Security cam / DVR help for a noob

Don’t laugh, I just installed the harbor freight system. Has remote viewing through an app as well. It gets pretty good reviews. Comes with 4 cameras, with the ability to add 4 more all 1080p. You can set up motion recording, and change the sensitivity of motion.

The quality of the image is great. I’m pleased with it so far (2 weeks in), and I only paid $220 for it
 
https://www.lorextechnology.com/hd-...system-with-2k-resolution-cameras/HDIP82W-1-p

Digging up an old thread.... Had someone break into a few of the neighbors cars, and my truck, which was unlocked. I've been putting this off for quite a while. Thoughts on the above link? I will ultimately need 5-6 cameras for full coverage around the house.

This system has 2 color night vision cameras, I plan to add a couple PTZ cameras shortly down the road.
 
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PSA: If you're going to use cheap Chinese PoE cameras, make sure you put them on their own network isolated from your internal home network. Put them on their own vlan, or if wireless - SSID, and block all Internet access to/from them.
 
Killjoy said:
PSA: If you're going to use cheap Chinese PoE cameras, make sure you put them on their own network isolated from your internal home network. Put them on their own vlan, or if wireless - SSID, and block all Internet access to/from them.
Click to expand...

sent you a pm
 
Killjoy said:
PSA: If you're going to use cheap Chinese PoE cameras, make sure you put them on their own network isolated from your internal home network. Put them on their own vlan, or if wireless - SSID, and block all Internet access to/from them.
Click to expand...

So if you do this how does it send a message to your phone in real time?
 
Depends on the setup. If you're running cameras connected to a local DVR like the link in post #62, then I'd suggest only allowing the DVR to connect out to only your SMS/email service - not open to the entire Internet, and don't let the cameras have Internet access themselves. If you're using a "DVR in the cloud", then only allow the cameras to connect to that IP/domain. Vlans can be used on a wired network (requires a managed switch), a separate SSID for wireless - both require firewall rules to limit the Internet access. Unfortunately, requires some IT skills to get it done. Although you could also just physically keep your home/business network separate from the camera network -- separate switches, routers... share the Internet circuit if your ISP allows it.

You'd be amazed how many of the these cheap Chinese cameras come from the factory with malware, back doors, etc. There's also tons of people scanning the Internet looking for connected cameras since they're notoriously insecure. I'm not saying don't use them - they serve a purpose at the right price point. You just need to protect yourself -- don't put them directly on your home/business network, restrict Internet access, etc. Treat them like you would picking up a "date" on 8 Mile...

And probably lesser of a threat, but often overlooked -- if you're putting any cameras outside in an easy to access location (e.g. ground level), then there's not much keep someone from unplugging the camera and plugging into your network with a laptop. Most people I know wouldn't even think about running a CAT6 cable out to the sidewalk & connected to your network, but don't think twice about putting an Ethernet camera on their internal network and very easily accessible from ground level. e.g. try to keep them up, out of reach, etc. But yet another reason to isolate.
 
I ended up getting that setup, I also got another $80 or so off. I'll be planning my setup soon. I plan to get additional cameras after I get everything installed and situated
 
I've been kind of lazy about cameras lately. I've also gone almost all Reolink at this point. A lot of my 10+ year old CCS (cheap chinese shit) cameras have been dying lately.

I just give them a junk default gateway and DNS servers. I haven't found any that are "smart" to look for a way out or try to use public DNS.
 
I just did this as well...

I installed Unifi Flex G3 PoE cameras at my place. I have the Unifi Video software running on a Debian server, along with my Unifi Wifi Controller.
All POE so only a single Cat5 cable going to each camera.

The cameras are $75 each on amazon and provision themselves as soon as they connect to the network. Great solution. Add as many as you want.
Server was my own...but can be run a windows machine as well.
Software is free from Ubiquiti.
3 TB WD Purple HD was $130ish.
Cameras (which must be Unifi) range from $75-150 each
 
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How's the resolution and night vision on the G3s? How good is there software on the mgmt/notification side of things?

