Spec me a CCTV System

I got mine from Amazon as I needed it at a tighter angle and downward
Wasserstein Vertical Wall Mount Kit Compatible with Nest Hello Video Doorbell (White) was the one I got was perfect as had the adjustability for every angle on a slider. The clips sucked hence the no nails.
 
Nitron said:
Speaking of TiOC cameras...

Does someone can recommend some "clever" ways to use the alarm input/output IOs. of the camera ?

Or the microphone/speaker ?
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. I don't know how it works as I don't have a dahua (still shopping) I'd have to see it, but are there any options like tying them to smart home tech? Like having the output trigger a Samsung smartthings event, which could the sound a siren in the house, or flash a light etc?
 
steinooo said:
. I don't know how it works as I don't have a dahua (still shopping) I'd have to see it, but are there any options like tying them to smart home tech? Like having the output trigger a Samsung smartthings event, which could the sound a siren in the house, or flash a light etc?
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They're not really consumer level technology. So they have full software alerting through Dahua's app software and you have full hardware outputs on an RS422 or RS485 interface. As an example I have a camera set up to open and close the gates and then the garage doors when one of our cars approaches or leaves and the ANPR camera reads the correct number plate. Likewise, if you wanted to trigger a light or play a sound the triggers are in the software on the camera but you need to connect something to the hardware on the NVR. Otherwise you're stuck with what Dahua gives you in the DMSS software.

And you can add the cameras to an Ajax security system so you get the PIR, the video and the various alerts all together. And Ajax has some level of Smart Home integration but again, it's driving Ajax's own relays to make things happen rather than a software trigger.
 
Nitron said:
Speaking of TiOC cameras...

Does someone can recommend some "clever" ways to use the alarm input/output IOs. of the camera ?

Or the microphone/speaker ?
Click to expand...

We link the PIR sensors on Ajax systems to the cameras so they record when the alarm goes off. We have hardware tripwires including laser and radar perimeter scanners that can be set to trigger the cameras. The camera can switch on floodlights or play a VERY loud sound through a horn speaker. Literally anything you can switch on or off can be controlled. If you have the right NVR that does facial recognition then it can open the door for you.

I'm sure I saw a video where a drone was launched when the camera went off, but that would be illegal in the UK under current regulations.

I think my current favourite feature on the WizSense range is the ability for a fixed camera to control an autotracking PTZ. So the PTZ can be patrolling back and forth and when the TiOC sees something either through IVS (or SMD+, but don't use SMD+ unless you like false alerts) it tells the PTZ to look at a pre-set location. The PTZ almost instantly goes to that pre-set and then proceeds to automatically track the target that was originally spotted by the TiOC. It's proper voodoo.
 
WJA96 said:
They're not really consumer level technology. So they have full software alerting through Dahua's app software and you have full hardware outputs on an RS422 or RS485 interface. As an example I have a camera set up to open and close the gates and then the garage doors when one of our cars approaches or leaves and the ANPR camera reads the correct number plate. Likewise, if you wanted to trigger a light or play a sound the triggers are in the software on the camera but you need to connect something to the hardware on the NVR. Otherwise you're stuck with what Dahua gives you in the DMSS software.

And you can add the cameras to an Ajax security system so you get the PIR, the video and the various alerts all together. And Ajax has some level of Smart Home integration but again, it's driving Ajax's own relays to make things happen rather than a software trigger.
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Thanks for the post, This is making me edge closer to pulling the trigger on a dahua tioc. I've got a smartthings setup and I really like that idea of the number plate recognition triggering stuff. That's really useful automation.

I'll have a look at the possibilities are for triggering smartthings from rs422 or rs485
 
steinooo said:
Thanks for the post, This is making me edge closer to pulling the trigger on a dahua tioc. I've got a smartthings setup and I really like that idea of the number plate recognition triggering stuff. That's really useful automation.

I'll have a look at the possibilities are for triggering smartthings from rs422 or rs485
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A TiOC on it’s own won’t do ANPR - you’ll either need a 7-series Dahua AI NVR or a dedicated ANPR camera like the ITC237-PW6M-(IR)LZF1050-B, which is what I’m using.
 
