House security to PC

[BOB OLINGER]

Sorry if this has been asked before; I searched and didn't find anything.

Does anyone know of or recommend a wire-free security camera system in which the cameras can feed into a PC for storage and monitoring using the present wireless router?

[Al Launier]

Nest https://nest.com/cameras/nest-cam-indoor/overview/ My nephew has this & is able to monitor his home via his cell phone. He loves it. You can also get it with audio & record videos.

Oops, not totally wireless.

Try this https://www.digitaltrends.com/smart-home-reviews/blink-xt-one-camera-system-review/

[Jim Becker]

Most, if not all, of the wireless camera solutions I've read about in my own research tend to use cloud storage, rather than a local computer. One of the advantages of this is around what Al mentions...being able to monitor and view video on multiple devices, including when you are not actually at home.

[Matt Schrum]

I had planned on wireless cameras for my system until I realized that most cameras still needed a power cord running to them. For me it was easier to run a cable that carried 12V and video to each camera than it was to find an outlet nearby or get 120V AC to each "wireless" camera. All of my 12V comes from a central power supply and goes to all 6 of my cameras from there.

I know that doesn't help answer your question, but it is something to think about. My system is wired, plugs into my router via Ethernet and I can access it anywhere I have internet (as well as locally). There's also an HDMI out for the live feed that I plugged into one of the inputs on our living room TV so we can switch to it in a heartbeat without booting up a PC or grabbing our phones.

[BOB OLINGER]

[QUOTE=Al Launier;2814887]Nest https://nest.com/cameras/nest-cam-indoor/overview/ My nephew has this & is able to monitor his home via his cell phone. He loves it. You can also get it with audio & record videos.

Oops, not totally wireless.

Try this https://www.digitaltrends.com/smart-home-reviews/blink-xt-one-camera-system-review/[/QUOTE

Thanks, Al.

[BOB OLINGER]

Most, if not all, of the wireless camera solutions I've read about in my own research tend to use cloud storage, rather than a local computer. One of the advantages of this is around what Al mentions...being able to monitor and view video on multiple devices, including when you are not actually at home.

Thanks, Jim. I'm now realizing that so looks like I need to redirect my search.

[BOB OLINGER]

I had planned on wireless cameras for my system until I realized that most cameras still needed a power cord running to them. For me it was easier to run a cable that carried 12V and video to each camera than it was to find an outlet nearby or get 120V AC to each "wireless" camera. All of my 12V comes from a central power supply and goes to all 6 of my cameras from there.

I know that doesn't help answer your question, but it is something to think about. My system is wired, plugs into my router via Ethernet and I can access it anywhere I have internet (as well as locally). There's also an HDMI out for the live feed that I plugged into one of the inputs on our living room TV so we can switch to it in a heartbeat without booting up a PC or grabbing our phones.

Thanks, Matt. I just don't want to run wires from several different directions :(

[Matt Schroeder]

We have an Arlo Pro 2 system and like it. It does 7 days to the cloud for free (currently, who knows if that will change) but you can plug a hard drive into the base station and have it record videos there for local storage, too. It uses our home Wi-Fi. It does not record continuously for free, only motion triggered video, but I think there is a subscription plan that will record continuously and keep cloud videos longer, too.

On battery the cameras last about 2 months for us with a few triggers a day. There is an option to plug them in. On battery it starts the video at motion detection, but if plugged in it buffers a few seconds before motion trigger so the video starts a little earlier. May be worth checking out to see if it meets your needs.

Matt

[BOB OLINGER]

Thanks, Matt. I just don't want to run wires from several different directions :(

Matt, in second thought, maybe I can run wires. I'm looking at 3 cameras, 2 of which likely can be wired into a central location in the garage. Then, I have to use some imagination in running the 3rd.

[Carlos Alvarez]

There are four main types of connections/power systems:

1. Totally wire-free. Uses wi-fi to talk to the network, and uses a replaceable or rechargeable battery. These cameras are limited in their power usage because of the battery, so they only record during actual motion and don't have IR illuminators for dark times. You will have to swap batteries regularly. Obviously they can mount anywhere since they don't need any wiring at all.

2. Wireless network, local power. Uses wi-fi to talk to the network, and uses a power brick to be powered locally. The camera can run full time and can have IR illuminators. Useful when there is nearby power but not an easy way to wire the network. This is what I have at my front door, where power is available but not networking. They are also easily portable, so I've just stuck one in certain places I want to monitor short term. Like when we had coyotes and bobcats roaming around and I wanted to get a feel for the level of the problem.

3. Wired network, local power. Uses an Ethernet cable to talk to the network, and uses a power brick to be powered locally. The least convenient of all. Has all the features of #2 above.

4. Wired network, with network power (PoE or 802.3af). Most of my cameras are this type. You need to get a network cable there, but then it's conveniently powered and has the reliability of a wired network. Has all the features of #2 and 3 above. MAKE SURE that you get "real" PoE and not just "power over the network wire." The latter is sometimes called passive PoE. The specification known as 802.3af includes active intelligence for the camera or other device to negotiate its power requirements with the switch that powers it. So on long runs, for example, the switch provides higher voltage to overcome the resistance losses. Without that, and just putting voltage on the line, you can't go very far with the cable.

