Home IP camera suggestions

mountain_lion

mountain_lion

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I am considering installing IP cameras at my home for added security.

Budget: R2000 per fixed camera (network equipment excluded).

Initial planning is for 3 fixed cameras outside (sufficiently sheltered from the elements, outdoor rating not essential, but must cope with outdoor light) and one PT(Z) camera inside.

Required functionality for outdoor cameras:
  1. Dome or bullet type
  2. Power over Ethernet
  3. Fixed
  4. 2-way audio

Required functionality for indoor camera (suggested budget?):
  1. Ceiling mount dome type
  2. Power over Ethernet
  3. Pan and Tilt (zoom optional)
  4. Audio optional

Any suggestions for suitable cameras?

One of the outdoor cameras will be at the front door pointing to the front gate.
If feasible, this camera should double as video intercom (will consider spending more for this functionality).

Additional features for front door camera:
  • Digital input to trigger image capture on door bell button press.
  • Digital output controlled from monitoring software to open front gate.
  • Digital output to ring door bell (optional - door bell could be separate)

Is this a practical and cost effective idea?
Alternative suggestions?
 
Last edited:
You can try http://www.dbg.co.za/index.php?cPath=80
And if they are not Power over Ethernet you can just use an adapter or make your own adapter,network cables use 1,2,3,6,in the cable you can use the other 2 pairs to make your own adapter.
Esquire also has some IP cams http://www.esquire.co.za/
http://www.eaglecctv.co.za/
Buy the best resolution that you can afford and shop around.
PTZ IP cams are expensive for decent resolution.
And buy cams that integrate with a decent program for recording.
http://www.networkcamerareviews.com/
 
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The Vivotek range of IP cameras could meet your requirements and budget.

What are you planning to do about recording? Recording on the camera or centralling on a NVR?

I just got hold of the Vivotek range and busy with pricing and other details so PM me if you perhaps want a quote.
 
Thanks FNfal & nic77 for your replies

The immediate plan is to alarm on events and only store clips surrounding the events. Rest can be deleted on a FIFO basis.
Between the local storage on the cameras and my NAS, I am hoping that I will have sufficient storage so no NVR for now.

I am open to all suggestions at present...
 
the ubiquity ip cams have nice features and resolution for the price. the bullet you can get for abt R800 excl vat.
 
piranha786 said:
the ubiquity ip cams have nice features and resolution for the price. the bullet you can get for abt R800 excl vat.
Click to expand...

Yes, but they do not have 2-way audio or any in/outputs.
Price is very attractive though...
Any experience with the ubiquity software?
What are the disadvantages of mixing cameras of different manufacturers?
 
I have one of those ubiquity aircams they are fine for day time but blind at night.
 
mountain_lion said:
Yes, but they do not have 2-way audio or any in/outputs.
Price is very attractive though...
Any experience with the ubiquity software?
What are the disadvantages of mixing cameras of different manufacturers?
Click to expand...
I have 4 IP cams and that is a problem having mixed cameras you have to try to find software that supports the different cams.
I also have an analogue DVR with 6 cams on that to.
I am busy integrating all the cams at the moment just waiting for the router to arrive.
 
FNfal said:
I have 4 IP cams and that is a problem having mixed cameras you have to try to find software that supports the different cams.
I also have an analogue DVR with 6 cams on that to.
I am busy integrating all the cams at the moment just waiting for the router to arrive.
Click to expand...

Which cams do you have?
Have you found software that works across the manufacturers?
 
Must it be IP?

You can buy a pretty decent setup from esquire for around R5K
8 cameras 16 port dvr with everything you need.
 
AstroTurf said:
Must it be IP?

You can buy a pretty decent setup from esquire for around R5K
8 cameras 16 port dvr with everything you need.
Click to expand...

IP has various advantages, plus I have the computer network already.
Only advantage of analogue is price of the cameras.

Technology is changing at a very rapid (and increasing) rate.
I believe in buying the latest/best technology you can afford when you buy and then stick with it as long as possible.
So yes, it must be IP :)
 
mountain_lion said:
IP has various advantages, plus I have the computer network already.
Only advantage of analogue is price of the cameras.

Technology is changing at a very rapid (and increasing) rate.
I believe in buying the latest/best technology you can afford when you buy and then stick with it as long as possible.
So yes, it must be IP :)
Click to expand...

Biggest advantage for me on analogue is when they trip your power the cameras can still run as you have centralized power (among other things).
 
AstroTurf said:
Biggest advantage for me on analogue is when they trip your power the cameras can still run as you have centralized power (among other things).
Click to expand...

My network is on UPS and cameras will be PoE.
Got at least 1h backup, and much longer if PCs are turned off, which they automaticly do after 10 minutes on UPS with no manual override.
:)
 
A friend of mine uses AXIS IP DOME camera and he recommends them for outdoor. It offers quite good specs.
 
I am a fan of the Ubiquiti range of cameras.

http://www.ubnt.com/airvision

Firstly because they are PoE so you only need a UPS for that but secondly because they can store all their data on their self-contained SD cards meaning I don't still need a server to be online for it to drop it's data onto.

Sounds a bit silly but you only ever really need the data after something has happened so SD card is fine in my opinion.

I don't need three months of video footage.

Also their software is brilliant as you can set up motion trigger zones and all that kind of stuff.
 
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