[GOTCHA] WiFi Security Cameras

I have the Arlo Pro (not Pro 2) and it is wonderful!

Five cameras and the system is flawless with 7 days free cloud storage.

Easy to install and works perfect!

There may be better systems but I can not imagine a system better than my Arlo Pro.

I have the Kuna Maximus Coach light with camera and speaker. Works via WiFi with free cloud storage and is hard wired. Free app on smartphone allows real time communication from anywhere. Motion detector and so far has worked flawlessly. I got mine at Costco for less than I have seen it advertised elsewhere, including Amazon.

What about home network security with these types of devices? When devices connect to WiFi, isn't the network susceptible to hackers?

I have to agree with Thomas. I would love to have a home security system but most are WIFI and/or store on the cloud. I really don't want someone watching me (although it would be pretty boring for them!). I have problems with occasional intruders which the police claim are raccoons. Pretty smart ones since they open the screen door, scoot in, and then mess with the back door, open the screen door again and disappear!

I am surprised Bob did not mention security with these cameras. As many of us know, many of these camera companies want you to link your feed back to their servers. I know I use Amcrest and Wansview cameras. They are very well priced and provide good quality video. But I do comb through the settings of these cameras to ensure they do not call home. Do not accept the default setting. I recommend manually configuring and not using your cellphone as many companies lead you to do.

I have been using a Nestcam for a few years now. I can not recommend it. It sends me about 6 false positives every day. Any change in the room lighting, including passing clouds, triggers it. I have contacted Netst, and they say there is nothing they can do about it. Also, it loses its internet connection a few times a week when other devices in my home do not.

Are there any security cameras that will work via wifi using a hot spot that is connected to a phone vs. a dsl line?

Many of these send the video back to the cloud with some only keeping 7 days of video. Do they have the ability to download the video that has bee captured?

I have been thinking of getting a home security system but nearly all of them that you mentioned send the video to the cloud. Are there any that will send video directly to my PC instead?

Ever heard of Wyze cams?

Trivision NC-335PW HD 1080P Waterproof Bullet Home Wireless Outdoor Surveillance Camera System. Currently 109.99 on Amazon. Great day and night vision, able to record 24/7 using ISpy or any other recording software, no fees for recording or closed systems that require you to pay for storage of your camera feeds. Provides alerts by email on the mobile application or by ISpy (also can do texts).

I agree... Are there any systems that store locally? Any thief wearing a paper-bag and sporting side-cuts can easily destroy the evidence of his upcoming crime.

About to drop my money on a Simplisafe system. Really sorry you didn't cover them. They look really good and affordable.

Has anyone here used them?

Which scenario is more likely to occur?

1. Your surveillance footage is stored on a remote server, and some nogoodnik watches you brush your teeth, but when a thief breaks in and steals your computer, you have the pictures to ID him

2. Your surveillance footage is stored on your home computer, and some thief steals your computer, and you have no idea who it was?

I, for one, LIKE the idea of off-site storage of my surveillance footage.

I had to come to terms with using surveillance cameras (it's a “do onto others, as you want done to yourself" issue), at first. I used the excuse that it made my mate feel secure and comfy! Then, I decided to put a visible sign in front of the house, so that the neighbors (and local low-lifes) are forewarned and be (half-baked) ethical and law-abiding about their usage. Not wanting to periodically climb two stories for a WiFi battery, I installed 2 TrendNet 5MP (2944x1656) Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), outdoor "bullet" cameras. I have an Intel i7-6700K motherboard, w/a dual-network (NIC) set-up. I run a dedicated 4TB HDD for local (not-cloud) 24/7 continuous recordings that are retained for 31 days. I don’t see much performance reduction of my machine and the live footage is always displayed on my second 27” monitor. Not using cloud storage and no “motion detection only” recording have allowed us to view some bizarre footage, especially at night. Our local Police Department does not want to get involved with video footage as evidence, presumable because they are busy with more pressing problems. I am quite happy with this PoE setup that has been online for over 26 months. Proper setup and configuration is quite geeky (e.g. ONVIF, PSIA, etc.) and not for the faint-of-heart types. ReoLink brand is very similar to TrendNet cameras and their equivalent hardware are much cheaper

I used the Simplisafe system as a security system and it was horrible. Look at livewatch as an alternative. I use livewatch for security and the Trivision cameras to provide a visual record of any security concerns/issues. The camera feeds can be capture by several recording software products (I use ISpy) and can provide alerts in both email and text.

I have had a Ring doorbell (camera) for about two years. I truly enjoy being able to speak to someone at my door without them knowing if I am in the house or in Arizona. Because I was satisfied with the doorbell, I recently had two wired cameras/spotlights/sirens installede. They, too, work well. I have had to adjust the settings on one that kept turning the lights on and alerting me when the wind was particularly swift--my flowers were waving!

We have the ARLO PRO HD Security System. We use four cams. The lastest software update to the ARLO app improved the video dramatically. The only downside I see is that some of the cams that are triggered too often run their lithium rechargeable batteries down. The ARLO app provides access to the several functions offered like: Positioning the cam originally for optimal view, control audio sound volume levels, control microphone volume levels, control light/dark enhancement, night-vision, WiFi accessibility, Smartphone ARLO App for immediately notification when motion sensor is triggered to film, "live" filming or monitoring, battery power, strength of WiFi signal to cam in bars, free 7-day Cloud backup recordings, and several memberships for commercial use. Also you can easily download each video and send to an email address for storage. Text any video is also available.

We got the ARLO PRO HD system (with 4 cams) at a very good price at COSTCO.

Any other questions?
~Jonathan, property manager

What do you consider to be the best indoor/outdoor system that uses the internet and android cells but don't require a monthly fee for monitoring? Thanks

I started with just one tiny cam 15 years ago and now have 4 watching the front of my house and 500 feet of the street in front in both directions. I believe local storage is the most secure, and in that vein, IF someone does get into your property, the second thing they might go after is the DVR! So my DVR is located in a security vault (small) where they cannot get to it and take the "evidence". I use a Zmodo DVR that with a 100GB drive, saves 15 days of 24/7 activity and I can check on it via phone. As I live in the tropics, I made some aluminum boxes for the external cameras to protect them from the weather (sun and rain) and like I say, the original one is still working after 15 years. My cameras are "camouflaged" so that a potential thief won't notice them and cover up. Remember too, that video cam filmings are NOT considered evidence... just an indication of what may have happened.