Outdoor CCTV Video Cameras for Home Security

Act as a deterrent, particularly at night as you see the IR lights if you look at the camera.

Recommended

Dahua and Hikvision OEM and international models and highly recommended. Hikvision is the other manufacturer I’d feel OK with using, but they’re just now starting to produce cameras that match the low-light performance of Dahua’s Starlight series. I learned that Hikvision and Dahua were some of the top OEMs for security cameras – however, as pointed out by @aristobrat Dahua is currently in the lead with their “starlight” models which work very well for nighttime images. Thus I am currently getting Dahua products.

EmpireTecAndy shows how to tell if you have an Original English model:
“I always recommend original English models which can be found on” Search – Dahua Technology

Aristobrat has already pointed out the most popular camera for this forum as well as a link to the super long discussion:
Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)
Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

Avoid Dahua Chinese market cameras – while very affordable – you may have issues updating the firmware, and some cameras have various services running which appear to “call home” – thus if you do get them you will have to be certain to properly secure them. [ edit – 8/6/2017 – you should expect to have daylight saving time issues with the Chinese market cameras as China does not have a day light saving time adjustment ]

Costco sell Dahua cameras and the Q-see brand name. Lorex is mostly Dahua OEM rebrand without the IVS features. Dahua OEM or Q-see retain the IVS features for products which have it.

LaView are also Dahua OEM https://www.laviewsecurity.com/product/saturn-by-laview/saturn-5mp-ip-bullet-camera-473.html.

mostly for Dahua Starlight cameras. I have a couple of %321’s and like them, but unless you have a close up image capture, zooming in on an image will probably not produce a usable facial ID from much distance. the advantage of the Starlights in the dark. can turn off the IR and rely only on ambient light and the IR from other cams. No bugs, or glare from surroundings, washed out faces, etc.  

the most popular cameras for the last few months here have been the Dahua Starlight models here:
Dahua 2MP Starlight Lineup

2 Dahua starlight turrets or bullets

This one will give you an even better night view.. but will cost about 2x what the Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z) does.
Dahua Ultra Starlight Varifocal Bullet (IPC-HFW8232E-Z)
Dahua Ultra Starlight Varifocal Bullet (IPC-HFW8232E-Z)

Dahua Starlight Varifocal Bullet Z5 7-35mm (IPC-HFW5231E-Z5)
Dahua Starlight Varifocal Bullet Z5 7-35mm (IPC-HFW5231E-Z5)

8MP Non-Starlight HDW5830R-Z Camera https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/dahua-8mp-non-starlight-hdw5830r-z-review.21550/

Here’s a link to the review thread of the most popular Starlight, which is the varifocal turret:
Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

Dahua products https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/allProducts/4562

Dahua mini bullet https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/5601

ReoLink

Reolink RLC-410	5MP (2560×1920) and 4MP versions. 5MP works independently. PoE. Night vision. 30 Meters (100ft). Motion detection. Push to FTP. SD Card. Waterproof (IP66). NVR Compatible. View: Horizontal: 80°, Vertical: 58°. Built-in microphone. https://reolink.com/product/rlc-410/ £47
Reolink RLC-420	RLC-420, Dome, PoE 5MP (2560×1920)/4MP, Audio, IP66 Waterproof, Motion Detection (Zones). 100ft Night Vision, 18 Infrared LEDs, IR Distance 30 Meters, Angle of view; Horizontal: 80°, Vertical: 42°. NVR compatible, Built-in Microphone https://reolink.com/product/rlc-420/ £47
Reolink RLC-422	Dome IP Camera, 5MP (2560×1920), PoE, 4X Optical Zoom Angle of view: Horizontal: 90°~31°, Vertical: 67°~24° Auto focus lens (Motorized lens) Night vision, SD card (up to 64GB), motion detection zones, remote access/app, waterproof (IP66). IK10 vandal resistant, NVR compatible https://reolink.com/product/rlc-422/ £98
Reolink RLC-423	5MP (2560×1920), PTZ (pan–tilt–zoom), IP Camera, Night Vision up to 190ft. Motorized zoom lens with auto-focus function, wide viewing angle (31°~87°), Pan: 360°, Tilt: 0°~90°, tilt rotation at 90°, waterproof IP66, NVR compatible, 1 Patrol; Up to 16 Presets per Patrol https://reolink.com/product/rlc-423/ £247
Reolink RLC-511	PoE Bullet Security IP Camera, 5MP (2560×1920), 4X Optical Zoom, Angle of view: Horizontal: 90° ~ 31°, Vertical: 67° ~ 24°, Motion detection (zones) FTP, 100 feet night vision, Save Motion Events to a Micro SD Card (up to 64GB), Waterproof (IP66), NVR Compatible Built-in Microphone, Micro SD socket, support motion detection recording https://reolink.com/product/rlc-511/ £98

Reolink cameras can work with a wide range of 3rd party ONVIF software including: Blue iris, iSpy, Synology and QnapDigital WatchDog, Blue Iris, iSpy, Video Sighthound, Security Spy, Synology, QNap.

