TheFixer

What do you mean by control? Some DVR's have IR for remotes, but the remotes are an option but not included. You can get a cheap tablet with WIFI and load the APP on it. Then all you need to do is keep it charged.

You can do that with most. Dahua makes an IP camera with a Micro SD card slot. You can configure the camera with it's own motion detection to record to the SD card. It is also sold under the SavvyPixel name and a few others I think. I use the 3MP and 4MP cameras. They have a lens at 2.8mm. I think I have seen a variable lens in this version, but don't recall if it was wifi.

So how do you make that work? Do you assign local IP addresses to the networked cameras?

Are you trying to put the NVR somewhere where it will be required to access the cameras over the internet? If that is the case, I don't think you can do it with a NVR. The cameras are accessible thru the internet, but you need a router with port forwarding and your WAN ISP provider IP address to do it. That will let you look at individual cameras. I am not an expert, but I have never seen a NVR be able to access cameras over the internet, but it might be possible. My NVR's need to be on the same network as stated above. I do not know your reason for doing this, because you can access the NVR over the internet to do anything you need. If you must do it, you probably want a PC based NVR software. I have never used one, but I think they are a lot more flexible, and more indented for what you are trying to do.

I have the same issue with a Chinese camera I bought. The only reason I bought it was for the audio input capabilities, but now it's useless since it won't record. I changed every option, and no luck.

At that price point, it doesn't really matter. Go to amazon, and find cameras that fit your price range that have a decent review. If you are doing WIFI, you need a WIFI router, power to all the cameras (a 12V power supply), and internet service at the site. It needs to be a reliable internet service since your PC will most likely not be on site at a rental property. Not sure what the rules are in CA, but in the US, landlords can access the house for maintenance. Extension cords and power supplies in attics can be dangerous if not done correctly. I suggest you re think your strategy overall. I am not clear on what you are trying to do. It sounds like you are trying to monitor a car you park on the street at a rental property, but you don't live there.

Do not buy any cameras or system under 1080P. My opinion is all these pre packages systems are mostly junk, but some are ok if you get a name brand. They tend to sell you on the specs for the NVR, but the cameras are less. You will get a better system if you spec out a NVR and cameras separate so you really get what you want, and you can always add more cameras on later. I prefer to pick out my own components, since things like the IR distance is important to me. Do not buy any systems with less than 8 channels. I would not go under 16 myself, even for a home, you always seem to be adding them on later. I use my extra channels to monitor inside the house when I travel. Broken pipe type stuff. I use a HDView 32Ch system and have ha no issues. Here is a 16Ch that is a good system. They do may a 8ch for a bit less. I would use Ethernet as much as possible rather than the wifi like said above. https://www.amazon.com/HDView-Channel-Ports-Cameras-Hikvision/dp/B0186VH0K2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485368599&sr=8-3&keywords=hdview+nvr

I agree, but I do have areas where there is power, but no means to get an Ethernet cable without major work. Always do Ethernet if you can. You need to make sure you have a signal which means a good router, and not too far away. I also use dedicated wifi routers with a different SSID just for the cameras.

I use the Dahua and SavvyPixel which I think are the same. I use them on a NVR, but they have SD slots and should work with any camera software. I also view them from the web page built into the camera.

I have been looking for IP cameras with audio input. I have some microphones I used on an analog system that had a audio input for each camera and they have a good range. The ones I seem to find are either expensive and more camera than I need or cheap or indoor spy cameras. I am looking for a simple bullet camera or possible dome. I have been using the Dahua or SavvyPixel cameras which I think our knock offs of Dahua. I bought this camera from eBay straight from China. It does exactly what I want, but would prefer a higher resolution than 2MP and a little better camera preferably in a 3-4MP. The SW on the camera is basic but works, the video seems ok, but I have not mounted it yet, as it is just being test right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/302001912559?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT It is on private property, so I am not concerned with the audio recording laws. Any thought or cameras that people have used would be helpful, thanks.

From my amateur opinion, but set up several systems any many cameras, the more the better. The higher resolution will get you a better picture farther away. With the higher MP, you have the ability to zoom in when needed. My main reason to go to IP higher MP was reading license plates. You can start to read them at 2MP (probably lower, but the distance is the factor), but at 3 or 4MP you can read them at a much farther distance. Like the previous post showed, you can go up to 60MP and so forth. You can also consider lens angle. The wider the angle, the more MP you will need to see a clear picture. Think of all those time you've seen on the news where they show the video, and you can't see crap. Usually because the object is farther away from the camera for the camera resolution.

I am not sure what exactly you are looking for, but I have been looking for cameras with audio input. The best I have found is a camera with 1 analog RCA input. If you have a mixer doing the mixing with one output, you can do it that way. I have found the cameras with the audio input are real expensive and more camera than I want, or real cheap and the video is not as good.

I have been using the Dahua and have had no issues. I also bought some from Amazon under the name SavvyPixel. I think they are Dahua knock offs. I but the 4MP because they will do 3MPO at 30fps. If you but they 3MP, they only do 3mp at 20fps. I also look very closely at the IR capabilities for my needs, and these both seem to have good IR coverage. I have mine set to a NVR so I don't need the software and web access to the camera beside configuration.