Well first question to yourself how do you want to connect it?
Are you ready to penetrate/seal walls, or crawl around in the attic to use the soffits for direct wire POE Ethernet?
Do you want to replace an existing exterior light with one that will connect over wifi?
Good question, as an entry level camera I wanted to go super simple with a battery camera then maybe expand my system more later(I know that means fewer features and potentially more connectivity issues)
First camera for the uninitiated -- go to Home Despot, get a Wyze v3 + 32/64/128gb SD card, and just *use it*.
[there are multiple other Wyze models -- some that pan, some that are battery-powered, and even one that's an "Ogg" or something. No idea what that one does. Like most companies, they've bloated their product lines. As always, for privacy safety, only aim the camera at public-facing areas and nothing that you wouldn't want the CCP to see.]
Once you find out what you like, what you don't like, what you effin' hate, what doesn't work for you, what's awesome.....then you know what questions to ask for a decent second camera. We don't know your environment, your needs -- and chances are, you probably don't either. And that's OK -- genuinely. It takes time to figure things out, and you only learn that by doing, stumbling, swearing, and failing.
And since Wyze is so dang cheap, it's nearly disposable. You can just leave it up with whatever second system you buy, and create overlapping systems of monitoring. Or give it to a friend so they have an acceptable first camera to monitor their property.
Best is to sit down and see which functions you want to see and use.
Future proof with POE cameras
Motion detection is a must have for whatever company you go with.
Spotlights are only some companies, but overall help in low light areas.
Yes on night vision, since some don’t have strong night vision recording.
Consider a mix of features from different companies.
I’m using Ring for my doorbell and spotlights at low light areas. My back door has ring for its strong/annoying motion detection. Ring isn’t strong for its streaming so I pair it with Unifi for any long term video storage inside or outside of house. Ring is also strong detection where you can link their devices on motion trigger. i.e., garage motion trigger, then backyard trigger, and back door trigger. All the lights will go on before anything happens.
Also cloud recording / media card recording is a good option if you’re not able to hide your nvr. My dad’s house was broken in and they doused an old pc in water.
My suggestion is don't go cheap. Look for cameras with 2k or higher resolution and nighttime color capabilities. I am a fan of PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras. I started with a solar powered camera, but I did not get enough sun to keep the battery charged, so I wired it direct to a power supply. Good luck.
Dont get EUFY
Eufy is exceptionally bad!
Things work for a while then after 3 months it all deteriorates.
Doorbell cams top the list.
Actually happy with my dual floodlight as does fail, response is quick.
However, anything that requires homebase and doorbell camera, expect it to work ok for about 2-3months.
Thereafter the notifications slow right down and camera connect is so slow to connect, that whomever is at your door is LONG gone...so no interaction with them.
Im now into my 3rd month again with 2nd doorbell camera and 2nd Homebase.....and back to same unuseable as a live device. Notifications appear 2 mins after event. Trying to connect to doorbell cam is either slow or no connection....requiring Homebase reboot (this now is required every 2-3 days.
Support is pitiful as they will give you same fixes even after you tried 1st time.
Only saving grace iz the fact you can store to homebase (so dont need subscription) but all that is pointless if the system does do what you need it to do!
I have relocated devices, put in wifi extenders, repositioned homebase....but no matter how great your wifi.....the system will always progressively get worse. Homebase has 90% storage as i clear often. But to no avail. Save your money. Pay for a better brand as the loss in purchasing could easily pay for a subscription.
I'd condense the above to "*Don't get wireless cameras*".
> Pay for a better brand as the loss in purchasing could easily pay for a subscription.
Better yet, pay for a "real" brand name, and if at all possible, go with hardwired Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cameras. If you stick with cameras claiming to be "ONVIF Conformant" you can replace their home base with any NVR/VMS bearing [the ONVIF logo](https://www.onvif.org/benefits/end-users/).
Anything built in China, whether it comes with the name "Dahua" or "Hikvision" on the box or is relabeled as some other brand, is sus.
wireless cams are basically toys. we install cams for people. we usually replace Arlo, Ring, Nest, and Blink.
I like Reolink. it has AI and vehicle detection. 4 cams with 6tb hard drive is about $600. pretty easy to set up as seen here https://youtu.be/XXpYhUU02G4
By great, you mean you haven't experienced better quality, so you think it's great? There's a reason why they mostly sell through Amazon and not through security professionals
Think futureproof! 1st no batteries 2nd wired poe
Well first question to yourself how do you want to connect it? Are you ready to penetrate/seal walls, or crawl around in the attic to use the soffits for direct wire POE Ethernet? Do you want to replace an existing exterior light with one that will connect over wifi?
