Security Camera Thread - Home Solution Write Up

Cleck · Jan 14, 2020

@NYGuns I posted in IPCamTalk about upgrading cams cuz I think it's time, but I got a half-useful response about sensor size and what possible cams to look for.

I'm considering audio, is there some concern about recording audio that I need to heed?

The Reolink camera I was looking at had the sensor size I was told to look for, but nobody gave me any recommendations about what cameras do audio. Suggestions?

Cleck · Jan 17, 2020

NYGuns said:
Absolutely do not get reolink, ever. Junk cameras. I'll post some suggestions for audio soon. The only thing about audio is you are required by law to have a sign up that says they are being recorded.

Ah, ok. I've got no problem with that. They just told me to read the wiki on the page, and it didn't answer me any questions because they didn't tell me what to look for. Though I haven't seen people with Ring cameras post that people are being recorded?

Also, I started trying to look up Dahua cams on Amazon, and some of them popped up as white box/no name. I have no idea which of those I can trust either.

I guess overall, I'm just looking for a bit of an upgrade so the night video looks better

Right now, since I have a lack of light out there (adding more soon), this is what I get

camper4lyfe · Jan 17, 2020

I'm glad this popped up. I'm looking for a camera or something for outside my garage. My garage is on the end of my house, and the doors are on the end of that, so I can't see if/when someone is in the driveway by the garage. I'd like to get a camera of some sort to be able to view out there. I'm not looking to record anything, I just want to be able to see, as if there was a window there, or something.

Any ideas what I could/should look at?

Cleck · Jan 17, 2020

There's probably some low end stuff listed in the beginning here, but my advice would be to buy a camera and nvr (network video recorder) so you can view your cameras. You don't have to record, but the NVR gives you a place to manage it (tv, pc monitor) and you can set it up to record later. I don't recommend a wifi setup, as a wired camera will be more stable and reliable.

phatfarmerbob · Jan 26, 2020

NYGuns said:
Absolutely do not get reolink, ever. Junk cameras. I'll post some suggestions for audio soon. The only thing about audio is you are required by law to have a sign up that says they are being recorded.

what’s this? Even on private property?

Cleck · Jan 26, 2020

phatfarmerbob said:
what’s this? Even on private property?

I can't find anything specifically prohibiting it in NY. I think for it to be deemed illegal, there has to be a reasonable expectation of privacy. Outdoors that is not usually the case.

I'm no lawyer, but that's all I can find online right now.

Cleck · Jan 27, 2020

NYGuns said:
If there are cameras that record audio outside of your home, then you need to have a sign outside of your home. Conversely if you have them inside, you need to have a sign inside.

This law is also never enforced.

Can you show me where this is? Just in case I ever had to find it/cover my ass. I looked all over last night and could not find it. All I could find was phone call recording and nanny cam stuff.

phatfarmerbob · Jan 27, 2020

Interesting, I wonder how conspicuous the sign needs to be. Must be some kind of standard...

camper4lyfe · Jan 27, 2020

NYGuns said:
If there are cameras that record audio outside of your home, then you need to have a sign outside of your home. Conversely if you have them inside, you need to have a sign inside.

This law is also never enforced.

But NY is a 1 party consent state, at least for audio recordings. Unless that's only for conversations, and having a camera/audio makes it a different scenario.

Bob · Jan 27, 2020

There's also a federal statute relative to eavesdropping and wiretapping. Take a look at 18 USC 2511 and how it's worded. I don't have much insight as to how it may or may not be used in this case. It's worth a look though.

Cleck · Jan 27, 2020

And that makes me think of Ring doorbells and Nest/Ring cameras. They record audio and I doubt those people are putting up signs saying there is audio recording happening.

Cleck · Jan 28, 2020

NYGuns said:
The doorbells come w/ stickers that people are supposed to put up, plus it's not a federal law, it's NYS (and some other states) specific. Again, this law is never enforced.

Ok, so I was looking at some of the Dahua cams online, and I can't tell - are they all good? Are there some to avoid? I know there are some that come in white boxes and some that are legit, but it was pretty confusing.

I'm looking to possibly bump up cams, one at a time, in the $100-150 range. Whichever works better at night (I thought you said possibly Starlight cams, or at least try going to 4mp, as those work better at night than 8mp units).

Also, I did look at some of the settings mentioned on the wiki there and I think I was able to tweak my night camera a little bit, I did notice faces and night footage looked slightly better after. I just didn't wanna push it

Cleck · Jan 28, 2020

Will do, thanks!

masterswimmer · Jan 28, 2020

NYGuns said:
The doorbells come w/ stickers that people are supposed to put up, plus it's not a federal law, it's NYS (and some other states) specific. Again, this law is never enforced.

Never enforced, until someone commits a crime and is recorded both visually and audibly and his defense attorney uses the law to squelch the evidence.

