I posted the other day about getting a GPU to use BI6 AI, and got a lot of help. Thank you to those that responded. I picked up a Reolink 811A and I'm very impressed with it over my current 9+ year old Dahuas, however for this new installation I'm not sure its going to do what I need to do. Long story short, my Dad unexpectedly passed away in January and he owned a small commercial building in town that he was slowly completely remodeling before he could offer it up for rent. Well now I have this building, and every tool he ever owned is inside this building. In the 10 years he had it, the only issues he had were people painting grafitti on the side of the building. It has giant industrial steel doors and frames that the average burglar isn't going to kick in. On the other hand, I helped him run some CAT6 several years ago around the building for cameras and we never got around to installing it. Now I am and I'm trying to decide what to go with. The Reolink I picked up has an awful lot of ghosting at night with the IR and the spot light, and as I've read its just so-so in the dark. There is no shutter or exposure setting in their desktop software to tweak this to my liking. I tried finding some HikVisions, but I guess the government put an end to that. So I come to you geniuses for help on a set of 4 cameras that can do some excellent work at night. The mounting location is around 12 feet off the ground, and 2 of the sides of the building are the parking lot. Those are the two important parts I'd like to capture. I plan on using BI at this location with continuous recording, and I may dabble with the AI. Right now, my budget for each camera is going to be probably a max of $300 per camera(If I need to go higher I will). I would appreciate any input or guidance you can give on what your experience is. I'm not expert in this category.
I need cameras...
- Thread starter FR9Ford
- Start date
I wouldn't get to used to that Reolink as it produces a nice bright static image, but motion will be crap.
Without knowing what your goals of the camera is, this thread is used as the go to for the new person here outlining the commonly recommended cameras (along with Amazon links) based on distance to IDENTIFY that represent the overall best value/best bang for the buck in terms of price and performance day and night. It might be a 2MP camera in some instances.
Many here feel 4MP is the current sweet spot for these cameras.
The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection
And coupled with that thread is this great thread which will show why all of the same 2.8 or 3.6mm cameras is the wrong choice (these are the common focal lengths consumer brands sell):
i-want-2-8mm-cameras-everywhere-to-see-everything-this-is-why-you-need-specific-fovs-with-purposeful-focal-lengths.70053/
We would encourage you to look at those threads in detail.
It will probably raise more questions than answers LOL.
Without knowing what your goals of the camera is, this thread is used as the go to for the new person here outlining the commonly recommended cameras (along with Amazon links) based on distance to IDENTIFY that represent the overall best value/best bang for the buck in terms of price and performance day and night. It might be a 2MP camera in some instances.
Many here feel 4MP is the current sweet spot for these cameras.
The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection
And coupled with that thread is this great thread which will show why all of the same 2.8 or 3.6mm cameras is the wrong choice (these are the common focal lengths consumer brands sell):
i-want-2-8mm-cameras-everywhere-to-see-everything-this-is-why-you-need-specific-fovs-with-purposeful-focal-lengths.70053/
We would encourage you to look at those threads in detail.
It will probably raise more questions than answers LOL.
I’m going to read it after I post this but I promise it will raise more questions. I’m not super concerned with daytime. It’s a populated area, and crime isn’t super high. But it’s in the middle of the city and there is crime but it’s mostly at night. So I’m looking for something that is going to do me good at night, closer to the building. Within 20 feet or so. I have begun looking at cameras with a 1/1.8” but they only come in 8MP and I think I’d be okay with 4MP. Lemme go read and see what more questions I have lol.
Yep, the Reolink will fail you in that situation.
Here is the unofficial Reolink thread.
You can see all the attempts people have provided to demonstrate the quality of Reolink, and they are all a blurry mess at night or missing body parts or other messes.
We have challenged someone to provide a clean capture of someone moving at night with a Reolink and as you can see with over 20 pages, nobody has yet to provide a usable image with motion at night.
Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"
Most will say these don't cut it.
This will be the camera you need:
empiretech01.com
Here is the unofficial Reolink thread.
You can see all the attempts people have provided to demonstrate the quality of Reolink, and they are all a blurry mess at night or missing body parts or other messes.
We have challenged someone to provide a clean capture of someone moving at night with a Reolink and as you can see with over 20 pages, nobody has yet to provide a usable image with motion at night.
Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"
Most will say these don't cut it.
This will be the camera you need:
EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP IR Starlight 2.7mm–12mm Var
High-Quality Imaging with 4MP Resolution Enhancing Image Quality 2MP@60fps Enhances Image Smoothness and Detail SmartPick2.0 Enables Fast and Precise Human&Vehicle&Animals Search Supports Over 8 AI Functions, Applicable for Multi-scenario Targets Detection and Analysis Built-in Mic for Real-Time...
empiretech01.com
+1 to what @wittaj said ^^^^ re: Reolink....and especially if you plan to use it with BI as you stated in your intro post. 
I did take a quick glance at these. Thank you I will look into it some more!Yep, the Reolink will fail you in that situation.
Here is the unofficial Reolink thread.
You can see all the attempts people have provided to demonstrate the quality of Reolink, and they are all a blurry mess at night or missing body parts or other messes.
We have challenged someone to provide a clean capture of someone moving at night with a Reolink and as you can see with over 20 pages, nobody has yet to provide a usable image with motion at night.
Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"
Most will say these don't cut it.
This will be the camera you need:
EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP IR Starlight 2.7mm–12mm Var
High-Quality Imaging with 4MP Resolution Enhancing Image Quality 2MP@60fps Enhances Image Smoothness and Detail SmartPick2.0 Enables Fast and Precise Human&Vehicle&Animals Search Supports Over 8 AI Functions, Applicable for Multi-scenario Targets Detection and Analysis Built-in Mic for Real-Time...
I read a few pages of the Reolink thread. And it really sounds like they just flat out suck for anything other than a visual deterrent.
looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
With the exception of their doorbell cam, Friends don't let friends purchase Reolink junk. 
Unfortunately I don’t have any other friends in this side of the technological worldWith the exception of their doorbell cam, Friends don't let friends purchase Reolink junk.
