Good Outdoor Day/Night Camera?

[VirtualPanther 0]

Hi,

I'm new here and I am hoping you guys can help me to sort though all the marketing lingo and help pick out a cam.

 

I need a good outdoor day/night camera that is:

• 
  - IP-based
  - does not need DVR (has on-board SD-slot and/or can record to NAS)
  - supports PoE
  - supports motion-tracking (to trigger recordings and message alerts)
  - able to see a good distance in total darkness (say, 100 feet or more)
  - ideally, maker has a good iPhone app (my main method of access)
  - if it's a wall-mounted half-dome, then wide angle is a must
  - good web management interface via browser is always good (for entering e-mail address to send alers to, etc.

 

Given the above list, what is a reasonable price range? Let's just say I like what Mobotix offers but that is too pricey...

 

Thanks in advance for your ideas and other input.

 

P.S.: so far the only advice I have from another forum (they wer trying to mind cost) was Sharx Security SCNC3606.

[Korgoth Of Barbaria 0]

I sugest GeoVision GV-VD120D.

Day/Night vandal proof dome cam with rly good low light sensitivity. 15 IR leds, SD storage, computar megapixel lens, wide angle of view, PoE, iPhone app.

You can set schedule or motion recording on SD card, or just send alerts to email or FTP.

 

+ You get free GeoVision NVR software

[VirtualPanther 0]

Thanks,

I looked up GeoVision GV-VD120D and it seems to be a very good IP camera, except for a few things that I could not answer definitively:

- i can't tell if it is a true PoE cam, that is, can I use my existing Netgear PoE switch to power it;

- it does not seem to support direct recording to a network drive (i.e. NAS), instead relying on PC and software running on it

- it does not seem to have a manufacturer-designed native iPhone / iPad app, similar to ones existing for Axis, Sony, etc.

- short IR range (only 15 feet)

- browser support does not app era to be comprehensive (i.e. Can I control PTZ remotely?)

 

Finally, and that is my own omission, I need a wall mounted camera. I am attempting to monitor a large area and circular driveway in front of a two-car garage. I plan to mount the cam between two garage doors.

 

Once again, thank you very much for offering advice. As a matterof fact, I have a perfect application for this camera down the road (frontdoor patio). But for now, I am still searching for that perfect cam for my garage entrace/long driveway monitoring.

[Soundy 1]

Geovision's page states specifically that it supports PoE: http://www.geovision.com.tw/english/Prod_GVIPCAMVD120D.asp

 

 

Most domes - including this one - can be mounted directly to a wall, or hung from the wall with a pendant mount.

[VirtualPanther 0]

Thanks, I'm just new at this and want to be sure before spending money. Besides, I wasn't sure if support for PoE meant separate power injector, like the one I use with my outdoor access point, or if I could use my own PoE switch. Plus all the other requirements I wasn't sure about being supported by this cam.

Thanks again,

[Soundy 1]

"PoE" or "Power over Ethernet" is generally described by the standard IEEE 802.3af; if a device states that it supports 802.3af, then it should work with any 802.3af source, be it a switch or injector. In theory, if it states PoE, that SHOULD refer to 802.3af as well (although some cheaper off-shore manufacturers may fudge this a bit).

 

The other requirements, I don't know... some networks storage devices include NVR functionality and will support a number of cameras, whether those cameras specifically support writing to a network drive or not.

[VirtualPanther 0]

OK, Soundy,

Given your experience and what you know, can you list a few cameras that you would choose for my situation? If you keep my needs in mind, there must be more than one camera that fits the bill, right? Some of my so-called requirements are just common sense. For example, I'm standing in front of my two-door garage entrance and the width of the area calls for a wide angle lens. From that point until the end of driveway it's a few hundred feet. The more I can see of that at night with no lights on, the better. I use home automation software from HomeSeer, which relies on cameras being IP-based in order to access them. And so on...

 

If I have a list of models to choose from, that would hopefully make the right choice easier.

 

Thanks again to everyone here for their help.

[ak357 0]

OK, Soundy,

Given your experience and what you know, can you list a few cameras that you would choose for my situation? If you keep my needs in mind, there must be more than one camera that fits the bill, right? Some of my so-called requirements are just common sense. For example, I'm standing in front of my two-door garage entrance and the width of the area calls for a wide angle lens. From that point until the end of driveway it's a few hundred feet. The more I can see of that at night with no lights on, the better. I use home automation software from HomeSeer, which relies on cameras being IP-based in order to access them. And so on...

 

Ask your self simple ?

What do u expect to see at few hundred feet away from your garage ?

what details ?

u want ID Face and wide angle ?

u want general view ?

[thewireguys 3]

From your list of requirements you have 2 options Mobotix and VideoIQ.... Both will do what you want but you said you don't want to pay that much. I would adjust your budget or your requirements to get what you want.

[Soundy 1]

"Common sense" says that everyone's requirements are different. You may not need to identify someone at the end of that few-hundred-foot driveway... someone else might find that important. At that range, you're not going to get significant detail at the end of the driveway, if you use a wide enough angle to cover the full width, regardless of what resolution camera you use. So you need to determine what level of detail you require vs. the field of view - do you need to identify people, or just capture general activity in the area?

 

IR coverage to "a few hundred feet" will also not be achieved with built-in IR, so you're looking at external IR illuminators... possibly additional units along the length of the driveway. If there's ANY ambient light (street lights, etc.) you might be better off looking at good low-light cameras instead of fussing about with IR.

 

You need to see if your HomeSeer software has a list of specific cameras it supports, because not all IP cameras communicate in the same "language". You also need to confirm whether it supports megapixel cameras, or just VGA-resolution IP cameras. All the cameras suggested so far are megapixel, which won't do you much good if the software doesn't support them.

[VirtualPanther 0]

Guys,

Your input is extremely helpful. It also makes a lot of sense. Let me see if I can clarify my list of demands

 

- in a perfect world, being able to see and ID everyone at any distance would be great, but... Realistically speaking, I only use the length of my driveway in description to illustrate that I am looking for the most length practically achievable with an IR cam or decent quality.

- I have no need to ID anyone unless they get close to my house; let's say when they are almost all the way up the driveway and are 50-80 feet away from garage entrance.

- if I have to choose between clarity and wide angle, I will choose clarity. I can always mount the camera right on the corner of the house (instead of between two garage doors) and get a view this way. In that case, I will need suggestions on what lens (or camera that comes with specific lens) I should be looking for. Imagine a two-car garage entrance and a drowsy approaches them sort of from one side, closer to middle. I was thinking wide angle because my driveway starts as one entrance and then splits into a oval, wit trees in between, joining together again by the time it reaches garage.

- Mobotix is definitely out of my price range. Since my final goal is to have about 4 cameras (one at each potential entrance), then keeping the per-cam cost at under $500 would be great. Of course, this first one has the longest requirements list. Other are simpler and, hopefully, can be covered by cheaper cameras.

- my home automation software, HomeSeer, uses a plug in that relies on a web address to view snap shots captured by camera. The program does not care about anything else. Because the home automation software is not capable to capture or control live video stream, I really need a separate app on iPhone and iPad to do that. I was planning to rely on home automation software for notifications (motion detected by camera, photo is taken, emailed to me). I would then, if need be, open the camera iPhone app and view live stream, access stored video from the point when motion triggered recording, control camera, etc. Thatis why, after reading many reviews on apps designed by camera makers (i.e. Axis, Sony, Foscam, etc.), I realiEd that I would get the highest level of control over camera by using the app designed by the same people who made that camera. Since I currently do not have any cameras, I am free to choose one that has a solid, well-rated app already made for it.

