I recently invested in some IP cams for home security. I was unsure of which model to buy so I ended up buying three different 3mp+ POE cams to test. I bought 1 Hikvision, 1 Dahua and this Reolink. Out of the three, the Reolink was by far the best(quality and price wise) and I have since picked up 3 more.

And this one...


I have another automation that emails me a still shot of my front porch when there is motion. I am particularly proud of this because I was able to improve the accuracy of this notification compared to the function built into the camera. I have a moderately cheap IP camera. It has motion tracking built in, but this was too easily triggered and resulted in 30 pictures of moths each summer night. To improve on this I needed to tie in a PIR sensor. Some nice cameras actually let you tie in external wired triggers. I have a reolink camera, it was 75 dollars on amazon, and it has great picture quality, but it has limitations on triggering alarms. Thankfully I found a way around this. I researched the URL to pull a still image from the camera and found a similar automation online to pull down this image and e-mail it. There are a few parts to this automation, but its one of my favorites!




Camera still: http://imgur.com/a/gN9po

Camera: https://www.amazon.com/Reolink-Security-65-100ft-Detection-RLC-410/dp/B010LH48F4/

Automation#

• alias: 'Front Door Notify'
  trigger:
  platform: state
  entity_id: sensor.linear_wapirz1_motion_sensor_alarm_level_8_1
  state: '255'
  condition:
  condition: state
  entity_id: sensor.linear_unknown_type2001_id0102_alarm_level_9_1
  state: '0'
  action:
  
• service: shell_command.take_pic_porch
  
• service: notify.google_smtp
  data:
  title: 'Front Porch Motion'
  message: 'Motion at the front door!'
  data:
  images:
  
  • /home/hass/.homeassistant/snapshot.jpg
    
    

    Script#
    

    
    
    shell_command:
    take_pic_porch: curl -o /home/hass/.homeassistant/snapshot.jpg --anyauth 'http://192.168.1.120/cgi-bin/api.cgi?cmd=Snap&channel=0&rs=wuuPhkmUCeI9WG7C&user=admin&password=**'
    
    
    This checks if there is motion on the front porch, then makes sure the front door is shut. I did this so that when I take the dogs out, I am not getting e-mails every single time. So an open door will disable this automation. Then I am sent an e-mail using googles SMTP servers.

I recently built my own pretty decent surveillance system for less than $1000. You'd have to be willing to DIY and run the wires to each camera. But I personally think it's worth it.

ReoLink PoE Cameras x 4 = $220

LinkSys PoE+ Switch = $219

1000 ft CAT6 Cable = $60

Decent i5 Intel PC = About $300

BlueIris NVR Software = $60

It depends....
So Milestone is free for up to 8 cameras.
So a PC:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-ThinkCentre-M92p-Tiny-i5-3470T-2-9GHz-8GB-500GB-Windows-10-Pro/132724124719?hash=item1ee6f96c2f:g:1O8AAOSwGL1baz-6

Tiny - power efficient, easy to upgrade Hard drive and has legit windows license.

Cameras:
https://www.amazon.com/2560x1440-Surveillance-Security-Detection-RLC-410/dp/B010LH48F4
$60 each

POE switch (provides network connection to camera AND power)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-POE-SWITCH-2530-8-POE-8-PORT-10-100-1000-JL070A-FREE-SHIPPING/332794776491?hash=item4d7c1d4bab:g:wHoAAOSwQS1bkFDT

$120ish

The HP switch has a lifetime warranty as long as you have a business address to send any replacements to.

I've twice in the last 4-5 years had lightning strike and take out my switch (HP replaced both times) and the last time it also killed the camera (Reolink replaced the camera under their warranty).

So there are the costs if you roll your own solution. It's not for everyone so let others here suggest what you should/shouldn't do.

I'll note that Reolink the cameras that I like for their cost/performance value also make an NVR. Same caution there with the updates, but at least the cameras that come with it are re-usable if say 5 years from now the NVR is no longer being updated.

Good luck with whatever you do :-)

Resolution is important, but so is the codec on the NVR. Ideally, you want one with h.265 support.

