[BMW F22]

So I looked into Reolink POE systems as well as Eufy Cam wireless systems. Notes and questions below.

Reolink
- for some reason the 4MP version offers clearest pictures and highest frame rate vs 5MP and 4K/8MP. Watched various YouTube videos on this and a guy showed pictures captured at 50 ft and 4MP was clearest. Anyone knows why?
- setting to record 24/7 HDD can only store about 3 days worth; more with lower resolution.
- not sure if I should go with old 4MP version or 4K ($170 difference)

Eufy Cam
- better motion detection and fewer false alarm (it’s not 24/7 recording)
- batteries should last a year before recharging
- ease of setup

Can’t decide which is better. It seems that the best solution would be to have a wireless system for motion detection and then POE if I need more footage should something happens.

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

Reolink POE been using it for 2 year No issues
just lat year we had record low temperatures in Iowa I had no issues.

Which version do you have?

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

So I looked into Reolink POE systems as well as Eufy Cam wireless systems. Notes and questions below.

Reolink
- for some reason the 4MP version offers clearest pictures and highest frame rate vs 5MP and 4K/8MP. Watched various YouTube videos on this and a guy showed pictures captured at 50 ft and 4MP was clearest. Anyone knows why?
- setting to record 24/7 HDD can only store about 3 days worth; more with lower resolution.
- not sure if I should go with old 4MP version or 4K ($170 difference)

Eufy Cam
- better motion detection and fewer false alarm (it’s not 24/7 recording)
- batteries should last a year before recharging
- ease of setup

Can’t decide which is better. It seems that the best solution would be to have a wireless system for motion detection and then POE if I need more footage should something happens.

Which version do you have?

Here

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

Here

Just ordered the same system. Should be here in a few days.

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Just ordered the same system. Should be here in a few days.

I installed my system two years ago I never had issue with my system
Like I said earlier 2019 Iowa temperatures broke record with the coldest temperatures recorded -30°F
on January 31 2019 no issues.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

I installed my system two years ago I never had issue with my system
Like I said earlier 2019 Iowa temperatures broke record with the coldest temperatures recorded -30°F
on January 31 2019 no issues.

Nice! Lots of people seem to recommend Reolink. Was going back and forth between POE and wireless and ultimately decided on the former. Will get a few Ring floodlights for the front garage and backyard for motion sensing notification while the Reolink will record 24/7.

[P1]

I see those are 4MP cameras. I upgraded to 6MP and 8MP and the difference in quality is staggering.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by P1et

I see those are 4MP cameras. I upgraded to 6MP and 8MP and the difference in quality is staggering.

Was thinking of getting 8MP/4K but don’t think it’s needed at almost 2x the price. For home use 4-5MP is plenty. I’ve watched enough video reviews and the 4MP is good enough as it’s already better than 1080P.

Originally Posted by P1et

I see those are 4MP cameras. I upgraded to 6MP and 8MP and the difference in quality is staggering.

You have to be more specific...you went from which brand/model 4MP to which brand/model 8MP?

[P1]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

You have to be more specific...you went from which brand/model 4MP to which brand/model 8MP?

Same brand, same model.

Originally Posted by P1et

Same brand, same model.

...and that is?

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

...and that is?

LTS Security

[Stubbie Blue]

I recently bought 4 Reolink RLC-520 cams (5 MP, turret, PoE) for $34 each and am quite happy with them.

- The resolution is 2560 x 1920 which is 4:3 so it is not 16:9 widescreen, but it gives you a wider vertical angle. The 4 MP cams are 2560 x 1440 which is 16:9 but then you lose some viewing angle from the top and bottom.

- For the PoE wiring, I used flat Ethernet cables that can fit under window frames, and along the walls with adhesive clips. I also used an Ethernet line splitter to run 2 cams over 1 cable for 1 location. My house has structured Ethernet wiring running back to a central wiring closet.

- I record 24/7 to a QNAP NAS with QVR Pro. The bitrate per camera is around 8 Mbps during the daytime and 2.5 Mbps at nighttime (black and white night vision and frame rate drops to 12 fps). So around 50 GB/day per camera. I record to a 4 TB hard drive so that's enough for over 2 weeks for 4 cams.

Originally Posted by zx10guy

LTS Security

I deployed/integrated over 5k LTS cams over the last 12 months...again, which model specifically?

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Stubbie Blue

I recently bought 4 Reolink RLC-520 cams (5 MP, turret, PoE) for $34 each and am quite happy with them.

- The resolution is 2560 x 1920 which is 4:3 so it is not 16:9 widescreen, but it gives you a wider vertical angle. The 4 MP cams are 2560 x 1440 which is 16:9 but then you lose some viewing angle from the top and bottom.