Best Security Cameras

Here are (outdoor) home security cameras to consider:

SV3C Security Camera	1080P, POE, IP66 Waterproof, Motion Detection (4.0 star averagE)
Reolink RLC-410-5MP	5MP Super HD, POE, SD Card, IP66 Waterproof, Motiontion Detection, Night Vision/IR, Decent Mobile App (4.4 star average). Sub £100.
Reolink System	good cameras and apps with no monthly fee. wireless, and wired with PoE. free app. all videos in HDD. https://cloud.reolink.com/
Wyze Cam	1080P, Indoor, Wireless, Night Vision, 2-way Audio, Alexa Compatible. Sub £100.
SENS8 Light Cam	Outdoor, Security Camera, Light, Motion Detection, Wi-Fi, AC Power, 2-way audio, 1 Year Warantee, Sub £100.
Axis Cameras	Quality, Motion Detection, v. expensive (not consumer), Sub £100.
Amazon Cloud Cam	Monthly Subscription, 24hr history for up to 3, Sub £100.
Y-Cam	Sub £100.
BlinkXT	Sub £100.
Netatmo Presence	Dropbox Storage or own FTP. All-metal. IPX7 Waterproof. Adjustable notifications (person, animal, car), Sub £100.
Hive View Outdoor	No monthly subscription unless over 24hrs recording, Sub £100.
LogiLogi	Free and paid plans. 24 hours recording & events for free, Sub £100.
Arlo Pro 2	V. Expensive ($800). Limited local storage, Require base station.
Nest Cam	24×7 recording. Nest Cam IQ, most similar to Arlo Ultra
Nest Cam IQ

IP Cam Talk Cliff Notes

This is a direct copy from https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/ as at 20th July 2019.

Installation Considerations

• Security cameras need to be up high, out of reach where people can damage them, cover them etc
• Cameras that operate only on battery need to be taken down every once in a while and recharged (note: if mounting high, this can be a pain hence wired cameras are better)
• Consider PoE (power over ethernet) cameras that only require one wire
• Ensure cloud storage stores your footage encrypted
• Many cameras come with external built-in micro SD card slot for motion detection recording and playback. Video files will be overwritten automatically when it is full. If the internet goes down or is cut off then the camera will record to a USB/SD card
• Between 10 and 15 is usually good for surveillance cameras
• Two-way audio: Built-in mic and speaker enable push-to-talk capability, so you can listen in and talk back
• Does it work with IFTTT, SmartThing etc?
• only join your camera to wireless networks that support WPA2 encryption. This means that communications between your router and camera are encrypted

Form Factor

• Dome cameras have more glare and IR reflection issues
• Dome cameras tend to suffer from more decay of the plastic dome due to long-term direct UV exposure
• Turret style cameras have less spider issues than bullet style, though bullet can be mounted on a wall
• Turret style Dahua cameras can be mounted any way
• Turret / Eye ball form factor cameras are preferred
• Dome cameras do not work well outside due to UV degradation of the domes, as well as glare issues external to the dome, as well as IR lights internal to the dome. Domes can be useful if it is a very dusty environment to protect the camera.

Installing dome cameras outdoors. Dome cameras have more glare and IR reflection issues, as well as decay of the plastic dome due to long-term direct UV exposure. Turret / Eye ball form factor cameras are preferred.

https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/

Location

Website to test possible camera locations and various camera models for FOV coverage
Camera Calculator / Design Software
update 12/10/2017: New IPVM Camera Calculator V3

Mounting

• If purchasing 2 cameras to cover the front of your house, use one to look directly out at head height and mount the other up high for a perspective view.
• Mount cameras < 8 feet high to get a good angle for potential identification
• Can always use a turret style with a mount
• turret bases have more room to work with and there is no need for a mount/junction box to save me some money. worth getting a junction box with Duhua turret cameras. The box provides a place for the pigtail to reside and be protected from the weather, thus requiring a smaller hole for the CAT-5e cable
• the LOWER the cam, the better identification capability of persons, persons driving a car, or license plate recognition. HOWEVER, the risk is that your cam draws (way) too much attention, can be driven over, destroyed with a bat, or worse: your footage might be useless because the cam is blinded with the front lights of the cars coming in.

