I am sure I could have set those up too but personally, when it comes to security, I’m not going with easy, convenient or cheap. I will leave it to the pros. But that is me personally as a single woman living alone.
Security cameras
- Thread starter Jubee
- Start date
I'm not going to mess with my current system because it works. You already know my stance on messing with things that already work
If it ain't broke....It looks like HikVision does have workarounds for using their software without Internet Explorer though. I'm glad Microsoft stopped supporting it, but there will always be software out there that needs it.
Alternative Strategies for Internet Explorer Web Services
@Jubee
I've had somewhat recent experience with 3 types of systems
1. Generic HHD based DVR with hard wired co-ax and/or IP (but I prefer IP) cameras
Most run on HikVision software. It is great, powerful software but you really need to know networking to make it work. Remote access direct to DVR through a Static IP. I set them up on their own VLAN separate from the normal home internet network.
I bought at one of the electronic stores beside Denny's and the Dixie and 401 incall hotspot! Pretty good support.
You can get them on amazon too but you have to be the one to install and administer them. Or else you will become your buddy's 24/7 Tech Dept. The documentation is not great and there is no real support for amachers.
These are cheap semi-kijiji guy pro-level systems.
2. Various wifi D-Link type $99 security cams. Wifi and wired IP in the same cam. Pretty good quality and you don't need any subscription.
3. Amazon Blink cams. I am actually really impressed with the system. Simple, reliable, good features and video quality. Full line of indoor, outdoor and doorbell units. All reliable and the outdoor unit lithium AA's were still strong every year I replaced hemm in the Fall. Were up north and worked down to -40C . Best of all, the app is super easy to configure and use.
Only downside is that some features are crippled unless you pay $10 a month for the subscription. And I only say downside is because of the gerneal entitlement of the public that all online services should be free. Or else it is a "rip off".
So in the end, unless your buddy has complex security needs, the Amazon Blink system seems like a good fit.
I've had somewhat recent experience with 3 types of systems
1. Generic HHD based DVR with hard wired co-ax and/or IP (but I prefer IP) cameras
Most run on HikVision software. It is great, powerful software but you really need to know networking to make it work. Remote access direct to DVR through a Static IP. I set them up on their own VLAN separate from the normal home internet network.
I bought at one of the electronic stores beside Denny's and the Dixie and 401 incall hotspot! Pretty good support.
You can get them on amazon too but you have to be the one to install and administer them. Or else you will become your buddy's 24/7 Tech Dept. The documentation is not great and there is no real support for amachers.
These are cheap semi-kijiji guy pro-level systems.
2. Various wifi D-Link type $99 security cams. Wifi and wired IP in the same cam. Pretty good quality and you don't need any subscription.
3. Amazon Blink cams. I am actually really impressed with the system. Simple, reliable, good features and video quality. Full line of indoor, outdoor and doorbell units. All reliable and the outdoor unit lithium AA's were still strong every year I replaced hemm in the Fall. Were up north and worked down to -40C . Best of all, the app is super easy to configure and use.
Only downside is that some features are crippled unless you pay $10 a month for the subscription. And I only say downside is because of the gerneal entitlement of the public that all online services should be free. Or else it is a "rip off".
So in the end, unless your buddy has complex security needs, the Amazon Blink system seems like a good fit.
Last edited:
I'm not going to mess with my current system because it works. You already know my stance on messing with things that already work
It looks like HikVision does have workarounds for using their software without Internet Explorer though. I'm glad Microsoft stopped supporting it, but there will always be software out there that needs it.
Alternative Strategies for Internet Explorer Web Services
www.hikvision.com
I agree with your philosophy!
I didn't, and really don't, understand the vagaries of your setup and IE etc. I just suggested it because it worked on the 2 HDD PVR systems I installed. They were way too troublesome and finicky and I told my one friend and the other a client that I wasn't going to help with them anymore. I set up Blink for them both and some family members and my places and, like my Mac's, they just work. No muss, no fuss, no tinkering.
My DVR system is good enough and was one of the few available when I bought it ~15 years ago. I've only had to get video from it once this year when there was suspicious activity in my area. That's when I found out how much of a pain it is to download video because the plugin software requires IE. I can download video right from the DVR because it has a has a VGA port, 1 USB port for a keyboard OR mouse and a network port. However, I have to use the on-screen up or down arrow keys to enter username / password. I think that modern DVR's still make you use the arrows keys and you can't use USB hubs or Bluetooth mice or keyboards for security reasons.I agree with your philosophy!
