I have installed security systems and cameras for over 40 years. The newest digital cameras are now dirt cheep compared to the cameras years ago, outstanding quality, and your video is about the BEST in explaining pros and cons of different systems. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hey Lloyd, I want a hardwired outdoor camera with floodlight that'll notify my iPhone when motion is detected outside my home, one for the front and one for the back. Any suggestions?
@@mrzacat3tasm3xxxico20 I just watched this video so a late reply. We tried to use Swann in a office environment. It was not bad in a view mode. It was a challenge to find anything Admittedly that was a few years ago, they may have improved. I would not suggest Swann based on my experience.
So they just take your box recorder, I have ring you can't steal the cloud records, I pay $150 a year for storage and that's unlimited devices, I currently have 15 you can have 1000 if you want. and woks with Alexa , phone, Ipad , TV, Computer...
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
MR. TAIT!! You were my Chem honors teacher and AP bio teacher! Was shocked to see you when my gf sent me this camera review video. Thank you for helping us select a camera to keep us safe after a scary situation we recently experienced❤
I’m sharing this video with family and friends who ask me about cameras 👍🏻 For security I usually add that WiFi cameras can very easily be jammed, whereas PoE-cameras are much more secure.
Oh man it never crossed my mind that you could essentially build your own consumer level closed NVR and configure it like a typical network device. I am brand new to cameras & security but I'm a Network Admin & Sys Admin and I already have a server rack built that runs my home environment. Looks like I'm going to be adding to it! Haha!! great video!!
Thank you for this video. I've been searching for 6 months on Security camera systems. Last week I nearly purchased Swann- $1,200 so glad I didn't. Now I'll rewatch this a few times and note down- what's, wanted & needed.
I have had super good luck with my Wyze cameras for outside. One is even connected with a 20 foot cord and works great. Just had to deal with bad renters next door and was excellent for my proof to the landlord/homeowner.
Your honest, analytical and security-minded approach told me exactly what I needed to know so I can confidently pick a security camera system. Thank you for your reviews!
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
I'm New...to home security systems. Taking the time to learn all the lettered nomenclature...ONVIF, RTSP, VPN, VLAN, NVR and all such specifications and meanings is a must. Then, watching Your great video pointed me to which combination of camera's and recorders I really needed to get started. Thank You!
This is best video on the subject ever! I've hard an incredibly hard time finding a simple camera to connect to my pc, everything requires phone apps, clouds and accounts. Thank you so much!
I am overwhelmed with all the info available. I also just want something wireless, that I can view only from my computer with no monthly fees. What system did you go with?
I've been using MotionEyeOs for a month now and it sucks in motion detection, at least with all the settings I tried... On the other hand, if you plan using a Raspberry Pi, keep in mind that the cameras available for it are not that great. A 15€ camera module for the rpi has worst quality than a 12€ AliExpress wifi camera.
I have purchased battery camera with solar panel and so far no issue in OHIO (low traffic area), and quality is better than eufy cam. and Cloud subscription is optional. It stores locally on SD card. Also, installed 4-5 Zosi NVR systems, and so far works great. My next project Blue IRIS
I totally agree. I'm comfortable in this space, but whenever I step outside of my bubble to research a product (like the soundbar that I recently bought) I was super overwhelmed.
I appreciate that this is a REAL video with ACTUAL knowledge. I'm so sick of google spewing the same copy/paste "best of" pages that are nothing more than paid links with some regurgitated drivel. I've been adding 'forum' to the end of my searches lately to find some real discussion, but it's still difficult.
@@TheHookUp Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
Good information, the key point is battery cameras do not work well in cold weather, (any place in Canada or much of the north part of the US) also some won't charge in cold weather either. The best for convenience and reliability in cold weather has to be wifi cameras that have external power (and not charging battery power). It easier to find a extremal 110v power source than running POE cables. Not many options that actually tick all those boxes, I settled on the Swann 4K wifi Nvr system
Cool, I'm glad my own research was pointing to the Eufy cameras. I'm glad you told me about the floodlight issue on the Eufy. I was about to buy everything Eufy. I really like your camera setup but I don't know nothing about wiring and I don't want to call someone to install it. I like the technical side of it like using a VPN to access your footage. Great video overall!!
I made the mistake of buying a Eufy flood light camera. Now everytime a snowflake falls or a squirrel farts, it sets it off. Human detection is the only way to go, we don't even use it anymore....
yet again, another great, to-the-point, full-of-information video. thanks so much! i would love to hear more about adding that camera to an existing motion flood light (how that adapter works, what types of lights it works with, etc). That could be a neat how-to video. Also, could be interesting to do a series of "recipe" videos. Something like... "you've got a neighbor, elderly parent, or non-tech savvy friend that needs help installing security cameras... here's a step-by-step recipe for what I recommend installing and where to install it". Could also be neat to see a recipe video like that for someone who lives in a remote location without internet. Lastly, i'd like some more information on those eufy cameras you recommend. It sounds great that they record locally, but do they still require internet/cloud connection? Devices that still require an account, or cloud authentication is a no-go for me.
Yes, the Eufy cameras use the Eufy cloud for P2P connection to your home base and indexing of video files within their app. I really wish they would allow for local indexing, but as it stands now if you lose internet connection the cameras will continue to record to the home base but they won't show up as clips in the app until the internet is restored (and then you'll see all the clips that were recorded while the internet was down). The base station I use (home base 1) has an SD card that you can pull to get your recordings off of it, but the newer home bases have their memory built in.
@@FrankGraffagnino hey, if you want, there is a app(idk if it is safe) called bluestacks. It emulates andriod in a window on your pc. You can try it there just idk if it is safe and i would use a fake account
Great video, Rob! Great overview. The only thing I would add is that for non DIY’ers they will need to consider if they would like a live feed to automatically pop up on their smart display, Apple TV or other streamer. No camera fully supports all three major platforms. This may not be relevant for DIY’ers, but when my dad asks for the best video doorbell, I would definitely get him one that automatically pops up on his Apple TV and can record to his iCloud-account. In my own setup I’m very happy with my PoE Reolinks and Home Assistant.
