Spec me a CCTV System

Hi all,

Im looking at getting a good system after my Ring cameras being underwhelming/misting up/missing motion.

Looking at a Hikvision setup with an NVR. Do network switches work the same with a DVR and cameras as they do in normal use?

Basically I will have 3 cameras on the garage, to a POE switch, and then a single cable back to the NVR (maybe a 20m run), and then similar on the house, a cluster of 3 cameras to a POE switch in the loft and then a single drop to the NVR.

This then means I have 6 cameras off 2 outputs of the NVR, assuming this is fine?

In addition, what sort of channel capacity should I be looking at for this sort of system? I was thinking of Hikvision 2.8mm ColorVu cameras.

Thanks guys.
 
roboamigo said:
Hi all,

Im looking at getting a good system after my Ring cameras being underwhelming/misting up/missing motion.

Looking at a Hikvision setup with an NVR. Do network switches work the same with a DVR and cameras as they do in normal use?

Basically I will have 3 cameras on the garage, to a POE switch, and then a single cable back to the NVR (maybe a 20m run), and then similar on the house, a cluster of 3 cameras to a POE switch in the loft and then a single drop to the NVR.

This then means I have 6 cameras off 2 outputs of the NVR, assuming this is fine?

In addition, what sort of channel capacity should I be looking at for this sort of system? I was thinking of Hikvision 2.8mm ColorVu cameras.

Thanks guys.
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In this case you are not connecting any of the PoE ports on the NVR, you would just have one connection from the NVR to the main switch, which is fine, and you add the IP cameras to the camera list as if they were directly connected to the NVR PoE ports.

You need 1 channel for every camera, whether they are plugged in directly or not.

I don’t think you would make the mistake, so sorry if I’m pointing out the obvious, but DVR is for analogue cameras and NVR is for IP cameras, so buy the right one!

If you don’t need the PoE ports then you can also get ‘display boxes’ that take a hard drive just like an NVR but don’t have the PoE outputs. They are substantially cheaper than NVRs. A 16 channel NVR would be £300+HDD whereas an identical 16 channel display box would be £100.
 
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Thanks, that all makes sense.

Any general advice on camera specs - 5mp or 8mp - much difference in the real world?

I basically just want a reliable system that isnt tied to the Ring ecosystem and subscription. It would be nice if I could add some Homekit automation through Homebridge (i.e. if camera A senses motion past 11pm, send an alert to a Homepod).

Most cameras will be installed between 6-8ft with one installed at high level for a general birds-eye view of the driveway.

EDIT: Re. the NVR, is there any benefit at all, other than futureproofing for number of cameras, to a 16ch NVR over an 8ch?

EDIT2: Could you maybe give me a link/example of the 'display box' - im assuming its not a monitor? I dont need POE at the NVR, but I would like it to be on my network so it can be viewed remotely. I assumed that is what the NVR provided and that POE was an option on them.
 
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No, unless you want to use digital zoom on a low-res display, often 4/5MP is every bit as good as 8MP and the sensors tend to be better at night.

16 channel recorders have bigger processors so you may want more intelligent analysis modes and a 16 channel will give you that over an 8 channel.

An example of a good recorder box is https://www.securitydynamics.co.uk/.../ip-network-display-units/nvr4108-4ks2-l.html which is about £100 plus VAT plus the HDD of your choice.

Another option is to buy a dedicated NAS NVR like the Synology or QNAP devices.
 
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

I was under the impression the NVR would be the controller/decoder for the system, so it would need to be Hikvision to run the relevent cameras, assume that isnt the case and I can just install Hikvision software on any display box?

I just need to look into 'Colorvu' and 'Nightfighter' features on the Hik cameras, seems to be something to do with night vision. I have generally good ambient light due to being on a main road.
 
WJA96 said:
No, unless you want to use digital zoom on a low-res display, often 4/5MP is every bit as good as 8MP and the sensors tend to be better at night.

16 channel recorders have bigger processors so you may want more intelligent analysis modes and a 16 channel will give you that over an 8 channel.

An example of a good recorder box is https://www.securitydynamics.co.uk/.../ip-network-display-units/nvr4108-4ks2-l.html which is about £100 plus VAT plus the HDD of your choice.

Another option is to buy a dedicated NAS NVR like the Synology or QNAP devices.
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Which camera can connect to that wirelessly?
 
roboamigo said:
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

I was under the impression the NVR would be the controller/decoder for the system, so it would need to be Hikvision to run the relevent cameras, assume that isnt the case and I can just install Hikvision software on any display box?

I just need to look into 'Colorvu' and 'Nightfighter' features on the Hik cameras, seems to be something to do with night vision. I have generally good ambient light due to being on a main road.
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The NVR does multiple functions and fundamentally each camera can generally operate completely independently. Anything ONVIF will work with anything else that is ONVIF. You definitely don’t need to have the recorder the same as the cameras.

You can’t install any software on the display box. It will record and show your cameras on any connected screen and send the video images to any appropriate app. If you choose to do your AI functions on the camera then that data will be interpreted by the recorder or if you do the AI on the recorder then the recorder will analyse the images and mark the recorded images accordingly.
 
WJA96 said:
The NVR does multiple functions and fundamentally each camera can generally operate completely independently. Anything ONVIF will work with anything else that is ONVIF. You definitely don’t need to have the recorder the same as the cameras.

You can’t install any software on the display box. It will record and show your cameras on any connected screen and send the video images to any appropriate app. If you choose to do your AI functions on the camera then that data will be interpreted by the recorder or if you do the AI on the recorder then the recorder will analyse the images and mark the recorded images accordingly.
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Thanks. Thats great, I was looking at all Hik gear initially. Il have a gander tonight.
 