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So far the Dahua camera hardware and the NVR seem great what is letting this down has to be the most convoluted software for these. I get it they are not for dumb consumers but I have played around with Ip cameras for years with lots of brands but so far this is just quite disappointing. Cannot get motion notifications on the dmss app on ios to work no matter what I do. They log in the NVR and show in messages on the IOS app but if you click one it just crashes the app and doesn't give a notification.

edit got the notifications to finally work but when you click on one of bricks my iPhone and I need force restart. Playback tab also just says can’t connect. Think it might be iOS beta issue so going to try the android app. This is the reason you pay extra for consumer cameras depending on feature set you want such sure the hardware might not be as robust but most of the time the software works and has a great gui.
 
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Dave85 said:
So far the Dahua camera hardware and the NVR seem great what is letting this down has to be the most convoluted software for these. I get it they are not for dumb consumers but I have played around with Ip cameras for years with lots of brands but so far this is just quite disappointing. Cannot get motion notifications on the dmss app on ios to work no matter what I do. They log in the NVR and show in messages on the IOS app but if you click one it just crashes the app and doesn't give a notification.

edit got the notifications to finally work but when you click on one of bricks my iPhone and I need force restart. Playback tab also just says can’t connect. Think it might be iOS beta issue so going to try the android app. This is the reason you pay extra for consumer cameras depending on feature set you want such sure the hardware might not be as robust but most of the time the software works and has a great gui.
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So, assuming you are using IVS or SMD+ (don't do it!) on the camera you don't need the NVR to receive notifications. Add the camera serial number (or the NVR if the NVR is capable of passing the AI notifications on - most of the 1, 2 and 4 series NVRs from before 2020 can't do it) and then add it as a camera (obviously) then click on Notification, enable the slider box then for IVS, tick the box that says Intrusion Alarm or Tripwire Alarm if you're using that option. You can also set times when you don't want notifications both on the camera to send them and the software to display them.

I suspect that your NVR can't handle AI notifications which is why they're not being sent.
 
Was just looking into maybe getting another Nest IQ Outdoor cam and they've sold out in anticipation of a new line up of cameras on the way

I hope we can get some POE wired ones this time around!

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Hi all,

Just moved into a house and want to put some CCTV up. As a heavy Google user, I thought Nest cams would be the obvious choice.

The IQ Outdoor is discontinued as above, so bought some normal nest outdoors and have been trialling them, but have been massively underwhelmed by the IQ, plus it looks like we'd need 4 plus a gate access camera to cover all aspects, which is starting to get into fairly serious money.

I do really like

  • zones,
  • AI detection (ie person vs animal),
  • getting alerts whilst not home and being able to view it instantly,
  • ability to pull the cameras up on my Nest Hub,
  • 24/7 recording as well as the auto clips of events
  • WiFi - my house is not cat5 wired, so really does need to be WiFi, and I'll run a power lead out. Could consider some kind of Ethernet to WiFi bridge on the end of each of them if the cost isn't prohibitive
  • The cloud storage is great, more than happy to pay a tenner a month for that, though only have an 18mbps upload so accept for higher quality I'm going to be better with an NVR

Basically if they were higher quality for the £130 a camera I'd be happy, but at 500+ for a 4 camera system the video resolution and lack of HDR is disappointing!

Are there any better quality pieces of kit (ie 5mp/4k) that I should be looking at that can do this for a similar price point?Are the reolink systems worth considering?

Thanks,
 
rG-tom said:
Hi all,

Just moved into a house and want to put some CCTV up. As a heavy Google user, I thought Nest cams would be the obvious choice.

The IQ Outdoor is discontinued as above, so bought some normal nest outdoors and have been trialling them, but have been massively underwhelmed by the IQ, plus it looks like we'd need 4 plus a gate access camera to cover all aspects, which is starting to get into fairly serious money.

I do really like

  • zones,
  • AI detection (ie person vs animal),
  • getting alerts whilst not home and being able to view it instantly,
  • ability to pull the cameras up on my Nest Hub,
  • 24/7 recording as well as the auto clips of events
  • WiFi - my house is not cat5 wired, so really does need to be WiFi, and I'll run a power lead out. Could consider some kind of Ethernet to WiFi bridge on the end of each of them if the cost isn't prohibitive
  • The cloud storage is great, more than happy to pay a tenner a month for that, though only have an 18mbps upload so accept for higher quality I'm going to be better with an NVR

Basically if they were higher quality for the £130 a camera I'd be happy, but at 500+ for a 4 camera system the video resolution and lack of HDR is disappointing!