I admittedly don't have much expertise in the iOS/homekit world. Eufy has a bunch of homekit products, but I don't think all of their stuff works with it. I think logitech has a new homekit doorbell?
@@TheHookUp Exacly. The Eufy video doorbell doesn’t support HomeKit, but the new Logitech Circle view does. Personally I’m waiting for a Reolink video doorbell so I can keep all my recordings in the same app. The Home Assistant iOS app does not support two-way audio, so you can’t make a DIY solution with your existing cameras and a bluetooth speaker. A dedicated video doorbell of course has the added benefit that the mailman might wait a few seconds for a response. With an ordinary doorbell hooked up to ordinary cameras, the mailman will be gone before you even get your phone out of your pocket and press the notification.
Thanks for another great video. You've helped people make wiser choices before they buy so they won't be disappointed. In my front yard I have been experimenting with my Blink XT2, Reolinks Argus PT, Argus 3, 510A, 810A. At night with my outside lights on (Argus 3 spotlight off) they all switch to color night vision except for the 810A. It stays in black/white IR. I assume it needs more lumens to switch or maybe it's because it faces the street a little more than the other cameras. In the app I can keep it 24/7 color mode but at night this cuts down the view a lot. The Reolink 12MP may need more lighting too to switch. There are better night vision cameras like Hikvision ColorVu but also more expensive. So far Reolink's human person detection is working good for me.
Wow, this is such a great resource to those of us not familiar with security cameras. Thanks for all the hours of research and time you have put into security cameras. It is very much appreciated
Just found your channel and I'm quite impressed at the way you presented this information. A lot of information for sure but at least I was able to follow and understand. Thank you and great job.
I bought the Eufy and while it worked ok for a few weeks, it began to ring by itself every 14 minutes. After resetting several time, it stopped only to start again a few days ago. I then tried to reach out to them using both the chat and phone options in their app. What a joke. The phone answers and promptly disconnects and the chat is never answered even after 20 minutes with supposedly 1 person ahead of me. The point of all this is to encourage reviewers like you to assess their support capabilities as part of the review. I finally got to them by going through Amazon…no one wants to look bad to their largest retailer.
Hello, thanks for the review. The biggest concern for me is the availability to retrieve footage easily and possibly download to a file to give to authorities. In that regard, which brand excels in that area? Thank you!
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He wont reply, he never does, this is a non comunity channel
You mean a pro system like Avigalon or AXIS? Not saying they are bad systems, but the average person looking to buy a sub $500 Reolink NVR package isn’t going to be willing to step up to a $3000+ system plus the install fee.
In my opinion, a good place to put those P2P cameras, if you use them, is on a guest wireless network that is provided by a number of wireless routers, provided you have that option. For example, my wifi supports a guest wifi network on either or both 2.4 or 5 ghz bands, but being on the guest network, the devices on such cannot traverse the other network, nor communicate with any other device on the guest network. It's a great option if you have one. Yes, from the regular network, one can access the devices on the guest, but by default the guest cannot initiate a connection to the regular wifi/wired network.
I think Wyze should be looked at again. Wire run is same as others. There is a battery version now. The Starlight sensor is amazing. No fees and 12sec clips. Local continuous or motion or sound recording. Weather proof. Very good sound recording. Easy mount. Honestly I don't use the metal disk. $40 really can't be beat.
I'm l looking into PoE systems with local storage, but it's hard to figure out how good or bad the off-site automated backup is. For some systems, the only backup option is manually copying individual video files to a USB thumb drive (including some Reolink products). Some have FTP options for off-site, some can backup to a Dropbox account, some have a paid subscription to the manufacturer. It would be nice to mention the different options. Some are easier for non-technical people, some offer more control to the user, some are just obnoxious.
I’m 65. Not overly techy. I do not have highly valuable things at my home except myself. I have insurance on theft and fire on most everything. I already have 3 non WiFi Stealth battery/ solar cameras in my yard in various locations. I do pay a small monthly fee ($5) per camera. It records still shots to my phone, no recorder needed. However they many times miss faster moving cars and people or shot the pic a little late. There are so many options I can’t make a decision. Think I’ll just stay with my stealth system for now. Too many options to decide. And of course in three years stuff goes bad or becomes obsolete. I’m in about $500 and $15 a month. Just stay where I’m at. Keep my weapon by my bed to protect the more valuable thing, “ myself”.
This was very good. Information packed. I liked the idea of your personal system and not having information/content on the internet. I'll have to watch this again.
That statement is still 100% correct. Local recording and no subscription are still key aspects to their product. Temporarily web hosted images for notification purposes does not negate those claims.
@@portage56 I really like them. All metal construction, and the thing I love the most is the motion spotlight. This feature is the real deterrent. Plus, they light up the area, making for a better picture. These cams have a water resistant cover for the Ethernet connector so I thought it would be ok to install them out in the open, with no cover from the elements. I was wrong. Water got in the plug and the camera was done. Lorex is replacing it but said not to install it w/out cover next time. I am going to keep it in the same spot but caulk the connector this time. I think it’ll be fine
As for the Eufy cams, you stated that the pro is twice the resolution of the non-pro. 2304x1296 is not twice 1920x1080. 2k is higher res, but only a little higher. Nowhere close to twice, though. Thanks for your tutorials. Despite this small critic, you just gained a subscriber.
good video still relevant. However, you need to add that the Reolink kits come with basic cameras stripped of all the features of the similar references buying alone, hence, better buy separately.
Do you have a doorbell that works with blue iris and home automation? Trying to find something internal that will still allow my wife to view the doorbell cam easily.
I too wanted an IP doorbell which can have a classic indoor monitor but can also tie into Blue Iris. I got a Hikvision which could do that, but it's quite unreliable and software is clunky for a single-family home. I'm now looking at Doorbird which seems to tick all the boxes.
@The Hook up: Thank you for making and sharing this video. It was very helpful and informative. I have a couple questions regarding the NVR package: 1) Can the NPR be setup to a separate router, private wifi or VPN? 2) Would you say the NPR is a second to last safe option? Would it be difficult for hackers to break into the system or steal information? 3) The first two Reolink NVR packages that you mentioned in the NVR packages, do they offer system updates? 4) Can you use two monitors to view recordings for the computer option? 5) If the electricity goes out, will the NVR and computer related cameras continue to record and store data?
