New system advice please.

[jon539 0]

Hi All,

 

Great forum, I've found lots of good information here, just need some help putting it all together. Im looking to install a system for my home. I'm an IT consultant, familiar with running cables, have been working IT for 10+ years, so I can handle the networking, cabling, install and setup myself. I have ideas where I want to install the cameras and have routes for the wires all planned out. Im looking for 4-8 cameras, IP, PoE. Would like a discreet dome type camera, no PTZ needed right now. I've seen all in one systems like the AvertX from Costco, but think I can do better with purchasing cameras and a NVR separately. Need HDMI out for display on TV's in the house. Motion detect and email alerting a must. Need advice on camera brand and NVR brand. I liked Axis because I know they are great quality, but seem to be more commercial than residential, same with Speco. Any advice? Budget 2-4K, and again, im doing all the install and config, so thats a hardware only number.

 

Thanks in advance for all your help...

[PluffMud 0]

I'm going the Axis route for my house after narrowing down and agonizing between ACTi and Axis. I've been tinkering around with the $100 to $200 cameras and now that I have things where I want them it's time to upgrade. I just bought the Axis P3367 (5MP)...it should arrive this Friday.

 

There are a lot of brands to consider but ACTi is still a brand I'm considering after buying their E31 1MP camera. I'm about to help install and configure a new 6 camera ACTi system with the ACTi NVR so I may change course depending on that. I can still use the Axis cameras I buy.

 

Axis makes a great camera and supports edge recording which is one of my main reasons for going with it (ie: no additional hardware to be dependent on). The downside is that it doesn't have HDMI out for your TV. For that I have several HDMI Android dongles (I just got a quad core version) that I use for each TV in the house and think that is THE way to go. I can give you more info if you want on that. Once you get the HDMI dongle plug it up to your TV and download one of the security apps. The great thing is that you will not only have your security cameras on the TV but also have the internet, weather, etc just like an Android phone.

 

If you haven't already, check out network camera critic (don't know if I can post links)...it has been a HUGE help for me.

[PluffMud 0]

Oh another thing regarding your requirement for motion detecting and alerting: High on my list is a sensor input for the cameras I want alerts from. I've found doing alerting based on video motion by the camera usually generates a lot of false reports (which is just as bad IMO as not reporting).

 

I want the ability to connect a separate PIR sensor for very accurate alerts and also a IR trip beam for my driveway. With the IR trip beam I will get an alert each time a car or person breaks the beam which is pretty cool.

 

The P33 series Axis cameras have an input as well as the ACTi KCM-5611 (among others).

[jon539 0]

Great info, thanks. Im looking into ACTi now... Save me some money over Axis for sure...

[voip-ninja 0]

Hey Pluff, sounds like you're really taking your Axis setup to the next level. I would be interested on your experience with PIR and the infrared trip-beam sensor.

 

Of more immediately interest to me are the Android based HDMI pluggable computers. I actually run a Synology setup for recording of my Axis (and Samsung) cams and they have a pretty decent Android app (the iPad one is better, but c'est la vie). What pluggable Android stick would get the job done if I wanted to connect this thing to the TV in my family room and always have it running the Synology app?

 

Thanks

[PluffMud 0]

Yeah I definitely splurged on this camera !! I'll let you know how it works out with the sensors. Tracking says it should get it tomorrow but it requires a signature so hopefully someone will be home! Unfortunately I won't have a chance to mess with it over the weekend b/c I have a lot going on.

 

WRT the Android dongle, I have several and all should work for your synology app. Search for MK808b which is a dual core with the Mali-400 graphics processor or the newest one out (I just got in the mail) is the Tronsmart T428 quad core Android stick. Just be warned that these are great for what they are but are not ready for the end consumer yet. By that I mean there are several issues, the primary one being Wifi never seems to work right on them due to a flaw in the antenna wire. Wifi works but there are constant dropouts.

 

For my Android dongles (3 of them) I use a USB to Ethernet adapter. Also, you're going to need a wireless keyboard (with trackpad built-in) because typically all you're buying is just the HDMI dongle itself. With all that said, these little dongles have saved me from having to buy a dedicated computer for the kitchen and office to display the cameras and internet/weather/etc.

 

If you want, PM me and I'll help with the Android dongle (since it's OT for this thread).

[Kawboy12R 0]

Why not start a dongle thread and post a link here? Sounds like a great idea for a new thread.

[PluffMud 0]

Good idea...I have 3 of them so I'll post how I use them WRT my cameras. I think most of the people using IP-based cameras can benefit from it. I saw buellwinkle's site has a review of using one so he can provide input too.

[zikronix 0]

Those acti cameras look pretty cool. The b4x series is what I'm interested in and they aren't out yet. Lame. I want an outdoor bullet with protected cables