Spec me a CCTV System

WJA96 · 27 Nov 2023 at 18:00

dlockers said:
Chaps,

I have a bunch of Reolink cams and a Tapo camera. They both have streams which I pick up on HomeAssistant but it is super slow.

Is there a preferred method to broadcast the cameras to my smart TV?

Thanks

Are these WiFi? If so then super-slow is probably the best you’ll get. If they’re wired then you can just use an appropriately sized NVR without a disk in it to plug into the network and the HDMI on your TV. You can pick up a cheap one of those for about £30. Or about £50 for ac4K output one.

dlockers · 27 Nov 2023 at 18:13

WJA96 said:
Are these WiFi? If so then super-slow is probably the best you’ll get. If they’re wired then you can just use an appropriately sized NVR without a disk in it to plug into the network and the HDMI on your TV. You can pick up a cheap one of those for about £30. Or about £50 for ac4K output one.

They're ethernet other than the Tapo (lesser priority). Basic NVR via HDMI sounds like a simple solution.

I guess multiple DVRs can pick up the same cameras on ethernet? Hadn't thought about it - assume there is no issue/performance impact on camera.

WJA96 · 27 Nov 2023 at 21:34

dlockers said:
They're ethernet other than the Tapo (lesser priority). Basic NVR via HDMI sounds like a simple solution.

I guess multiple DVRs can pick up the same cameras on ethernet? Hadn't thought about it - assume there is no issue/performance impact on camera.

No, the camera is sending out the packets of data and they can be read by any NVR on the network.

dlockers · 27 Nov 2023 at 21:36

Any recommendations for a cheap NVR? I've just foolishly realised the Pi has an HDMI too. I could repurpose that? I think it's the HA overheads that makes it very poor experience.

Edit: or is there a specific stream to chose for video quality?

Megahackerd · 27 Nov 2023 at 22:19

dlockers said:
Any recommendations for a cheap NVR? I've just foolishly realised the Pi has an HDMI too. I could repurpose that? I think it's the HA overheads that makes it very poor experience.

Edit: or is there a specific stream to chose for video quality?

old pc (maybe even your home assistant) + frigate
look at go2rtc as well (built into Frigate now) to do multiple broadcasts

hikvision do some nvr that can be had for cheap

dlockers · 27 Nov 2023 at 22:26

Megahackerd said:
old pc (maybe even your home assistant) + frigate
look at go2rtc as well (built into Frigate now) to do multiple broadcasts

hikvision do some nvr that can be had for cheap

I have a Windows server as well as HA. Is there an idiots guide to this? Or an example of a setup so I can reverse engineer.

My PC is via the COAX which will feed Freeview in due course....

WJA96 · 28 Nov 2023 at 08:25

dlockers said:
Any recommendations for a cheap NVR? I've just foolishly realised the Pi has an HDMI too. I could repurpose that? I think it's the HA overheads that makes it very poor experience.

Edit: or is there a specific stream to chose for video quality?

How many cameras? I would normally install the Dahua NVR4104-4KS2/L for 4 cameras, NVR4108-4KS2/L for 8 cameras and NVR4116-4KS2/L for 16 cameras. You need a mouse to control it. Alternatively an old PC running Dahua DSS software will do the same thing. On paper it’s paid software but the paid version isn’t needed until you exceed 80 cameras so I suspect you’d be OK.

WJA96 · 28 Nov 2023 at 08:29

dlockers said:
Edit: or is there a specific stream to chose for video quality?

The streams are normally user-selectable. The A stream is normally full resolution with a higher bit and frame rate. The B and C streams are normally lower resolution, lower frame rate and/or lower bit rate. I normally record the A stream and use the B stream for viewing on the mobile client. On really expensive cameras where they have a C stream I will sometimes drop the frame rate and record that at full resolution to the cloud as a backup of sorts.

dlockers · 28 Nov 2023 at 08:35

Thanks. If I end up saving the cash and reusing the PC I already have BlueIris. I guess there isn't much difference in the software? I'll check out go2rtc as well.

Megahackerd · 28 Nov 2023 at 22:00

dlockers said:
I have a Windows server as well as HA. Is there an idiots guide to this? Or an example of a setup so I can reverse engineer.

My PC is via the COAX which will feed Freeview in due course....

frigate is available as a home assistant add on. a bit more configuration than blue iris

EVEN MORE Free Local Object Detection with Home Assistant - Frigate Install

The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: https://skl.sh/everythingsmarthome04211Thanks to skillshare for...

www.youtube.com

brightside229 · 30 Nov 2023 at 11:54

As per my previous message stating Eufy were refusing to replace my faulty camera's i sent one last email to them explaining that i thought it was disgusting that the solar panels only lasted for such a short time and that i would be taking it further.