You probably got your answers already, and the only one that I know is #5: They can (for a little while at least), if you put them on an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) Battery. There are a lot of different types and brands for power rating and backup duration, but generally from my experience, I recommend Cyberpower or APC brands.
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
Great video. Thanks for posting! I’m surprised the Netatmo floodlight camera didn’t win its segment. It has a great light and person/vehicle/animal detection on the camera, which has pretty decent video quality.
I’ve been impressed and happy with my Wyze cameras because of their performance at a very affordable price. I like that Wyze has made owning a security camera something that’s accessible to nearly anyone, even for people with a very limited budget. Sure they have their downsides and aren’t the best cameras on the market, but I haven’t found any other camera that’s as good as the Wyze cameras for the price you pay. (1080p quality, CMOS starlight sensor for color night vision, IR lights (if you don't want to use color night vision,) person, package, pet, & vehicle detection, an optional remote siren you can turn on, etc.) They come with free very basic 14 day motion triggered cloud storage, but it’s worth upgrading to their very affordable cam plus subscription for the person, pet, package, & vehicle detection along with the full length video cloud storage. They also recently started offering another subscription that’s very affordable for basic home monitoring without having to buy any additional equipment. The cameras use facial recognition; the subscription gives you 24/7 monitored service when you enable the “armed” option for the camera in the app and you can even set it up so that familiarized faces don’t set off an alert. (Or if you want, specific faces that WILL trigger an alert). When you do get the alert, a notification with video is sent to your phone, where you can disable the alert if needed. If not, the 24/7 monitoring service will dispatch the police to your residence. Having this without a home security system is great for people who can’t afford much but still want peace of mind. Oh, and the cameras have an SD slot for local recording too. So if your Wi-Fi is down, they’ll still record.
Am I crazy or can you not actually buy the Yeelight M2 anywhere? Second integrated ad I’ve seen with it, want to buy a bunch of em and can’t actually find it being sold!
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
I had exactly the same problem with Reolink. Constantly out of stock. I have the NVR at home and its superb. I wanted to get a new one for my family but they are always out of stock
I wanted it because I mistakenly thought it was called "Yeetlight" I wanted the Yeet feature.. I'm looking at an arlo system but thanks to this video, I'm checking to make sure whatever system I get doesn't go to a "cloud" have a monthly fee or need wifi.
Love your videos, Rob! Any tips on deciding between Bullet style versus Turret (unless you already have a video for it which I have not come across yet 😊 ) Thanks and as always keep up the great work!
I feel like you've hacked my phone, lol. I was in a store looking at smart cameras and I said, I might hold off until I can watch some reviews. Then.. BOOM!! YOU DROP THIS VIDEO!!..... Creep....
😱@3:43 You say the EufyCam 2 and 2C have the best in class image quality....but I just came from the LifeHackster channel where this exact model is compared with Arlo Pro 3 and the Argus 3 Pro....and a license plate at 30 feet is unreadable from the EufyCam 2 Pro...while it is readable by the other 2 cameras. Go to 7:54 on the video from March 27 on the LifeHackster channel. YT will auto block this comment if I post the link. ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT? I currently have Blink XT's and looking to upgrade. PS. I really do like this channel and appreciate all the info....very detailed....subd and noti's are on. You rock dude. 😍
Thank you for this video, it's exactly what I was looking for. After a stranger was at my door knocking and peering through the window (pitch dark out) I need to get security. I always felt secure now not so much. I'm glad that you gave the eufy good reviews because it is at the top on my (non techy) list. The options are mind boggling. How does the base get connected, does it plug into an outlet like a lamp?
Always great information. Thanks! Is the EufyCam 2K Video Doorbell With Hub accessible by your Blue Iris NVR? Thanks again, and Happy New Year!! ~Frank
I have the Google Nest security system and I love it. Works great. Not perfect but for the price point and ease of installation it works pretty good for me. Good video.
Do you have a recommendation for baby monitor? What I imagine: - wireless (because I want to put it where the baby is - can detect movement and sound - can be integrated with HA or Node Red to send whatever notification type I want (like flashing the lights in the living room)
As an old geek my preference would be a custom system using my own PC but I want something my spouse can easily use so I’ll go with the 8k package. Thanks.
I'm actually in the process of ditching all my Eufy cameras/doorbell/etc. I find them unreliable and even though they record locally, outages of Eufy servers will bring your entire system down with it. I constantly have to reboot my Eufy cameras and sometimes, for whatever reason, the battery-operated outdoor cameras and the battery doorbell just decide to stop pushing notifications. My Eufy doorbell would lag so badly between motion detection and recording that most of the clips I got were of people walking away after they'd already pushed the doorbell. I'm glad they worked well for you, but my experience with them was garbage. Hopefully other people have better luck than I did.
@@TheHookUp Homebase 2. One wired, one wifi. Earlier this year they all went down, twice within a few days. There are huge threads on their support forums full of people talking about It. The homebases are another thing that bug me about eufy’s system. The outdoor battery cameras link up to the Homebase for recording and control. The wired indoor cameras do not. And they cannot trigger one another - a motion detect on a wireless camera cannot trigger a wired camera/vice versa - or be put on the same keypad (in fact, not sure it’s possible to link wired cameras to the keypad at all). Wired cameras can’t be triggered by independent, window, or door sensors either as those are linked to the Homebase, as well. It’s just not a very well thought out system. Great image quality, but that’s about it.
I'm far from an expert, but both an old timer and a geek. I enjoyed your approach on this video, as it gave me some ideas for my parents who are well into their 80's but lucky enough to be able to live on their own. Not knowing what I was doing, I personally use AxxonNext as my home NVR with some HikVision wired cameras. Setup is is no small feat, but being commercial quality, it's all dead reliable and configurable to my personal [geek] needs. My parents like my setup so much, they want something similar, at least they think. They don't want me tinkering around for weeks or months to get it just right, like I did with my own setup. Neither do I! I'd love to see you do a video that takes things a little more into the hardened world of commercial quality equipment, but with a degree of simplicity for setup. I suppose that sounds like I'm asking you to do my research for me. :) That's kinda true. Anyway, as these system evolve, I look forward to leaning more. Btw: My number one concern with consumer cameras is privacy. I run my own NVR and control my own access. I configure my network, so my cameras cannot access the internet, as I just don't trust what they are doing. Commercial cameras provide this level of control. Consumer cameras make it difficult.
