CCTV recommendations

[waddycall]

Had some funny goings on around our house this week which is making me a bit twitchy. Can anyone recommend a good quality 4 camera CCTV system for DIY installation? I’m after quality gear that’ll last a long time with a fair price rather than cheap and nasty.
Cheers

 

[tflnemesis]

I would find your local cctv specialist and speak to them about a system that will work for you and if you don't mind spending a bit more get them to fit too.

The cheap systems will fail, usually the harddrive and then the DVR sometimes after just 12 months. I fitted a lot of the cheap systems for people who weren't willing to spend and they are nothing but problems, however the cameras seem to go on forever but the quality even on the HD ones is usually poor.

Have you thought about the standalone wireless ones? Picture quality is usually much better and for a relatively small fee you get automatic cloud storage and they are much more customisable for sensitivity some will even only record footage when they spot a human. The algorithms for this are getting better and better. They work well through glass so no cables having to be run outside and much more convenient for picking up a power source.

 

[Screwdriver]

If I had the money, I'd go with something like Nest. I've helped a neighbour with theirs and it's a very decent system. All the bells and whistles. Too pricey for me.

I have played around with a ton of CCTV diy and two things to watch out for.

1. You do not want a cheap, noname Chinese webcam. They are infested with spyware (I actually bought one some time ago - someone else logged in while I was setting up!)
2. You should have a local system and not something that requires logging into a remote server unless it is a branded company (like BT etc.)

Probably the best camera type out there at the moment is the Dahua TiOC. Again, bit pricey for me.

I went with a ton of older IP cameras so I can just log in with a webbrowser but video management, recording and storage is the big issue. Depends what you want really, do you need internet login so you can watch your house being burgled while you're on holiday? I'm not kidding, having CCTV is a mixed blessing. I never knew both my front and rear garden was such a handy toilet for passers by...

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

DIY Look at HickVision.

If not look at a local CCTY security company. Stay away from ADT.

 

[Fazerruss]

I had Eufy wireless for over a year now and it's been faultless. The cameras are either 1080p or higher so the image quality is superb. Dead easy to fit and you control them from your phone app. The home base is solid state and there aren't any fees. Just buy it and fit.

 

[Joe 90]

I second hikvision. I've had good results with mine. Loads of information on youtube regards setting them up. Couldn't do without then now.

 

[waddycall]

Just been looking at Eufy and hikvision websites. Makes me feel old and confused! Too many options and not enough clear info!

 

[Dev]

4 Camera IP Kits & Systems | HiWatch & HiLook by Hikvision CCTV Kit | RF Concepts

4 camera CCTV kits and systems, including HiWatch & HiLook by Hikvision. IP kits include an NVR and a choice of bullet cameras, dome cameras or mix and match both! With remote viewing through a mobile, our IP kits are the ideal solution for business or home surveillance.

www.rfconcepts.co.uk

Whatever you decide to go for my advice is:
IP cameras - best quality
PoE (power over ethernet) runs the power for the camera down the network cable from the DVR.
Get a DVR with more ports than you think you’ll need. Min 8

Hikvision are arguably the best option but can be pricey. I haven’t used their budget Hilook stuff but I’d expect similar quality with fewer features. Which might be fine for you. Some of the better hikvision resellers have demo rooms set up. If you can, get a demo of the ColorVu cameras. It’s not a trick they really are that good at night. You lose sharpness but get pictures all night without IR lights which means no spiders.

 

[waddycall]

4 Camera IP Kits & Systems | HiWatch & HiLook by Hikvision CCTV Kit | RF Concepts

4 camera CCTV kits and systems, including HiWatch & HiLook by Hikvision. IP kits include an NVR and a choice of bullet cameras, dome cameras or mix and match both! With remote viewing through a mobile, our IP kits are the ideal solution for business or home surveillance.

www.rfconcepts.co.uk

Whatever you decide to go for my advice is:
IP cameras - best quality
PoE (power over ethernet) runs the power for the camera down the network cable from the DVR.
Get a DVR with more ports than you think you’ll need. Min 8

Hikvision are arguably the best option but can be pricey. I haven’t used their budget Hilook stuff but I’d expect similar quality with fewer features. Which might be fine for you. Some of the better hikvision resellers have demo rooms set up. If you can, get a demo of the ColorVu cameras. It’s not a trick they really are that good at night. You lose sharpness but get pictures all night without IR lights which means no spiders.

Thanks Dev, great info. Can you have PoE and IP at the same time???

 

[gaz1]

dvr are ok but not good quality on images

ive upgraded mine too as im on ip cameras

a little more expense but worth it

i also use hidden cameras

Home outdoor CCTV, 2016.

