Home security systems recommendations

[deadmaufive]

I'm looking for recommendations on home security systems. Not the ADT or whatnot, but the self monitored ones. I don't know too much about them, other than I only "NEED" 4 channels, but more doesn't hurt for future additions if i feel it necessary. I'm also somewhat on a budget. So price is a factor, so best price/performance recommendations would be great.

 

[Ralston18]

Start by looking for online reviews by professional reviewers/sources and verified buyers.

E.g.:

https://www.cnet.com/topics/smart-home/best-smart-home-devices/best-home-security-devices/

Google words "home security system reviews" and then vary the search criteria as you learn and narrow down your requirements. Including your budget restrictions.

Key is for you to first gain some understanding of the terminologies used, the options that may be available, and if/how those options fulfill your security requirements.

After identifying two or three "systems" go to the manufacturer's web sites. Read the User Guides/Manuals, check the Forums and FAQs. Look for what is not said as much as what is said. The fine print can be very revealing.

If at all possible visit a store somewhere to physically look a the devices. May look all techy and weather proof but is actually flimsy plastic and thin metal. Will not hold up at all - not even indoors much less outdoors if you need exterior protection.

The goal is for you to become knowledgeable enough to ask more specific questions about any given system with respect to your requirements and situation.

I have been experimenting with a DIY wireless Amcrest based camera system. Model IP2M-841B (1080p) to be specific.

Application software setup was a bit cumbersome but once that was done, the camera is easily accessed and controlled. PTZ features work well - just need to have patience with the controls.....

Seems to be working well but have only set up a couple of temporary indoor locations using one camera just being moved around. Does need to have AC power somewhere nearby which was not and is not an issue overall.

I made a tactical error. Should have purchased the more expensive exterior camera version. Even the inside of the garage is considered exterior and the indoor camera is likely to deteriorate out there. Good weather tests have been okay but my requirement is to have a wider exterior view. Based on a camera actually outside the house and not looking out a garage window.

Waiting for a sale on the exterior model camera. Can always use an outdoor camera inside. Not vice versa....

Summary: Try a single camera you can move around to address each "NEED". Learn from that and most likely your requirements will evolve.

May end up raising your budget but overall you will end up with a security system that should meet most, if not all, of your requirements.

 

[The Original Ralph]

i'll recommend Hikvision - I went with the HIKVISION DS 2CD2542FWD-IS mini-dome cameras, about $180 per camera - it's in what they call their consumer "value" lineup. Hikvision offers a full range of cameras up to $42,000 thermal vision cameras that also brew coffee

but i was like you, just starting out about a year ago. I'll save you some effort, if they're wireless, stay away from them, extremely weak security and will be easy for someone to hack into. Plus you're not saving yourself any wiring - you still have to run a power source to them,, or go with a battery powered unit which mean climbing a ladder every 2-4 weeks to change the batteries. Some actually use a proprietary battery pack so you get the luxury of paying $50 for a spare battery

Like the suggestion above, i bought one Nest camera - i mean they're slick looking, really great ad campaign etc, and owned by Google - what could go wrong? Plus they had 5,500+ 4 & 5 star reviews on amazon!!

I learned a lot on that one - 1st it offers 2 way voice comm, so you could talk to visitors which is great - IF IT WORKED THE WAY IT SHOULD. But because it's google, and they're information hogs, what's idiotic is that the video stream from the camera goes to your wifi router, then upstreams to NEST's server, then back down to your computer, which means a 2-3 second delay in the video stream and voice signal. And it's not full duplex or 2 way comm - when you want to talk you have to clik a microphone icon to talk, but when you do that, it kills the mike at the camera so it's not picking up what the visitor sez, then after you're thru talking you have to un-clik the microphone icon - and the signal to the camera to re-activate the mike at the camera takes 2-3 seconds to reach it, so the first few words out of the visitor's mouth are not transmitted.

So when there's someone at the front door and you ask them what they want or who they are, you loose the first part of their response and have to repeat your question and state for them to wait 4-5 seconds before responding.

2nd, NEST (& GOOGLE) are greedy - it doesn't allow you to record the video stream on your own computer or NVR - they want you to subscribe to their cloud storage svc at $10 / month

You can get around that by using an aftermarket video stream management software - i use Blue Iris or BI. They managed to break the coding so it could be recorded to a dedicated SSD in my computer. But if you go to YouTube and search for how to configure Blue Iris & Nest, read the comments - every few months NEST alters the coding so BI's workaround doesn't work - posters actually comment NEST must have a team of engineers monitoring BI and other vendors, and when they see a new work around, they re-write the coding. I believe it

on the up side, the NEST was eazy-peazy to set up, nearly self-installing, and image quality was great. The voice speaker at the camera was nearly worthless for another reason - it was so small, about 1/4" diameter, if there was a decent wind rustling leaves, you could not hear it - not kidding

best suggestion, look for a camera with 1920x1080 resolution, and is ethernet POE capable, which means it supplies the video stream via ethernet cable and the POE part means it takes it Power Over Ethernet cable. You can actually run 328 feet of cable without needing to boost the power to the standard 5V cameras. Beyond that, there are modules to boost the power to the camera.

Don't know where you are, but if you're in the states, B&H photo has pretty decent pricing and availability. Be careful of buying off amazon or ebay - asian market HikVision cameras are about 65% of the US market units, but come with no warranty or service support.

Be careful of Dahua cameras - i downloaded their management software as well as Hikvision's, to try out or to install and see how intuitive their setup software was. I scanned it first with my virus software and it cleared fine - when i went to install it, my virus software (Emsisoft) thru up red and i mean full screen red alarms, going crazy that it was some sort of malware. Hikvision, no problem so that's why i went with them. But Hikvision and Dahua are the big names in the game - D-link is still offering 720x480 resolution cameras, so their stuck in early 2000s, tech wise, but charging 2018 prices.

i use a TrendNet POE 8 port switch https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Switching-Capacity-Lifetime-TPE-TG80G/dp/B008OJM0T8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1526642230&sr=8-7&keywords=trendnet+8+port+gigabit+switch approx $118, but they've got a cheaper one at $30 but it only offers 30 watts total, and you want more than that - the $118 offers 125 watts, so i've got a good margin even if i go to eight cameras (all the cameras out there seem to run 5 watt draw.).

hope that helps some

PS - just went to B&H Photo - to see the real price, you have to log in or establish an account first, which means giving them an email and picking a password. current price on my camera is $189