So, CCTV/Monitoring?

[Toxxyc]

Good morning people. Looking for some advice here. I'm looking to install some cameras at my place, for two reasons.

1. Security.
2. Monitoring.

Reasons are simple. For 1, it's for security. I want a camera with possible motion detection that'll trip my house alarm, if such a thing is possible. If not, that's also OK. For 2, I need monitoring on a section of my yard as well as the inside of my garage. My wife is starting up a business (daycare) and I want every movement recorded somewhere for at least a week. Cloud storage is a bonus.

So, my requirements are pretty simple. I would like 1080p cameras, but if it's not available or hellishly more expensive, 720p will do (but that's the absolute minimum). I would like IP cameras, and local storage on an HDD is the bare minimum. Cloud storage would be a big bonus, but again, not a requirement. I want 2 cameras as a minimum, but 4 would be nicer. 8 is overkill. My entire place isn't big enough to house 8 cameras.

Anyway, budget is obviously and issue, as all our available funds has gone into renovating the garage for her (tiling, carpets, painting, breaking and building, etc.) so I'm looking for bargains. I was scouring the net, and found out there are several options. The first option is your classic CCTV system - a recorder with a hard drive, and all your cameras are plugged into that one recorder. On top of that, you plug a screen into the recorder and you can rewind and watch the recorded footage as is. These systems are pretty cheap nowadays it seems, and some are like R1k for the recorder with 4 cameras included. Example one: takealot.com

Now, my only worry is, what about the quality. Reviews and whatnot obviously state that it looks like Chinese thing, and man, Chinese thing frustrations are not my forte. On the other hand, you get brand names (like Hikvision, Intelli-Vision) which is just a bit more expensive, but I see reviews tell similar stories (difficult to set up, etc.).

So that brings me to the next point of discussion. Freestanding wireless IP cameras. Like this one: takealot.com I see a bunch of these come with built-in cloud storage and things like that, which would be great, as then I don't have to worry about an HDD and storing stuff on the HDD, power failures on the HDD, etc. etc. Cameras are a bit more on their own, but if they're a breeze to install that kinda makes up for it.

So, as a tl;dr, I want:

Cameras, 2 minimum (1 indoor, 1 outdoor), 4 would be nice (2 indoor, 2 outdoor). HDD recording minimum, cloud recording would be nice. Remote login would be nice (but is not crucial). 720p minimum, 1080p would be nice. Must be easy enough to install. On budget. What would you recommend?

 

[Sunshine]

First things first, I really don't recommend analogue cameras in this day and age. It's old school tech that you need a compatible DVR for and offers a single point of failure. IP cameras are much more versatile and you can expand when you need to.

Right so it all depends on what "budget" is. Most Hikvision network cameras can all record to SD card, and you can log directly onto their web interface. So really all you need is the cameras and 64GB/128GB SD cards.

So that brings me to the next point of discussion. Freestanding wireless IP cameras. Like this one: takealot.com I see a bunch of these come with built-in cloud storage and things like that, which would be great, as then I don't have to worry about an HDD and storing stuff on the HDD, power failures on the HDD, etc. etc. Cameras are a bit more on their own, but if they're a breeze to install that kinda makes up for (but is not crucial). 720p minimum, 1080p would be nice. Must be easy enough to install. On budget. What would you recommend?

They do not come with cloud storage, they come with HikConnect which is their free remote access setup, so you can view them via the app. However, you can view the local recording (to the SD card) over the app.

1080p is generally overkill for CCTV. 720p is the sweet spot in terms of quality/recording. 14 days of 1080p footage is about 100GB, 14 days of 720p footage is 35GB or so. You want to limit yourself to 5FPS (10FPS at most)

 

[GoukoTenrou]

I wouldn't touch a Chinese CCTV system, they are all garbage.

Either Hik Vision or Provision, but be warned that IP systems are stupidly expensive. Last time we did a new CCTV system for a client, it cost them about R2000 per IP camera.

Storage, I would say 4TB WD Purple or 4TB Seagate Skyhawk should be enough to store a week's worth of footage.

Remote access is easy enough, can even go the DynDNS route for that.

 

[Toxxyc]

OK so remote access isn't the main thing for me. I need it to record. If it HAS to be an SD card - so be it. I would definitely prefer HDD storage though, because of the cost (1TB HDD storage is a tad cheaper than SD storage). I don't mind setting up a computer or something (cheapy) to use in the daycare for recording and other stuff (like putting up music for the kids). There is a TV where the cameras will be, so viewing content isn't an issue.