Fair enough, I have the Swann system with the 4Tb hard drive and the 800 analogue (I think resolution cameras) I wish I'd gone for the 1080HD digital version (I think) as visually its not that impressive. Its quality well made stuff and easy to install and set up, it has 4 cameras and option to...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

IP gear is good.
But the plugs are a weak spot.
Get made up cables, with sealed plugs, plus seals on the connections.
Think about the weather when fixing them in position.
Cable length needs to be considered as well.

Some Hickvison gear you can filter out parts of the pictures for privacy reasons.

Plus get a decent recorder base, Good cameras are pointless if the recorder/ stowage unit is rubbish.

 

[brightspark]

I second hikvision. I've had good results with mine. Loads of information on youtube regards setting them up. Couldn't do without then now.

thats what all the professionals use u cant go far wrong and a good quality picture

 

[waddycall]

Thanks folks - starting get a feel for this. We have a detached bungalow with high eaves so thinking of going for this kit with a camera in each corner. Any thoughts?

4 Camera HiLook by Hikvision IP COMBO: 8ch NVR, 4 x HiLook 5MP Cameras [3178-2]

IP POE Contains: 1 x HiLook NVR POE H265+ high compression [3760] 4 x HiLook 4MP IR bullet cameras [3167-2] This kit does not include cables or a hard drive. Please select this option when adding to the basket if required. RF3944 IP kit contains an 8ch channel Network Video Recorder...

www.rfconcepts.co.uk

 

[m_c]

Thanks Dev, great info. Can you have PoE and IP at the same time???

Yes. In fact you'll probably struggle to get POE cameras that don't use IP.
IP = Internet Protocol, which means the cameras transmit over your network, not a video signal, so if they're POE, they've already got a network connection.

Personally, I'd go for quality IP cameras, then use a Synology or QNAP NAS to do the recording.

Or if you want cheaper, and have reliable broadband with good upload bandwidth, have a look at Ring cameras.

 

[Blobber]

My bit to add is I really don't like bullit cameras, to easy to poke with something and put them out of position, my preference is dome cameras

 

[Dev]

Thanks Dev, great info. Can you have PoE and IP at the same time???

You can. All PoE gear uses IP but not all IP stuff uses PoE and you’re stuck running power and data cables to each camera which is best avoided.

use a Synology or QNAP NAS to do the recording.

Not a bad option for if you already have a QNAP but then you also need a PoE switch. Bit more faff for a novice who wants a ‘it just works’ solution.

 

[gaz1]

Thanks folks - starting get a feel for this. We have a detached bungalow with high eaves so thinking of going for this kit with a camera in each corner. Any thoughts?

4 Camera HiLook by Hikvision IP COMBO: 8ch NVR, 4 x HiLook 5MP Cameras [3178-2]

IP POE Contains: 1 x HiLook NVR POE H265+ high compression [3760] 4 x HiLook 4MP IR bullet cameras [3167-2] This kit does not include cables or a hard drive. Please select this option when adding to the basket if required. RF3944 IP kit contains an 8ch channel Network Video Recorder...

www.rfconcepts.co.uk

if you can get a 8 or 9 system for pennys its worth the upgrade
remember worth updating your hard drives yearly

too high and the camers are near on useless

too low and they can get damaged

once there aware of them they cover up hence why i use hidden ones

now as ive done this and remember your the holder of this data

they must not enter a neighbours window
they can run down the line of fence but must not cover into neighbours garden ( height reference )

recording sound is a grey area but ive used this evidence in court some people do call there friends names when there causing damage

police and court case bang to rights it would have been stupid to claim im innocent

police or the court never questioned me on the subject of sound on the cctv evidence

 

[Olderisbetter]

Hikvision or Dahua POE are all i use, be prepared to head scratch a bit on PEO if you are not use to is but the results are worth it, My latest install was a Dahua pro unit which can handle 8 x 8MP 4K cameras with audio, we only use 5 ways on it but it leaves room to expand.

 

[waddycall]

Cheers all. I’ve changed my mind regards camera type and think domes might be better. Anyone see any issues with this kit?

8ch NVR-3760 and 4 x 5MP 2.8mm-3358 Camera IP HiLook by Hikvision COMBO [3156-2]

RF3156-2 Combo Kit: 1 x 8ch HiLook by Hikvision POE NVR NVR-108MH-C/8P [3760] 4 x 5MP 2.8mm HiLook Turret Dome IP cameras IPC-T250H-MU 3358 This kit does not include cables or a hard drive. Please select this option when adding to the basket if required. 4 camera IP combo kit, contains an 8...

www.rfconcepts.co.uk

I’ll add in 4 x cable. Hopefully installation should be pretty straight forwards as I’ll fit the cameras to the soffits and run the cables up into the loft. Not sure where to put the nvr yet.

 

[Dev]

NVR in the roof space handy to the camera cables and power line adapters to get a bridge to the broadband router if you don’t want to run a cable.