OK, I'm new to you. Just watched your 2021 POE recommendation video. Very helpful and I'm now a subscriber. Thank you. One criticism. You really need to include ONVIF compatibility as part of your reviews.
Thank you so much for this wonderful video. I had already tried a 4 set of Lorex and it was money thrown down the drain. You did give me some great ideas and your 101 class is going to help me make a better selection this time. I kind of like the last option so I'm going to look up your other videos. Thank you so much. You have been a great help.
Fantastic review! Really like what you did with Blue Iris and the VPN setup with different brand cameras. From what I have read, the Reolink cameras are good value, but the android app has some bad reviews. Your Blue Iris setup gets me around the app issue, great work. Really appreciate your research and how you clearly explain the different options. cheers!
Informative video, still in 2022. But what concerns me is the build quality of the cheaper camera systems. I use Reolink camera's for some time now, and they don't age well outside in the Netherlands. Therefore for my new home I'm looking into the Ubiquiti security ecosystem which is more expensive but might be the better solution in the long run. Especially if you combine it with your network setup, you have a very solid system.
A word of warning about the EufyCams - this wasn't known at the time of your video, but the EufyCam and Eufy doorbells send data to the cloud, even if the option is disabled. So if local control is your thing, you might want to avoid them. As for the company, they lied about it until they were forced to come clean, which is a red flag in my book. Your mileage may vary, but I think it's information worth knowing about
Totally with you on using a VPN and restricting internet access from everything inside the network but then the camera's own software (for example Reolink's mobile app) and also Blue Iris and Home Assistant aren't able to push notifications, unless I'm missing something? Same for device tracking for example, the mobile phones can't connect to Home Assistant while not home, so HA isn't triggering "away" automations. How do you work around that if not by configuring external access ?
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I have never installed a camera or security system in my life, but I would love to install one around the outside of the house, but I do not see batteries cameras as a viable source. What is the most simple wired system you could recommend to a novice like me? Thank you sir
Newest family entertainment!! The whole family gathering around the monitor on Saturday nights to see if anybody comes to the front door! Wow! What great fun! GET ONE NOW!! 🥳🤩😳
Which home security system has the best color night vision cameras? I plan to use PoE, probably 8 MP cameras, 3 or 4 TB HD NVR, 2 way audio and built in siren. I plan to do the installation. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
I have installed security systems and cameras for over 40 years. The newest digital cameras are now dirt cheep compared to the cameras years ago, outstanding quality, and your video is about the BEST in explaining pros and cons of different systems. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hey Lloyd, I want a hardwired outdoor camera with floodlight that'll notify my iPhone when motion is detected outside my home, one for the front and one for the back. Any suggestions?
Any thoughts on Swann DVR or NVR . want to put cameras on both sides of the garage. Low height. Dome?
@@mrzacat3tasm3xxxico20 I just watched this video so a late reply.
We tried to use Swann in a office environment. It was not bad in a view mode. It was a challenge to find anything Admittedly that was a few years ago, they may have improved. I would not suggest Swann based on my experience.
Did you ride a horse to school?
@@errorsofmodernism9715 Sick Offensive & Disgusting screen name.
Anything that needs monthly fees is a none starter for me
So they just take your box recorder, I have ring you can't steal the cloud records, I pay $150 a year for storage and that's unlimited devices, I currently have 15 you can have 1000 if you want. and woks with Alexa , phone, Ipad , TV, Computer...
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
Y6
@YouDontKnowMe Australia $
@YouDontKnowMe lol you guys get me sometimes when I buy from USA and see my bank statement oh shit done it again
MR. TAIT!! You were my Chem honors teacher and AP bio teacher! Was shocked to see you when my gf sent me this camera review video. Thank you for helping us select a camera to keep us safe after a scary situation we recently experienced❤
I’m sharing this video with family and friends who ask me about cameras 👍🏻 For security I usually add that WiFi cameras can very easily be jammed, whereas PoE-cameras are much more secure.
Oh man it never crossed my mind that you could essentially build your own consumer level closed NVR and configure it like a typical network device. I am brand new to cameras & security but I'm a Network Admin & Sys Admin and I already have a server rack built that runs my home environment. Looks like I'm going to be adding to it! Haha!! great video!!
Thank you for this video.
I've been searching for 6 months on Security camera systems. Last week I nearly purchased Swann- $1,200
so glad I didn't. Now I'll rewatch this a few times and note down- what's, wanted & needed.
I have had super good luck with my Wyze cameras for outside. One is even connected with a 20 foot cord and works great. Just had to deal with bad renters next door and was excellent for my proof to the landlord/homeowner.
I really appreciate the yellow bar! I wish more creators use something like that.
Your honest, analytical and security-minded approach told me exactly what I needed to know so I can confidently pick a security camera system. Thank you for your reviews!
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
@@laurabrown3508 thanks!😊
I'm New...to home security systems. Taking the time to learn all the lettered nomenclature...ONVIF, RTSP, VPN, VLAN, NVR and all such specifications and meanings is a must. Then, watching Your great video pointed me to which combination of camera's and recorders I really needed to get started. Thank You!
This is best video on the subject ever! I've hard an incredibly hard time finding a simple camera to connect to my pc, everything requires phone apps, clouds and accounts. Thank you so much!
I am overwhelmed with all the info available. I also just want something wireless, that I can view only from my computer with no monthly fees. What system did you go with?
I have two EUFY robot vacuum cleaners and they are still working fine after 4 years. EUFY customer service is great and I agree with your choices
I'd love to see a Blue Iris vs. MotionEye comparison!
I've been using MotionEyeOs for a month now and it sucks in motion detection, at least with all the settings I tried... On the other hand, if you plan using a Raspberry Pi, keep in mind that the cameras available for it are not that great. A 15€ camera module for the rpi has worst quality than a 12€ AliExpress wifi camera.