Here's a 8 channel one by Hikvision, a well known brand: https://www.amazon.com/HIKVISION-DS-7608NI-K2-8-Channel-Recorder-Embedded/dp/B078S56GY4

You will have to buy the hard drive(s) separately. I recommended WD Purple drives. They are purpose built for surveillance equipment. https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Surveillance-Hard-Disk-Drive/dp/B00IMPO5MO

As far as cameras go, most people go with Hikvision or Reolink. Here's a 2K Reolink bullet camera. Expect to pay significantly more if you really want 4K. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010LH48F4/

6 cameras with this setup would run you $749, and you would have 2 ports available for expansion.

I use a few Reolink cameras that I bought off Amazon. - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010LH48F4/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1518934378&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Reolink+camera&dpPl=1&dpID=41TlsqaRGeL&ref=plSrch

Love the quality of these cameras.

The software I use is called Blue Iris. It's pretty much the best recording software for IP cameras you can get. Some people say the interface looks kind of old but I like it. I have mine set to only start recording when it senses motion and to also text me. - http://blueirissoftware.com it was like 60$ I think?

Works amazingly well!

I just put in a small system with a Reolink RLC-410 camera and I really like the camera. This one is wired, but since you rent, you might want to go wireless--the ones with little wifi antennas that just link up wirelessly to your wifi.

Reolink comes with a phone app that handles up to 16 cameras on your smartphone--I check my property from anywhere over the app whenever I want. I really like it, and the picture quality is awesome, as the Amazon reviews attest. Night vision is awesome, too. The infrared leds illuminate at least 65 feet out. Price isn't bad, either. Wireless will be more. Reolink has them; sorry to sound like a shill.

For recording the footage, I got a Synology NVR 216. A little pricey, but it did what I wanted--record about 2 months worth of 24/7 video feed for liability purposes.

This NVR is "diskless", which means that it comes without hard drives, which have to be purchased separately. I got one 4 TB Western Digital Purple, which is "optimized" for surveillance applications, whatever that means. The system has been recording a single camera's feed basically 24/7 since May 14, and has so far used 586 GB of the 3,000 GB available on this single hard drive, or about 17% of available capacity. Obviously, if you have two cameras, the storage requirement doubles; with four, quadruples. And, yes, I've already purchased another camera. I'll probably have four total, like you, in the future, when my requirements shift from liability to security. This particular NVR holds up to two hard drives, and an expansion kit allows up to 8 more. I really should get at least one more hard drive.

My particular system is currently set up as wired, meaning the camera and NVR are both connected to my wifi access point/router with network patch cables--those ubiquitous ethernet, Cat 5, RG-45 terminated "computer cables" that connect work computers to the jack in the wall, etc.

If you go wireless, especially with four cameras, you'll have to upgrade your local network to gigabit speeds. I should do that, too, and when I do, I'll probably go with a Linksys WRT AC3200. I'm currently running a Linksys WRT-54GL and, frankly, my local LAN bogs down a bit when I stream a movie while the video gear is running (which is all the time).

Guess I'm a bit of a geek. There are actually a lot of people here who are knowledgeable with DIY security CCTVs. I started from zero back in April or May, asked advice here, and actually went with Synology after it was recommended by a regular, here. I'll find that link, later; need to run right now. Update: You'll probably find this link interesting; it's a /r_neworleans thread from six months ago--lot's of perspectives different from my own that may work better for you.

One more thing: I had originally used DHCP to assign IP addresses to the camera and NVR, but the camera kept renewing its lease to a different address, and the NVR stopped recording when it lost the feed. I finally got around to puzzling out how to assign static addresses. Turns out that the WRT software assigns DHCP addresses at 100 and above. So, I just set the camera to 192.168.1.50 and the NVR to 192.168.1.51. Also, the Synology requires port-forwarding to be set up in your router--this was also dead simple. I read documentation for about an hour, then just forwarded some port, I think it was port 5000, in what looked like the right place in the router's set-up software, and it just worked. This way I can access the archive video from my smartphone, as well as the live feed.