Are there any better quality pieces of kit (ie 5mp/4k) that I should be looking at that can do this for a similar price point?Are the reolink systems worth considering?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

If you can run a power lead, run a CAT5e cable and use a PoE switch to power the device and get a wired IP camera instead. Also bear in mind that WiFi is a really poor basis for important communications and external Wi-Fi is heavily influenced by weather and solar activity. Running a cable to a wired camera is a much better idea.
 
WJA96 said:
If you can run a power lead, run a CAT5e cable and use a PoE switch to power the device and get a wired IP camera instead. Also bear in mind that WiFi is a really poor basis for important communications and external Wi-Fi is heavily influenced by weather and solar activity. Running a cable to a wired camera is a much better idea.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yeah a PoE camera with wifi bridges inside the house would be an option - any suggestions?
 
rG-tom said:
Thanks, yeah a PoE camera with wifi bridges inside the house would be an option - any suggestions?
Click to expand...

The most important aspect is what can your existing system handle in terms of RSTP/ONVIF video streams and notifications or would you accept a dedicated PoE NVR platform and a separate app for notifications?
 
WJA96 said:
The most important aspect is what can your existing system handle in terms of RSTP/ONVIF video streams and notifications or would you accept a dedicated PoE NVR platform and a separate app for notifications?
Click to expand...

I have no existing system, so assume I'll need an NVR!
 
At that price and if your going to the trouble of setting up the pc get a dahua or Hikvision they have models that take sd card about that price that will be far superior. WJA96 will be the man to let you know the best models.
 
rG-tom said:
The spec of these seems good:


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reolink-De...Bullet-Poe-Ip-Camera-Fixed-Lens/dp/B08F7C37NZ

Tempted to get one to try with just SD card / set server up on my PC, and if any good get a few more and an NVR?
Click to expand...


Dave85 said:
At that price and if your going to the trouble of setting up the pc get a dahua or Hikvision they have models that take sd card about that price that will be far superior. WJA96 will be the man to let you know the best models.
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That’s very kind of you to say.

Those Reolink cameras are decent enough for the money. You won’t get AI detection for that money though, so you’ll probably get more false alarms than you’d like and I can pretty much guarantee you won’t be happy with the night image quality on a budget 4K sensor. They all look great, some even incredible, during the daylight but when you really want to see, after dark, that’s when the quality cameras with the 2, 4 and 5MP sensors really shine.

Dahua TiOCs are the current kings of night vision. Hikvision ColorVu are also excellent. Reolink are far from being bad cameras, but if you’re spending a lot of money then I’d go for a TiOC or ColorVu.
 
Where would one source TiOC cams? Do they integrate well with nest hub etc?

I'm trying to spend as little as possible to get a decent IQ - with the nest outdoor I can't even read my number plate as I enter the driveway at c. 10m from the camera, 1080p just isn't up to it!
 
Any Dahua installer can install a Dahua camera for you. I have no idea how they would integrate with Nest Hub, which is why I asked about would you use another App? Can you describe the amount of light at the front of your home at night? You might find, if you have good street lighting, you could get away with a low-light colour camera.

A 2MP 1080P camera is more than good enough to read numberplates. Indeed, as far as I’m aware, 99.9% of ANPR cameras sold are 2MP or less. The issue isn’t the sensor size, it’s the quality of the processing behind the sensor. If you read this, and other surveillance camera threads I’ve posted in, it’s not about the number of megapixels! Indeed, more megapixels is generally worse in cheap cameras, because they spent all the money on the sensor and nothing on anything else.

Anything reflective is a bit of surveillance camera disaster. The IR light on most black and white night vision cameras causes car number plates to be white blobs on the screen. The soft white light on the TiOCs and ColorVu’s are better, but ideally you want very diffuse light.

NAS and surveillance advice

The camera used to take the picture of the Audi A1 by the garage is a 2MP full colour night vision camera. But it needs really good street lighting. If you have a street light near your home then that’s the camera for you. They’re £100-ish.
 
Might be a long shot but can anyone recommend a company to install CCTV at a residential property in Warwickshire? I've approached a couple of companies but they just don't seem interested (cancelled visits multiple times to see the property, not calling back when they say they will etc), the one that has actually turned up provided a quote that was very reasonable but I had been specific around some requirements and they aren't responding to my questions as to whether the quote includes them or not.
 
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