[Visceral]

Originally Posted by Spa2k

Interesting that no one here has mentioned the Nest Cam - probably because word got that the software crashes often and that the cameras frequently see things that aren't there. I’ll be replacing mine soon.

I have 6 Nest cams (3 inside, 3 outside). They work really well and have for 2-ish years.

I especially like the iOS app and the Nest thermostat.

[9krpmrx8]

I use a Ring flood light cam and doorbell cam, no complaints.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Spa2k

Interesting that no one here has mentioned the Nest Cam - probably because word got that the software crashes often and that the cameras frequently see things that aren't there. I’ll be replacing mine soon.

The non starter for me with Nest is, it's cloud based and Google ownership.

[Spa2k]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

The non starter for me with Nest is, it's cloud based and Google ownership.

Nest wasn’t owned by Google when I installed them, but that would be a negative factor for me now.

[byroncheung]

no, live in pretty safe neighborhood.

[SunnyD]

House yes, garage no.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

The non starter for me with Nest is, it's cloud based and Google ownership.

I feel the same way with any cloud based camera system, especially if it is a subscription service. I would like to take advantage of the built in network camera functionality on my QNAP NAS.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Visceral

I have 6 Nest cams (3 inside, 3 outside). They work really well and have for 2-ish years.

I especially like the iOS app and the Nest thermostat.

Do you get a volume break on the cloud storage for the multiple Nest cams or is it $10 a month (or whatever I'm paying now for my single Nest cam) for each and every camera? I'd like to get 2 or 3 more but I don't want to be spending that much on cloud storage each month. At that point I'd just go local storage, or perhaps jump ship to Alarm.com.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I use a Ring flood light cam and doorbell cam, no complaints.

We are hoping to catch a neighborhood thief, someone got some good shots of the guy in their driveway with their Ring doorbell an floodlight cam. Between the cams and nieghborhood social groups, these are a big crime deterrent.

[Ali Shiralian]

Always, especially in the garage

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I feel the same way with any cloud based camera system, especially if it is a subscription service. I would like to take advantage of the built in network camera functionality on my QNAP NAS.

You'll find the better IP cameras will have the ability to send captured video to a NAS. The Hikvision cameras support this.

[Visceral]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

Do you get a volume break on the cloud storage for the multiple Nest cams or is it $10 a month (or whatever I'm paying now for my single Nest cam) for each and every camera? I'd like to get 2 or 3 more but I don't want to be spending that much on cloud storage each month. At that point I'd just go local storage, or perhaps jump ship to Alarm.com.

It depends on your retention period. For a 5 day retention period, additional cameras are $30 a year, I believe, at whatever "tier" I am at with 6 devices.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Visceral

It depends on your retention period. For a 5 day retention period, additional cameras are $30 a year, I believe, at whatever "tier" I am at with 6 devices.

OK, that's not too bad. Thanks!

[E92 M Sport]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I feel the same way with any cloud based camera system, especially if it is a subscription service. I would like to take advantage of the built in network camera functionality on my QNAP NAS.

I liked my qnap, but dumped it since it didn't have the HP to run and display 4 3mp Dahua cameras. The display would freeze up. I had the $600 version with amd processor, 4gb ram. Adding 4 more gb ram didn't help any either FYI. I eventually built an i7 pc and went with Milestone.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by E92 M Sport

I liked my qnap, but dumped it since it didn't have the HP to run and display 4 3mp Dahua cameras. The display would freeze up. I had the $600 version with amd processor, 4gb ram. Adding 4 more gb ram didn't help any either FYI. I eventually built an i7 pc and went with Milestone.

Good to know. Thanks for the heads up on that.

[BuiltnBoostedZ]

When I had my Z, I had cameras in the house and one in the garage pointing at the car. I was in the bahamas on holiday and my dad sent me a pic of a stripped out Z with the text, "Do you know where your car is?". I sent him a screen shot of the cameras and replied, "yep.".

[JackMayyam]

We use arlo as well. Arlo pro. It's on the front porch. There have been break ins a couple of months ago which is alarming. Arlo pro has 2way communication and I'd love to recommend it only if you're okay with non-continuous recording. Though it starts recording as soon as it detects motion or sound, you'll get alerted. You may want to read further, I just find its batteries a bit faulty though, which kind of gives the wired cams an edge.

[blau iii]

I wanted to start slow so I have 4 blink cameras. one on my shed aiming to the backyard, one covering the driveway and front door and one on the other side that isn't covered by the other two. I may add the blink doorbell when that gets released. I'm really happy with them so far but they don't do a ton compared to the nicer, wired systems.

[stevenc]

I use all Ezviz cameras. They are cheap ($35-$90) per camera. 1080p. Save directly on to micro SD cards in the cameras with a cloud backend.

Really awesome app! Solid motion sensing with notifications.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

This is what I do for a living so let me contribute some thoughts...

Cloud-based recording is nice because you're storing the recording off site. A downside is the monthly subscription cost, and the data bandwidth even a few high-quality cameras can consume.

PoE IP cameras with the switch and recorder on a good size UPS in a locking cabinet is a popular route for a secure solution. The UPS and local DVR lets you continue recording when power and internet is lost.

Most every DVR/recorder has a mobile app interface, but they are really only intended to peek in from time to time. The user interface usually is clunky and the app will crash too often to use as a monitor for extended periods.

Nest is a polished residential solution, especially if you're interested in sharing footage. Even in their marketing materials talk about capturing your child doing something cute and sharing the footage with friends and family. I like this if you only need 1-3 cameras.

Arlo makes a completely wireless solution that has a battery and cellular module. You just need to have cell service in the area, and maintain the battery. I know several home builders that utilize this solution to keep an eye on job sites.

[ShakyDog]

Quick related question:

I see all the time where someone had footage of someone stealing something and nothing is done. Has anyone ever had footage used that resulted in a prosecution or theft recovery? I would love to have a really nice system, I am just wondering if there is a point...

Steve

[tdott]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Most every DVR/recorder has a mobile app interface, but they are really only intended to peek in from time to time. The user interface usually is clunky and the app will crash too often to use as a monitor for extended periods.

Are there any DVR mobile app interfaces that you find stand above the rest? I was not impressed with my Hikvision solution. It does the job, but it's clunky and not upto what people expect from software nowadays imo.