I run nanoHD APs + the controller on an Ubuntu VM under VirtualBox and it's been a good experience so far. Using their cameras would be the easy button. Was looking more at the Dahua 2-4MP Starlights plus BlueIris running on a Windows VM. I think the latter would perform better, but not as integrated/slick as the Unifi approach.
 
I have no experience with the other cameras they have, but i gotta say the Flex G3 cameras seem excellent to me. Resolution is excellent at 1080 and the size of the cameras make them ideal for under overhang mounting, they dont look like cameras hanging down. I have the AC-LR AP and love it as well. I also painted my cameras to match my house color, so they are very discreet.

The video software is extremely user friendly. Im a newbie and i was able to figure it out and get this all going. The one thing i wish i could change is the email alert. The smtp notifications waits 5 minutes before sending a snapshot. Also the motion activated recording is fantastic but takes playing with zones to get to it right, as well as bugs and shit at night that set it off.

overall, excellent product. wife is getting annoyed with me, i keep adding more and moving the cameras.

nvr.JPG
 
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I just purchased this system: https://www.swann.com/us/swnvk-875804b2fb

The reason I went with that was I wanted POE. I don't mind cloud, but it's too dependent on other variables. I wanted a system though that integrated with my smart home. I run a Google based smarthome so wanted something I could talk to my google home's and have it show my feed on my tv or on one of my google hubs. I also did quite a bit of reviews on systems and this one seemed to stand out as one of the better ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=cr2sCjOu3PU
 
Question about running cables and hardware options:

I will be locating my camera system in the basement and need to run all of the ethernet wiring from the basement, to the attic and branch outwards. Any suggestions or Dos/Donts for routing?

I was planning on running a piece of conduit from the basement through an interior wall all the way into the attic (single story ranch) and routing 6-8 ethernet cables through the conduit then branching outward to wherever I plan to install a camera.

Should I use CAT5e or CAT6 cables? Routing that many together, I want to limit the possibility of interference.

What are the best priced crimpers and ends to terminate the wiring? Where is the best local store/online site to buy from? Lowes has the hardware but Im assuming it isn't too competitively priced.


If all of this goes somewhat smooth, I plan to run CAT5e or CAT6 ethernet to each bedroom and living room with wall plates.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GLVVLF...&pd_rd_r=85ab4eaf-6f83-4c84-b333-a7efa91334c2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0106TDTAC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0106TDTAC

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07451LPHR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07451LPHR


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07451LPHR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07451LPHR
 
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More links in regards to wall plates. I am considering running my coax through the wall plates now too. Some rooms will have 1 ethernet port and some will have multiple. Do the wall plates have to mount to an electrical box like light switches do or do they just have a passthrough hole with a plate screwed to it?

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P4WPW1Q/ref=sspa_dk_detail_8?psc=1


With these jacks:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FHBZF7E/ref=sspa_dk_detail_9?psc=1

With these style wall plates:
https://www.amazon.com/Plate-Yomyra...ocphy=9016864&hvtargid=pla-541054438047&psc=1

or:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FAR6J1...&pd_rd_r=9a6ffdd1-0662-4cd5-bf27-37f4c7a123b8
 
It's up to you, but depending on the resolution of the cameras you plan to use, instead of running a dedicated Ethernet home run all the way back to the basement for each camera, you could consider putting the PoE switch up in the attic. Would reduce the home run from attic to basement to 1 cable (which a 1 Gigabit uplink should be fine for 1-8 2MP cameras). Just watch max op temp of the switch gear - would be my only concern.

Def run CAT6, not 5 or 5e. Belden is the best, but very expensive and hard to find. I took a chance with some cheap CAT6 from Amazon and it worked fine.

Ideal Technologies makes a couple of different termination tools: 1 and 2 that are more than good enough for a DIY'er.

And they also make "pull through" RJ45 CAT6 connectors. Def get the pull thrus, not the old school type - way easier, esp with the tight CAT6 and inner separator.

You should also plan to buy a cheap continuity tester to ensure you actually wired the cable up correctly (haven't reversed pairs, or not made contact). This one is more expensive, you can find the same for cheaper. Literally just a 4 pair continuity tester... not speed certification.

