Outdoor security camera info needed

[fratri]

Looking at getting a couple of outdoor cameras. Basically needed to watch the driveway and front porch area. Looking for some advice, type, brand, ease of use etc.... Doesn't have to be wifi but does have to be easy to use and view.
I have been to several box stores and those salespeople don't sound like they know very much about their product/use.
Thanks

[trimmer21]

There should be specialty stores around your area that have CCTV systems separate and of much higher quality than the big boxes. They won't be cheap,but,it can be assured that their people know exactly what you need and how to install it for maximum efficiency.

[rick_iles]

Here is a link for a good system at a good sale price.
https://www.lorextechnology.com/

I have seen this system in use. The video is very clear both day and night. Identifying faces, plate numbers etc is no issue. The problem with most systems is the clarity. A system is not much good if you can’t use it to identify a subject.

[sawbill]

When I was looking almost all companies wanted to sell their package which included a monitoring system as well. That of course, meant annual contracts with them. I was out their door faster than I went in so I'll be following the replies here as well.

[mosquito]

There are alot of different types of cameras that will work for you and some of the security kits at Staples might be the best option. I've been voluntold to help out at a friend of my wifes restaurant many times on the computer and cameras and learned a few things BUT someone that deals with them regularly will know much more. But from what I have learned there are a couple of things to make note of that should help.

1) If you have a dynamic IP on your internet used you may have to use a service to log in OR you will need to know the IP and hope it doesn't refresh when you are out/away.

2) If you are using several devices to view using something like SIMPLEDDNS ( I THINK that is what they are using) as a gateway, it lets you set it once on each device (pointing to the Simpleddns) and if the IP changes you only log into the simpleddns webpage and change it. It is free BUT a pain in the butt since you have to be able to get onto the local computer where the camera is to find the IP and then change it on the webpage.

3) Make sure you have a password setup, the viewers should let you put one in so you don't have to use it each time. I was looking for a camera to view something months ago and stumbled across this site.
http://www.insecam.org/en/byrating/?page=1
You can see the make of the camera and some have night vision (important for security), some make sense like scenery etc. and some are beyond just creepy ones that someone setup a camera at home and didn't set a password. My favourites are:
This one is a camera in Texas that has night vision and you can check out some BIG deer http://www.insecam.org/en/view/377412/
Downtown Brampton http://www.insecam.org/en/view/254969/
BUT if you don't setup a password you may end up on here ...
http://www.insecam.org/en/bycountry/CA/?page=1

4) As mentioned above, night vision, usually infrared LEDs used for that, you can look at some of the cameras above in Australia or Japan to see those that do and do not have night vision.

There are also cameras that you can get that take a picture and can email it to you. I bought a basic one for home when we go to the cottage and just turn it on when we leave and it takes pictures and emails them. Sometimes I end up with 20+ in a day, the neighbour has a dog, news papers etc. It doesn't let you check but doesn't require anything more than being able to get the email. You also have an image in the email as compared to a screen shot or capture of the video.

Now the information I have is probably a couple years old now so if you can find a shop that sets them up that will answer questions it may be worth paying the extra or if you are technically capable and have time you can get your own setup but you have to think about how much to spend, what and how it will be used and where to put the cameras. Before you put any money down on a specific model try googling it to see of there are examples or complaints since it would be a pain to take down and return if it sucks.

https://www.staples.ca/security+came..._20051_1_20001

P.S. Remember the password unless you have a specific reason no to.
Lots of snow in Winnipeg
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/522546/
looks like rain in Barrie
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/509180/
Helicopters are taking off in Revelstoke.
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/506410/
Skiing in Alberta
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/450127/
This one needs cleaning but has a dome with a wide angle fish eye view ... that would be good for some locations but you would have to look later to see the night vision (if any) ....looking at the model it might just be a door bell camera... oh and if you know them tell them they need to rake the leaves.
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/391438/

and the city of Timmins camera (makes good sense this one to be open)
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/363644/

[fratri]

Sounds like a lot of information to absorb, honestly, the only thing I got from your post was..... the staples link. I need it in simple terms and short.
Thanks for trying

There are alot of different types of cameras that will work for you and some of the security kits at Staples might be the best option. I've been voluntold to help out at a friend of my wifes restaurant many times on the computer and cameras and learned a few things BUT someone that deals with them regularly will know much more. But from what I have learned there are a couple of things to make note of that should help.

1) If you have a dynamic IP on your internet used you may have to use a service to log in OR you will need to know the IP and hope it doesn't refresh when you are out/away.

2) If you are using several devices to view using something like SIMPLEDDNS ( I THINK that is what they are using) as a gateway, it lets you set it once on each device (pointing to the Simpleddns) and if the IP changes you only log into the simpleddns webpage and change it. It is free BUT a pain in the butt since you have to be able to get onto the local computer where the camera is to find the IP and then change it on the webpage.