Junction boxes maybe useful so that you can put the bundle of PoE wires in the box. Some people are able to put the wire bundle within the walls, or other options.
Here is a discussion of sourcing Junction boxes… note you can sometimes modify junction boxes sold in places like home depot. [ edit 8/6/2017 – I really like junction boxes now that I have used the Dahua ones associated with the cameras I installed. Installed properly they help weather proof your install – I used silicone stretch tapes to help weather proof the PoE connection and then put the wiring pig-tail / connect into the junction box – worked very nicely. ]
Buying Dahua Junction Boxes locally… just DON’T do it
UPDATE: 11/30/2017
Dahua has a new water proof junction box for the turrets, even better than the PFA137 junction box ( which while very nice was not water proof )
Water-proof Junction Box PFA130-E
PFA130-E – Dahua Technology
data sheet:
http://www1.dahuasecurity.com/download/DH-PFA130-E_datasheet.pdf
accessory sheet:
http://www1.dahuasecurity.com/download/Accessory_Selection_20171123.pdf\

Summary water proofing the connection;
( I like to put this all into a junction box or wall mount )
water proofing cable from ip camera to NVR

Mount cameras < 8 feet high to get a good angle for potential identification

https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/

Camera Cabling & PoE

Wifi is not suggested by exports for security cameras for numerous reasons, the biggest is reliability and disconnect issues / interference issues associated with attempting to run a streaming service over consumer quality wifi equipment.

Terminating Cat5e/Cat6 cables RJ45
Suggestions on ethernet cable
and youtube videos
how to make good cat6 cables all the time

Consider instead using a wired PoE setup. Power will be required for your cameras in any case, hence running CAT5e or CAT6 cable instead is generally not much additional effort.

If you can avoid wireless, then do. POE (Ethernet cable for data and power) is the best way.

If you positively cannot pull CAT-5e or 6, consider PLAs (power line adapters.) 

List of suggested PoE switches collected by Giomania
PoE Switch Suggestion List

The difference between passive and active PoE is the auto negotiation. Active devices do a handshake between the Power Supplying Equipment (PSE) and the Powered Device (PD) before it turns on the power. Passive is always on. We recommend active PoE PSE in cases where you might plug something non-PoE into a port by accident, like by your office desk, or the PD requires it, like Cisco WAP’s. The benefits of passive PoE are simplicity, reliability, and affordability.The difference between passive and active PoE is the auto negotiation. Active devices do a handshake between the Power Supplying Equipment (PSE) and the Powered Device (PD) before it turns on the power. Passive is always on. We recommend active PoE PSE in cases where you might plug something non-PoE into a port by accident, like by your office desk, or the PD requires it, like Cisco WAP’s. 

When running cat5e/6 underground you’ll want burial rated cable. ( water is always an issue underground ). Shielded cable is used near motors, compressors, a/c wiring.

LAN FOR A LOT MORE cameras and wiring pulls NOW! Even if you won’t need them in the future you will be happy to do them now while it is easy. Remember the hardest part is typically the wiring work, and you can always add more cameras as your budget permits. Most people start out thinking they only need 4, or 6, or 8 cameras. Most people underestimate, and add cams later. Pull wire for 12 cams

PoE power – or PoE power sourcing equipment. Reading the options here alone is enough to make your head spin.
If you plan to have a lot of PoE cameras or PoE devices [*] it looks like one of the cost effective options maybe getting the Dahua nvr5216-16P-4KS2 ( includes 16 ports of PoE ) or a used PoE/PoE+ switch from ebay. There are advantages to having a separate switch – it allows you to more easily access each camera’s interface separately using a computer on the same network.
[ * – edit 8/6/2017 – for non-camera PoE devices you probably want to look at a good managed PoE switch so you can segment your various devices and camera ]

In general, pull an extra category cable to each location where a device is planned, and leave a bit of extra slack on both ends of the cable, just in case you need to adjust placement. Avoid kinks in the cable and do not apply extreme pressure with cable fasteners. Do not run cables next to motors / fluorescent lighting, or in close proximity to unshielded Romex / NM electrical wiring, unless it is EMT conduit, which is shielded.

https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/

LenseS

• 3.6mm over 2.8mm
• 2.8mm is too wide to do much good to be able to ID someone
• 2MP 1080P Dahua cameras
• cameras with wide FOV will require that suspects be very close to the camera to get a chance to ID them – thus one reason why I strongly recommend planning for more cameras now.

