IP cameras to NAS, access NAS and videos from PC? (I'm new!)

[AwardTour 0]

I'm very new to this and a little overwhelmed. I've been reading and reading the last week or so and think I'm close to figuring out what I want to do

 

I'm very frugal and almost fell into the "$399 for a complete system!" trap that I think a lot of people do. Now I'm convinced I'm probably going to have to spend well over $500 if not $1000 for a decent little system (I know, decent is relative). I realize I should start out with two good cameras and maybe add a couple down the road (or possibly 2 good cameras and 3 or 4 crappy ones) then to start with 8 crappy cameras and want to replace it all in a couple months

 

I'm liking the Hikvision DS-2CD2032 3MP cameras. I'm thinking about getting two of those to start. Not sure if I should get the cheaper Chinese versions though? I've read conflicting info about being able to update them with English firmware. Can anyone say for sure if that is possible?

 

So, two of the Hikivision cameras for $400-$500. $45 for a PoE such as this http://www.amazon.com/WS-POE-8-48v60w-passive-Ethernet-Injector-cameras/dp/B0086SQDMM/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_y/192-1363283-6534261 and some CAT5e cable.

 

My current dilemma is what else do I need? I have a computer and router with 4 ports on it. Can I just run both cameras' CAT5e cables into the router? I assume no and that I need to buy a cheap switch and run them into that? Then I buy some software where I can view and record the cameras on my PC? And that's it??

 

Another option I think is to run the CAT5e cables from the cameras to a switch and connect that to a NAS? Then the cameras would record to the NAS, and I could have my PC connected to the NAS to watch the recorded footage? Why would I do this vs. using my PC? So I don't have to keep the PC on 24/7 and so it doesn't slow down my PC?

 

People use IP cameras and NVR/computers for various reasons, but one of those is for the higher resolutions, right? What would I do if I wanted to add a couple cheaper cameras down the road? Just buy cheap cameras and run those to my network switch too, right? I guess I'm just debating if I'd be better off getting a DVR and two decent non-IP cameras, and a few cheap cameras and just going that route vs. IP cameras/NAS/using my PC.

 

Thank you for any responses. I really appreciate any help.

[fenderman 0]

Don't go the analog route. The hiks har good and can be had for about 175 (Costco) Read this on recording the hiks to nas. http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1729...or just wait to Costco has the 4 cams + dvr on sale for 899.

http://www.costco.com/Swann-8-Channel-3MP-NVR-Security-System-with-2TB-HDD-and-4-1080p-Cameras.product.100070789.html

[AwardTour 0]

Thanks for the response.