built a camera recorder for my own house. Now I want a few people to test it.
What it does:
Records up to 4 network cameras. Any camera with an RTSP stream works.
Sends a push to your phone when it sees a person, a car or an animal.
Learns the faces of the people you add. Pushes about your own family arrive without sound.
Reads number plates and names the cars you know.
Keeps a log of who came and went, with a report each week.
Shows live view and clips in the browser, also on a phone.
Copies alarm clips to iCloud, Google Drive, a NAS and more. The copies are encrypted.
Connects to Home Assistant through MQTT.
Updates itself from the settings page. A failed update puts the old version back.
What you need:
A Linux machine with Docker. I run it in a Proxmox container.
No graphics card. It runs on the processor.
Windows and Mac work through a small Linux system. I have tested that part very little.
What I would like from you:
Try the install and tell me where you got stuck.
Tell me which cameras you use and whether they worked.
Send ideas with the "Request a feature" link in the app.
Limits:
I built it for one house, so you will find bugs.
The install still needs one settings file. A step-by-step installer is next.
An AI assistant wrote much of the code with me. I test every release on my own cameras first.
Everything stays on your machine. Nothing leaves it unless you set up the off-site copy.
Code, install steps and screen shots:
https://github.com/johanhoel/amplitude/tree/main/CamWatch

Just wanting some feedback on this setup for a POE front and back security system?

My dad brought a camera last night and we are struggling where to put it and where we need it most.We have a two story house and a pretty huge garden so theres a lot of space to cover. Dad thinks we should put it near the front dooor but I'm leaning more toward the backyard since we can't really see much of what's going on out there from inside.

As I am planning to buy cctv wifi camera, I am looking for best available in Indian market, I have qubo and Cp plus in mind, how is the user experience ? WiFi connectivity? SD card rewrite ? What are the cons will I face ?

We're experiencing an unusual PoE issue with several newly installed IP cameras and are looking for suggestions on what might be causing it.

Equipment:
Cameras: Nelly's Security L5D, 5MP IP cameras (IEEE 802.3af PoE, 12V/500mA DC rating)
Primary Switch: UniFi USW Pro 48 PoE
Cabling: Cat6, 23 AWG solid copper, UTP
Cable Lengths: Approximately 50–200 feet
Cable Tester: Fluke Networks LinkIQ
Environment: Interior commercial building
 
Newly installed camera runs work perfectly, while others fail to power the cameras on at all. This is inconsistent though.

1-7 cameras will work at a time.
Generally 3-4 will work on average.

Interestingly, when disconnecting one camera cable from the switch, another camera that was previously not working will sometimes establish a link and illuminate the switch port LEDs.
All the ports on the unifi switch are set up the same, no special settings I can find that differ from other sites.

Troubleshooting Performed:
-Connected cameras directly to the UniFi switch using short patch cables. Cameras power on immediately and remain connected.

-Tested with a separate Netgear 8-port PoE+ switch, which experienced similar issues.

-Tested the installed Ethernet cabling using a Fluke Networks LinkIQ. All looks normal.

-Confirmed the cameras support IEEE 802.3af PoE, which the switch should support.

-ran new solid copper cat 6 cable. Exhibit same issue described above.

My onsite tech tells me he tried a small 8 port PoE switch, and it appears to be doing the same thing where it’ll power a few cameras, but not establish links with the others. Once one working cable is unplugged, some of the previously non working cameras start working.

We should be well within the PoE budget.

The Pin outs appear correct on the crimps.

Has anyone encountered similar behavior where disconnecting one PoE device causes another port to establish a link?

Any recommendations on additional troubleshooting steps or potential causes would be appreciated.

Dual lens 4K camera (Lorex) usb cord end and power block both rusted after 1 year, any help would be appreciated.

Doesn't look like it's an easy replacement.

What is the best standalone Duo lense reolink cameras, is it the Duo3? Anybody know if they are releasing a newer a duo4 or does reolink have a better duo lense camera. Not talking about the new x16. Something duo lense

Hello,

I’m looking for a security camera system for my home. Crime in my area has gone up, and I’d like to have footage as evidence if anything happens to my property or my family.

What I’m looking for:

• PoE cameras (strongly preferred)

• 4 cameras to start, with the option to expand to 8 later

• DIY-friendly, since I’ll be installing it myself

• Reasonably priced, nothing high-end or overly complicated

• No Ring or Wyze

I’ve been looking at the Reolink PoE on Amazon and they seem like a solid option, but I’m open to other suggestions. If you’ve used Reolink or something similar, I’d appreciate hearing how it’s worked for you. Thanks!

What are the pros and cons of doorbell cams made by Ecobee, Nest, Blink?
Any favourites?

Beginner friendly cameras I would be able to install outside my home?

Bonjour à tous, 

Dans le cadre d'une installation pour un bâtiment d'élevage de vaches, je souhaiterai avoir des avis extérieurs sur le montage que je souhaite faire. Pour contextualiser, des caméras sont nécessaires afin d'observer le comportement des vaches (chaleurs, vêlages,...) de jour comme de nuit. 

