Beginner questions about a good camera system.....

[ilzho 0]

Hi:

 

I am thinking of getting a camera or 2 for my home, but I do have a few questions.

A friend has FosCam C2 and likes it.

 

What's a good camera system for the home with 1-2 cameras?

I have heard that you can get a camera type of card that keeps the recorded data on it, so you don't have to store the data elsewhere, like a dvr or cloud system.

 

I would like for it to record on motion detected, but also have the ability to take a picture if needed. Like if the mailman drops off a package at my door or if someone steals it.

So I need a system with great quality.

 

I would like to be able to watch it from work or a different location, but have a questions about data usage.

At home I have TWC wireless.

I assume the camera system can hook into this and while I'm at home on my Wifi network I can view and record without using an data usage when viewing it on my ATT data plan Iphone. Yes the camera card would hold the recorded data.

How about when I am at work; if I use my phone to watch the activity, I will use up data via the phone, but if I am on wifi, through work, I wouldn't use up any phone data? Do I have this right?

 

Or if I log into my work computer and access the camera system, I would not use any data?

 

Sorry, for all the questions, just trying to get some correct answer as this is new to me.

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

Thank you,

David

[Daryl733 0]

I have heard that you can get a camera type of card that keeps the recorded data on it, so you don't have to store the data elsewhere, like a dvr or cloud system.

Problem with this design is that if you put the camera in accessible location, e.g. outside your door so you can capture whoever steal your mail, the person can also take away your camera with the recorded footage. That's why DVR/NVR is still useful. Even if the camera get stolen/damage, the recording is secure.

 

I would like for it to record on motion detected, but also have the ability to take a picture if needed. Like if the mailman drops off a package at my door or if someone steals it.

Picture emailing sounds good, until you really implement it.

Most system takes a number of snapshot when motion is triggered. It'll then stop and wait for the next event. Sometimes there's also a delay to prevent constant triggering. Depending on when the motion even is triggered, you might have the thief at an angle where it's not optimum. That's why video recording still trump snapshot in this situation. You could however trigger a pic email to be send to you and do concurrent video recording.

The downside is that the system is based on video motion. This means that any changes in the video stream including tree swaying, insect flying across the camera, shadow across the camera view will trigger the video motion. You'll definitely receive constant multiple alerts everyday.

 

I would like to be able to watch it from work or a different location, but have a questions about data usage.

At home I have TWC wireless.

I assume the camera system can hook into this and while I'm at home on my Wifi network I can view and record without using an data usage when viewing it on my ATT data plan Iphone. Yes the camera card would hold the recorded data.

How about when I am at work; if I use my phone to watch the activity, I will use up data via the phone, but if I am on wifi, through work, I wouldn't use up any phone data? Do I have this right?

Your phone should only consume data when you are using it to view.

 

Can't really recommend any equipment, all depends on your budget and requirement. You'll got to see what's available in your location. But if you are looking at Foscam, then you are basically looking at budget/cheap range.