Best budget cctv camera?

[socalfusions 0]

What cctv cameras are considered the best bang for your buck? I'm looking for something I can place outside that will provide good surveillance footage in addition to good audio recording 24 hours a day. Should I be looking for a wired or wireless setup if I'm on a budget? Looking at stuff like http://www.amazon.com/SecurityIng-Colorful-Security-Distance-Waterproof/dp/B005G66494 that has good reviews makes me believe I can actually get cctv coverage at a really low price. Are cameras in this price range too good to be true? For coverage the camera will be at the front of my house to monitor our driveway and street, somewhere around 25 feet in range. I'd like another camera for my back as well but with superior audio than the front one if it saves money by having the front have poor to no audio.

[milkisbad 0]

I would not go anything below 700 TVL in this day and age.

[socalfusions 0]

I would not go anything below 700 TVL in this day and age.

 

Could you recommend me the most popular budget 700 TVL CCTV cameras with video and video/audio?

 

I tried to research some models and came across ones like this:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Evertech-Cctv-Security-Camera-Surveillance/dp/B004GMAAJY/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415965187&sr=1-5&keywords=700+TVL+cctv

 

Good reviews and 700 TVL. However most of these cameras don't seem to come with audio, is that the norm for cctv cameras?

 

For wiring will this suffice:

 

http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Pre-made-Video-Security-Cameras/dp/B000P8X65S/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_y

 

I see that this particular camera is bought with this additional power supply:

 

http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Security-Adapter-Connectors-PW154/dp/B002WM8ZV0/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_z

 

which I'm assuming is need to keep the camera running as the first cord is just for picture? Would I be able to directly wire this camera to my PC and have streaming video on a monitor that can be recorded somehow? Is additional equipment required to be able to view the video on a smartphone and receive email/text alerts for motion sensor activated footage?

[CYANiDE 0]

Start by setting a budget and go from there. Hunting for the cheapest thing will cost more in the long run. You can get decent cameras for $50 a pop and a DVR for $80.

[socalfusions 0]

Start by setting a budget and go from there. Hunting for the cheapest thing will cost more in the long run. You can get decent cameras for $50 a pop and a DVR for $80.

 

$50 is right in my range but is a DVR necessary? I was thinking about just connecting straight to my PC if possible.

[Boogieman 1]

Those cams you linked to are crap..how are you going to plug it into your computer? what software? you need a card for those BNC connectors...the image will be terrible

Get a few of these ip cameras http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Dahua-1-3-Megapixel-720P-ONVIF-3-6mm-20m-IR-Bullet-IP-Camera-12v-PoE-IP66/514412_1378587409.html

Run dahuas free pss software on your pc...you will need a poe switch..about 50 bux for 4 ports poe..

[socalfusions 0]

Those cams you linked to are crap..how are you going to plug it into your computer? what software? you need a card for those BNC connectors...the image will be terrible

Get a few of these ip cameras http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Dahua-1-3-Megapixel-720P-ONVIF-3-6mm-20m-IR-Bullet-IP-Camera-12v-PoE-IP66/514412_1378587409.html

Run dahuas free pss software on your pc...you will need a poe switch..about 50 bux for 4 ports poe..

 

Could you give me more information on the camera you linked? What is the difference between CCTV and IP? I saw similar style cameras on Amazon for a bit under that price range and the shipping was free unlike the $20 on the Alibaba one which I believe are all overseas products. Is it not possible to connect a camera to your pc? I see you mentioned purchasing pc software. I was under the assumption there was a way after reading different guides on it such as http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-cctv-camera-computer-60833.html .

[CYANiDE 0]

Those cams you linked to are crap..how are you going to plug it into your computer? what software? you need a card for those BNC connectors...the image will be terrible

Get a few of these ip cameras http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Dahua-1-3-Megapixel-720P-ONVIF-3-6mm-20m-IR-Bullet-IP-Camera-12v-PoE-IP66/514412_1378587409.html

Run dahuas free pss software on your pc...you will need a poe switch..about 50 bux for 4 ports poe..

 

Could you give me more information on the camera you linked? What is the difference between CCTV and IP? I saw similar style cameras on Amazon for a bit under that price range and the shipping was free unlike the $20 on the Alibaba one which I believe are all overseas products. Is it not possible to connect a camera to your pc? I see you mentioned purchasing pc software. I was under the assumption there was a way after reading different guides on it such as http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-cctv-camera-computer-60833.html .

