I recently decided that I want to install some cameras around my house and around my property but I am not sure what brands to go with. I am looking for an easy sixteen camera setup with an NVR with at least four terabytes. I have looked at companies like Reolink and Ubiquiti but I do not want to pay for a bunch of cheaply made cameras with a fancy name slapped on it. I would also prefer a company that doesn't sell my data to foreign countries like Ring, Blink, and google. if anyone has any ideas I am open to hear them.
Need help figuring out what IP camera brand to go with.
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Chokolinho
Getting comfortable
I’d go with Dahua or EmpireTech. I think 4 terabytes is far too little. With 16 cameras, I’d go with at least double that.
Either Dahua or Hikvision. I prefer Dahua and forum user @EMPIRETECANDY sells OEM versions of the Dahua cameras at attractive pricing, under the EmpireTech brand. You can contact him here or check Amazon.com for his store. Current favorite is the T54IR-AS-S3 (formerly known as 5442) but it's slowly being phased out, I believe.
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Yes, the IPC-T54IR-AS or IPC-T54IR-ZE still the best cams right now, lots of members here use them and like them, we can go on selling for some time. So catch the chance to buy.
There is a learning curve to IP cameras.
And boy have I've been schooled.
I started out like that too. My Condo building needed to upgrade it's video security.
So I made all the newbie mistakes for you.
The guys saying Dahua/ Empiretech Hikvision speak from experience.
I didn't listen ( at first) ...now I know.
I didn't know what I didn't know, And now I know what they know. ( some of it)
There are still the known unknowns.
Deciding to install 16 cameras no matter what brand is invoking Murphy's Laws.
There will be hiccups
and things wont always be plug and play.
You will curse the brand you bought.
and then after a few months of tweaking.
You'll realize that you knew only a little.
But then you'll know what it takes to implement 16 cams.
if your NVR takes 2 drives put in 2 8TB. or at least one 10TB drive. That will give you 30 days of retention
These are all great suggestions those above have made. One additional suggestion, if I may… When you are planning your camera setup, model it in the way you would setup a sprinkler system for the grass around your home. Coverage of the sprinklers should overlap. The same with IP cameras. Also, a mix of cameras is advantageous (same brand though). Your NVR will reward you with fewer problems in time, if you keep with one manufacturer of cameras/NVR. There is no perfect camera, but a mix will get you closer to the perfect monitoring view from different angles. For areas around my house that have plenty of light, I prefer Color4K-X, Color4K-T, ColorT-180 cameras. For dark areas, I use T54IR-AS and T54IR-ZE cameras with Color4M-T cameras at doorways. For long distance monitoring, nothing beats the B54IR-Z4E-S3 (my favorite camera). Use boxes, if possible to make camera swapping easier. As you will read here on the forum, a lot of people suggest making a moveable mount (ladder or post in a bucket) that can be moved around to check placement before final attachment to your structure. Don’t mount the cameras too high. Eye level or slightly higher is a good starting point. Image capture of faces is more important than the capture of intruders’ top of heads.
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StevenFromTexas
Getting comfortable
I've got sixteen cameras in use . . . 40 terabytes in my NVR barely lasts seven days.
Chokolinho
Getting comfortable
Of course, it depends on how many 4K or 2K cameras you have and what settings they're running at. I currently have 6 with 6 TB.
