Home Security Cameras

[CoachBob]

How is the motion detection at picking up humans vs just random animals, leaves, blowing bushes etc on Blink? From what I've read that seems to be a differentiator between higher end cameras. We have a lot of rabbits and landscaping, so ideally I don't want ton of false alerts (knowing its impossible to completely eliminate them). The 3D motion detection on Ring Pro was enticing to me for that reason alone.

Have google nest - does awesome job of detection. I do people, animals and vehicles. Works really well but they are a bit spendy.

 

[ISU/Iowa fan]

We are looking into getting some wireless home security cameras for outside the house. I would love to go with a wired setup, but the layout/finishing of our house would make that more difficult and costly than I would probably like. I have the ability to get to an outlet with a couple of them for power, but another 2 would need to run on battery.

Arlo, Ring, and Blink seem to be the most common, with pricing following that same order. I like the idea of Blink not requiring a subscription and having the option of local storage, but if the cameras are crap that doesn't really do me any good. Right now I'm leaning towards the Ring Spotlight, assuming there will be a good sale on Prime Day in a couple weeks.

Curious what folks are using, and how you like them - ease of use, video quality in dark vs lighted areas, motion detection accuracy, etc?

We have had xmarto cameras and nvr's at our home and vacation home and at 10+ rental properties for 5+ years. No monthly fees. Any issues you email them and they respond ASAP.

 

[FLYINGCYCLONE]

The local sheriff deputy told me he needs to be able to read the license plates. They need that over color, make or anything else.

 

[dmclone]

My google nest cameras have been great for a number of years. The only issues I ever have is that the outside one detects movement in the winter when car lights hit the snow in the area that I monitor. Not a big deal, I set up different alerts for people and talking.

 

[Agclone91]

My google nest cameras have been great for a number of years. The only issues I ever have is that the outside one detects movement in the winter when car lights hit the snow in the area that I monitor. Not a big deal, I set up different alerts for people and talking.

I like the idea of going with Google because we are already in their ecosystem - both have Pixel phones, house is full of chromecasts, etc.

The thing holding me back is their only option for a camera with lights is the flood light. We have some dark areas around the house and I question if a camera without a light of some sort will do well at night.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Currently have Blink. I would say it's just okay. Unfortunately, by the time the camera is triggered, whatever triggered it is already gone.

At our old house we had Google Nest wired. Although wired was somewhat of an inconvenience, I much preferred that since it was on all the time.

 

[NickTheGreat]

How do you find BlueIris? And what cameras are you using? I'm very much wanting to do this myself, but my first step is to get a conduit run from my utility (server) room to my attic. What are your specs on your PC as well?

It's a piece of software. Not free, but good stuff

Blue Iris by Perspective Software LLC | Video Security and Webcam Software

blueirissoftware.com

I had an old machine running it for a while, and it had an issue I couldn't troubleshoot. Bad PS or something that wouldn't allow startup. So I found a good deal on a refurb unit, about 1.5 years ago

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-3880-desktop-intel-core-i7-12gb-memory-512gb-ssd-black/6479495.p?skuId=6479495

It's more than needed, but i wanted to futureproof a bit. I think I'm up to 6 hardwired cameras, and a couple wi-fi ones, just for fun.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Might be a different thread but has anyone's ever prevented a crime or been used as evidence to help with a crime? Closest I've heard is my friends neighbor caught some preteens trying to kick in his garage door and he went and talked to their parents. Not saying there isn't utility to just the piece of mind factor just curious. I rent so I don't bother personally.

I got a call from a Detective about an incident that happened up our culdesac. One of the teenaged girl's boyfriend had a gun stolen out of his unlocked truck overnight. There was a lot of weird things about the story, but he had noticed my camera.

I sent him footage I had of passing cars from that night. I took some time to find the clip and crop them down. But he never responded, not even a thank you. I didn't find much, so maybe he was mad?

 

[TitanClone]

Might be a different thread but has anyone's ever prevented a crime or been used as evidence to help with a crime? Closest I've heard is my friends neighbor caught some preteens trying to kick in his garage door and he went and talked to their parents. Not saying there isn't utility to just the piece of mind factor just curious. I rent so I don't bother personally.

I caught someone snooping around a car parked outside of my neighbors. It was a townhome complex, the car was probably 30 feet from my camera. Set off the alarm, the guy bolted and I talked to my neighbor over the speaker (I was at work). It's less about being concerned and more that it's a cheap additional security measure.

 

[dmclone]

I like the idea of going with Google because we are already in their ecosystem - both have Pixel phones, house is full of chromecasts, etc.

The thing holding me back is their only option for a camera with lights is the flood light. We have some dark areas around the house and I question if a camera without a light of some sort will do well at night.

Same with the Google ecosystem. I can say "show outside" and my Google displays will show what's going on. My only outside camera is next to the garage, which has smart lights that turn on at night. I would also be worried if it had no light. Even with light at night, quality is always going to be questionable.