Anyone with experience using ‘stand alone’ security cameras?

I’m learning all I can to make a choice for a set of 4 security cameras with floodlights.
Don’t want to continue paying for a subscription or cloud storage. Currently using 2 ring units and they are great, but cost me about $100/yr to get access to the video.
All 4 locations currently have a 4” 120v exterior box. Im not technically knowledgeable about the hook up to the router, cable, etc, but expect I can figure it out.

 

I have a Samsung 16 ch system in which most of the cameras failed over time. I have several Ring cameras and don't mind the $11 per month for something that works. I also dropped my $58 per month ADT bill and switched to a Ring alarm system.

 

I got an EZVIZ 8 camera system with 2 TB hard drive for a deal several years ago. The cameras are still going strong and they’re decent quality for what I paid. I haven’t had an issues with it, but also don’t use the motion sensor capability of it due to the number of false alarms. I also have a couple ring cameras, which I pay the yearly subscription for as well, b/c I do utilize the motion sensor capability on those

 

Understood. I do not want to continue paying for anything. If I did, the ring set up would be fine. I’m really looking for people who have experience with stand alone systems.

 

I have a Lorex system that was recommended to me. I'm not tech savvy at all so take my advice lightly....but it's easy to use, it does what I want it to do and the app/storage is free.

 

Can you elaborate on the motion sensor problem please? I have seen some systems, in my research, that claim adjustable sensors for this. It is one of the issues that bothers me because I want to have both the camera and the floodlights triggered by motion.

 

Does it store the videos for you? I will do some research on the Lorex

 

it was overly sensitive. Even with settings adjusted I’d get motion alerts for bugs or if neighbors floodlights for go on or off.

I haven’t seen the exact system I bought for sale anymore on Amazon, but they do sell other versions of it. This is the closet I could find available to mine on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/335198266166

The app is easy to use and quality of images is fine.

 

On the free side it will store videos for up to 72 hours I think...but you have the option of saving or downloading them to your device. If you want long term video saving they do have a paid cloud service but I know you're trying to get away from that.

 

That would have little impact. Any pertinent video, I will save to my own computer.

 

Quality of video is decent, definitely not 4k or anything crazy but at the price point I wouldn't expect it to be. Although they do sell wired systems that will produce 8k video.

 

if you’re not wanting a subscription based, I’d highly recommend getting a 1TB to 2TB dvr. I think my 2 TB can save over a months worth of video before it starts to overwrite it

 

I put a 4 camera Night Owl X wired system on my detached garage. It's decent but Ring is so much more stream lined, I even recently supplemented the garage by replacing a flood light with the Ring flood light. The Night Owl app is a joke and it doesn't send alerts to my phone even though its set up (found out this was a common issue that they just never fixed). I like the idea of a wired system in case my internet goes down, but I still lose the wired cameras during a power outage and if I do have power, I can't view the feeds remotely without functional internet.

Really depends on your needs, thankfully I've never needed the video footage and I just like to be able to check on the house/vehicles/weather while at work or traveling so Ring fits my needs and I'm now too integrated to really justify changing. I pay the yearly ring subscription but once you do their bundle for multiple devices, it doesn't matter how many cameras you have.

 

Then you wouldn't have any issues that I could think of. One feature I like is you can pull snapshots or still pictures off the video feed and save those also. If you have any questions feel free to message me

 

Reolink provides what you are looking for.

I use their cameras in a custom/complicated set up unless you are techy. I also use the Unifi system which is great also, however on the expensive end with no advantage over the reolink. If you are comfortable running POE power.....

https://reolink.com/us/product/rlk8-1200b4-a/

Be carful though......this can get expensive quickly, ask me how I know lol.

 

I’m not sure what a TB or a dvr is but will learn. Assuming it relates to capacity. I don’t think I would need a month of video as long as I can save what I want to a computer or thumb drive

 

You bring up an issue that is a small concern. I guess if the power is out everything is down.

 

As long as the video is clear enough to id a trespass it’s ok.

 

Some systems have battery back ups. And if that is a concern you have, you can find battery packs for a DVR system that doesn't have one. Just something to consider and look into.

 

POE power = point of entry? All 4 of my locations are currently fed

 

I was expecting the battery backup for some of these systems. I’m not sure what the ‘receiver’ component is called but does it also have an internal battery?

 

Are you calling the camera the receiver? That depends how it's wired. Mine all go back to the DVR, so if you had that on a battery backup the cameras would still work.

 

Believe me, I’m fully equipped from this perspective

 

No, I figured that the big black box that goes in the house and gets the information could be called a receiver’ . Is that the dvr?

 

Thanks for the advice and response! I’ll be doing more research so that I can ask more intelligent questions. I’m really good at quite a few things but I’m smart enough to know when I need help!

 

power over Ethernet. Think networking cables.

in terms of keeping cameras up during a power outage, power over Ethernet is the easiest to do. In the kit I linked, as long as the dvr has power so does the cameras.

What this means for you is one ac plug to keep power to during a power. UPS is usually the easiest.

all video is formatted in some form of codec. Most of the time it’s h264 and most HD cameras record somewhere between 24-30 fps. Basically, I would say 2 gigabytes per hour for video file size. 1 stream = 1 camera. The Reolink setup I linked I would expect 8 gigabytes per hours for video storage. The linked setup comes with 2 terabytes or 2000 gigabyte drive however, some space is lost for software/firmware and various other reasons.

dvr = digital video recorder. where data is stored

camera= where the video is recorded from or more technically “Sensor” but let’s keep this simple.

UPS= universal power supply.

$190 CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 Intelligent LCD UPS System, 1500VA/900W, 12 Outlets, 2 USB Ports, AVR, Mini Tower, Black

https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-C...0tcKHT0MUnWB1-O2_5UxkTQDeVLp0q6QaAm9oEALw_wcB


If I miss a question or don’t respond send me a message or tag me. If I get too technical feel free to ask questions and I’ll try to break it down. I am not affiliated with Reolink, or cyberpower.

 

This is very helpful, thank you! I will do some research and try to learn more before I ask more questions.

 

I review quite a few different security cameras on my YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/diyreid

EZVIZ is pretty decent, however, I will say I like Eufy. Even with their small security debacle earlier this year.