And ensure you're wiring to the 568B standard.

Home Depot also sells the termination tool and connectors, and last I shopped it, had better pricing than Amazon or anything online I could find. YMMV.
 
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Killjoy said:
It's up to you, but depending on the resolution of the cameras you plan to use, instead of running a dedicated Ethernet home run all the way back to the basement for each camera, you could consider putting the PoE switch up in the attic. Would reduce the home run from attic to basement to 1 cable (which a 1 Gigabit uplink should be fine for 1-8 2MP cameras). Just watch max op temp of the switch gear - would be my only concern.

Def run CAT6, not 5 or 5e. Belden is the best, but very expensive and hard to find. I took a chance with some cheap CAT6 from Amazon and it worked fine.

Ideal Technologies makes a couple of different termination tools: 1 and 2 that are more than good enough for a DIY'er.

And they also make "pull through" RJ45 CAT6 connectors. Def get the pull thrus, not the old school type - way easier, esp with the tight CAT6 and inner separator.

You should also plan to buy a cheap continuity tester to ensure you actually wired the cable up correctly (haven't reversed pairs, or not made contact). This one is more expensive, you can find the same for cheaper. Literally just a 4 pair continuity tester... not speed certification.

And ensure you're wiring to the 568B standard.

Home Depot also sells the termination tool and connectors, and last I shopped it, had better pricing than Amazon or anything online I could find. YMMV.
Click to expand...


Awesome, thanks. I thought about a PoE switch located in the attic but Id rather have it in the basement incase I need to reset the switch. My house is older and the only attic access is through my kids closet (so Id like to not travel into the attic unless absolutely necessary.)
 
just my opinion.

I never use pull through connectors. Im old school, and have replaced many of those connectors to not want to use them.
Always pull a couple extra cables and leave them coiled up in the attic.
Get a patch panel for downstairs, home runs directly into a data switch annoy me.
My 1080p cameras are 10/100. Cat5e is plenty for cameras and any future plans you may have, speed is not an issue with cameras. Your not doing 10gig speed on any of your servers are you? Also, I always use Plenum cable.

Cheap jacks are cheap for a reason. I like and use Leviton.
 
Leviton also makes residential structured media cable panels for terminating the homeruns of all of your Ethernet, coax, telephone, etc. They can be hard mounted (screwed) directly to a floor joist where you just terminate the homeruns (Ethernet and telephone with a standard punchdown tool). They're nice since the panels are modular -- you can do all Ethernet, or Ethernet and phone, or cable - and you mix/match as you need. These structured media panels are handy if you plan to put your switches in a freestanding 19" rack enclosure, that way the homeruns are terminated on something that's physically attached to the house, and then you can just use patch cables between the panel and your rack/switches. Also makes it clean if you ever sell the house, as you can just disconnect your patch cables and it's clean - no hanging cables. Alternatively, you could put a standard 19" patch panel in the rack and terminate the homeruns there, but if it's a freestanding rack (e.g. mine rolls on casters; not wall mounted), that's kinda self-defeating.

CAT5e will work. So will CAT5. I'd just pull 6 since it's not that much more $, is more future proof, and if you're going to buy a 1-2000' roll, might as well have something you can use for higher perf applications too (with the left overs on the roll).

I personally haven't had issues with the pull-thrus. Good to know though that some have. CAT6 is more of a PITA to terminate since it's wound tighter, has the inner quad-seperator, and you really should be using bonded pairs for permanent runs. I just find them easier to use.

Plenum is always one of those fun, debatable topics. For commercial or dense residential, I 100% agree and 'get it'. However, for a single family, single story ranch -- I don't see the value add personally, esp when the cables cost 2x. If my home is on fire to the point that my basement-to-attic Ethernet cables are alit, odds are high I'm either already out of the house or screwed anyways. Toxic off-gassing from PVC probably isn't the top of my issues, nor will that gassing be sucked through a plenum to impact other tenants, HVAC zones, etc. Just my opinion - YMMV.
 
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