I recommend the "cloud" services for most users. Unless you already know how to manage network ports and all that, you really should just let someone else handle it. I just helped my neighbor install a few Foscam cameras, and he's very happy with their online service. He had a cable guy install runs to the cameras, and I picked up a basic PoE switch for him. Done, easy.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I have the Amcrest at my home, and I installed a system at my church. It has remote viewing, so I can be anywhere in the world (which is frequent for me) and view my cameras. Mine is wired, but they do have wireless versions. I'm very happy with it, and the police have downloaded images from the church cameras when someone broke into a car at night, and they commented on how clear the image is, and how good the night vision is on my system. That came from the tech guy whose job is downloading and analyzing video footage, so I took that as quite a compliment to the system.

I would very much suggest that you consider a wired system, because the wireless is going to eat up bandwidth. A wired system is only using bandwidth when you log in to view remotely. I have the app on my iPad and iPhone, and I use it even when at home- like if I hear something outside and want to check it out, I just grab the iPad, click, click, click- and I have the cameras pulled up.

[BOB OLINGER]

There are four main types of connections/power systems:

1. Totally wire-free. Uses wi-fi to talk to the network, and uses a replaceable or rechargeable battery. These cameras are limited in their power usage because of the battery, so they only record during actual motion and don't have IR illuminators for dark times. You will have to swap batteries regularly. Obviously they can mount anywhere since they don't need any wiring at all.

2. Wireless network, local power. Uses wi-fi to talk to the network, and uses a power brick to be powered locally. The camera can run full time and can have IR illuminators. Useful when there is nearby power but not an easy way to wire the network. This is what I have at my front door, where power is available but not networking. They are also easily portable, so I've just stuck one in certain places I want to monitor short term. Like when we had coyotes and bobcats roaming around and I wanted to get a feel for the level of the problem.

3. Wired network, local power. Uses an Ethernet cable to talk to the network, and uses a power brick to be powered locally. The least convenient of all. Has all the features of #2 above.

4. Wired network, with network power (PoE or 802.3af). Most of my cameras are this type. You need to get a network cable there, but then it's conveniently powered and has the reliability of a wired network. Has all the features of #2 and 3 above. MAKE SURE that you get "real" PoE and not just "power over the network wire." The latter is sometimes called passive PoE. The specification known as 802.3af includes active intelligence for the camera or other device to negotiate its power requirements with the switch that powers it. So on long runs, for example, the switch provides higher voltage to overcome the resistance losses. Without that, and just putting voltage on the line, you can't go very far with the cable.

I recommend the "cloud" services for most users. Unless you already know how to manage network ports and all that, you really should just let someone else handle it. I just helped my neighbor install a few Foscam cameras, and he's very happy with their online service. He had a cable guy install runs to the cameras, and I picked up a basic PoE switch for him. Done, easy.

Thanks, Carlos, for the nice detailed explanation. I sincerely appreciated it.

[BOB OLINGER]

I have the Amcrest at my home, and I installed a system at my church. It has remote viewing, so I can be anywhere in the world (which is frequent for me) and view my cameras. Mine is wired, but they do have wireless versions. I'm very happy with it, and the police have downloaded images from the church cameras when someone broke into a car at night, and they commented on how clear the image is, and how good the night vision is on my system. That came from the tech guy whose job is downloading and analyzing video footage, so I took that as quite a compliment to the system.

I would very much suggest that you consider a wired system, because the wireless is going to eat up bandwidth. A wired system is only using bandwidth when you log in to view remotely. I have the app on my iPad and iPhone, and I use it even when at home- like if I hear something outside and want to check it out, I just grab the iPad, click, click, click- and I have the cameras pulled up.

Thanks, Malcolm. I appreciate the info and suggestions.

[Carlos Alvarez]

I would very much suggest that you consider a wired system, because the wireless is going to eat up bandwidth. A wired system is only using bandwidth when you log in to view remotely.

This is not really true. Or depending on what you mean by those words. All cameras use INTERNAL network bandwidth any time they are being recorded or viewed. Meaning the local network that you control. Wired cameras use wired port bandwidth, and wireless cameras use wireless port bandwidth. Again, internally only.

Then when viewed or recorded remotely, ALL cameras use internet bandwidth. It makes zero difference whether they are wired or wireless.

Here's what happens:

With a recording device and/or viewing device inside your network...
Camera > Local network > Server/viewer

With a recording device or viewer off-site (cloud recording, viewing remotely)...
Camera > Local network > Internet > Server/viewer

It's the same for wired or wireless cameras.

[Bill Dufour]

I remember in college a fellow student worked in a all night gas station. He said they had a drop safe and very little money could be stolen. the thieves always made sure to steal the video recorder since that was the most valuable thing they could take for resale.
Bil lD