I know all this sounds complicated, but it's really not, and there are people here who know this stuff and are more than willing to help out. Also, I know I spent around $1000, which is a lot of money for me. It was hard for me to pull the trigger on all this. But it covers a liability exposure that exceeds my net worth--in other words, an exposure that could force me into bankruptcy. In that light, it was a reasonable price to mitigate a serious risk. I'm satisfied with both the gear and the price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079M4PW46/?coliid=I1O9PNUVYI5WU1&colid=1K5V20JIA8KJO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078PD8NP6/?coliid=I3CJO61SLJXH8V&colid=1K5V20JIA8KJO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074MQP24Q/?coliid=I1KRI7P9ZLGF31&colid=1K5V20JIA8KJO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010LH48F4/?coliid=I3QBUMBLYDJ7TP&colid=1K5V20JIA8KJO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

you can also put the cams on a different VLAN

                    My own **PERSONAL** recommendations<br />

My Camera being used outside---

https://www.amazon.com/Foscam-Audio-Wireless-Ultra-Camera/dp/B01F4RJV3K/





Recommended Systems---







NVR: http://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-NV1104-1080p-Network-Recorder/dp/B00X4UDCYE/



Low budget OK all in one: https://www.amazon.com/Security-Systems-Outdoor-Weatherproof-Smartphone/dp/B00HJYVJ1E

Midrange budget Decent all in one with some limitations: https://www.amazon.com/EZVIZ-Security-Weatherproof-Cameras-Channel/dp/B015121KH8/







Recommended Good Cost Minded Cameras---









Budget “Indoor” PTZ Dome Camera (with MIC+SOUND) 2MP ~$98.60 https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-ProHD-Wireless-Security-Camera/dp/B0145OQXCK/ (black also available)

Top End “Indoor” PTZ Dome Camera (with MIC+SOUND) 4MP ~$199.99 https://www.amazon.com/Foscam-Ultra-HD-Wireless-Security-Superior/dp/B01F4RJV3K (black also available)

“Indoor” PTZ Dome Camera [some limitations - Chinese] (with MIC+SOUND) 4MP ~$111.56 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Chinese-Firmware-DS-2DC2402IW-D3-4MP-IP-Camera-Mini-PTZ-Camera-With-IR-30M-Support-ONVIF/32623907200.html



Budget Indoor/Outdoor PTZ Dome Camera (no audio?) 2MP ~$188.00 https://www.amazon.com/ANRAN-Onvif-Vision-Network-Camera/dp/B00LXVU9NI

Top End Indoor/Outdoor PTZ Dome Camera (SOUND Only) 4MP ~$249.99 https://reolink.com/shop/rlc423-4mp-4x-optical-zoom-ptz-poe-ip-camera/





Budget & Top End Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Dome Camera (SOUND Only) 4MP ~$73.99 https://www.amazon.com/Reolink-RLC-420-2560x1440P-Outdoor-Detection/dp/B0147XLVIU/





Budget Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Bullet Camera (no audio?) 4MP ~$74.99 https://www.amazon.com/Reolink-RLC-410-Megapixel-Monitoring-Waterproof/dp/B010LH48F4 (wireless option available for $25 more)

Top End Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Bullet Camera (no audio?) 5MP ~$129.00 https://www.amazon.com/GW-Security-Megapixel-Resolution-Varifocal/dp/B01ATUAOTM

Indoor/Outdoor Fixed Bullet Cam Coming soon (with MIC+SOUND) 4MP ~? http://www.foscam.com/FI9901EP.html





Terms---

PTZ = Camera moves/adjusts with a motor and remotely,
Fixed = Camera must be moved/adjusted manually,
MIC = Talk to bystanders,
SOUND = Hear bystanders,
Budget = Decent camera, great price,
Top End = Great camera, reasonably priced but more than budget

$1000 is probably workable though may still be a little tight. Here is just a random build I tossed together off the top of my head - dollars rounded:

6x https://smile.amazon.com/Reolink-Security-Surveillance-Detection-RLC-410/dp/B010LH48F4/ ($300)

1x https://smile.amazon.com/TRENDnet-GREENnet-Switching-Protection-TPE-TG82G/dp/B074PXNRFH/ ($100)