Megapixel (MP) Mania: 4K / 8 MP cameras are great in daylight, but 2 MP cameras (specifically with 1/2.8″ sensors or bigger <i.e. 1/1.8″>) are almost always better at night. The most important parameters for obtaining a good image in low light are: sensor model and size, f stop, lens quality, and software / firmware; see this comparison.

https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/

Camera Resolution

• The 3mp one will be worse after dark as more pixels require more light
• Less megapixels put less strain on your wifi network
• 4k as a security camera will suck when lighting isn’t perfect, lighting changes all day, at night 4k will look like today shit and you can forget about facial ID unless you have big spot lights running all night long
• 4K cameras will perform well in day time conditions and worse than the Dahua starlight line in low light conditions.

8MP / 4K cameras – sometimes you need better resolution during the day and under other well lighted conditions. A 4K camera can give you that, note they are not optimized for low light conditions. Examples:
Any 4k cameras (or > 2MP) with good night Image Quality?
Dahua 8mp NON-Starlight HDW5830R-Z review
FYI – Some local Costco B&M have a Lorex / Dahua OEM 4K 6x camera kit and 8 port NVR for $800

8MP / 4K cameras – sometimes you need better resolution during the day and under other well lighted conditions. A 4K camera can give you that, note they are not optimized for low light conditions.

https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/

Recording At Night

Note: 850nm lights glow red – and give off the best results for night time / darkness view of security cameras. IR emitters in the 940nm range do not provide as much useful illumination for security cameras but are not visible to the human eye. ( Cell phone cameras maybe able to detect both )

Also IR may attract bugs, and thus spiders may want to set a web by the IR emitter – typically the Camera

18) DO take a look at thomaswde’s comparison of a phone taken from his 16MP cell phone and a 2MP dahua starlight turrent. This is the best visual example of a 2 quality photos – and a good example of MegaPixels being just 1 factor to consider when looking at security cameras.
Great example of Dahua Starlight 2MP Verifocal Performance in low light

NVR

To me, the biggest pro for buying a NVR that matches your cameras is that the NVR can record the extra motion detection events (like tripwire, intrusion detection, missing object, etc). If your NVR brand doesn’t match a camera brand, as long as both of them support Onvif, you can record the basics, like on a schedule (24×7, 8×5, whatever you want) plus record on basic motion detection. Onvif doesn’t support the extra motion detection events (tripwire, intrusion detection, etc). Personally, I get a lot of use out of intrusion detection zones, so I got a Dahua NVR to go with my Dahua cameras. I also have a single Hikvision camera. It records to the Dahua just fine, but I can’t use Hikvision’s extra motion detection events to kick off recordings. I still use them, I just have the camera send me an email with a photo when those rules are triggered.

NVR should be picked to match the cameras you plan to purchase, as each vendor has advanced features which go beyond the ONVIF spec.
A) NVR w/ integrated PoE ports – will be the easiest and quickest to setup ( basically plug and play if you matched the brand / vendor ). This will also typically be the most affordable for new equipment.
B) NVR w/ separate PoE switch – allows greater flexibility and makes it easier to directly access cameras. Expect to spend more time and funds.
C) PC running VMS ( Video Management Software ) w/ separate PoE switch. A number of power users really like the flexibility and features. If you’re willing to take the time and source a good used Windows PC w/a CPU that has h.264 hardware features you can find a nice system at a decent price that can do this for you. Example: Blue Irissoftware is well liked – runs on a windows PC, do buy it if you plan to use it as the demo version is limited in functionality and performance. Others are picking nvrs purpose built for security cameras.​After reading and looking at the PCs I have available I’ve chosen the following Dahua NVR5216-4KS2 / NVR5216-16P-4KS2
Dahua NVR5216-4KS2 / NVR5216-16P-4KS2
( if I already had a good windows machine available at home I would have tired Blue Iris )

If you build your own NVR, it seems like Blue Iris is the most popular software. 

Any dedicated manufacturer NVR should match the cameras, as each vendor has proprietary advanced features beyond the ONVIF specifications. Each manufacturer offers NVR’s with integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports that are easy to setup, and is the most affordable recording solution. They also offer
NVR’s without PoE power that require a separate PoE switch to power the cameras. While more expensive, this allows greater flexibility, and makes it easier to directly access cameras.