I didn't, and really don't, understand the vagaries of your setup and IE etc. I just suggested it because it worked on the 2 HDD PVR systems I installed. They were way too troublesome and finicky and I told my one friend and the other a client that I wasn't going to help with them anymore. I set up Blink for them both and some family members and my places and, like my Mac's, they just work. No muss, no fuss, no tinkering.
I could replace the whole system, but that will likely cost about $800 to $1000. I'll just keep running as-is and replace each camera with wireless ones as they inevitably fail.
I find wired systems easier to install than wifi systems. The camera I have at the back of the house is run with a single coaxial wire. No need to run a power line parallel to it, I have a power supply in the garage with battery back-up supplying power to the back camera as well as the front camera for the garage.
Insurance companies will not accept a wireless camera and/or alarm system for protection of high value persons or property if they stipulate that you have to have one. Governments do not use wireless/wifi systems because it can be compromised from the outside. I do not have such requirements put on me, but the reasons why wired systems are preferred by insurers and government agencies are clear.
About 10 years ago, did some research before installing 4 outside the house. Made the decision to install wired with powering voa the VCR, due to risks of jamming , freezing etc.
Never any issues with freezing, loss of connectivity.
Biggest challenge was the wiring, as had to mount vinyl pipes to accommodate the wiring, and holes into the house. Also no issues with remote access or play backs.
As someone said , security is important. Would not go to wireless in the future either.
I do not know how you could do that. since your camera system is originally wired. As cameras failed one by one, you would have to put in a device to receive the signal for the first camera and ad cameras as the others failed. I would think that it would be cheaper in the long run to replace the whole system. Or as in my case the original system was a 4 camera set up with a quad screen with DVR. None of the cameras have failed over 12 years but I have added a second 4 camera set up to cover more areas. Some areas are dual camera set ups giving me a wide and zoomed in view of the same area. The surveillance screens are at the back of the house at the end of a L shaped hallway with the double quad camera screens. Below that area in the basement is a second dual quad screen set up. From both places I can answer the front door without being at the front door. I have had a few suspicious incidents of people ringing my door bell. One was a Uber Eats guy at 8:00 PM claiming to be there on a delivery. He was not holding any food in his hands.
Imagine if the pandemic had gone much worse than it did? The streets might have been filled with the Cackling Dead preying on helpless victims and there may have been packs of marauding U-Men out to take their plunder.
Go to Electronics Row on the North side of Matheson west of Dixie in Sauga.
Or Angel on the NE corner
One or two of the shops does CCTV as a major line.
I went with an Eaglestar DVR and some 2mp POE cameras with integrate IR rings around the lens.
I have:
One that watches the driveway from just under front eave
One that watches the back yard from just under the back eaves.
One inside watching what comes in the front door
One under eave of my back yard shed- watches the hot tub close up, and down the side alley beside the garage in a further view.
One on an antenna tower near back yard shed that watches the back wall of the house.
I have 2 high output IR illuminators that have a photocell to auto turn them on. Run on 12-24V ac or dc.
10degrees high, 90 degrees wide 50W IR LEDS which are very bright. Meant to go high on a warehouse wall to watch the yard
Found them while on a walk at lunch on an unloved road in industrial area still NIB.
Too powerful for my back yard.
I could light up the bus stop just fine, or anywhere up to 200' away across the street and put the idle zoom cam I have to watch whatever.
In a public place, so legal,
it but that would just be creepy for me.
I have the DVR to do HD real time for the first 2 days then drop frames progressively to about 1 every second of every 30 seconds once 30 days old.
Installed it all by myself for under $900 about 7 years ago.
By now some IR leds on cams are burning out but everything works.
Other than needing to sweeping spider webs out periodically.
The spiders seem to like the heat of the IR sources at 10mm or so.
Or Angel on the NE corner
One or two of the shops does CCTV as a major line.
I went with an Eaglestar DVR and some 2mp POE cameras with integrate IR rings around the lens.
I have:
One that watches the driveway from just under front eave
One that watches the back yard from just under the back eaves.