I have purchased battery camera with solar panel and so far no issue in OHIO (low traffic area), and quality is better than eufy cam. and Cloud subscription is optional. It stores locally on SD card. Also, installed 4-5 Zosi NVR systems, and so far works great. My next project Blue IRIS
Really appreciate these videos! There's SO much information on the internet and feels like you need hours to sort through all of it to stay updated.
Exactly what I was going to comment.
I totally agree. I'm comfortable in this space, but whenever I step outside of my bubble to research a product (like the soundbar that I recently bought) I was super overwhelmed.
I appreciate that this is a REAL video with ACTUAL knowledge. I'm so sick of google spewing the same copy/paste "best of" pages that are nothing more than paid links with some regurgitated drivel.
I've been adding 'forum' to the end of my searches lately to find some real discussion, but it's still difficult.
@@TheHookUp Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
@@joeslacker1020 maybe you can thought "uniojo", the brand is nice
it would be nice to have a 2023/2024 updated video for the same topic!
I really enjoyed also this recommendation. Happy and Healthy 2021 for you and your beloved ones.
You too Roger!
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
Good information, the key point is battery cameras do not work well in cold weather, (any place in Canada or much of the north part of the US) also some won't charge in cold weather either. The best for convenience and reliability in cold weather has to be wifi cameras that have external power (and not charging battery power). It easier to find a extremal 110v power source than running POE cables. Not many options that actually tick all those boxes, I settled on the Swann 4K wifi Nvr system
And what happens when your wifi goes down or a power cut? Is it still worth it for you?
Cool, I'm glad my own research was pointing to the Eufy cameras. I'm glad you told me about the floodlight issue on the Eufy. I was about to buy everything Eufy. I really like your camera setup but I don't know nothing about wiring and I don't want to call someone to install it. I like the technical side of it like using a VPN to access your footage. Great video overall!!
I made the mistake of buying a Eufy flood light camera. Now everytime a snowflake falls or a squirrel farts, it sets it off. Human detection is the only way to go, we don't even use it anymore....
😆😆😆
moving into a new home soon and will absolutely be implementing a system like this
thank YOU for all this insanely helpful content
yet again, another great, to-the-point, full-of-information video. thanks so much! i would love to hear more about adding that camera to an existing motion flood light (how that adapter works, what types of lights it works with, etc). That could be a neat how-to video. Also, could be interesting to do a series of "recipe" videos. Something like... "you've got a neighbor, elderly parent, or non-tech savvy friend that needs help installing security cameras... here's a step-by-step recipe for what I recommend installing and where to install it". Could also be neat to see a recipe video like that for someone who lives in a remote location without internet. Lastly, i'd like some more information on those eufy cameras you recommend. It sounds great that they record locally, but do they still require internet/cloud connection? Devices that still require an account, or cloud authentication is a no-go for me.
Yes, the Eufy cameras use the Eufy cloud for P2P connection to your home base and indexing of video files within their app. I really wish they would allow for local indexing, but as it stands now if you lose internet connection the cameras will continue to record to the home base but they won't show up as clips in the app until the internet is restored (and then you'll see all the clips that were recorded while the internet was down). The base station I use (home base 1) has an SD card that you can pull to get your recordings off of it, but the newer home bases have their memory built in.
@@TheHookUp can you access the home basestation over a web interface and not rely on the app at all? would it still require internet access?
The base station has no web interface unfortunately.
@@TheHookUp bummer. well, not for me, but your channel is great for figuring this stuff out!
@@FrankGraffagnino hey, if you want, there is a app(idk if it is safe) called bluestacks. It emulates andriod in a window on your pc. You can try it there just idk if it is safe and i would use a fake account
Great video, Rob! Great overview. The only thing I would add is that for non DIY’ers they will need to consider if they would like a live feed to automatically pop up on their smart display, Apple TV or other streamer. No camera fully supports all three major platforms.
This may not be relevant for DIY’ers, but when my dad asks for the best video doorbell, I would definitely get him one that automatically pops up on his Apple TV and can record to his iCloud-account.
In my own setup I’m very happy with my PoE Reolinks and Home Assistant.
I admittedly don't have much expertise in the iOS/homekit world. Eufy has a bunch of homekit products, but I don't think all of their stuff works with it. I think logitech has a new homekit doorbell?
@@TheHookUp Exacly. The Eufy video doorbell doesn’t support HomeKit, but the new Logitech Circle view does. Personally I’m waiting for a Reolink video doorbell so I can keep all my recordings in the same app.
The Home Assistant iOS app does not support two-way audio, so you can’t make a DIY solution with your existing cameras and a bluetooth speaker.
A dedicated video doorbell of course has the added benefit that the mailman might wait a few seconds for a response. With an ordinary doorbell hooked up to ordinary cameras, the mailman will be gone before you even get your phone out of your pocket and press the notification.
@@DIYtechie hey. I know the comments old but What would you recommend someone new to security cameras?
@@DIYtechie security cameras/doorbell cam. I have a iOS device. And I’d like for the cameras to not rely on wifi
Thanks for another great video. You've helped people make wiser choices before they buy so they won't be disappointed. In my front yard I have been experimenting with my Blink XT2, Reolinks Argus PT, Argus 3, 510A, 810A. At night with my outside lights on (Argus 3 spotlight off) they all switch to color night vision except for the 810A. It stays in black/white IR. I assume it needs more lumens to switch or maybe it's because it faces the street a little more than the other cameras. In the app I can keep it 24/7 color mode but at night this cuts down the view a lot. The Reolink 12MP may need more lighting too to switch. There are better night vision cameras like Hikvision ColorVu but also more expensive. So far Reolink's human person detection is working good for me.
Wow, this is such a great resource to those of us not familiar with security cameras. Thanks for all the hours of research and time you have put into security cameras. It is very much appreciated
and that is a great idea to do for more security
Just found your channel and I'm quite impressed at the way you presented this information. A lot of information for sure but at least I was able to follow and understand. Thank you and great job.
great video! would love to see one on your blue iris build and recommendations on a BI server build.
