Spec me a CCTV System

Need to get something installed for my nan. How hard are the kits like "Lorex 720p 4 Channel 1TB CCTV Kit with 4 Cameras" to set up? Something fairly easy or something I should have done professionally?
I'm decent enough with electronics but rubbish with DIY type stuff. Her house is old as hell and the walls are like paper so I'm not sure I would be confident mounting anything on them.
 
My house was burgled yesterday and wondered if you guys could recommend a system?

I'm in an end of terrace so looking to have a number of cameras, probably 3 upstairs (inc. one looking outside onto back yard) and 3 downstairs (inc. one looking onto the porch). I guess the outdoor facing ones would need to be mounted outside to avoid glare from windows etc?

Would like night vision and the ability to upload video online in 'realtime'.

Quality wise I would like 1080p or better. A couple of years ago I read that some brands mislead with the FPS figures so don't know if that's an issue still.

Are there any other features to look out for?

The budget I have depends on where the sweet spot for this kind of thing is but somewhere around £500 or possibly higher if there's a noticeable improvement in features and performance.
 
Chojin said:
My house was burgled yesterday and wondered if you guys could recommend a system?

I'm in an end of terrace so looking to have a number of cameras, probably 3 upstairs (inc. one looking outside onto back yard) and 3 downstairs (inc. one looking onto the porch). I guess the outdoor facing ones would need to be mounted outside to avoid glare from windows etc?

Would like night vision and the ability to upload video online in 'realtime'.

Quality wise I would like 1080p or better. A couple of years ago I read that some brands mislead with the FPS figures so don't know if that's an issue still.

Are there any other features to look out for?

The budget I have depends on where the sweet spot for this kind of thing is but somewhere around £500 or possibly higher if there's a noticeable improvement in features and performance.
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Chojin sorry to here that mate. I got burgled a few years ago and its a horrible experience. What I would say is if you have not got a good alarm system you better investing in one instead of cameras first. I just fitted cameras to protect my car and bikes but I have a good alarm system protecting the house.
 
I'm starting to understand that the wireless cameras are next to useless. Is anyone running cameras over power line adapters? I'm running a foscam wirelessly but am thinking of getting a higher quality camera and running it over Ethernet via a power line adapter.

Camera unfortunately needs to sit on the inside of a house facing outwards and the IR must be able to be disabled at all times? Any suggestions that won't seriously break the bank? Recording to a qnap at the moment but am finding it hit and miss. I have a feeling that is because of the wireless though.
 
andyuk74 said:
Chojin sorry to here that mate. I got burgled a few years ago and its a horrible experience. What I would say is if you have not got a good alarm system you better investing in one instead of cameras first. I just fitted cameras to protect my car and bikes but I have a good alarm system protecting the house.
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Sorry to hear that news, and I totally agree. I'd get some shocks on the windows and doors along with PIR sensors where suitable. A system that calls out in the event of the alarm going off is always a good thing too.
 
So if I wanted to buy several Hikvision cams, where would be the best place to go? Aliexpress I presume? Does anyone have any recommended sellers? Thank you
 
Mike1983 said:
So if I wanted to buy several Hikvision cams, where would be the best place to go? Aliexpress I presume? Does anyone have any recommended sellers? Thank you
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Been looking into this myself this last few days and realistically, you're running the risk of getting rubbish knock offs. I hate saying that as I've picked up some quality goods on Ali but, with bigger brands such as hik, foscam etc. you're running the risk of being ripped off. I'd personally pay the extra and source some in the UK if not Europe?
 
Well i'm a bit bummed out with use-ip.co.uk, don't think i'll be using them given the feedback I received on my usage requirement.... so i'm back to the drawing board.

Is anyone running hikvisions from an inside window? I understand it'll have to be with IR off, i'm just interested in seeing the image quality?
 
footman said:
I bought all my kit from use-ip

https://www.use-ip.co.uk/

Not the cheapest but the support was excellent.
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Can't recommend these guys enough - they are very informative and helpful. I got 2 out of the three hikky's from there - the last one being a regretful import purchase

Remember chaps - you might save some cash buying the imported versions - but in the long run it will bite you in the rear. Basically you won't be able to update the firmware on them which I found to be a right pain on the one import camera I have (not to mention if you require warranty support for any reason they are useless).

Pay the little extra is my advice, for a uk model.
 
I've seen the UK ones for approx £150 with AliExpress at £100 with claims they are in U.K language with the ability to upgrade firmware. Is there risk this is a false claim? It really does seem like a vast price difference, especially if buying a load.

Thanks
 
I'm thinking of getting a few Ubiquiti Unifi cams for our new house as I can run them off my networking stack; maybe I'm just getting paranoid in my old age but there it is, I just feel like I want two, possibly three cameras. One at the front, one at the rear, and perhaps one in the hallway.
 
platypus said:
I'm thinking of getting a few Ubiquiti Unifi cams for our new house as I can run them off my networking stack; maybe I'm just getting paranoid in my old age but there it is, I just feel like I want two, possibly three cameras. One at the front, one at the rear, and perhaps one in the hallway.
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I'm thinking of the same. I have wired cat 6 everywhere and 3 ubiquiti ap's. Tempted. Less us know if you do?
 
I live on quite a quiet part of a development, right on the edge with just a single row of houses looking out on to open fields. A vehicle parked at the end of our 'salient' (so to speak) was broken in to on Tuesday and my neighbours bike also pinched from his garage. There is a community group on social media and it looks like a few vans & cars on streets near by have also been broken in to. Not the smartest bunch and they'll be caught soon no doubt but nevertheless...

As I type this my car motion sensor and driveway security light both just activated but turns out it was two uniforms on patrol :o

My neighbours CCTV has some footage but not of great use.

I wouldn't mind installing something front and back, I'm more than capable, considering a 2 or 3 camera solution, viewing over IP would be desirable but not essential. I have an ethernet port in my study which I could expand and is probably where I would house the DVR.

What sort of cost would I be looking at? The camera's don't need to track or pan but there is street & residential lighting within the fields of view I'm considering. Judging by the last page or two Hikvision seems to be well regarded and Use-Ip have 25% off on orders over £100.

Sorry if this has been asked before :)
 
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