Be careful not posting the legal notification. It's not a big deal, until it becomes a big deal

ManrisFrack · Jan 28, 2020

empiretecandy hooked me up with my Dahuas. I pretty much knew what I wanted but he was really easy to deal with, quick for being on the other side of the world and the prices were equal or a little better compared to what I could find on Amazon. I got these:

IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 2MP Starlight
IPC-T5442TM-AS 3.6mm Fixed Lens, 4MP Starlight+
IPC-HDW4831EM-ASE 2.8mm Fixed

I think the top two are going to be your best night time performance, as I recall.

I haven't managed to set mine up yet (turns out I'm really good at putting off pulling wires throughout my house) so I can't give you any reviews but ipcamtalk should have reviews on most of them.

phatfarmerbob · Jan 28, 2020

IPC-HDW5231R-ZE
I have 8 of these here’s a screen shot

Blimey · Feb 13, 2020

camper4lyfe said:
But NY is a 1 party consent state, at least for audio recordings. Unless that's only for conversations, and having a camera/audio makes it a different scenario.

To be clear: this is if you're a party to the conversation. You cannot record another conversation if you are not a party to it without letting them know or having a warrant.

There are also some "common sense" things you don't want to do with audio like setup a microphone in your bathroom. Even if it's your house, if you have a guest they have a reasonable expectation of privacy so recording that would be a no-no.

The best cameras are still IP wired in if you're able. Reliable, high throughput, and power over the ethernet.

My three 2MP Hikvision turret cams have been running like champs for years now. We're moving and I ran a ton of cat6 drops to the new place. I will be moving the cameras to them also but contemplating replacing one of the cameras with a PTZ of some sort just for fun. I could also replace one of the cams with a very night-capable one.These all have IR and it's okay but night time is still blurry, etc. The hikvision app on my iphone has been good for years, too.

Cleck · Feb 13, 2020

phatfarmerbob said:
IPC-HDW5231R-ZE
I have 8 of these here’s a screen shot View attachment 62184

Not bad, how do people look when they're walking outside of the lit areas?

phatfarmerbob · Feb 13, 2020

Cleck said:
Not bad, how do people look when they're walking outside of the lit areas?

good, the bright wash in the center is the IR not a flood light. You can easily make out a face within 50 feet of the camera.
Most important thing is to get it down low enough so your not just looking at the brim of a baseball hat...

MikeyCNY · Feb 14, 2020

Hey @NYGuns - too bad ipcamtalk doesn't offer "package" options - my gun club is looking for a new camera system. Some of them want wireless to watch the outdoor ranges, but I've warned them that you'll be constantly changing the batteries (especially in winter). One of the members mentioned pairing them with solar panels to trickle-charge. Would that even be feasible? Obviously another issue is network range.

I'm not sure the max price they are looking at (the club votes for most purchases), but let's say less than $500 to start.

They'd probably want 4-6 cameras, local NVR with phone app option. Are the package deals from BJs, CostCo etc ever a good option for the basics? (The wife won't let me add cameras to the house since it isn't our "permanent" place..)

Blimey · Feb 14, 2020

MikeyCNY said:
Hey @NYGuns - too bad ipcamtalk doesn't offer "package" options - my gun club is looking for a new camera system. Some of them want wireless to watch the outdoor ranges, but I've warned them that you'll be constantly changing the batteries (especially in winter). One of the members mentioned pairing them with solar panels to trickle-charge. Would that even be feasible? Obviously another issue is network range.

IMO your concerns are justified. Network range is a definite concern for wireless cameras and replacing batteries will be a pain. Some wireless battery cams are not too bad, triggering on only movement, but if you have a lot of people moving they'll trigger a lot more.

For a setup like this you will want to bite the bullet and get a wired install going. It will be far more reliable and less of a pain.

Blimey · Feb 14, 2020

NYGuns said:
Have any of you guys seen Hikvision's new cameras with LED lights? They are really cool, they have LED lights on them and make pitch black appear like daytime. Between the LED and the low light sensor, the nighttime view is real nice. People are putting them above front doors, in low lit areas, etc.

4MP Extreme Low Light IP w/ LED - IP Cam Talk Store

Hikvision re-branded camera offered by Nelly's Security. Extreme Low Light, IP, POE Weatherproof turret camera w/ LED light.

store.ipcamtalk.com

This looks like a matching youtube vid.

I wouldn't personally want to use the floodlight aspect of it. I don't like how they look plus they attract attention to the camera.

Damn. Go to 11:37 and watch what happens when he turns the light off. This is really a $200 camera?

I have enough ambient lighting that this thing may work well with it (garage light, some tree lights). The main thing this video is missing on that low light is movement. My cameras at night look okay with IR and not moving but the exposure becomes so long in low light that all movement is just a terrible blur. I wonder how this works with it.

HIghlander · Feb 14, 2020

This is from Sept 2016.

Security Cameras, Ethics, and the Law

Wi-Fi security cameras can be great for keeping tabs on your home, family members, and pets. We'll tell you how you can use them legally and ethically.

thewirecutter.com

Security Camera Thread - Home Solution Write Up

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