 

You can use a PC but I wouldn't bother doing that unless you have a dedicated setup. In some cases you can plug in to your home PC but will lose video if you lose power to the PC or turn it off.

 

Where are you located?

 

I would go with some Hikvision TVI cameras, Hikvision DVR, 1TB HDD, a spool of copper siamese cable and you can have the system installed for not too much money. PM me if you need any more assistance since I rarely get on the forums.

[dalepres 0]

I put in an analog surveillance system a couple years ago and found it very lacking. If you get high resolution cameras - especially anything above 520 lines, you have to be sure to get a high resolution DVR as well - a full D1 or even a 960 line DVR is available but they won't be the cheapest. Otherwise you can also spend a thousand dollars on a quality DVR card for a PC. In either case, I found that the cost of an analog system approached the cost of an IP camera system pretty quickly. Inexpensive IP cameras can be found for just over a hundred dollars that perform pretty well up to 3MP and beyond. If you consider 50 dollars a camera for an analog camera plus 50 dollars in DVR or PC DVR port, you're pretty close to the price of an inexpensive IP camera.

 

And the difference in video quality between even 700 lines and 1080P is amazing.

 

If, for any reason, you (or future readers of this thread) choose to go analog anyway, as a start, I suggest running CAT5e cable or better for your cameras and using baluns or cheap adapters where they work to run even your analog cameras. I am in the middle of ripping open walls and replacing analog cameras with IP cameras; I'm about 1/2 done. Of course you could go coax and then buy SDI cameras (serial digital interface) later since they will run on the coax but SDI cameras and DVRs are more expensive than comparable IP camera parts.

[dalepres 0]

Those cams you linked to are crap..how are you going to plug it into your computer? what software? you need a card for those BNC connectors...the image will be terrible

Get a few of these ip cameras http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Dahua-1-3-Megapixel-720P-ONVIF-3-6mm-20m-IR-Bullet-IP-Camera-12v-PoE-IP66/514412_1378587409.html

Run dahuas free pss software on your pc...you will need a poe switch..about 50 bux for 4 ports poe..

 

Boogieman, have you tried the cameras from aliexpress? I need several more cameras and those are some pretty amazing prices. To keep compatibility with what I have already I am looking for cameras that run on UC software but those are available on aliexpress, too. I've just never bought anything from them but I'd like to try it out.

[yl_fang 0]

Theoratcally analga tech coun't go over than 700 TVL, more than that are actually facke parameters although most factory are marking like 900, 1000

 

I would not go anything below 700 TVL in this day and age.

[Boogieman 1]

Yes those are the original dahua, 1.3 mp cameras that many folks got years ago...i have them running in installations for a few years with no issues..they have very good night vision (1.3mp will in general have better night vision than the newer 3mp)

here is a review

http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=882

 

When buying on aliexpress, use a reputable seller. Its like ebay from china..

My preference is the 2332 hikvision turret (about 85)..if you want a bullet then the 2032. Both are 3mp

What is UC software? if its proprietary camera manufacturer software i doubt anything else will run on it.

[dalepres 0]

UC is the canned software that came with the first IP cameras I bought. It isn't fancy but it works for me. I have 5 cameras on it now but I'm considering changing to Hikvision or Dahua just because of the poor support from the original vendor. I have found some other cameras that use the UC software on Aliexpress so there's hope of saving what I have already.

[Boogieman 1]

UC is the canned software that came with the first IP cameras I bought. It isn't fancy but it works for me. I have 5 cameras on it now but I'm considering changing to Hikvision or Dahua just because of the poor support from the original vendor. I have found some other cameras that use the UC software on Aliexpress so there's hope of saving what I have already.

Its silly to chase bad software with other cams that support it, you are throwing good money after bad...take you loss, either sell the cams and switch to a vendor that has a good integrated vms or move to a multi-platform vms...

Second, i would not buy 720p in this day and age...1080 is just a bit more...

I run my hikvisions in 1080 mode because it actually provides a wider horizontal view over the 3mp mode..(it will give you a wider fov than dahua with the same lens specs)..

[bugeyes 0]

I would just get a system offer from Costco if you have one nearby...