First time burglary today. We went out once in a blue moon for a meal with no one at home.

We are in the middle of a ground floor rear and first floor side extension.

They broke in via the back upstairs window (by climbing on the extension roof)- smashed a small window to open it and then allow them to open the big window to get in.

They were clearly looking for cash/ jewellery as they went through all the bedroom cabinets/ wardrobes. Literally took nothing! We have been extremely lucky as we had nothing valuable at home.

Whilst we are in the process of renovation I'm thinking to install CCTV? Builder mentioned something with sensors which alerts you also?

What are the best value- for- money deterrents/ system I should go for? I'm thinking security light at the back and 2 cameras together with 2 cameras at the front.

Would someone be able to spec one up for me together with retailer?

I'd really appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance.
 
Surveiilance cameras are a great deterrent but once someone has cased your house and they have found a way in, you need to go for physical security first. Anywhere they can get a handhold to climb you can place bird anti-roosting spikes. Fit limiters to the windows so they cannot be opened more than an inch or so. It’s extremely unlikely anyone will climb through broken glass to get in your home.

A good alarm can put people off even looking.

Ajax have outdoor curtain sensors that are completely wireless and you can put them on your gate so the alarm goes off when someone walks onto your property.

They also have wireless glass breakage alarms and door/window opening sensors. They have indoor and outdoor movement sensors that take snapshot photographs when triggered. These all work very well and you can fit them yourself.

To put a system together I would need to know the number of doors, windows and entrances you have but budget £500 - £1000 plus you’ll need a data sim card to dial you when the alarm goes off.
 
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Fantastic advice, thanks @WJA96

The new windows will be key locked at night and have trickle vents so no need to leave them open.

There are only 2 entrances/ exits- front door and bifold doors in kitchen (rear).

It is fully detached with passages on both sides (which are both open at the moment due to building work).

To the front of house there is-
2 ground floor windows, 3 first floor
Rear-
1 ground floor large window, 3 first floor (above extension roof.

We have a massive back garden which I'd like to be lit up at night.

I've already bought some small wall lights for new front door/ bi-folds but the rest is unlit.

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Good evening all,

I’m asking here as I have put hours & hours into my “no video” Hikvision IP security cameras. I have 4 in total, 2 being some IP brand cameras and 2 Hikvision, now they have all been playing happily until I slipped on the floor a few weeks back when it was Ivey and wondered if the front door camera caught it, that’s when I realised it is showing a live feed but no playback, so I decided to upgrade the firmware on both Hikvision and now neither of them are showing within my FreeIP app or within the XVR, I’ve formatted the DVR hard drive, factory reset the camera but are showing a red status meaning they are on but not configured correctly! I can dial into the Hikvision cameras and they looks perfectly fine but I cannot for the life of me get them recording! Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated, they have and are fully functional but just don’t seem to want to stream/record :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
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iMacMart said:
Good evening all,

I’m asking here as I have put hours & hours into my “no video” Hikvision IP security cameras. I have 4 in total, 2 being some IP brand cameras and 2 Hikvision, now they have all been playing happily until I slipped on the floor a few weeks back when it was Ivey and wondered if the front door camera caught it, that’s when I realised it is showing a live feed but no playback, so I decided to upgrade the firmware on both Hikvision and now neither of them are showing within my FreeIP app or within the XVR, I’ve formatted the DVR hard drive, factory reset the camera but are showing a red status meaning they are on but not configured correctly! I can dial into the Hikvision cameras and they looks perfectly fine but I cannot for the life of me get them recording! Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated, they have and are fully functional but just don’t seem to want to stream/record :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
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It’s likely that the password the XVR is trying to contact the cameras with isn’t correct.
 
Hi all and @WJA96 I have had a Dahua TiOC camera and am on the look out for an NVR. I CBA to build and maintain a blueiris instance. I see you've recommended the dahua NVR4108-4KS2 earlier in the thread, is that good for a 5MP TiOC?

I also wondered if these had thr ability to add other non Dahua cams i.e. ONVIF cameras outputting an RTSP stream
 
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steinooo said:
Hi all and @WJA96 I have had a Dahua TiOC camera and am on the look out for an NVR. I CBA to build and maintain a blueiris instance. I see you've recommended the dahua NVR4108-4KS2 earlier in the thread, is that good for a 5MP TiOC?

I also wondered if these had thr ability to add other non Dahua cams i.e. ONVIF cameras outputting an RTSP stream
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The 4108-4KS2 is massive overkill for a single TiOC. But if you can get it cheap enough then why not?

And yes, it will happily handle almost any IP camera.
 
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WJA96 said:
The 4108-4KS2 is massive overkill for a single TiOC. But if you can get it cheap enough then why not?

And yes, it will happily handle almost any IP camera.
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Thanks for the response! are there cheaper then? Obviously that'd be nicer! I have 3 other Xiaomi cameras I could hook up to it.

Do you know if the NVRs offer an app so you can review footage on your phone? I was curious as to how that'd work if so, not keen on opening a port up to the outside world
 
steinooo said:
Thanks for the response! are there cheaper then? Obviously that'd be nicer! I have 3 other Xiaomi cameras I could hook up to it.

Do you know if the NVRs offer an app so you can review footage on your phone? I was curious as to how that'd work if so, not keen on opening a port up to the outside world
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It’s fine, it will handle up to 16 cameras which is a lot of processing power. It works fine with the DMSS app. Just add it as an NVR.

You can see the camera in the DMSS app without a recorder.

[edit]The camera feed is supplied to the app on port 37777.[/Edit]
 
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