Reddit reviews Hikvision 16CH 16 Ports PoE DS-7616NI-E2/16P NVR Network Video Recorder
We found 1 Reddit comments about Hikvision 16CH 16 Ports PoE DS-7616NI-E2/16P NVR Network Video Recorder. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Live View from iPhone/Android or Internet, Third-Party network cameras supportedHDMI and VGA output at up to 1920×1080P resolutionPlug & Play with 16 Independent PoE Network Interfaces16 Independent PoE Network Interfaces, Up to 5 MP Resolution RecordingNote: Does not include a Hard Drive. We recommend installing a 4TB WD Purple Hard Drive, model# WD40PURX.
Those are some excellent choices!
So I'm going to assume that you want to record locally, yes? That's why you are ditching ring? (Another excellent choice!).
So realistically you have 2 choices. You can buy an NVR (network video recorder) or you can build a recorder from a PC. If you are a PC person and happen to have a half decent computer sitting around, then I'd go that way. You can use Zoneminder or BlueIris or a similar product. The advantage here is that BlueIris works on Windows and is free for a certain number of cameras (8 I think). Zoneminder works on Linux and is free. Zoneminder is not complicated to set up, but the first time is non trivial. You'll have more maintenance and you'll have to fiddle more with the PC based recorders. If you enjoy that kind of thing then this is the setup for you. Also setting up remote viewing is a little more involved.
with this setup you'll need to buy a switch that supports PoE.
If you want something you can just plug and play, then get an NVR. Something like this is ideal:
https://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-Ports-DS-7616NI-E2-Network-Recorder/dp/B0773MNNQ8/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=NVR&qid=1573997533&sr=8-13
This product has some decent mobile apps for it.
The link to amazon is only for information purposes.
There are a lot of different companies (different names) selling the same product for different money. You'd want to do some research and see which one is right for you.
This one has PoE included, so you don't need a PoE switch, which is nice.
This type of setup is nice because you can keep your cameras isolated from your network and you can buy the cheaper Chinese cameras that phone home (as long as they are onvif) and block them from phoning home. HA suckers.
For cameras, once again Amazon probably has the most choices. Stick with somewhat major brands, Amcrest, Hikvision, TPLink. There are lots of cameras for 40 bucks or so. They are a crap shoot. Some will be good, some will be bad, if you are hanging them in a place that's going to be a PITA to get to later on, use a better camera. If it's easy to get at, play away. Reading the reviews are important. Ignore the positive ones, look for the guys bitching.
So really it just depends on how much time you want to invest in it. Mentioning your budget of $1500, the NVR is probably the way to go unless you want to play, and get a professional to run the wire, that is no fun.
One final thought, you need to consider how you are going to connect to your system when you are away. I think some of the phone apps allow you to set up a dynamic IP (within the app) so when the IP of your wan changes, you can still access your NVR. I prefer to use a dynamic IP Service and then set up a VPN and connect through the VPN to the cameras. that keeps everything more secure. You can forbid access to the NVR outside your lan.
Good luck in your video adventure.