they would be great but they are just O.K. You can save a lot of money that way thou.

[randytsuch]

I want cheap and good 

I'm looking a what are supposed to be good cameras, based on the opinions of the guys at ipcamtalk.

Here is a good cheap one, looks impressive for the price
https://www.ipcamtalk.com/showthread.php/12334-Q-s-Cheap-Camera-Shootout?p=113380&viewfull=1#post113380

and this is the "expensive" camera
https://www.ipcamtalk.com/showthread.php/6964-5-MegaGixel-1-1-8-quot-low-light-destroyer-for-90
This has a larger sensor, so low light appears very good.

Randy

[randytsuch]

So long over due update.

I ended using a program called Blue Iris, running on a PC I built, to do the recording.  Basically a PC based NVR.

I have a couple cameras installed, all ordered from aliexpress.

I bought a few of these
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/POE-HD-1080P-Bullet-security-cctv-ip-camera-surveillance-Free-Phone-view-IR-CUT-3-6mm/32289067032.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.kasqKz
One 3.6mm, and a couple 6mm lens. 
The 6mm covers a smaller area, but zooms in more to get better facial recognition.

I bought a Dahua vari focal that is now mounted on the front corner of my house, get the driveway.  The vari focal is nice, you can zoom in and out to get the right comprise of area covered versus being able to see how it is.

I've pulled more wires, hoping to set up cameras on the back and side of my house this weekend.

Cost so far around $1000 I think.  Cameras weren't that much really, but add in the ethernet wire and stuff, lots of stuff from home depot and the PC costs, it all adds up.  Still pretty cheap for what I think is a reasonable system.

Oh, I put a cheap little "box" camera in the garage too, so I can see if the doors are open, and if the cars are there.  And its in front of the door to the house, so if someone comes in through the garage I will see them.

I still need one more camera, for the front door.  I've been waffling on what to get here, but I think I've decided.

With Blue Iris, and running openVPN on my router and my phone, I can check the cameras from anywhere.  Don't have notifications turned on, and set up for constant recording.  I bought a 4 tb purple western digital HD to record to, so I have plenty of space.

Randy

[SoCalWJS]

I didn't really want to start a new thread, so I dug this one up - hope it's OK!

We're in this position too now. We've had a recent string of Burglaries in out community, and I fear the Ring Doorbell system in not enough of a deterrent anymore. I've heard that the local Representative of the Reeve of The Shire believes that Burglaries are up due to a new Phase of the Development causing an increase in activity. (I blame the Politics of my Fine State, but that's a different topic......)

I wondered if anybody had experience or knowledge of the various systems that are now out. Costco seems to be pretty high on the Arlo stuff. A wireless 3-4 camera system would fit my needs, but I want something that is of good quality, reliable, and I can store the video locally and have control over it (I'm not a fan of Cloud based storage)

https://www.arlo.com/en-us/products/default.aspx

The "Pro" version is what they carry at Costco. 3 Cameras for $469.99.

https://www.arlo.com/en-us/products/arlo-pro/default.aspx

Any thoughts?