I bought the Eufy and while it worked ok for a few weeks, it began to ring by itself every 14 minutes. After resetting several time, it stopped only to start again a few days ago. I then tried to reach out to them using both the chat and phone options in their app. What a joke. The phone answers and promptly disconnects and the chat is never answered even after 20 minutes with supposedly 1 person ahead of me. The point of all this is to encourage reviewers like you to assess their support capabilities as part of the review. I finally got to them by going through Amazon…no one wants to look bad to their largest retailer.
What would you recommend buying now that you’ve had this experience?
Hello, thanks for the review. The biggest concern for me is the availability to retrieve footage easily and possibly download to a file to give to authorities. In that regard, which brand excels in that area? Thank you!
He wont reply, he never does, this is a non comunity channel
Buy a proper NVR based system, None of this DIY consumer crap. Call a proper security tradesperson not a youtuber.
You mean a pro system like Avigalon or AXIS? Not saying they are bad systems, but the average person looking to buy a sub $500 Reolink NVR package isn’t going to be willing to step up to a $3000+ system plus the install fee.
In my opinion, a good place to put those P2P cameras, if you use them, is on a guest wireless network that is provided by a number of wireless routers, provided you have that option.
For example, my wifi supports a guest wifi network on either or both 2.4 or 5 ghz bands, but being on the guest network, the devices on such cannot traverse the other network, nor communicate with any other device on the guest network. It's a great option if you have one. Yes, from the regular network, one can access the devices on the guest, but by default the guest cannot initiate a connection to the regular wifi/wired network.
Thank You For Your Consistency! You always give out great advice!
Thanks David
I think Wyze should be looked at again. Wire run is same as others. There is a battery version now. The Starlight sensor is amazing. No fees and 12sec clips. Local continuous or motion or sound recording. Weather proof. Very good sound recording. Easy mount. Honestly I don't use the metal disk. $40 really can't be beat.
I'm l looking into PoE systems with local storage, but it's hard to figure out how good or bad the off-site automated backup is. For some systems, the only backup option is manually copying individual video files to a USB thumb drive (including some Reolink products).
Some have FTP options for off-site, some can backup to a Dropbox account, some have a paid subscription to the manufacturer. It would be nice to mention the different options. Some are easier for non-technical people, some offer more control to the user, some are just obnoxious.
I’m 65. Not overly techy. I do not have highly valuable things at my home except myself. I have insurance on theft and fire on most everything. I already have 3 non WiFi Stealth battery/ solar cameras in my yard in various locations. I do pay a small monthly fee ($5) per camera. It records still shots to my phone, no recorder needed.
However they many times miss faster moving cars and people or shot the pic a little late. There are so many options I can’t make a decision.
Think I’ll just stay with my stealth system for now. Too many options to decide. And of course in three years stuff goes bad or becomes obsolete.
I’m in about $500 and $15 a month. Just stay where I’m at.
Keep my weapon by my bed to protect the more valuable thing, “ myself”.
Great info, great explanation, amazingly easy to follow presentation & well spoken.
This was very good. Information packed. I liked the idea of your personal system and not having information/content on the internet. I'll have to watch this again.
Can you please recommend an outdoor PTZ camera? thank you
Axis or Bosch is the only way to go.
UNIOJO
"EufyCam has held to their no subscription local recording only policy without exception."
2023 me watching this video: "Oopsie" lol
That statement is still 100% correct. Local recording and no subscription are still key aspects to their product. Temporarily web hosted images for notification purposes does not negate those claims.
Another great video! I just bought the lorex POE 4K from Costco. How would these cameras compare to your recommended reolink 4K?
I was thinking of going the Lorex route as well. If you have any feedback on them, that would be appreciated!
@@portage56 I really like them. All metal construction, and the thing I love the most is the motion spotlight. This feature is the real deterrent. Plus, they light up the area, making for a better picture. These cams have a water resistant cover for the Ethernet connector so I thought it would be ok to install them out in the open, with no cover from the elements. I was wrong. Water got in the plug and the camera was done. Lorex is replacing it but said not to install it w/out cover next time. I am going to keep it in the same spot but caulk the connector this time. I think it’ll be fine
@@doddstolworthy2426 appreciate your review, thank you! I just bought the new doorbell from them, so will likely get the same cameras you have too
As for the Eufy cams, you stated that the pro is twice the resolution of the non-pro. 2304x1296 is not twice 1920x1080. 2k is higher res, but only a little higher. Nowhere close to twice, though. Thanks for your tutorials. Despite this small critic, you just gained a subscriber.
Really good round up of all the camera types! Have a happy new year :)
Thanks! You too!
Great video as are all of the videos that I have seen from you. Thank you for taking the time to make them!
good video still relevant. However, you need to add that the Reolink kits come with basic cameras stripped of all the features of the similar references buying alone, hence, better buy separately.
Do you have a doorbell that works with blue iris and home automation? Trying to find something internal that will still allow my wife to view the doorbell cam easily.
I too wanted an IP doorbell which can have a classic indoor monitor but can also tie into Blue Iris. I got a Hikvision which could do that, but it's quite unreliable and software is clunky for a single-family home. I'm now looking at Doorbird which seems to tick all the boxes.
@The Hook up: Thank you for making and sharing this video. It was very helpful and informative.
I have a couple questions regarding the NVR package:
1) Can the NPR be setup to a separate router, private wifi or VPN?
2) Would you say the NPR is a second to last safe option? Would it be difficult for hackers to break into the system or steal information?
3) The first two Reolink NVR packages that you mentioned in the NVR packages, do they offer system updates?
4) Can you use two monitors to view recordings for the computer option?
5) If the electricity goes out, will the NVR and computer related cameras continue to record and store data?
You probably got your answers already, and the only one that I know is #5: They can (for a little while at least), if you put them on an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) Battery. There are a lot of different types and brands for power rating and backup duration, but generally from my experience, I recommend Cyberpower or APC brands.
@@necival85 No. My questions were not answered.
But thanks for answering one of them.
Great video, exactly the type of info that I was looking for!
Awesome video. Stroked my ego a bit that you chose the camera system I went with.
Is this a current recommendation for 2024?
That was a stupidly high density awesome no b.s. review. Great work.