1x https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Z230-Workstation-SFF-Intel-Core-i5-4590-3-30GHz-16GB-128GB-SSD-500GB-Win10/183511257970?hash=item2aba1f9372:g:8qcAAOSw9y1b2IJ1:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true (or similar ~$250)

1x https://smile.amazon.com/Purple-Surveillance-Hard-Disk-Drive/dp/B00IMPO5MO/ ($75)

1x http://blueirissoftware.com/purchase/ ($60)

That puts you right around $800 which leaves some space for cable and such. You could go cheaper on the PC, I picked that to give you some additional wiggle room if you wanted to add more cameras. Just get something with 8GB of RAM (or more) and a good Intel CPU. https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/choosing-hardware-for-blue-iris/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010LH48F4/


Reolink RLC-410 - $74.99, sometimes on sale for $60ish.
Why? 4mp, great night time distance, 2 year warranty, POE, works with most major NVR/IP camera software (all kinds of different streaming/options). The picture quality, both night and day, blow the doors off of any other camera I've tried and the price point is excellent. I'm at 1 year with my oldest camera and have 5 deployed all working very well now.

Sorry for messing up the first post...

In addition, here are some sample pics and a video from the cameras in use with Milestone NVR...

Day/Night pics:
http://imgur.com/a/oY7qw

Caught late night prowlers in the front yard...
https://vimeo.com/203928203

New to this game, but what do we call reasonably priced? At 3mp and $120, versus 4mp at $75 (and supporting ONVIF, which I understand ZoneMinder to be able to handle?) from https://smile.amazon.com/Security-Reolink-65-100ft-Detection-RLC-410/dp/B010LH48F4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474517235&sr=8-1&keywords=poe+reolink+camera, what should I be evaluating?

I'm about to replace all my DVR cameras, and DVR, with Reolink cameras, a POE switch and new computer using either Blueiris or Milestone.

According to this write-up, your computer should handle 3 cameras just fine.

You will also need a POE switch. This was recommended in another thread, of which I cannot find.

I recently purchased 5 Reolink cameras and the above switch. Now, I just need the computer and already have the drives.

Get a better security camera--I've been using these reolinks and they illuminate and show things much farther than 10 feet away:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010LH48F4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Might not be the most helpful response, but here goes.
It doesn't sound like a security camera is the best solution to this issue.

You say he's calling the police and fire department on her whenever he can. 1.) Stop giving him a reason to do that. 2.) A camera won't help with that.
You say he's giving her and her children bone-chilling looks. A camera might catch those, but there's nothing you can do about that.

She really should be focused on either having a dialogue with the neighbor to try and patch things up, or move away from him. If she's genuinely worried about the safety of herself or her children, she'll find a way to move. If it's not that big of a concern, then it sounds like a conversation might be enough.

Now that that's out of the way, try starting out here https://www.amazon.com/Security-Reolink-65-100ft-Detection-RLC-410/dp/B010LH48F4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479254540&sr=8-1&keywords=reolink+rlc-410 and keep looking around on amazon for related products, etc. I can't speak to the quality of the camera, but it seems to have some nice features.

Thanks for the software suggestions. I think one of my clients actually uses iSpy now that I looked it up.

I'm considering this recording to my HTPC that I intend to put a 4TB HDD in sometime soon. I figure 1440p video is going to take up quite the amount of room so I'll probably end up using my old Dell poweredge I have sitting around for a storage server eventually.

I'd have no problem using all Unifi if their NVR had expandable storage outside of attaching a shitload of external hard drives. It's nice how easy their whole ecosystem is to set up, but not nice that you need to use basically all their products to make things work together. The ol' Apple walled garden approach.

I bought this

Reolink IP PoE Security Camera 4 Megapixels Super HD 2560x1440 Bullet Outdoor Indoor IR Night Vision Motion Detection RLC-410 (Fixed Bullet without SD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010LH48F4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_nwePUbjOs9DZw


a month ago and I love it. You can buy the more pricey one that comes with an internal SD card. I have mine set up to email me when motion is detected when I'm not home and it stores all the videos captured on a simple FTP server I set up. It also comes with a decent program for the pc and an app. I think it's great quality with lots of features for the price.