3) Make sure you have a password setup, the viewers should let you put one in so you don't have to use it each time. I was looking for a camera to view something months ago and stumbled across this site.
http://www.insecam.org/en/byrating/?page=1
You can see the make of the camera and some have night vision (important for security), some make sense like scenery etc. and some are beyond just creepy ones that someone setup a camera at home and didn't set a password. My favourites are:
This one is a camera in Texas that has night vision and you can check out some BIG deer http://www.insecam.org/en/view/377412/
Downtown Brampton http://www.insecam.org/en/view/254969/
BUT if you don't setup a password you may end up on here ...
http://www.insecam.org/en/bycountry/CA/?page=1

4) As mentioned above, night vision, usually infrared LEDs used for that, you can look at some of the cameras above in Australia or Japan to see those that do and do not have night vision.

There are also cameras that you can get that take a picture and can email it to you. I bought a basic one for home when we go to the cottage and just turn it on when we leave and it takes pictures and emails them. Sometimes I end up with 20+ in a day, the neighbour has a dog, news papers etc. It doesn't let you check but doesn't require anything more than being able to get the email. You also have an image in the email as compared to a screen shot or capture of the video.

Now the information I have is probably a couple years old now so if you can find a shop that sets them up that will answer questions it may be worth paying the extra or if you are technically capable and have time you can get your own setup but you have to think about how much to spend, what and how it will be used and where to put the cameras. Before you put any money down on a specific model try googling it to see of there are examples or complaints since it would be a pain to take down and return if it sucks.

https://www.staples.ca/security+came..._20051_1_20001

P.S. Remember the password unless you have a specific reason no to.
Lots of snow in Winnipeg
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/522546/
looks like rain in Barrie
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/509180/
Helicopters are taking off in Revelstoke.
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/506410/
Skiing in Alberta
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/450127/
This one needs cleaning but has a dome with a wide angle fish eye view ... that would be good for some locations but you would have to look later to see the night vision (if any) ....looking at the model it might just be a door bell camera... oh and if you know them tell them they need to rake the leaves.
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/391438/

and the city of Timmins camera (makes good sense this one to be open)
http://www.insecam.org/en/view/363644/

[mosquito]

Sounds like a lot of information to absorb, honestly, the only thing I got from your post was..... the staples link. I need it in simple terms and short.
Thanks for trying

If you didn't understand that you have some research to do or should find someone that does or hire an installer/service.

Summary
1) Depending on your internet you may not need a service, very likely the IP (your internet address) will change with time (see pt 2) .

2) If the internet address you have changes you can use SIMPLEDDNS as a middle man so you don't have to change all the devices viewing. Type "what is my IP" into Google to find the current IP address. Your provider might give you a different one every so often or even each day as part of the security. Ignore the VPN but the IP address given to you will be displayed here.
https://www.expressvpn.com/what-is-my-ip

3) Make sure you use a password

4) You probably want it to work at night, make sure it does before buying it.

There are some very simple ones that just email a picture you might want to look into if you want to keep it real simple. Setup a new gmail (etc) and have the email go there and set it up so you can get it on a webpage and/or your phone so it doesn't fill up your personal one and you miss mail from work or friends.



The simplest one I see is this one, PROBABLY free for the first year then a small fee but no worrying about IP and DNS setups.
https://www.staples.ca/en/Netgear-Ar...1_1-CA_1_20001
review
https://www.cnet.com/products/netgea...-security-kit/

[fratri]

The simplest one I see is this one, PROBABLY free for the first year then a small fee but no worrying about IP and DNS setups.
https://www.staples.ca/en/Netgear-Ar...1_1-CA_1_20001
review
https://www.cnet.com/products/netgea...-security-kit/

It doesn't need to be wireless but does need to work at night

[dean.f]

I have a single camera mounted on my garage and hard wired to my modem through the soffit into the house and it records to my pc through camera software. I can't speak to the cost of this type of thing because my brother installed it (he's in that business) but I know it's very easy to use and worth it to have. It's a bit disturbing how many people creep around at night checking car doors. The camera he put up was about $100 bucks I think, and it took beautiful full face shots of 2 guys breaking into my truck in the dark.

I would give a call to an alarm company and see what they have to say for cost. I'm no computer wizard, but I have no problem using this setup.

[fratri]

I have a single camera mounted on my garage and hard wired to my modem through the soffit into the house and it records to my pc through camera software. I can't speak to the cost of this type of thing because my brother installed it (he's in that business) but I know it's very easy to use and worth it to have. It's a bit disturbing how many people creep around at night checking car doors. The camera he put up was about $100 bucks I think, and it took beautiful full face shots of 2 guys breaking into my truck in the dark.

I would give a call to an alarm company and see what they have to say for cost. I'm no computer wizard, but I have no problem using this setup.

Now this sounds like what I am looking for. Maybe make of camera, is it motion activated,