Buying outdoor Ip security cameras

[sibuns]

Hello.

I decided that i want to buy 2 outdoor cameras for home security. I was googling some cameras and i cant decide what to buy. I heared that foscam makes good ones. Which one do you advice to buy? (price range about 80-160 $). All of this type cameras need to have atleast one cable right (power cable)?

I found a product that i really like. Its a little over my budget but i am prepeared to go over my budget for this product. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Arlo-Smart-Home-Wire-Free-VMS3130-100NAS/dp/B00QH0Q8J4/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1449766916&sr=1-1&keywords=Netgear+Arlo+Smart+Home

So i would like to ask if any of you guys had any experience with this product ? How long does the battery last? How is it resistant to cold weather(in winter time is about -10 C)? What is the video or image quality ?

Thank you for you answers.

Regards

 

[kanewolf]

IP cameras are best when connected via ethernet cable. They can be powered via the same cable. The risk of a battery running out is too great a risk in my book. If it is really for security, you want AC power with UPS backup ...

 

[Solandri]

I can't comment on that model, but most of the high-end security cameras are just rebadged HikVision cameras. They're generally considered much better than Foscam. Dahua is the other high-end camera maker.
http://overseas.hikvision.com/en/

They don't sell directly to the U.S., so if you buy one labeled as an actual Hikvision, you may end up with firmware in Chineses. It's up to the U.S. reseller to come up with English firmware. So you have to do a bit of research to figure out which reseller camera models are actually HikVision cameras. Since they're mostly IP cameras (which use a NVR - network video recorder - to store footage), you can actually use a Chinese firmware camera with English NVR software (I did this on a couple cameras to save money, since using NVR software lets you pretty much ignore all the built-in camera software).

Most of these cameras use PoE - power over ethernet. Either they ship with an adapter which lets you transmit both DC power and network over a single ethernet cable to the camera, or you plug the network cable into a PoE switch which provides power for the camera.

It looks like the camera you linked is powered by CR123 batteries. If the stats in the reviews are correct, it'll last about 4-6 months at 5 min of recording per day, or about 12 hours of video. That may be fine for a low-traffic location like your front door (keeping the street and sidewalk out of the field of view). But the security cameras at my business which are motion-triggered generate about 2-3 hours of video each day. And a couple of them have had spiders build a web in front. As the web flaps in the wind at night (the camera's IR lights light it up), it keeps the motion detection constantly triggered, and I get 8 hours of video of a spiderweb flapping. No big deal since my cameras are wired, but it would get old replacing your camera batteries every couple days because of spiderwebs.

So you really need to ask yourself exactly what you want to do with these cameras before choosing which kind to buy. Do you want to record everything in case of burglary? Do you just want to record who drops by your house during the day? Or do you not want to record at all and just want to be able to see camera views whenever you feel like?

 

[sibuns]

What about any mid price range hikvision cameras?

If anybody has any experience with netgear cameras pls share the experience

 

[Kenhumes]

I am not aware about netgear camera..
I have bought an IP camera from IVP (http://www.ivp.org.uk/)..Around 2 years back
And it is working till now.. experience with these cameras is great..

 

[kanewolf]

What about any mid price range hikvision cameras?

If anybody has any experience with netgear cameras pls share the experience

I have stuck with Panasonic and Axis. Both of which are for the commercial market and are priced as such.

 

[CAmanda]

It would easier to buy a camera before you consider the features beforehand.Here are some of the features that you could consider so it could make the search all the more easier for you.An IP camera works with an NVR(Network Video Recorder).These types of IP cameras are connected and have recorded units respectively.If you want to monitor a live feed and you don’t want to maintain hours of stored footage then you don’t need to get a complete NVR setup.This type of camera will come more in handy with business owners.Outdoor IP cameras are wireless and has more added features like weatherproofing,night vision and automatic sensors.Though a wireless connection easier to use just make sure that you keep your connection secure by changing your password often and using an encrypted network.Here is a blog from csp alarms that mentions some tips on how to make your wireless security system hack-proof http://cspalarms.ca/blog/wireless-security-systems/how-to-make-your-wireless-security-system-hack-proof/ . Since an IP camera can easily stream content into the internet it would be better if you use an upgrade able firmware.Most of the companies that supply these IP cameras would look for security incursions into their design and release upgrades every time they spot a danger thus keeping the IP cameras and feeds secure.Always make sure that you are using the latest firmware version.