Reliable PoE CCTV cameras
Discussion
Hi all
When we built our house in 2019, I fitted 9 cameras around the place from ZXTech and one of their NVR’s. The cameras have been ok if not a little temperamental and the NVR is cheapo knock off chinese crap and is painful half the time.
Fast forward to today and a couple of the cameras have died a death. My network tester shows no problem with the cable.
I have a PoE Cisco switch providing power so don’t need an NVR with PoE etc. just one to support enough channels.
Can anyone recommend a reliable camera that’ll be a bit better made. I need one bullet and one dome.
Also, anyone recommend a decent NVR with good software and a decent app?
TIA
When we built our house in 2019, I fitted 9 cameras around the place from ZXTech and one of their NVR’s. The cameras have been ok if not a little temperamental and the NVR is cheapo knock off chinese crap and is painful half the time.
Fast forward to today and a couple of the cameras have died a death. My network tester shows no problem with the cable.
I have a PoE Cisco switch providing power so don’t need an NVR with PoE etc. just one to support enough channels.
Can anyone recommend a reliable camera that’ll be a bit better made. I need one bullet and one dome.
Also, anyone recommend a decent NVR with good software and a decent app?
TIA
Our Unifi cameras that replaced Hikvision have been absolutely rock solid for the last five or so years. The app is light years better than Arlo (that we have overseas) and Hikvision.
I progressively upgrade them as time goes on so I can say it's not just the old models that are reliable.
The same can't be said about their access control solutions, sadly.
I progressively upgrade them as time goes on so I can say it's not just the old models that are reliable.
The same can't be said about their access control solutions, sadly.
I'd also recommend Ubiquiti/Unifi. If you have a POE switch already then you probably just need a Cloud Key 2 Plus which will act as a controller and DVR (it can be powered by POE too). Just check which flavour(s) of POE your switch can put out.
They have various cameras, here's an example.
They have various cameras, here's an example.
Edited by theaxe on Saturday 3rd February 15:17
I’ve had good results with Annke and Reolink in recent times
Historically I was a hikvision man, I’ve had some of their cameras outside for 12 years, still going strong
Blueiris user
The Annke nc800 is really good in low light, purchased for 139, but it’s now 220
I believe it’s hikvision kit under covers
I used to buy from some fella in China but now I buy uk only
Historically I was a hikvision man, I’ve had some of their cameras outside for 12 years, still going strong
Blueiris user
The Annke nc800 is really good in low light, purchased for 139, but it’s now 220
I believe it’s hikvision kit under covers
I used to buy from some fella in China but now I buy uk only
Edited by Spare tyre on Saturday 3rd February 18:58
I have UniFi at home which works really well, remote access is great and most importantly when you go into the App you get an instant live feed from all cameras.
I have Reolink at my barn where my cars are, a bit clunkier to setup but the biggest difference is that in the app the cameras are not updated until you click on one. So at home, just press on App on iPhone and you see live feeds on a chessboard. For the barn, press on App, then click on each camera one by one to get a live feed which then stops when you switch between the cameras.
The UniFi is much more expensive but is a nicer experience.
I have Reolink at my barn where my cars are, a bit clunkier to setup but the biggest difference is that in the app the cameras are not updated until you click on one. So at home, just press on App on iPhone and you see live feeds on a chessboard. For the barn, press on App, then click on each camera one by one to get a live feed which then stops when you switch between the cameras.
The UniFi is much more expensive but is a nicer experience.
Thanks so much all for the feedback. We’ve got unifi AP’s in the house and a dsg plus cloud key (gen 1).
Could be the best route to go down. Hasn’t realised they did cameras.
Does anyone know if the dream machine also performs the functions of the cloud key?
If so, think I could replace the usg, nvr and cloud key all in one box
Could be the best route to go down. Hasn’t realised they did cameras.
Does anyone know if the dream machine also performs the functions of the cloud key?
If so, think I could replace the usg, nvr and cloud key all in one box
eltax91 said:
Thanks so much all for the feedback. We’ve got unifi AP’s in the house and a dsg plus cloud key (gen 1).
Could be the best route to go down. Hasn’t realised they did cameras.
Does anyone know if the dream machine also performs the functions of the cloud key?
If so, think I could replace the usg, nvr and cloud key all in one box
Yes it does, but you have to supply a hard drive. I recently did just that. Edit to add: I mean the Dream Machine Pro, not the R2D2 thing.Could be the best route to go down. Hasn’t realised they did cameras.
Does anyone know if the dream machine also performs the functions of the cloud key?
If so, think I could replace the usg, nvr and cloud key all in one box
I'll offer another vote for Reolink from me.
The big win is there's no cloud subscription required so you can keep all your data local. They're also good quality cameras and the app is pretty good (the new version fixes some long standing annoyances).
I had one issue with one of their older cameras that fogged up on the inside, and they were excellent to deal with. They asked for some photos of what had happened and then immediately sent a newer model replacement.
Since then I've added another camera and a doorbell, and switched from storing footage on my NAS to their dedicated NVR. It's all been faultless.
The big win is there's no cloud subscription required so you can keep all your data local. They're also good quality cameras and the app is pretty good (the new version fixes some long standing annoyances).
I had one issue with one of their older cameras that fogged up on the inside, and they were excellent to deal with. They asked for some photos of what had happened and then immediately sent a newer model replacement.
Since then I've added another camera and a doorbell, and switched from storing footage on my NAS to their dedicated NVR. It's all been faultless.
theaxe said:
eltax91 said:
Thanks so much all for the feedback. We’ve got unifi AP’s in the house and a dsg plus cloud key (gen 1).
Could be the best route to go down. Hasn’t realised they did cameras.
Does anyone know if the dream machine also performs the functions of the cloud key?
If so, think I could replace the usg, nvr and cloud key all in one box
Yes it does, but you have to supply a hard drive. I recently did just that. Edit to add: I mean the Dream Machine Pro, not the R2D2 thing.Could be the best route to go down. Hasn’t realised they did cameras.
Does anyone know if the dream machine also performs the functions of the cloud key?
If so, think I could replace the usg, nvr and cloud key all in one box
I have a dream machine pro set up. Just over two years old. Has worked without a hitch until recently when one the bullet style cameras went down on further investigation even though all installed correctly under an eave water had got into the unit and killed it. Hopefully just a one off result of the recent storms. Like others have said UniFi is not the cheapest but is easy to set up and has a great interface and app.
megaphone said:
Main issue with the Unifi Protect is the lack of camera choice. There are no turret cameras, which are probably the most useful for external use.
Are these not what you are referring to? https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/store/ip-cameras/tu...Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff