Surveillance camera recommendations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 08:20:08 pm
content: Yesterday I had 2 packages stolen from our mailbox. We live in a somewhat rural area. I'm thinking of getting a outdoor surveillance camera. It will need to be very weatherproof - lots or rain, wind, low temps and snow in winter. Will need Wifi and SD card capability.Anyone with recommendations?I'm consideringthis one. Would probably power it with batteries - it would be mounted on a tree.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 11:40:46 pm
content: That one looks interesting. So your mailbox is far from your house correct?Personally would not touch anything other than Hikvision or maybe Dahua, but the equivalent model is much more expensive (I use DS-2CD2535F-IWS or DS-2CD2542FWD-IWS but its different form factor).If the vstarcam is using 12W continuous (probably a bit less), you'll get 45hr life out of a 45Ahr car battery.Reviews look good:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vstarcam-C16S-Full-HD-1080P-IP-Camera-4mm-Lens-IP67-Waterproof-Indoor-Outdoor-Camera-IR-Night/32827834540.html

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 12:36:38 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on February 22, 2018, 11:25:13 pmBecause someone found the ripped open packaging lying in the road 1/2 mile away. One package (clothing) had tracking showing delivery by post office (which I trust). The other, ironically, was an inexpensive USB camera from Banggood.QuoteI considered a dummy camera and may put one up while awaiting installation of a real one. In either case I will put up a small warning sign on the mailbox.I think if I'm going to go to the trouble of installing one, I'm gonna put one up that not only monitors the mailbox but my adjacent driveway and the road entrance. That way it will be able to record any suspicious activity These will trigger on motion and save to an SD card in a loop fashion.When I called to report the incident to the Sheriff's office, they asked if any of my neighbor's have video surveillance. They don't. I live in an area with about 30 homes that are several miles from any other homes. Several of the homes are used part time. I have close neighbors but the homes on either side of me are not currently occupied. One neighbor had items stolen from their mail box 2 months ago.Quote from: thm_w on February 22, 2018, 11:40:46 pmMailbox and road are only about 100 feet or so (30m) from my home.QuoteThat's what the power supply is rated at. I doubt it is using that much. - but that is something I would test. If needed I would set up with small PV to keep battery charged. Could also run power from nearby garage.QuoteThanks for the link. That's a better price!

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 09:14:12 am
content: Where will you store the video?Note that many of these cheap camera's are a significant vulnerability to your network, many even phoning home regularly, doing whatever.I have a some of Foscams attached to my Synology Surveillance Station. This works. But I have blocked the Foscams from internet access in my Mikrotik, and I can see they still keep transmitting amounts of data to the web.Maybe also watch some of Louis Rossman video's about CCTV systems. Because having a video of your parcel being stolen does not give you any useful info if you can't recognize the person or car. It just tells you what you already know, for a price.Link

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:31:24 pm
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on February 23, 2018, 09:14:12 amThe video is stored on the SD card, thats the great thing about these cameras. No need for an NVR or NAS.If he has a good router he could do the same limited access. Its also possible the camera can operate as AP only, then its irrelevant.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 01:00:28 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on February 23, 2018, 10:31:24 pmWhich is cool as you only need to take the camera with you and there's no evidence left behind.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 02:35:10 am
content: Quote from: BradC on February 24, 2018, 01:00:28 amExcept that they can be set up to send a picture via wifi to email when motion is detected.Also, in my case, they'll need a tall ladder to reach the camera - which in my neighborhood would arouse suspicion.I really just need a deterrent anyways.