Framerate would need to be 10FPS at least. The purpose is to cover my wife if a kid gets hurt, and 5FPS just won't cut it at that. Doesn't have to be 25FPS though.

 

[PieterShaun]

@Toxxyc Whatsapp me, you can buy cost on my, @ supplier buddy.

 

[Toxxyc]

@Toxxyc Whatsapp me, you can buy cost on my, @ supplier buddy.

Gonna need your cell number again tho. I think I lost it along the way somewhere, it's not on my phone anymore. Stuur my 'n PM, asb en dankie man!

 

[Sunshine]

If you have spare PC, we use Shinobi CCTV running on Ubuntu with Hikvision cameras, shouldn't take long at all to setup.

 

[Artemis128]

I have a Hikvision DVR with Analog cameras, and to my surprise it also detected my IP cameras, so I can watch my IP cameras on their respective app, or watch them on the DVR itsel, that handles motion recording.

You can get the DVR from Communica, or even Esquire, they have a special on Hikvision if I remember correctly.

I would not connect them to the home alarm though, they pick up any form of movement, and the IR LEDs attracts the occasional moth or 2 during the night, the alarm will trigger every few minutes.

 

[Dom]

For cloud storage - IDrive Cloud Backup

 

[brads7]

First things first, I really don't recommend analogue cameras in this day and age. It's old school tech that you need a compatible DVR for and offers a single point of failure. IP cameras are much more versatile and you can expand when you need to.

Right so it all depends on what "budget" is. Most Hikvision network cameras can all record to SD card, and you can log directly onto their web interface. So really all you need is the cameras and 64GB/128GB SD cards.



They do not come with cloud storage, they come with HikConnect which is their free remote access setup, so you can view them via the app. However, you can view the local recording (to the SD card) over the app.

1080p is generally overkill for CCTV. 720p is the sweet spot in terms of quality/recording. 14 days of 1080p footage is about 100GB, 14 days of 720p footage is 35GB or so. You want to limit yourself to 5FPS (10FPS at most)

Which model camera would you recommend and supplier?

Im also looking to put in a couple IP cameras....
WOuld like to mount two or 3 outside and 1 or two mobile ones inside.

 

[Crowley]

I installed a Hikvision system for myself in December. It consists of 4 x cameras (1080) with a 8 port POE NVR for a total cost just under 6K. The Hikvision connect is a breeze to set up and you can access it on your phone.

 

[Crowley]

I would say stick to one brand. No static IP addresses, everything works with DHCP.

 

[Toxxyc]

Yeah I don't mind static IPs and so on, and I don't mind mixing brands. Ideally I'd like to get one of those DIY kits with everything, and I just wire up all the things and it works. Not sure what those cost though. R6k is a budget I definitely don't have.

EDIT: I have to add I'm not the most technical person and I'm no expert, but I'm definitely clued-up enough to install a few cameras and set up the DVR and software and stuff. I don't need a pro to come install stuff at R800 an hour or whatever.

 

[eY_b0ss]

Yeah I don't mind static IPs and so on, and I don't mind mixing brands. Ideally I'd like to get one of those DIY kits with everything, and I just wire up all the things and it works. Not sure what those cost though. R6k is a budget I definitely don't have.

EDIT: I have to add I'm not the most technical person and I'm no expert, but I'm definitely clued-up enough to install a few cameras and set up the DVR and software and stuff. I don't need a pro to come install stuff at R800 an hour or whatever.

Ek sal jou help teen 2 biere 'n uur, solank ons braai tussen in - ek het selfs dalk vir jou 'n PoE switch. Sal loer as ek by huis kom.

 

[00Mfaan]

Hey bud,

I have installed a couple of CCTV systems, would recommend you use a known brand (hikvision or alhua) both of these brands are good, not overpriced and the after sales support is awesome.

usually when i buy DIY kits i get it from CCTV Direct. They also have excellent service good pricing and fast delivery.

For your needs you will defiantly have to go with IP cameras and a decent 8 port NVR, the price diffrence from 8 to 16 port is not much so if you want to upgrade in future go for the 16port.

Let me know if you want any info more than willing to assist

 

[Doom5003]

Mmmm some very useful information here.
Also looking at getting some cameras around my house.
Definitely keeping my eye on this

 

[00Mfaan]

Hey bud,

I have installed a couple of CCTV systems, would recommend you use a known brand (hikvision or alhua) both of these brands are good, not overpriced and the after sales support is awesome.

usually when i buy DIY kits i get it from CCTV Direct. They also have excellent service good pricing and fast delivery.