 

Whew... Sorry for such a long worded explanation. I am just so lost at this, partially so because instead of just buying the first Foscam suggested, I decided to research the topic a little bit. Look where that got me

[Soundy 1]

The problem with interfacing to HomeSeer is that not all cameras will let it simply grab a still image, either. Some allow you to grab a still with a simple URL (IQEye is an example - http://camera.ip/now.jpg is all it needs). Others won't show you a thing unless you go in from a browser, load an ActiveX control, and then login to the camera (HIKvision and Arecont for a couple examples). The former type SHOULD work with your HomeSeer plugin... pretty sure the latter will not.

 

That's why you need more info from the plugin developer as to what cameras are supported.

 

As far as iPad/iPhone viewing, most cameras will let you view their web interface directly, so you don't require a separate app, but you would need one that works without ActiveX or Flash. Some will also send their video stream from a URL, again allowing you to view it directly without the need of an app.

 

If you want to view recorded video, however, you'll need either a camera with built-in recording, that also has an app or supports multi-browser viewing, or an NVR that meets those same criteria. A camera that simply writes to a NAS may not allow you to pull the recorded video back off for playback.

 

But first things first: if you want it to work with HomeSeer, you need to find out what cameras will be supported, and narrow your list down to that...

[VirtualPanther 0]

Well, getting to the bottom of what is supported by HomeSeer has proved to be exceptionally difficult. They claim that "...any camera with a built-in web server is supported" and that their NetCam plugin "... allows you to enter URL to a snapshot image from the camera". That vague description has to be coupled with the fact that, according to their forums, users have varying success implementing this and that camera.

 

So... I think the only thing I can do is try picking the camera that fits these non-specific guidelines and satisfies my needs as described and hope that it works. In all honesty, if the camera has an SD slot and supports access of iimages via URL (no additional ActiveX, Flash, etc.), then from what I gathered it should be absle to work with the HomeSeer home automation software. If, after receiving a notification email, I wish to view a live stream or a recorded clip, I can do it by using an iPhone app, or a browser.

 

I am not sure if I will get more information from developer of plugin, so I may have to work with what i have.

 

Eagerly awaiting suggestions.

[Backlash 0]

I'm also interested in this. I have a WD My World Book NAS that I'd like to be able to loop 5 days to directly, from an outdoor camera. I can mount the camera next to a motion light on my eaves but I need to be able to identify from 50' away day/night.

 

Any suggestions here? I'm very new to security cameras, but an extremely irate and vengeful neighbor has me worried.

 

I'd prefer $200 or less. Wireless, wired, either is fine. Mid latitudes (DC) so -20F-120F and waterproof...

[VirtualPanther 0]

I'm also interested in this. I have a WD My World Book NAS that I'd like to be able to loop 5 days to directly, from an outdoor camera. I can mount the camera next to a motion light on my eaves but I need to be able to identify from 50' away day/night.

 

Any suggestions here? I'm very new to security cameras, but an extremely irate and vengeful neighbor has me worried.

 

I'd prefer $200 or less. Wireless, wired, either is fine. Mid latitudes (DC) so -20F-120F and waterproof...

 

I am not sure if you'll get acceptable quality for under $200, but I am not an expert....

I was leaning towards the following:

http://www.sharxsecurity.com/products.html#outdoor

 

I was going to get their non-Wi-Fi outdoor camera, which uses PoE, has an on-board SD card, writes to NAS, although night range is smaller than I'd like (45 ft).

 

Their outdoor cameras seem to be getting great reviews, but I am sure the pros here would prefer a different setup, with DVR and all.

 

I honestly have not yet had a single usable suggestion on a specific camera that I could look up, price, and see if it works for me. Quite disappointing.

 

Best of luck to you.

[floodland 0]

 

I am not sure if you'll get acceptable quality for under $200, but I am not an expert....

I was leaning towards the following:

http://www.sharxsecurity.com/products.html#outdoor

 

I was going to get their non-Wi-Fi outdoor camera, which uses PoE, has an on-board SD card, writes to NAS, although night range is smaller than I'd like (45 ft).