- For the PoE wiring, I used flat Ethernet cables that can fit under window frames, and along the walls with adhesive clips. I also used an Ethernet line splitter to run 2 cams over 1 cable for 1 location. My house has structured Ethernet wiring running back to a central wiring closet.

- I record 24/7 to a QNAP NAS with QVR Pro. The bitrate per camera is around 8 Mbps during the daytime and 2.5 Mbps at nighttime (black and white night vision and frame rate drops to 12 fps). So around 50 GB/day per camera. I record to a 4 TB hard drive so that's enough for over 2 weeks for 4 cams.

Went back and forth on 4MP vs 5MP vs 4K and ultimately decided that for my needs the 4MP is good. We’ll see how that pans out. I’m adding a Ring floodlight in the front and center above the garage to watch the driveway and motion detection. The two Reolink cameras will be mounted next to it with one that has zoom function for license plates. Backyard we have a few spotlights with notification and video recording. Between those things I feel pretty good. No need for other wireless, battery operated cameras. I mean, if someone was to break in with all that in place then there’s really not much else we can do (although we do have cameras inside as well).

[P1]

Originally Posted by fcobra94

i deployed/integrated over 5k lts cams over the last 12 months...again, which model specifically?

cmip7362w-28m, cmip3362w-28m, cmip8362w-28m, cmip9382nw-28m. Hope this helps.

[936F06]

Vivant does all the work for me.

[BMW F22]

Installed Reolink system. Took 5 hours or so with all the drilling, running new wires and unhooking old system. So far so good. Not sure about their customer service as I reached out Last week and haven’t heard back.

[Kolyan2k]

Anyone uses these, Ring Floodlight camera or Eufy one? I was going to give Eufy a try, 1 flood at garage, 1 at backyard, and the doorbell camera. After reading a bit, seems like Eufy offers internal storage with no subscription, better app, and support.

With floodlight combo install is super easy and no need to buy floodlights for house separately

Originally Posted by P1et

cmip7362w-28m, cmip3362w-28m, cmip8362w-28m, cmip9382nw-28m. Hope this helps.

Ok, so again, what 4MP cams did you upgrade from?

The 6MP and 8MP cams mentioned are still fairly "value" oriented, so other than the slightly larger sensor size of the 8MP cam, the specs on the 4MP cams that were replaced have got to be pretty crummy in comparison to make as dramatic of a difference as you are describing.

More than likely, the 4MP cams you'll reference use the same exact sensor as the 6MP that replaced them. You'll end up with a higher resolution/wider field of view for sure, but you'll actually get worse low light performance out of the 6s for obvious reasons. Other conditions should provide fairly equal results though.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Anyone uses these, Ring Floodlight camera or Eufy one? I was going to give Eufy a try, 1 flood at garage, 1 at backyard, and the doorbell camera. After reading a bit, seems like Eufy offers internal storage with no subscription, better app, and support.

With floodlight combo install is super easy and no need to buy floodlights for house separately

Curious about this as well. Bought a Ring floodlight from Costco but haven’t installed yet. The Eufy seems very good too. Have heard mixed reviews on Ring’s server when viewing and reviewing videos so not sure which is better.

[P1]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Ok, so again, what 4MP cams did you upgrade from?

The 6MP and 8MP cams mentioned are still fairly "value" oriented, so other than the slightly larger sensor size of the 8MP cam, the specs on the 4MP cams that were replaced have got to be pretty crummy in comparison to make as dramatic of a difference as you are describing.

More than likely, the 4MP cams you'll reference use the same exact sensor as the 6MP that replaced them. You'll end up with a higher resolution/wider field of view for sure, but you'll actually get worse low light performance out of the 6s for obvious reasons. Other conditions should provide fairly equal results though.

Man, you’re making me jump through all these dang hoops here. All I can say is that both quality and low light performance improved drastically. Not sure what else I can provide you here, bub...

Originally Posted by P1et

Man, you’re making me jump through all these dang hoops here. All I can say is that both quality and low light performance improved drastically. Not sure what else I can provide you here, bub...

Well, it's because you're recommending that people blindly "upgrade" to higher MP cams and skip the 4MP versions, but can't reference anything relevant to provide an actual comparison.

As mentioned, most value-oriented 6MP cams are built using the same exact hardware, chipsets, sensors, lenses, etc. as 4MP cams...only difference is that they pump more resolution through 'em via firmware hacks. It's the equivalent of stating that a 335 w/ no muffler and an M badge is vastly to superior to those that are stock...laughable, at best.