For your needs you will defiantly have to go with IP cameras and a decent 8 port NVR, the price diffrence from 8 to 16 port is not much so if you want to upgrade in future go for the 16port.

Let me know if you want any info more than willing to assist

O and yes most of the NVR's have outputs and inputs you can link to your alarm system or GPS unit or what ever you want

 

[Toxxyc]

Ek sal jou help teen 2 biere 'n uur, solank ons braai tussen in - ek het selfs dalk vir jou 'n PoE switch. Sal loer as ek by huis kom.

2 biere 'n uur klink soos 'n lekker plan. Ek het nou juis sulke kleeeeeein botteltjies wat ek kan volmaak.

 

[Toxxyc]

Yo guys, just FYI, I read all your replies. If I don't reply to it, don't think it's because I'm not reading it. I just don't have the time to reply to every single one

 

[brads7]

I see takealot has some decent deals?

Anyone know a installer ??

Looking for opinions on below :


takealot.com
takealot.com

 

[Toxxyc]

I see takealot has some decent deals?

Anyone know a installer ??

Looking for opinions on below :


takealot.com
takealot.com

With those kits, you are the installer. It seems fairly straight forward. I'm planning a kit like that, and I'll definitely install it myself.

 

[brads7]

NVR kits are more 'smart' from what i hear, they can alarm you of motion etc

Also much easier to setup


So I am in two minds

 

[Toxxyc]

I knew just of analog and digital. But now I saw something called "hybrid". Like, what the hell.

 

[PsyWulf]

I knew just of analog and digital. But now I saw something called "hybrid". Like, what the hell.

Yep,scooped a chinese jobbie,can do 8x ports in any combination

Sent from my F1 using Tapatalk

 

[Toxxyc]

Yeah so far everything I see mentions I need a decent DVR. These ones seem to be great, and I can add cameras as time goes along: takealot.com

4 Channel is fine, as it's for a specific area. With 4 cams I can cover everything inside and out, and in fact I would probably only ever need 3, max. If I need more for the rest of the yard I'll just get another DVR. At that price, it's really not bad at all. It's only 720P, but that's fine.

Cameras are also pretty cheap. Like R210 a pop: takealot.com Yes, it's Analog, but that's fine.

The above stuff in a kit is even cheaper. A power supply box is also not expensive: takealot.com

EDIT: It seems the days where you needed R10k to get a camera setup installed in your house is a thing of the past. This stuff is getting really, REALLY cheap.

 

[MRCza]

I have an old-ish hikvision hybrid DVR/NVR (8 port analogue, 2 IP) and from my experience, the quality you get from the IP cameras is much better than the analogues. Plus, as was mentioned, you can have a multiple point of failure setup with the DVR recording, but the IP cameras also having their SD card for backup.

When I was broken into, the guys went straight for the DVR and took that, so having cameras with SD cards as a secondary line of defence is very useful. Cloud too, but usually the DVR is located close to router, so in my case they knocked out my internet at the same time and cloud wouldn't have helped.

I've found that DVR/NVR capabilities regarding intrusion detection / line crossing etc are superior to the camera based ones, particularly because I run the ivms-4200 software on a server to monitor the DVR (DVR does the actual processing of everything afaik, computer is just interface and settings management), but you should know that some DVRs will have limited functionality when you connect IP cameras - in my case the analogue ones can do the full suite of motion/intrusion/line crossing but the IP cameras can only do motion due to the way that they interface. Might be because I'm mixing sub-brands of Hikvision though, maybe if they're all the same brand/generation you won't have this issue, and this obviously changes when you don't consider DVR/analogue and rather go for straight IP cameras+NVR.

Re camera quality, my analogue cameras and DVR are hikvision (albeit about 4 years old) and my IP cameras are EZVIZ (c3w) and Hilook (also a sub-brand of hikvision). The IP cameras were both cheap (R1.5k + R1k vs the analogue cameras which were over R2k a few years ago), but the quality is much better than the analogues.

Don't underestimate the ability to view your cameras at all times too, the NVR gives you that, even from across the house using a HDMI extender. Being able to see what's going on at the gate at a glance gives a huge amount of peace of mind, particularly when you have lots of people coming and going.

So my recommendation would be go for something like hilook IP cameras (much cheaper than hikvision but basically the same thing otherwise) and a decent NVR from a directly compatible brand like Hikvision, Hilook or EZVIZ. Hardwire them via ethernet (some can do PoE, others can't) and get more IP cameras down the line as you need them. You can do it all yourself, there really is very little to it and for directly compatible brands it's basically plug and play, with 30mins of effort to set up anything extra like motion detection, email notifications etc.