Recommendation for Home System - Coming from Q-see

[kurtis500 0]

Im replacing a 6 camera 8ch DVR system I purchased back in 13' for my home. This is the system except it had 6 cameras

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B009AJ8ZJU

 

I would like good resolution and a reliable system. My budget is around $500-600, maybe a little higher if I can get a few more cameras. I would prefer 8 cameras over the current 6, but Im aware that some of the good 4 camera 8ch systems are at my budget limit already. Ive been reading up about Reolink and Amcrest and now also looking at Hikvision and Dahua. They all seem to be a couple steps above.

 

Here's the things Ive come to value in the system and are looking for in the next:

 

-Decent resolution. I like the 4mp. I havent experienced 4mp vs 2mp so maybe 2mp is good enough..?? I havent had the need for reading license plates in the last 4 years.

-Night vision. The Q-see worked and I would like at least the same or better. I have two mounted on my shop crossing each other in the alley

-One camera is used for longer distance viewing of the business parking lot behind my house.

-Audio would be very nice to have. But Ive lived without it so far. Maybe audio on only a couple of them

-Internet accessibility on Iphone and laptop. Q-See was fairly reliable so I could view the system no mater where I was. Very important. I prefer to NOT pay monthly for a service to access through my phone or computer.

-Motion sensing. Q-see had an option to email when an area of the camera sensed motion. This was useful when waiting for a package to arrive at the front door.

 

 

All 6 cameras currently have power run to them and the standard BNC cables in place. I could run Cat5 if an upgraded system requires it.

 

The DVR was 1TB, but I dont really need a max capacity DVR. As long as it holds the video for around 2 weeks or more Im fine with it. I plan to look into cloud storage as well.

 

With some expert advice I am willing to peice together a system to replace the current one.

 

Lastly, at least two of the cameras could be re-used even with the 600tvl resolution. One of them would be mounted inside the garage and simply used for me to check and be sure both garage doors are down in case my wife forgets to shut them... So a system with the ability to add the old cameras could save money better adding value to the above list of priorities.

 

Thanks in advance!