Internal WIFI cameras?

area651

area651

Getting comfortable
Aug 18, 2018
470
410
San Antonio/McAllen Texas
I was thinking how it would be nice to have smaller, wifi cameras around the house. I've used two of the Amcrest IP2M-841 cameras already but those are in places where they aren't really seen/noticed. Its nice that those have turrents but I simply don't need that feature everywhere and I would like something smaller if possible. So I started looking for smaller, more discrete cam. I have a 2 story house so running ethernet cleanly around the first floor is almost impossible & for my inside cams, these wifi's are doing well so far. I found the Amcrest IPM-HX1B and while its not 1080 like the others I have, it's close and could suffice. Being Amcrest, I went to Dahua and looked for the one this is OEMd from and couldn't find anything on their site. Apparently Dahua doesn't make it any more or they changed sources? Amcrest also offers a 3MP version btw.

Does Dahua no longer make this style of camera? (its not found in their camera selector). I DID however find cube cameras from Hikvision DS-2CD2422FWD-IW.

It is a little surprising these "cube cams" are so much more expensive than the amcrest turrents I also use and they have less features and (the amcrest HX1B has a lower resolutions). Honestly I would have expected the Hik and the Dahua to be cheaper than the Amcrest since Amcrest rebrands them. (not sure who Amcrest is rebranding these from though.)

Any suggestions for internal cameras? I'd really rather stay somewhat discrete (not necessarily hidden). I also don't really need turrent functionality or 8MP resolutions but wifi would be a huge benefit. Since this is in the house, the amazingness of the starlight cameras isn't even needed (here at least).
 
The IPM-721 is a tad smaller but it's 720p, a step backward when it comes to resolution (same 2 way audio, alarm I/O, SD card, RTSP, ONVIF, wired/wireless, IR, PT/digital Zoom, Dahua-rebrand, etc.)
It's hard to beat the 841 for value and performance, IMO.
And the latest firmware addresses some security, e-mail and browser plug-in issues (now use Chrome with NO plug-in....nice!).
 
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TonyR said:
The IPM-721 is a tad smaller but it's 720p, a step backward when it comes to resolution (same 2 way audio, alarm I/O, SD card, RTSP, ONVIF, wired/wireless, IR, PT/digital Zoom, Dahua-rebrand, etc.)
It's hard to beat the 841 for value and performance, IMO.
And the latest firmware addresses some security, e-mail and browser plug-in issues (now use Chrome with NO plug-in....nice!).
Click to expand...
I have to agree w/ you on all of those points. I really like my IP2M rebranded Dahuas. The ones I have are on a bookshelf (it blends in ok) and on top of the kitchen cabinets (kind of higher up so its not obvious) but to put one in the living room or hallway where the walls/corners are more bare, they would really stick out & be noticeable. I'd love to have something "lipstick cam" like but those havn't gotten wireless yet. Few more years of evolution needed there I suppose. These Hiks are nice but over $100 a cam (for a simple internal cam) at this point just seems excessive for the purpose. Hikvision DS-2CD2422FWD-IW. I'll spend that money (& more?) for external cams where there's a lot of functionality & area to cover. But internal, we're only talking about a normal room size.
 
area651 said:
Found a good thread where they're trying the Wyze V2 cams. Looks like there's beta FW that allows it to work w/ BI. Might grab one and play with that
Click to expand...
FWIW, I have a new-in-box V1 I'll let you have for postage if you're interested.
 
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The original Chinese versions (Xiaomi Xiaofang) of these Wyze cameras delivered a decent 1080p daylight image, but suffered when there was an abundance of light in the picture. It's a very small sensor that is easily overpowered. Still, the cameras are quite small and unobtrusive. It's very difficult to get any better than their form factor/size. If only the video quality and performance were better. I much prefer the Hikvision "cube" cameras, and Dahua now sells a surprisingly similar product. They're not as small and compact as the Wyze, and they're more expensive, but their firmware is far more reliable and the video/image quality are superb.
 
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Thomas Broach said:
The WYZE cams are cool and is how I got started but their RTSP is not dependable at this time. The Amcrest IP2M-841 is light years ahead. Today they can be bought from Amazon for $36.40 + tax with their click to apply coupon. It may be for prime members only, I am not sure.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0145OQTPG/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...

I agree with ya on the Amcrest IP2M-841 but the thing I'm trying to get around (from the first post) is the size and notice-ability. I just dont want something that makes people say "oh my, thats a giant camera!" and they're then uncomfortable in the house. Not trying to hide them but looking for a more discrete solution.

(fwiw, I'm getting a WyzeV1 from Tony and I'll likely buy a WyzeV2 and a Hik DS-2CD2442FWD-IW to also try. I'm keeping my Amcrest IP2M-841 online as well. Always enjoy playing w/ things!)

(not directly to Thomas but to the whole)

One observation about this forum overall is that often I've seen people recommend cameras with super ultra features and performance without pausing to look at what it's needed for or the application. Yeah, we could always put a $600 Dahua the size of a basketball in the living room or outside on the front porch but is that much always needed and does it fit the application.
 
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Super discrete: IPC-HUM8230 (cant see in the dark at all)
Pretty good indoor only camera: IPC-K35A (PoE!)
Install 2 cameras in one: IPC-HDBW4231F-E2-M. (Great even in the dark)
Or just one slightly smaller: IPC-HDBW4231F-AS. (Great even in the dark)
I personally think this is discrete but the wife disagrees: IPC-HDW2231R-ZS

Buy from @EMPIRETECANDY here or thru his amazon store. Also IPCT is blowing out some of their hikvision cameras, check with @Mike or click the headline link.
 
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Agreed on the K35A, also a WiFi version available that has Ethernet port. I just bought a couple from Andy.
 
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