Which cameras on networks?

OGroteKoning

OGroteKoning

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I wan to install 2 cameras on my network at home (perhaps more in the furure). I need some advice on a couple of things, but first of all on the purchase. They must have normal and night vision capabilities. I want to control zoom and rotate from from the network. It will go onto a gigabit home network. One camera is for outdoors (wall mounted) and the other one will be inside the house (ceiling mounted). Thanks in advance
 
If you want look for network cameras thats compatible with Zoneminder which is a Linux Open source project.

It basically connects to the cameras and only save recordings on special conditions like when pixels changed in a specific area and it detects motion and if you have internet you can then centrally manage them by only connecting to the Zoneminder front end.

Must say its very cool, As far as the actual cameras goes, sorry cant really help
 
Zoneminder looks like a great tool, however, I have a Synology NAS with a built in feature (not sure how it works yet, but I will figure that out when I get there). I also want to use my android phone to monitor and control the cameras - there are some nice apps out there for this purpose. This is what I thought of using on my droid ...

EDIT: ... and this is the surveillance system on the Synology
 
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Ip cameras are not cheap but they will do what you want them to do http://www.networkcamerareviews.com/forums/about850.html
The trick that i have found is to find the right software for the cameras and do plenty of research on the cameras you select.
You could buy analogue PTZ camera and a video server like this http://dx.com/p/4-ch-dvs-network-video-server-w-sd-slot-black-grey-149808 or straight IP cameras .
Cost is a big factor IMO
BTW buy as high a resolution as you can afford ,low res really sucks.
 
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FNFal, I already have a network setup and would rather use cameras over ethernet (I assume it is digital then). Thanks for the links though! Especially networkcamerareviews.com
 
I'd love to do something like this, but I have two concerns
1. I'm scared they'll steal it should I put it outside :D
2. I like to walk naked in my house with balls swinging from side to side and I don't want some 6 year old in japan haxxorz my network and put me on youtube :D
 
OGroteKoning said:
FNFal, I already have a network setup and would rather use cameras over ethernet (I assume it is digital then). Thanks for the links though! Especially networkcamerareviews.com
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You're going to need PoE injectors for those units. Also, budget R10k+ for a decent quality IP camera.
 
OGroteKoning said:
The one I posted above has it's own power supply. Do I still need PoE?
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Nope, the appropriate adapter should be fine. I'm not sure what residential standards there are for running power cable in your ceiling, which may be an issue, but I don't think it should be.

For an outdoor camera you'll probably need PoE though.
 
Messugga said:
You're going to need PoE injectors for those units. Also, budget R10k+ for a decent quality IP camera.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you consider decent, but R10k+ for a camera way too much for someone looking to use it for home use.

I have a couple cameras setup at home, all different brands, but all HD (720P) and POE IP cameras. The most expensive one was a Vivotek one at about R2500. I wanted a very small camera for one area, and that's the only one I could find that was more or less what I was looking for. The others were all somewhere between R1000 and R2000, all bought from suplliers advertising on BOB. They're obviously not well known brands, but all HD and POE, and for home use they're perfect.

You can run something like ZoneMinder (Linux) or iSpy (Windows) to handle the recordings when movement is detected, both freeware. There are also quite a few apps for iOS and Android to view the cameras remotely.
 
Roger.Wilco said:
I'm not sure what you consider decent, but R10k+ for a camera way too much for someone looking to use it for home use.

I have a couple cameras setup at home, all different brands, but all HD (720P) and POE IP cameras. The most expensive one was a Vivotek one at about R2500. I wanted a very small camera for one area, and that's the only one I could find that was more or less what I was looking for. The others were all somewhere between R1000 and R2000, all bought from suplliers advertising on BOB. They're obviously not well known brands, but all HD and POE, and for home use they're perfect.

You can run something like ZoneMinder (Linux) or iSpy (Windows) to handle the recordings when movement is detected, both freeware. There are also quite a few apps for iOS and Android to view the cameras remotely.
Click to expand...

Pelco outdoor camera's with PTZ aren't cheap. Excellent quality though. Granted, this is perhaps overkill... it's just what I'm used to.
 
Roger.Wilco said:
I'm not sure what you consider decent, but R10k+ for a camera way too much for someone looking to use it for home use.

I have a couple cameras setup at home, all different brands, but all HD (720P) and POE IP cameras. The most expensive one was a Vivotek one at about R2500. I wanted a very small camera for one area, and that's the only one I could find that was more or less what I was looking for. The others were all somewhere between R1000 and R2000, all bought from suplliers advertising on BOB. They're obviously not well known brands, but all HD and POE, and for home use they're perfect.

You can run something like ZoneMinder (Linux) or iSpy (Windows) to handle the recordings when movement is detected, both freeware. There are also quite a few apps for iOS and Android to view the cameras remotely.
Click to expand...

Please do share make and model of your cameras.
 
OGroteKoning said:
Please do share make and model of your cameras.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check tonight. Have a look here as well for some cheaper models - www.topcctv.co.za

I have one or 2 WAPA models from them, 720P, POE and night vision. Quite impressive for the price when you compare the same features with other more well known brands. They also advertise on BOB, and the prices on BOB used to be even cheaper than on their site.
 
I have another question about PoE injectors. Can I use the Trendnet TPE-113GI (Version v1.0R) from one LAN port of my ASUS RT-N66u router to a D-Link DGS-1008D and then feed 7 devices with PoE from the switch? OR can I only feed one PoE device from the Trendnet TPE-113GI injector?


Roger.Wilco said:
I'll have to check tonight. Have a look here as well for some cheaper models - www.topcctv.co.za

I have one or 2 WAPA models from them, 720P, POE and night vision. Quite impressive for the price when you compare the same features with other more well known brands. They also advertise on BOB, and the prices on BOB used to be even cheaper than on their site.
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
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i got a home setup with 5 cameras, 3 different brands and the best value by far is Foscam (http://foscam.us/ )
their latest camera has a superb image quality and when you buy form the US, it's less than R1000 (as they run discounts at least once a month). I have a compro and a panasonic too, which are both good, but more pricey.
The most important bit apart from the image quality is the software, and for that i use a 3rd party package called blueiris which runs on a server. You can set up motion detects and alerts etc from blueiris which negates the need for on-cam processing.
 
Those Foscams look pretty interesting. I noticed quite a price difference between the ones in SA and those from the US. for the FI8918W model SA price is R1350 and US R1020 (at say $35 delivered to SA). I am hesitant however to import seeing that the power adapter might be useless in SA. Nowhere on the site does it say anything about PoE. Comments?
 
not sure about PoE, i use the power adapters and wifi (never had any issues with cameras losing connection)
if you buy in the US, they do come with US adapters but i just got some converter plugs to sort that problem. Maybe get one and see for yourself? the build quality is really good (would almost call them pretty) and the image is very clear, even on IR.
i don't have the latest model FI9820W (yet) which is 720p but i will once they're in stock again.
the only thing this camera doesn't have is a zoom, but for that price that's asking a bit much...

edit: i just looked at some reviews for the HD model, and it seems there are quite a few teething problems with it so it's probably best to stick with the FI8910W (not FI8918W - which is an older model) for now.
check out the amazon reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8910W-Wireless-Network-Camera/dp/B006ZP8UOW
 
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