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
@@joeslacker1020 defender cameras require no wifi
Can you do 2024 best Security Cameras Systems
Any news on getting the RLC-801A person detection alerts into home assistant?
This is the github to watch for that support: github.com/fwestenberg/reolink_dev
@@TheHookUp specifically, this issue github.com/fwestenberg/reolink_dev/issues/86
@@RossReedstrom Thanks Ross.
Reolink POE has been a fantastic camera. I use Blue Iris as well. Both outstanding. I have eight cameras including the new Reolink duo 4K.
Great video. Thanks for posting! I’m surprised the Netatmo floodlight camera didn’t win its segment. It has a great light and person/vehicle/animal detection on the camera, which has pretty decent video quality.
THANKS FOR THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEO. Need to watch more of your videos regarding cctv’s etc.
I know it wasn’t mentioned but do you recommend any of the UniFi protect camera line ?
th-cam.com/video/rCxCAjWHdXQ/w-d-xo.html
@@TheHookUp thank you !
I agree and recommend Eufy Cameras Door bell for best video quality without subscription grab... Best then any major high tech companies offering
I’ve been impressed and happy with my Wyze cameras because of their performance at a very affordable price. I like that Wyze has made owning a security camera something that’s accessible to nearly anyone, even for people with a very limited budget.
Sure they have their downsides and aren’t the best cameras on the market, but I haven’t found any other camera that’s as good as the Wyze cameras for the price you pay. (1080p quality, CMOS starlight sensor for color night vision, IR lights (if you don't want to use color night vision,) person, package, pet, & vehicle detection, an optional remote siren you can turn on, etc.)
They come with free very basic 14 day motion triggered cloud storage, but it’s worth upgrading to their very affordable cam plus subscription for the person, pet, package, & vehicle detection along with the full length video cloud storage.
They also recently started offering another subscription that’s very affordable for basic home monitoring without having to buy any additional equipment. The cameras use facial recognition; the subscription gives you 24/7 monitored service when you enable the “armed” option for the camera in the app and you can even set it up so that familiarized faces don’t set off an alert. (Or if you want, specific faces that WILL trigger an alert).
When you do get the alert, a notification with video is sent to your phone, where you can disable the alert if needed. If not, the 24/7 monitoring service will dispatch the police to your residence. Having this without a home security system is great for people who can’t afford much but still want peace of mind. Oh, and the cameras have an SD slot for local recording too. So if your Wi-Fi is down, they’ll still record.
Can you also make a video on video doorbells that work without cloud, with RSTP stream.
:D
Or are there any at all?
eufy and amcrest. The amcrest works really well. Haven't tested the eufy
This guy's worth all the views and subscriptions
Am I crazy or can you not actually buy the Yeelight M2 anywhere? Second integrated ad I’ve seen with it, want to buy a bunch of em and can’t actually find it being sold!
Just contacted them about it. Should be on Amazon on January 24th.
Do you know of one that has the option to be off the internet to work, and has good very low to no light nightvision, and is good in the weather? Thanks!
I had exactly the same problem with Reolink. Constantly out of stock.
I have the NVR at home and its superb.
I wanted to get a new one for my family but they are always out of stock
All yee lights have been yeeted by millennials
I wanted it because I mistakenly thought it was called "Yeetlight" I wanted the Yeet feature.. I'm looking at an arlo system but thanks to this video, I'm checking to make sure whatever system I get doesn't go to a "cloud" have a monthly fee or need wifi.
Love your videos, Rob! Any tips on deciding between Bullet style versus Turret (unless you already have a video for it which I have not come across yet 😊 ) Thanks and as always keep up the great work!
It would be great if you could address sensors like indoor motion, and door and window.
Most Informative, Thanks! Love to see an updated version...
Your attention to detail is the best on TH-cam! Great job.
Bought a set of Annke PoE 4K system in 2020Nov after your review. Very happy with the cameras! Thank you again!
Well-done and very helpful. Thank you.
I'm in the market and was paralyzed by all the options. This was extremely helpful. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
That did you choose?
I feel like you've hacked my phone, lol. I was in a store looking at smart cameras and I said, I might hold off until I can watch some reviews. Then.. BOOM!! YOU DROP THIS VIDEO!!..... Creep....
We're all keeping an eye you. 😎
@@eanovak8429 watch my camera... You like what you see, don't you!? 😏💋
@@sadistikjustice8258 Yay baby! 🥂💋
I see all.
@@TheHookUp **Deep Austrian accent** "I have detailed files..."
Thank you man , this is really going to help
Eufy doesn’t have monthly fees lol & some of them last a year, I have a pan & tilt indoor cam & love it
Good video, congrats!
What is your opinion about the eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro?
Hi, can you review the Lorex nvr poe system?
Excellent Videos, really enjoy watching them. Would you kindly recommend and indoor POE camera please?
You really should ask Birkenstock to support your channel.
Ha ha, your where ahead of me commenting on this. A high-tech channel with opposite shoes. :-)
😱@3:43 You say the EufyCam 2 and 2C have the best in class image quality....but I just came from the LifeHackster channel where this exact model is compared with Arlo Pro 3 and the Argus 3 Pro....and a license plate at 30 feet is unreadable from the EufyCam 2 Pro...while it is readable by the other 2 cameras. Go to 7:54 on the video from March 27 on the LifeHackster channel. YT will auto block this comment if I post the link. ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT? I currently have Blink XT's and looking to upgrade.
PS. I really do like this channel and appreciate all the info....very detailed....subd and noti's are on. You rock dude. 😍
You release a video 12,000 views later The cameras are out of stock on Amazon. 😄
Hi there, thanks for the reviews. Did you look at the Hikvision cameras and NVR?? I’m thinking of them at the moment.
Thanks
Thank you for this video, it's exactly what I was looking for. After a stranger was at my door knocking and peering through the window (pitch dark out) I need to get security. I always felt secure now not so much. I'm glad that you gave the eufy good reviews because it is at the top on my (non techy) list. The options are mind boggling. How does the base get connected, does it plug into an outlet like a lamp?
Oh no, that's the worst. I think you will be happy with the Eufy, and I hope it makes you feel more secure.