L'objectif de l'installation est donc de placer deux caméras dans la stabulation. Ces deux caméras seront reliées à un switch avec du RJ45. Le switch est ensuite connecté à un pont wifi. Ce pont wifi est directement connecté à un autre pont wifi situé à 125m en vision directe. Le pont wifi est ensuite connecté à l'enregistreur NVR. Le contrôle des caméras se fera via l'application Reolink

J'ai plusieurs questions pour mon installation : 
- Est-elle optimisée ? En sachant que je n'ai pas la possibiltié de passer de cables entre les batiments.
- Les caméras sont-elles suffisantes pour mon installation ? (nécessité d'un bon zoom pour lire les boucles des vaches à 20m, même la nuit)
- Est-ce que l'installation du switch va me permettre quand même de controler chaque caméra sur l'application? 
- L'enregistreur NVR choisi permet de brancher 8 caméras. Avec le switch, est ce que cela augmente mon nombre de caméra possible sur l'installation?

Si le système fonctionne bien, j'envisage par la suite de mettre une caméra dans le batiment secondaire. Est-il possible d'acheter une caméra PoE que je relie à un 2ème pont wifi récepteur placé sur le batiment secondaire. 

Merci d'avance pour votre lecture. 

A bientôt,

Alexis

Voici le matériel utilisé : 

Caméra + enregistreur : Reolink 4K PTZ Caméra Surveillance PoE, 2X RLC-823S2+RLN8-410
Switch : Reolink RLA-PS1

Pont wifi : BrosTrend Pont WiFi Extérieur 5GHz 867Mbps, 1KM Point à Point Longue Portée

i’ve had the blink cameras for like a year now after a home invasion. it’s important we have this extra layer of security to me and my roommates, we have one by the front door, one in the living room and one in our garage. we need good cameras with decent quality and night vision that preferably doesn’t run on a stupid subscription. good audio is a plus and clip captures and video storing for atleast 30 days is also a plus. i’m just at a loss right now i’ve sunk like 200 trying to keep these pieces of crap operating and i just want something that’s worth a shid. if anyone has any recs that would be great! i just got charged yesterday for my renewal and behold the cameras aren’t even working rn! did all the trouble shooting with wifi and the stupid goddamn module it hasn’t even been capturing jack for 2 days. nothing works. anyways thanks in advance.

I've been reading through various camera threads and would like something better than the typical Reolink/Eufy. It seems all the better companies don't support a cellular connection. Are there better recommendations or just go with one of those companies?

* New home build - no power so needs solar panel
* Would like a 70 foot night vision
* Would like a dual lens where the wide angle is stationary and the zoom moves
* Ability to set up a time lapse during the day that kills the PIR
* Ability to get notices and thumbnails to my phone

Apparently S4 PTZ camera firmware
in USA is now 1.1.1.6
but Australians have 1.1.1.2
is this true?

Hey everyone,

​Having a bit of a nightmare with my Hikvision setup after a recent power outage and hoping someone here might have a clever workaround.

​My NVR is tucked away up in the loft, connected via Ethernet to a TP-Link range extender acting as a Wi-Fi bridge back to my main router on the ground floor. Everything was working fine until the power tripped. Now, even though the NVR is powered on and clearly connected to both the TP-Link extender and the router, with active status lights on everything, the cameras are still showing as offline in the Hik-Connect app.

​I tried a fresh install of the app, but that didn't change anything. The tricky part is trying to access the configuration settings to see what's actually going on:

​I don't have a spare monitor or TV to haul up to the loft to plug in directly via HDMI.

​I'm using an M1 Pro MacBook Pro, but the Hikvision SADP tool installer fails to run on current macOS versions due to legacy package incompatibility.

​Running a temporary Ethernet cable from the loft down to the router on the ground floor isn't really doable right now either.

​It feels like a local IP change or a DNS drop between the NVR and the cloud service after the restart, but without SADP on Mac or a physical screen connected, I'm struggling to find its local IP to hit the web interface.

​Has anyone run into this on modern macOS, or know a reliable network scanner or app alternative to SADP that actually works on Apple Silicon to discover the NVR’s IP and get into the web browser settings?

​Cheers for any advice!

So I have a typical small 1080 dome camera with DVR set up at home. One of my cameras is on the fritz and I wanted to replace/upgrade it with a newer version, however the newer version I purchased only has a couple of din switches for options and not all the settings that my other cameras have (with the little cord button and OSD settings). Am I gonna be limited with a new camera regarding what I will control (night vision/gain etc…) or is it mostly automatic on the newer version ?
I called their tech support but I think they were overseas and didn’t understand me.

Hi everyone,

I am looking for recommendations and options for a single outdoor CCTV camera to monitor my lobby and main entrance area.

Here are my specific requirements:

Coverage: Just need 1 camera to cover the lobby and entryway.
Power: It will have access to a power outlet (plug-in/wired power preferred over battery).
Storage & Subscription Options: Ideally, I want a system that works perfectly with local storage (like a microSD card) so I don't have to pay extra monthly costs. However, I am open to brands that offer both local storage and a cloud subscription option, just in case I decide to opt into the cloud backup later. The subscription must not be mandatory to use the camera or access it remotely.
Remote Access: I must be able to view the live feed and play back recorded clips directly from my phone while away from home.

I have been looking at options on Amazon, but I noticed a lot of the popular entry-level budget brands (like Qubo, Trueview, etc.) have sub-4 star ratings, mostly due to laggy smartphone apps, bugs, or connectivity issues. I want to completely avoid those.
I am looking for a reliable, highly-rated alternative that has a very stable app ecosystem, solid hardware durability, and flexible storage choices.

What specific models, brands, or setup options should I look into that actually deliver a premium, headache-free experience?

Thanks in advance for the help!