 

Their outdoor cameras seem to be getting great reviews, but I am sure the pros here would prefer a different setup, with DVR and all.

 

I honestly have not yet had a single usable suggestion on a specific camera that I could look up, price, and see if it works for me. Quite disappointing.

 

Best of luck to you.

 

I have one of these cameras, I got it for $250 or so I believe, the SCNC3606 and it's a great little camera. The night viewing is good for a reasonable distance (about 30') and there is no flicker at night. I believe they can also be found as Y-Cam and some other random companies. The support from Sharx is good but beware they do not offer any manuals or firmware online, you have to have them do it remotely

[VirtualPanther 0]

Thanks!

How do you update firmware "remotely"?

[floodland 0]

Thanks!

How do you update firmware "remotely"?

 

You give Sharx the IP and change the administrator password so they can do the update.

[VirtualPanther 0]

Thanks!

How do you update firmware "remotely"?

 

You give Sharx the IP and change the administrator password so they can do the update.

Wow

[Backlash 0]

A security camera with a security flaw? Nice!

[Sawbones 0]

Thanks!

How do you update firmware "remotely"?

 

You give Sharx the IP and change the administrator password so they can do the update.

Wow

 

Umm... the hell with that.

[VirtualPanther 0]

Hello again, everyone

It's been some time since I have started this topic and in that time I have done some of my own research and, as advised in the above posts, have made some tough choices to make my list of "demands" a bit more realistic.

Obviously, something like Mobotix looks very attractive. Unfortunately, that price range for routine residential surveillance is difficult to swallow...

I have purchased a very simple, cheapo Foscam PTZ. No, not for my outdoor needs that were a precursor to this topic. I use it as a baby cam. Having it allowed me to experiment with both iPhone IP Cam monitoring (the most important need) and integration into my HomeSeer home automation system. As a result, I learned the so-called "integration" into home automation essentially does the same thing as any decent iPhone app and camera combo: e-mail alerts, FTP upload, etc. So, I don't really have to have a home automation compatibility. It will be just fine to get an alert from a camera and then use its app to look at the house remotely, or use home automation app to turn lights, etc. on and off.

 

I have also evaluated my budget. Given my big parking pad in front of a two car garage and circular driveway in front of that, I want to cover that as much as I can, within a reason. I realize that attempting to do face recognition at the end of driveway would require a whole different range of equipment. I don't need that. But I do need something better than a $200 IP cam with cheap lens that shows everything fuzzy, is unable to auto-adjust brightness and contrast, and can only see 25 feet with IR.

 

I have looked extensively at various specs from Axis, Vivotec, and some others. I just do not have enough knowledge of the subject to make a firm choice. I am attaching some links to pictures of the garage side of the house below, just to give you a visual of what I am trying to accomplish:

http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/external/8998809_4240399_76724220_Web_3/0_0_249bf8c0f972ea90cb4131c1d17c9126_1

http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/external/8998809_4240399_76724276_Web_3/0_0_fbc7048391225ef0ba5ddcec576e0839_1

http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/external/8998809_4240399_76724223_Web_3/0_0_d8ec61043368fd33dae80d0e4f3d318f_1

 

As you can see from the shots above, covering entire parking pad/garage area and driveway with one camera in unrealistic. Plus, ther really isn't any need for that. What a want to be able to see perfectly during the day and OK at night is the second image. Ideally, of course.

I do want to use PoE (my network area is right below in basement) and I don't want this cam to freeze/fog up in our high humidity in summer and freeze/thaw in winter weather. I was "thinking" of mounting either a ptz between garage doors, or a bullet cam under patio roof (left on picture, next to column). Not sure which one is better. Like the idea of PTZ. Not sure if it's way more money and troubles.

 

If you have a camera model in mind, please speak up. My patience in trying to figure this out is slowly disappearing