https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-IP2M-841-1920TVL-Security-Camera/dp/B0145OQTPG#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1465125348688
Would a few of those be decent?
And then does anyone use amcrest cloud ?
No on the cloud for me. Mine all rolls to my hard drive. I have an extra PC that I'm planning on installing as just the security cam PC when I add more cams. Video takes up a lot of data.
As far as the cam you selected, its a good one. If you want to save a little, the 720 resolution is good too. 1080 is great for getting little details like license plates if the camera is at the right angle and height - so that is a YMMV thing.
Here is something to consider. I'm starting off with stationary cameras. My friends that have the remote controlled ones love them because when someone is at the front door and they hear/see the cam moving, it always gets the attention of the person at the door. Friendlies wave and buggers bug out. But they all tell me that they have inevitably missed something in the neighborhood because they camera was looking away, down, or otherwise pointed in the wrong direction. Stationary cams get everything all the time.
Remote controlled cameras are great if you want to save a little and have one camera do the work of three, but since they can easily be added later, I thought I'd go with one stationary on the drive way, one stationary on the front door, one stationary on the back patio that covers the slider and the pool. If I get a fourth one it will be a remote cam that captures the natural area open space next to my house.
My only two obstacles are:
1. HOA has rules about your cameras capturing your neighbors houses. I've checked with my neighbors and they actually WANT my cameras to get their house. Intention is to put them in, pass inspection, and adjust later. But the remote controlled camera is a bit of a sticky wicket because it can be left pointing and zoomed in on your neighbors front door. To the HOA is a little gimpy there.
2. I need to add an outlet or two so I can mount these cameras where I really need them, not just where the electricity is convenient.
Start with one. Play with locations to see what you like and what works for you. I found that some places I thought I wanted a camera were actually bad locations because of sun / trees/ columns/ etc. But with a 6' extension cord like you would use for a lamp, you can move the camera around until you have the exact right spot. Also, if you are putting it on a covered patio, you can get away with the indoor models. If you put it under an eve or towards the edge of the patio, you need an outdoor cam.
As far as night vision goes - the cameras will pick up IR images way out, but the little LED's around the camera only go about 10 yards. You can get light bulbs in that wavelength and mount that fixture a little further out to extend your night vision range. And if you have something white (like the back of my security alarm sign) it really reflects back and makes the camera adjust down so I plan to paint the back of my sign black in the near future to reduce reflected IR light.
Topic: cameras (Read 4596 times)
