Video surveillance recommendations for Sticks and Bricks?

[RickNC]

DW has been after me to install a video camera system to supplement our security system. (Never mind that we have two cops for neighbors and the last crime in our neighborhood was 7 years ago) Her only criteria is that they have online access via app and can store video.
There is a ton of systems advertised. Any recommendations for a specific video system?

[stinger608]

Looking at some myself.

Got an email a week or so ago that Roku has come out with a system and the prices are pretty decent.

https://www.roku.com/products/smart-home

If you scroll down a bit, you will see the outdoor cameras. Both wired and battery powered.
Showing the battery to last up to 6 months per charge!

[rthompson]

At home we have an older Amcrest DVR system that works well but thinking about replacing it with a newer POE system.

For our RV and now our home and my mom's place, we've been using Wyze cameras and home security monitoring. There are several camera options, all are very customizable. You can through an SD card in them or add one of their plans that allows cloud storage and many other functions.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Looking at some myself.

Got an email a week or so ago that Roku has come out with a system and the prices are pretty decent.

https://www.roku.com/products/smart-home

If you scroll down a bit, you will see the outdoor cameras. Both wired and battery powered.
Showing the battery to last up to 6 months per charge!

They are rebranded Wyze cams.

[Lt Dan]

I have a Reolink POE (Power Over Ethernet) system attached to a video recorder. The advantage of a POE system is that each camera only requires an ethernet cable for both video and power. All cameras are high resolution 5mp or higher.

[Dutch Star Don]

We have the Nest doorbell and can watch the front door and part of the street and answer someone ringing our doorbell. The system allows you to add multiple cameras. We have a second one overlooking the front yard and one in our living room that can see most of the house.

Nest/Google stores the video for a fee, I forgot the amount, but not that much. Using my phone, I can access all three cameras and video history. The living room camera shuts off when it senses that both of our phones are at home. As long as you have phone service you can see your cameras anywhere in the country.

[US1]

I have Ring doorbell and cameras. $100/yr subscription for unlimited number of devices online storage. No experience with the other brands, which there are several. I reseached this till blue this past winter and ended up with Ring as thats the brand our friends have and they are happy with them.

Consider how you will be able to connect them. Ring has wireless (solar or battery)and wired models of each device. You need a strong wifi signal at each location if not using POE

[NXR]

We use Nest Outdoor cameras to cover the exterior openings (four cameras) plus multiple Indoor cameras.

Nest cameras record and upload 24x7, not just on motion, so you can go back and look at any time. That's come in handy more than a few times.

The inside cameras use our phone Location service to determine if we're home or very nearby. If so, the interior cameras automatically shut off. Hop in the car and drive off or just go for a walk and the inside cameras come on. Arrive back home and the inside cameras turn off automatically. The inside cameras also turn on overnight based on a time schedule.

We also have a Nest thermostat and three Nest Protect 2 smoke and CO detectors. We can monitor the house temps while we're on trips and the Nest Protect 2 detectors also alert to the app. If a Protect 2 alarms it also turns all cameras on to record what's going on. If the Protect 2 detects a problem it commands the Nest thermostat to shut down the furnace and fan to avoid spreading smoke.

Each Protect 2 alerts with a spoken voice and they all interact wirelessly. For example, if the Basement one detects smoke at night all three will announce "Smoke, in the basement".

It's not really a "security" system because it does not alert to an alarm company but it's good enough for us.

Ray

PS: We have dogs and also worked on a fire department. That's why we wanted smoke/CO detectors that would alert to our phones. A couple who lived the next street over came home and realized they could not see through their front window. They opened the front door and the house was very hot and smoke-filled.

The house was so tight the lack of oxygen smothered the fire but there was a lot of smoke damage. Even worse, they had a dog. We found their dog lying on the floor in their bedroom where it went to try and escape the fire and smoke. Their white carpet was completely black except for where their dog's body was found. That was decades ago and I can still see that image in my mind. Just horrible.

[NLOVNIT]

I have the Blink system of cameras. Works well for me accessing via the app on my phone.

As you can see, there's a number of options out there. Just choose the best one for your applications.

[Brunnie]

Reolink system here too. Right now 4 cameras, but room to expand to 8 total. NVR runs 24/7 recording everything, tied to the internet so accessible via app.

[Newmar2856]

I installed a Lorex POE system. Great cameras, easy to install and has an app. The system will send me alerts based on motion zones that you can customize. Live views are available via the app and best of all, no ongoing fees.

My cameras also have some pretty bright LED spot lights on them. Not enough light to flood an area for visibility, but it lets anyone walking up my driveway know they are being recorded.

[BayRunner]

We use a network of Arlo wireless cameras at home (inside and outside) and Lorex commercial systems in all the businesses.

[vacationer04]

We have the Eufy doorbell system. It uses Bluetooth to our Smartphones and does not require any 3rd party monitoring. We can answer any visitors and talk through it. Have had it 2+ years.

[Toyman01]

I use Arlo cameras at home and at my office.