They came back to me today and said they will replace the two cameras free of charge, and i do not even have to send the old ones back!

WJA96 · 30 Nov 2023 at 12:59

brightside229 said:
As per my previous message stating Eufy were refusing to replace my faulty camera's i sent one last email to them explaining that i thought it was disgusting that the solar panels only lasted for such a short time and that i would be taking it further.

They came back to me today and said they will replace the two cameras free of charge, and i do not even have to send the old ones back!

Well done you, and well done Eufy (belatedly).

WJA96 · 30 Nov 2023 at 13:03

itsallaboutyou said:
@WJA96 question!

We’ve just had our loft done and I ran a load of cat 6 under the new floor and out the wall - at quite a high level. I’ve fitted some trays on the external wall.

Unfortunately the scaffold lads have misinterpreted what I said about uncoiling the cable and dropping it to the ground and have simply cut two of them!

Can I join them externally with a keystone adapter thing and encase it in a wiska / weatherproof enclosure?? Or am I gonna have to start again!!?

Sorry - but I’ve only just seen this while going back through the thread. Yes, you can get IP68 splicing boxes or you can terminate each end with an RJ45 plug and use an IP68 female/female ‘torpedo’.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-Ethernet-Connector-Shielded-Compatible/dp/B0C3RJ1PDQ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=LEB11JI8M4R5&keywords=ip68+rj45+coupler&qid=1701349381&sprefix=IP68+rj45%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Megahackerd · 30 Nov 2023 at 13:33

dlockers said:
Thanks. If I end up saving the cash and reusing the PC I already have BlueIris. I guess there isn't much difference in the software? I'll check out go2rtc as well.

for to mention, scrypted is probably better if you have homekit:

GitHub - koush/scrypted: Scrypted is a high performance home video integration and automation platform

Scrypted is a high performance home video integration and automation platform - GitHub - koush/scrypted: Scrypted is a high performance home video integration and automation platform

github.com

"Scrypted is a high performance home video integration platform and NVR with smart detections. Instant, low latency, streaming to HomeKit, Google Home, and Alexa. Supports most cameras."

joelk2 · 6 Dec 2023 at 10:51

If I wanted a simple 1 camera and doorbell setup which is wireless what would be the recommended option?

WJA96 · 6 Dec 2023 at 12:00

joelk2 said:
If I wanted a simple 1 camera and doorbell setup which is wireless what would be the recommended option?

Probably Ring. Or maybe Reolink with solar. Wireless is a bit shonky really. True wireless has to run off batteries and that really limits your options.

joelk2 · 6 Dec 2023 at 12:34

WJA96 said:
Probably Ring. Or maybe Reolink with solar. Wireless is a bit shonky really. True wireless has to run off batteries and that really limits your options.

Yeah appreciate that, just can’t be bothered to drill holes to run cables.

I have a doorbell already so am assuming I can just rip that off and use the wires from the bell transformer as far as that part goes. The camera would need to be full wireless though. Solar would ideal as location wise it should be in full sun pretty much all day.

skyripper · 6 Dec 2023 at 13:55

joelk2 said:
Yeah appreciate that, just can’t be bothered to drill holes to run cables.

I have a doorbell already so am assuming I can just rip that off and use the wires from the bell transformer as far as that part goes. The camera would need to be full wireless though. Solar would ideal as location wise it should be in full sun pretty much all day.

Doorbell, I did just that. Ring wired in place of the old pushbutton. Transformer inside the old bellbox in place of the bell, there was mains already to the bellbox.

Amazon Echos around the place for the "ding-dong, someone at the door". One of the easier jobs tbh

DXP55 · 7 Dec 2023 at 10:24

I am still on that long road trying to get my CCTV sorted -I do have all cameras back up and working but picture quality is rubbishso I asked the CCTV man to reccommend a replacement for my 10 yr old Hik NVR 7608 and he came up with this at little under £300
I am ready to go on it but is this model OK -All my cameras are 4 or less Mp.

Hikvision DS-7608NI-M2/8p

WJA96 · 7 Dec 2023 at 10:33

DXP55 said:
I am still on that long road trying to get my CCTV sorted -I do have all cameras back up and working but picture quality is rubbishso I asked the CCTV man to reccommend a replacement for my 10 yr old Hik NVR 7608 and he came up with this at little under £300
I am ready to go on it but is this model OK -All my cameras are 4 or less Mp.

Hikvision DS-7608NI-M2/8p

A new NVR will not improve your picture quality. That comes from your cameras. If there is an issue with the image quality on the cameras then you need to resolve that first and then think about a new NVR. I assume all your cameras are at least clean? Even a 2MP camera is 1080P so it should look at least as good as your TV. If it doesn’t then you have a camera issue.