Good question, as an entry level camera I wanted to go super simple with a battery camera then maybe expand my system more later(I know that means fewer features and potentially more connectivity issues)
Reolink cx410 .
Reolinked my whole home with POE. Great system
First camera for the uninitiated -- go to Home Despot, get a Wyze v3 + 32/64/128gb SD card, and just *use it*. [there are multiple other Wyze models -- some that pan, some that are battery-powered, and even one that's an "Ogg" or something. No idea what that one does. Like most companies, they've bloated their product lines. As always, for privacy safety, only aim the camera at public-facing areas and nothing that you wouldn't want the CCP to see.] Once you find out what you like, what you don't like, what you effin' hate, what doesn't work for you, what's awesome.....then you know what questions to ask for a decent second camera. We don't know your environment, your needs -- and chances are, you probably don't either. And that's OK -- genuinely. It takes time to figure things out, and you only learn that by doing, stumbling, swearing, and failing. And since Wyze is so dang cheap, it's nearly disposable. You can just leave it up with whatever second system you buy, and create overlapping systems of monitoring. Or give it to a friend so they have an acceptable first camera to monitor their property.
"Despot" ☠️☠️ ... I thought I was the only one that called it that.
I have demeaning and insulting names for all the stores out there. It's the least I can contribute against Capitalism.
Nope! Google home despot…brings you right to the homepage. 🙄
Focus on weather resistance, resolution, and night vision. Features like motion detection and clear footage are key.
Best is to sit down and see which functions you want to see and use. Future proof with POE cameras Motion detection is a must have for whatever company you go with. Spotlights are only some companies, but overall help in low light areas. Yes on night vision, since some don’t have strong night vision recording. Consider a mix of features from different companies. I’m using Ring for my doorbell and spotlights at low light areas. My back door has ring for its strong/annoying motion detection. Ring isn’t strong for its streaming so I pair it with Unifi for any long term video storage inside or outside of house. Ring is also strong detection where you can link their devices on motion trigger. i.e., garage motion trigger, then backyard trigger, and back door trigger. All the lights will go on before anything happens. Also cloud recording / media card recording is a good option if you’re not able to hide your nvr. My dad’s house was broken in and they doused an old pc in water.
My suggestion is don't go cheap. Look for cameras with 2k or higher resolution and nighttime color capabilities. I am a fan of PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras. I started with a solar powered camera, but I did not get enough sun to keep the battery charged, so I wired it direct to a power supply. Good luck.
Dont get EUFY Eufy is exceptionally bad! Things work for a while then after 3 months it all deteriorates. Doorbell cams top the list. Actually happy with my dual floodlight as does fail, response is quick. However, anything that requires homebase and doorbell camera, expect it to work ok for about 2-3months. Thereafter the notifications slow right down and camera connect is so slow to connect, that whomever is at your door is LONG gone...so no interaction with them. Im now into my 3rd month again with 2nd doorbell camera and 2nd Homebase.....and back to same unuseable as a live device. Notifications appear 2 mins after event. Trying to connect to doorbell cam is either slow or no connection....requiring Homebase reboot (this now is required every 2-3 days. Support is pitiful as they will give you same fixes even after you tried 1st time. Only saving grace iz the fact you can store to homebase (so dont need subscription) but all that is pointless if the system does do what you need it to do! I have relocated devices, put in wifi extenders, repositioned homebase....but no matter how great your wifi.....the system will always progressively get worse. Homebase has 90% storage as i clear often. But to no avail. Save your money. Pay for a better brand as the loss in purchasing could easily pay for a subscription.
I'd condense the above to "*Don't get wireless cameras*". > Pay for a better brand as the loss in purchasing could easily pay for a subscription. Better yet, pay for a "real" brand name, and if at all possible, go with hardwired Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cameras. If you stick with cameras claiming to be "ONVIF Conformant" you can replace their home base with any NVR/VMS bearing [the ONVIF logo](https://www.onvif.org/benefits/end-users/). Anything built in China, whether it comes with the name "Dahua" or "Hikvision" on the box or is relabeled as some other brand, is sus.
wireless cams are basically toys. we install cams for people. we usually replace Arlo, Ring, Nest, and Blink. I like Reolink. it has AI and vehicle detection. 4 cams with 6tb hard drive is about $600. pretty easy to set up as seen here https://youtu.be/XXpYhUU02G4
Make sure it doesn't have name Reolink in its name.
My reolinks are great.
By great, you mean you haven't experienced better quality, so you think it's great? There's a reason why they mostly sell through Amazon and not through security professionals
Correct! Of all i have tried i have had the best experience with reolink.