One inside watching what comes in the front door
One under eave of my back yard shed- watches the hot tub close up, and down the side alley beside the garage in a further view.
One on an antenna tower near back yard shed that watches the back wall of the house.
I have 2 high output IR illuminators that have a photocell to auto turn them on. Run on 12-24V ac or dc.
10degrees high, 90 degrees wide 50W IR LEDS which are very bright. Meant to go high on a warehouse wall to watch the yard
Found them while on a walk at lunch on an unloved road in industrial area still NIB.
Too powerful for my back yard.
I could light up the bus stop just fine, or anywhere up to 200' away across the street and put the idle zoom cam I have to watch whatever.
In a public place, so legal,
it but that would just be creepy for me.
I have the DVR to do HD real time for the first 2 days then drop frames progressively to about 1 every second of every 30 seconds once 30 days old.
Installed it all by myself for under $900 about 7 years ago.
By now some IR leds on cams are burning out but everything works.
Other than needing to sweeping spider webs out periodically.
The spiders seem to like the heat of the IR sources at 10mm or so.
We put in hard wired cameras 5 years ago. More reliable than wireless. 4 cameras on each side of the house with monitoring system in the basement with app on my phone about 1200 bucks. No monthly fee. Good safe investment. Frankly even the site of cameras on your house (working or duds) is enough of a deterrent
Easier is a relative term and greatly dependant on your home. As I said earlier, you may run into Ethernet length issues if your DVR is in one cormer of the house and you want cameras on the opposite corner near the roof. These days, Power Over Ethernet (POE) cameras are very common even in commercial applications because Ethernet cable is cheap and plentiful. POE cameras also only need 1 cable. You can connect the Ethernet switch inside the house to a UPS.
I also don't have the insurance limitations you mentioned so a wireless camera system is fine with me.
I showed this to my friend and he told me "you figure this shit out, I know how to weld" lol
Why would I replace the whole system if my existing one is working fine including downloading videos from it? It's a pain to download the files, but still doable and I've only had to do it once in 15 years. If I am downloading videos regularly, it means that I need to move because my neighborhood is no longer safe. I only have a single wifi camera and all the rest are wired. I can keep running that way for the foreseeable future. I'll re-evaluate as more cameras or the DVR fails.
Wireless but the indoor Blink Mini uses a USB for power. You can use the Outdoor battery powered cam indoors if you don't want wires. Batt should last a tear or more.
I have 2 discrete indoor Mini's in my condo. Biggest risk in most condos is the fucking Security gaurds themselve and the routine maintenance trades. Especially higher end places with Concierge. I'm not in a story tellling mood tonight but trust me on it.
One lesser example.
Pisses me off that when they entered last time they came for a trade to do a drywall parch after some post-flood inspect upstairs, that the guard looked through my open mail! Was some year end tax and finance statements. He knows me and I guess he knows if I'm broke or rich! LOL. Didn't steal anything or go anywhere else. But that is a firing offence.
I wrote the do-nothing Prop Manager and he blew me off. Told him I was CERTAIN about it because the papers weren't in the same place and order. So I let him hang himself by saying how trustworthy they are, how I must be mistaken etc.
Then I wrote again and cc'd the Board and attached the video clip! It was just last week so we'll see what happens. I'm aiming to take out the Manager and the Management company. They are arrogant and complacent incumbents. We need fresh eyes here.
Security cams and dash cams are a game changer.
The fun and joy of living in a condo is that you can't drill holes in the walls to run cables. The best you can do is use those 3M Command strips to try to keep your cables tidy-ish.
WIFI reliability has gotten much better of the years and is very dependant on factors like the distance between the AP, specific devices and the materials between them. I have an AP in the garage that has line of sight to my wifi camera. The garage door is wood so there's no intereference. Theoretically, if someone parks a metal truck in front of my garage door there might be some intereference.
A physical cable is technically more reliable than wifi, but it's hard to measure by exactly how much. If wifi was truly so unreliable, then we would not have wireless POS's or barcode readers.
Yes this is what I do now. And I hate it lol. Would prefer a clean wireless set up. May be get the Blink Outdoor camera and mount it on a double sided tape mount instead of using the out of the box mount for which you need to drill holes??
Other than "bird watching", why would you need an outdoor camera on your balcony?
You could put a camera inside near your balcony door if your worried about people trying to come in.
