Chat room (let's chat!) 💬 (Part 4)

chronix · February 17, 2024, 3:56am

Any OG members here know much about outdoor security cameras ? Or any recommendations?
I currently have 6 outdoor wireless wifi Blink cameras from Amazon.
3 of them are causing me headaches.
I am also tired of changing batteries. All of the cameras are only accessible by ladder. So it is kind of a pain in the ass.

Would cameras that have wires be better/more reliable ? I am not afraid of drilling holes to run wires inside my home, I would seal them up good.

Main thing is my current cameras are not always reliable wifi wise, or the cameras just suck. Live view rarely works, and sometimes they don’t record me walking by at all.

luxton · February 17, 2024, 4:00am

The bigger systems by companies like Lorex are a lot better all around than wifi cameras like blink (or wyze, which I currently have around my place now). I had a wired system in my last place and it was awesome, sooo much better.

The only problem with them, you may need to know a little more about networks to be able to access the cameras from outside your place. But, that also means your security isn’t sitting in the cloud, it’s behind your own firewall.

DougDawson · February 17, 2024, 4:00am

I mean, cameras that are wired for power and video would always be more reliable if you can run the stuff. I am not current on the latest tech so I can’t make any recommendations.

chronix · February 17, 2024, 4:12am

I am totally fine with not being able to access the cameras through my phone. I could still keep a blink camera or two around for that if I needed to.

I think I’d like to go with the wired setup…
I can run the wires myself no problem.

Couple questions for you guys.

How would I view these wired cameras? On my computer, or tv?
Is there like a separate thingy that it stores the videos on or how does that work?
Also, is there extensions for wires for the cameras?
2 cameras are in my drive way area and that is about 70 feet away or so from where the wires would be run to.

RainToday · February 17, 2024, 4:34am

I’m not super knowledgeable, but I have 4 Ring cameras set up with wifi & each a solar panel to charge their battery. Works perfectly well, even in our cloudy and short-days pacific northwest.

luxton · February 17, 2024, 5:45am

I have a Lorex system that has an app for your phone, so you can definitely view it when you’re home, I’m sure other companies do as well.

The system I had installed connected to your tv, and had a web interface so you could browse to it with your computer. The Lorex system I had I didn’t try, but I’m sure it was the same (maybe not the tv connection, I’m not sure).

Yup, it’s called a “DVR”, digital video recorder. The size of the drive in it depends on how much you want to spend.

I’m not 100% sure, but I believe the max distance is usually 100’… But that’s something to look into, for sure.

I was going to do my own install, but when I got into it I realized I’m a big guy and I don’t fit in small spaces in attics, lol. The problem is, I couldn’t find a company that would install a system that didn’t come from them.

If I were you I’d have a look at all the places you’d have to get into, the wires you’d have to run through walls, etc., and then get a quote for install from a pro… It might save your sanity (it did mine, hahaha).

This all said, I’m definitely no expert, I’ve just played around with the technology for a while .

chronix · February 17, 2024, 6:17am

Thank you everyone for the replies!
I went down, wait, I fell down a rabbit hole and started researching this stuff.
I think I am going to go with this…
and some 100 ft cables and I think I will be good to go.
Comes with a 1tb hard drive and 4 cameras. Apparently you can hook up 8.

After looking at some youtube videos I think these will be perfect, without breaking the bank.

luxton · February 17, 2024, 6:20am

Right on . Make sure the cameras can actually go far enough for you… You might be able to get extensions, but that doesn’t mean the camera will have enough oomph to send a decent quality video (that little mistake cost me $700ish when the installers had to come back to install different cables with separate power and stuff 🤦)

luxton · February 17, 2024, 6:25am

Nice looking camera setup

chronix · February 17, 2024, 6:25am

I will have to look into that.

thainer · February 17, 2024, 5:34pm

was having the same problems while back looked into getting better system sparky at work said ist your wifi he was right i had the cheapest one from staples and it had 2 walls to get thru to intended target went and got a good router and put it in the window strait shot worked the charm for 50 bucks or so

Indicana_Jones · February 19, 2024, 2:25am

@Pigeonman Tatiana maslany is the best actress dead or alive. Argue with me about it.

Pigeonman · February 19, 2024, 2:29am

Is FANTASTIC!. Absolutely.

Though I prefer them a little more psychotic.

Indicana_Jones · February 19, 2024, 2:42am

Who is that? She’s hot and indeed crazy as fuck looking.

Pigeonman · February 19, 2024, 2:58am

Fiona Dourif.

Her dad is Charles Lee Ray so crazy as fuck is in her blood!

Indicana_Jones · February 19, 2024, 3:00am

Lol. Her dad is Chucky? I’m def gonna have to check her out real quick!

luxton · February 19, 2024, 3:49am

Looks about as crazy as one of my exes… Like, literally

Magu · February 19, 2024, 11:17am

I have no idea who she is , but THAT and a bottle of whiskey would keep me occupied for a whole day.

Coda · February 19, 2024, 11:45pm

I’m sure she would, Magu. I’m sure she would

GlassJoeGrows · February 20, 2024, 1:28am

Started some regs:
Bullskinner’s Sour Blutooth F2
Shag’s Strawberry Guava x Black Lime Reserve
Freeborn Selections Hollywood Pure Kush x Skycuddler double Kush