Last, a dedicated PC running Video Management Software (VMS) like Blue Iris and a separate PoE switch offers the maximum flexibility. A number of power users really like the flexibility and features. If you’re willing to take the time and source a good used Windows PC w/a CPU that has h.264 hardware features you can find a nice system at a decent price that can do this for you.

https://ipcamtalk.com/wiki/ip-cam-talk-cliff-notes/

SD Cards

SD micro cards in cameras – some models have SD micro card slots – which can be very useful for local storage during times when there maybe issues with the NVR or network. [ edit – 8/6/2017 – Samsung evo branded ones are well liked by some users, reporting them to be more reliable than other brands they have tried. ]

Cloud Storage

In general, avoid cloud dependent cameras such as Arlo.

• https://www.cameraftp.com/CameraFTP/Support/ReoLink_RLC-410_411_420_422_4MP_CloudRecording.aspx
• Don’t pay for cloud storage. Keep rolling 7 days of motion – and sound-triggered recordings for free with Arlo.
• Nest Aware starts at $5 per month for the first camera and $2.50 per month for subsequent cameras for access to a 5-day video history. This is discounted to $50 per year if you pay annually. 10-day plan for $10 per month or $100 per year and a 30-day plan for $30 per month or $300 per year.
• Arlo is unique in offering a generous seven days of storage in the cloud for free. Arlo cameras only offer CVR when plugged into power.

Install Tips

• di-electric grease in each connection to prevent corrosion in the connection from occurring from oxidation/moisture (The RJ45 covers have proven to not always adequately protect)
• use Outdoor Shielded Cat6 Cable, Solid, 23 AWGdi-electric grease in each connection to prevent corrosion in the connection from occurring from oxidation/moisture (The RJ45 covers have proven to not always adequately protect)
• If you expect to id anyone, don’t mount cams higher than 8ft
• [ update 11/7/2017 ]
• 41 ) “Water proofed properly, it will be just fine in the ( wall ) mount.
• By properly means, use the water proof boot that comes with the cam. Put Die-electric grease into the RJ45 female jack before inserting the male RJ45. Wrap it all with self bonding tape if you feel you need the added protection.” – Looney2s

Advanced Features

• geofencing https://kb.arlo.com/1096229/How-do-I-add-and-manage-multiple-mobile-devices-for-geofencing
• activity zones https://kb.arlo.com/1001908/What-are-activity-zones-and-how-do-I-create-them. Arlo Pro takes an extra split second to “wake up” when motion is detected. Some users find that this leaves out important footage and prefer an always-recording option like Nest Cam.
• Look Back Feature – to eliminate lag in detection of activity https://kb.arlo.com/000062053/How-does-the-Look-Back-feature-work-on-my-Arlo-Pro-2-camera

PoE Switches

• Zyxel, Cisco are both good brands
• For 5 ports, Zyxel https://www.amazon.com/GS1005HP-Gigabit-Ethernet-Fanless-Desktop/dp/B07LH761P2?creativeASIN=B07LH761P2&linkCode=w61&imprToken=Rs-TYlSJlsmMlbDKfRN7Bg&slotNum=0&tag=ipctk-20
• If you want more than about 16 ports, look at used enterprise-level managed switches on ebay. They are incredible deals. Just research the specs and make sure you get a newer “green” model, and enough POE power for your use, as some of the older ones are power hogs. Some of them have fairly loud fans. I’m running a 26 port Cisco POE switch, and have changed out the fans. At the other end of the spectrum, if fan noise is an issue, there are some 8-port fanless switches out there.
• For 5 ports, Zyxel https://www.amazon.com/GS1005HP-Gigabit-Ethernet-Fanless-Desktop/dp/B07LH761P2?creativeASIN=B07LH761P2&linkCode=w61&imprToken=Rs-TYlSJlsmMlbDKfRN7Bg&slotNum=0&tag=ipctk-20
• 8 ports https://www.amazon.com/GS1008HP-Gigabit-Ethernet-Fanless-Desktop/dp/B07LH8R3FH?creativeASIN=B07LH8R3FH&linkCode=w61&imprToken=Rs-TYlSJlsmMlbDKfRN7Bg&slotNum=1&tag=ipctk-20
• Alternatively consider a power line adapter (PLA) such as https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WP2ZT5N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?creativeASIN=B06WP2ZT5N&linkCode=w61&imprToken=KqPFsNFXkI.fXtWRNEZAow&slotNum=0&tag=ipctk-20&ie=UTF8&psc=1

