Not sure where to post this ?? ... surveillance cameras and such ..

[winr]

I am looking at surveillance cameras to install outside and inside

I could really use some advice on the above

Wish to be able to monitor my pups when I am away from home

Also, front and back of house

Can I use a PC with a large HD and just buy the type of cameras that serve my needs ??

Last, I wish to be able to access the cameras from my iPhone

TIA



Ricky.

 

[Raizinman]

Probably should be posted in Home and garden. I purchased cameras at Costco that I have monitoring 6 on the outside of house and 2 on the inside for the pets. Pretty much all of them can be accessed from any phone. Mine are motion record sensitive. They only record when there is motion. Otherwise, the recording can get real large real quick with 8 cameras going HD all the time.

 

[fralexandr]

normally one would buy a DVR + security camera kit. DVRs will support up to a certain amount of cameras, and up to certain resolutions for those cameras. When setting up the DVR you'll typically need a monitor with HDMI or VGA inputs. You can install the cameras yourself if you're good with running wire, or hire someone to install it for you, in which case they might have recommendations on equipment. Then if you were doing it yourself, you'd have to set up the DVR settings like motion control range and sensitivity and network settings if you want wireless or network access to the DVR. It might help to have an extra person with a cell phone to help in positioning the cameras, so one person can be by the DVR to check the camera output and one person can adjust the camera positioning.

if you have a big house you might want to buy extra cable, usually cat5/6 or coaxial depending on the camera.

Frys Electronics tends to have some pretty good deals on DVR + security camera kits, though YMMV. You can also get some at Costco.

 

[winr]

Thanks much guys



Ricky.

 

[luv2liv]

dont bother trying to build your own security cam system.
if exterior of your house has good wifi, then get one of these for $80. https://www.amazon.com/YI-Waterproof-Surveillance-Detection-Deterrent/dp/B01CW49AGG
works great to view remotely on phone. you still need to run wire for power.

if you want something more robust, POE camera system is the way to go. i often install system from LaView for people.

 

[winr]

Thanks much luv2liv


Ricky.

 

[bfun_x1]

Those Yi camera systems are pretty convenient but keep in mind that all the video and audio is stored in the Yi cloud. I put them up when I go on vacation but I wont keep one in the house when I'm home. They're basically a hot mic that record everything you say and then stores it on some server owned by a Chinese company.

 

[winr]

Thanks much bfun_x1



Ricky.

 

[luv2liv]

somehow people are ok with NSA recording us 24/7. but it's not ok when the chinese do it.
if you are paranoid though.... remember, everything is made in china. so good luck finding a tech that's not made in china.

 

[jsalpha2]

For a truly wireless setup you would need a battery and a solar charger.
CHOETECH 19W Solar Charger. I don't know of a complete package. For indoor use, I seem to remember software that repurposes an old cell phone as the camera. I'd prefer something you could mount outside on the eaves or on a pole and then never touch.