This is a great video to help me decode what to buy. Thank you so very much!
Always great information. Thanks! Is the EufyCam 2K Video Doorbell With Hub accessible by your Blue Iris NVR? Thanks again, and Happy New Year!! ~Frank
I have the Google Nest security system and I love it. Works great. Not perfect but for the price point and ease of installation it works pretty good for me. Good video.
Do you have a recommendation for baby monitor? What I imagine:
- wireless (because I want to put it where the baby is
- can detect movement and sound
- can be integrated with HA or Node Red to send whatever notification type I want (like flashing the lights in the living room)
Great job! Thanks for all details.
Great video! Any chance you would consider a video with devices for those of us who live very cold temps for a few months of the year?
As an old geek my preference would be a custom system using my own PC but I want something my spouse can easily use so I’ll go with the 8k package. Thanks.
I'm actually in the process of ditching all my Eufy cameras/doorbell/etc. I find them unreliable and even though they record locally, outages of Eufy servers will bring your entire system down with it. I constantly have to reboot my Eufy cameras and sometimes, for whatever reason, the battery-operated outdoor cameras and the battery doorbell just decide to stop pushing notifications. My Eufy doorbell would lag so badly between motion detection and recording that most of the clips I got were of people walking away after they'd already pushed the doorbell. I'm glad they worked well for you, but my experience with them was garbage. Hopefully other people have better luck than I did.
That’s very strange, which hub did you have? Was your hub wired or wifi? I’ve literally never had downtime on mine.
@@TheHookUp Homebase 2. One wired, one wifi. Earlier this year they all went down, twice within a few days. There are huge threads on their support forums full of people talking about It. The homebases are another thing that bug me about eufy’s system. The outdoor battery cameras link up to the Homebase for recording and control. The wired indoor cameras do not. And they cannot trigger one another - a motion detect on a wireless camera cannot trigger a wired camera/vice versa - or be put on the same keypad (in fact, not sure it’s possible to link wired cameras to the keypad at all). Wired cameras can’t be triggered by independent, window, or door sensors either as those are linked to the Homebase, as well. It’s just not a very well thought out system. Great image quality, but that’s about it.
The indoor cameras do seem like they are a separate ecosystem (I think they were aiming them more at homekit users).
Thats definitely "The Hook Up"!!!A lot of amazing information. I might have to watch the video over and over!
I'm far from an expert, but both an old timer and a geek. I enjoyed your approach on this video, as it gave me some ideas for my parents who are well into their 80's but lucky enough to be able to live on their own.
Not knowing what I was doing, I personally use AxxonNext as my home NVR with some HikVision wired cameras. Setup is is no small feat, but being commercial quality, it's all dead reliable and configurable to my personal [geek] needs.
My parents like my setup so much, they want something similar, at least they think. They don't want me tinkering around for weeks or months to get it just right, like I did with my own setup. Neither do I! I'd love to see you do a video that takes things a little more into the hardened world of commercial quality equipment, but with a degree of simplicity for setup.
I suppose that sounds like I'm asking you to do my research for me. :) That's kinda true. Anyway, as these system evolve, I look forward to leaning more.
Btw: My number one concern with consumer cameras is privacy. I run my own NVR and control my own access. I configure my network, so my cameras cannot access the internet, as I just don't trust what they are doing. Commercial cameras provide this level of control. Consumer cameras make it difficult.
OK, I'm new to you. Just watched your 2021 POE recommendation video. Very helpful and I'm now a subscriber. Thank you.
One criticism. You really need to include ONVIF compatibility as part of your reviews.
I do not consider non-ONVIF cameras, so I guess you could say it is part of the review.
@@TheHookUp Was looking to expand a bit and revisited this video (thanks again). Per the Eufy website, their floodlight cameras do not support ONVIF.
Thank you so much for this wonderful video. I had already tried a 4 set of Lorex and it was money thrown down the drain. You did give me some great ideas and your 101 class is going to help me make a better selection this time. I kind of like the last option so I'm going to look up your other videos. Thank you so much. You have been a great help.
You are A SAINT!!! Thank you for this video with an actual security (physical + cyber) mindset!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Ive been thru this video five times already. It's a great resource.
Fantastic review! Really like what you did with Blue Iris and the VPN setup with different brand cameras. From what I have read, the Reolink cameras are good value, but the android app has some bad reviews. Your Blue Iris setup gets me around the app issue, great work. Really appreciate your research and how you clearly explain the different options. cheers!
Informative video, still in 2022. But what concerns me is the build quality of the cheaper camera systems. I use Reolink camera's for some time now, and they don't age well outside in the Netherlands. Therefore for my new home I'm looking into the Ubiquiti security ecosystem which is more expensive but might be the better solution in the long run. Especially if you combine it with your network setup, you have a very solid system.
I use Wyze cameras. No fee's and they work just fine.
A word of warning about the EufyCams - this wasn't known at the time of your video, but the EufyCam and Eufy doorbells send data to the cloud, even if the option is disabled. So if local control is your thing, you might want to avoid them.
As for the company, they lied about it until they were forced to come clean, which is a red flag in my book. Your mileage may vary, but I think it's information worth knowing about
Totally with you on using a VPN and restricting internet access from everything inside the network but then the camera's own software (for example Reolink's mobile app) and also Blue Iris and Home Assistant aren't able to push notifications, unless I'm missing something? Same for device tracking for example, the mobile phones can't connect to Home Assistant while not home, so HA isn't triggering "away" automations. How do you work around that if not by configuring external access ?
Thanks a lot my friend this really helped me a lot I know now witch camera system I need for my home.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I have never installed a camera or security system in my life, but I would love to install one around the outside of the house, but I do not see batteries cameras as a viable source. What is the most simple wired system you could recommend to a novice like me? Thank you sir
Newest family entertainment!! The whole family gathering around the monitor on Saturday nights to see if anybody comes to the front door! Wow! What great fun! GET ONE NOW!! 🥳🤩😳
Your reviews are absolute money! Thank you!
Which home security system has the best color night vision cameras? I plan to use PoE, probably 8 MP cameras, 3 or 4 TB HD NVR, 2 way audio and built in siren. I plan to do the installation. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.