Motion Detection

• Motion detection system that rely on changes in the video feed are often set off by insects and other non human movement
• Motion detection can have a lag e.g. The Arlo Pro is fairly responsive in initiating recording around 3 seconds after motion or audio triggers it. 
• Moving towards the line of vision is a problem for most motion detection sensors, therefor we recommend mounting the camera in a way, that the expected direction of movement is parallel to it, not towards.
• Motion detection is effective up to 25 feet on Ultra cameras
  https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Ultra/bd-p/en-arlo-ultra
• “activity zones set, but cameras dont start recording til several seconds after movement ( ie van pulling in driveway parkign getting out person walking up to front door , then starts recording) kid riding bike up driveway to front of house then records, what good is a camera with such delayed recoding and motion, then times out when motion still occuring”

More Information

For more information one of the best sources of knowledge is the IPCAM Talk Forums at https://ipcamtalk.com/

Installers in Surrey

Innert

https://www.innert.co.uk/

please find your 8 Megapixel Full High Definition 1080p CCTV Camera Installation Quote and its product specification attached. please bare in mind we do not charge VAT therefore price on quote is total. we use only profesional and heavy duty cameras coming with 2 years warranty so prices can not be compared with cheap DIY equipment coming from most of markets. for equipment quality example movies please visit our website.

Also sent quote for 5 Megapixel cameras

Initial Response for Innert Modern Security Experts

JTS Security Systems

https://www.jtssecurity4u.co.uk/

For a 4 camera system with 4 HD day and night infrared vandal resistant cameras a 4 way 2tb DVR and that can be connected to you router and viewed on your smart phone full installed and vat is a cost of £1,100.00 for the sam set up but with 3 cameras is £1,000.00 for 2 cameras is £950.00 and for 1 camera is £850.00

Initial Response from JTS

We use Pyronix for the alarms and Hikvision for our CCTV systems

Smart Secure Systems

https://www.smartsecuresystems.co.uk/

We are currently on leave and return to work on the 6th of January. If still of interest we could make arrangements for some time that week to come and carry out a survey in order to provide you with a quotation for a CCTV system. Please let me know if this is something we can do and we can get something scheduled in for you.  

Initial Response from Smart Secure Systems

Ohms Fire & Security

https://ohmsfireandsecurity.co.uk/

nForce Security

https://www.nforcesecurity.co.uk/

We generally work with Dahua for CCTV installations and have done for many years. Dahua are the second largest manufacturer of CCTV equipment in the world and we rarely have any issues with it.

Lizard Security

ahttps://www.lizardsecurity.co.uk/

Questions

Which cameras/system? Dahua or Hikvision? and why

Number of cameras required? 1 @ head height (8 feet high to get a good angle for potential identification) & 1 up high for perspective view?

5 megapixel hd over coaxial and8 megapixel ip systemso if there is existing rg59 system in house and cables are run neat and professional they can be reused to 5 megapixel system happy to site survey house that friday or coming monday

Camera formats e.g. turrets/eye-ball (turret bases have more room to work with and there is no need for a mount/junction box), dome (glare and IR reflection issues) or bullets? don’t use dome cameras outdoors.  Turret / Eye ball form factor cameras are preferred.

Camera with varifocal / zoom?

Cloud storage/backup options e.g. Google Drive?

CAT5e v CAT6? Also integrated PoE? With a non-PoE NVR, the PoE switch(es) can be installed closer to the camera locations reducing power loss on long cable runs. Also cameras still function and record to SDCard if NVR is stolen.

Lense width & MP e.g. 3.6mm over 2.8mm and 2k/4k/8k? At night more pixels require more light (4K / 8 MP cameras are great in daylight, but 2 MP cameras (specifically with 1/2.8″ sensors or bigger <i.e. 1/1.8″>) are almost always better at night.)

NVR – integrated PoE? (separate PoE switch more flexible?) motion detection zones? good mobile/IOS app? Install BlueIris on a small Windows PC?

Put NVR in the loft? Ok for heat etc?

With extension will be in a position to pre-wire hence want to plan ahead / for expansion + pull an extra category cable to each location where a device is planned

Initially just front, then plan for expansion to side gate, rear and doorbell. Hikvision have an ONVIF compatible doorbell. Perhaps a couple on stairs / front door as well + rear kitchen area?

Your company – size etc. Who does the install?