Nest cameras look neat. Netgear has the "Arlo" line, with several options. Those two lines seem to be the best regarded. I'm looking for a couple outdoor and maybe one indoor camera. Being able to remotely (via phone or web) see what's going on (with alerts) would be nice. Recording for at least a handful of days would be nice. And good enough image quality (minimum 720p) so that things seen on screen are distinguishable as to what they are.

I know there are tons of other considerations for this sort of tech, but I'm curious what those of you who know about these things are using for your security systems?

Thanks.

The big question is.. where will you record ? Cloud or on your Mac ? That will guide you to the technology you want to use. Cloud will typically mean a paid subscription someplace. But you'll get remote access to live and recorded video as part of the service.

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cbelt3
The big question is.. where will you record ? Cloud or on your Mac ? That will guide you to the technology you want to use. Cloud will typically mean a paid subscription someplace. But you'll get remote access to live and recorded video as part of the service.

I'd prefer local/Mac, if reasonable. But if that takes away the ability to view remotely (easily), I'd go for a subscription to have that sort of access.

I am watching this thread very closely!

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space-time
I am watching this thread very closely!

Big fan of the SecuritySpy software, by Bens Software. Supports half a gazillion different cameras.

As for cameras, I'm finding out that there are at least five gazillion different cameras (researching 'em for work... probably ones well above what you'll need, or want to pay for...).

Take a look at SecuritySpy, then check out their compatibility list, and start camera shopping!

Oh, and for "big dog" heavy lifting, pro level, security camera software, "Digital Watchdog" makes an excellent package. They license by the camera. Big feature set. Probably WAY more feature rich than you need or want for a home operation.

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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Eureka, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2017 04:48PM by Paul F..

Paul,

I checked out Security Spy. It proved expensive and _way_ too user-unfriendly. My issue with IP cams and app based viewing is the fact that most of the cams seem like garbage, aren't Mac friendly and the software in general is awful. I'd love for a company to make an IP cam with solid specs that is Mac and iOS friendly out of the box and includes user-friendly but capable software. So far, nobody has anything on the market that hits my criteria.

At this point, I'm much happier with the Swann surveillance system that we bought for my office. Can view the cams on a Mac via software. Can view the cams on an iPhone via an app. Can connect a display to the actual Swann box and view and modify its settings. Storage is HDD based in the box. The only problem is the box is big and must be hardwired to the network. Same goes for the cams. But, there are wireless options in a complete or expandable systems.

Robert

I have a Dropcam HD and the newer model, Dropcam Pro. I noticed that not long after Nest bought out Dropcam, the clarity of my cameras dropped. The colors are now less vibrant and night vision kicks on too soon. The audio sensitivity and night vision are excellent for the Dropcams so I assume it’s the same for Nest cameras. Nest notifications/alerts are unreliable, often instantaneous, but sometimes an hour later or not at all. Sometimes obvious movement isn't even captured which is annoying. The alert issue is why I'm on the lookout for other options, plus the subscriptions are pricey even without that problem. As for the phone apps, I use the old Dropcam app (which is no longer supported) and the Nest App. The Nest app allows you to slide through a timeline but it’s hard to stop at a specific spot in the replay, and I don't have fat fingers. What I like about the Dropcam app is the ability to go back 30 seconds at a time which helps. The Nest app would disconnect or not connect at all more often than the Dropcam app. The Nest site is still flash-based only.

Flash alone kills nest for me. I'm also still searching for my "dream" security camera

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That old man - he don't think like no old man...
Now I wouldn't want to be within 400 - 500 yards of one of them nuclear bombs when it goes off! WW1 Vet Old Man
"He's pinned under an outcropping of rock. Lucky for him, the rock kept the dirt from burying him alive."
If idiots could fly, this place would be an airport. And I'd be a TSA agent.
A bonified member of The Mystic Knights of The Sea, George P. Stevens, President. Andy Brown, Treasurer, Algonquin J. Calhoun, Legal Consultant.

I am avoiding buying products that aren't homekit compatible based on security issues. I think someone has just come out with a homekit security camera finally.

For now, I use an old iPod and the app Presence. This is free and works pretty well. It has a motion sensor and does record video and I can watch it remotely. I have other old iPhones and iPods but currently I am only running one in the house. I mostly catch my kids coming home during the school day.

Been using SecuritySpy for what seems like a decade.

I've recently upgraded cameras. Tried a Foscam C1, it's garbage and their interfaces are awful.

I'm very happy with my Dahua IPC-HFW1200 cameras. 1080P with excellent night vision. Well, at least that's my opinion, especially considering the price of about $80 each & POE compatible. They have a web interface/server built in, but it requires a plugin/app to view. SecuritySpy is much better to manage viewing.

A burglar hit the house across the street and after a good bit of shopping, I picked the Y-cam.
They offer free cloud storage for 30 days. If you want to keep a video longer, you can just download it onto your computer..
It was easy to set up and you I can view it live on my phone, pad or computer.
I'll probably get a couple more.

[www.y-cam.com]

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-mj

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MacJeepster
I picked the Y-cam. They offer free cloud storage for 30 days.

I'm seeing "FREE rolling 7 day cloud storage" on their site. Not 30 days. Or is this something else?

I have a dlink 932L which I use to monitor my garage. Decent video quality. And the remote app allows viewing over the net. No monthly cost. The app allows setting up multiple cameras (i think they need to be be all dlink) and there is some motion detection alert ability. No recording tho.

Just received the Netgear Arlo today. Will be installing a single camera as a trial before adding 2 more.

I preferred to go with a big name in hopes of getting security updates, though I realize all companies abandon products.

The long battery life on the Arlo & free basic cloud service were winning features. Hopefully it performs well.

I've got a view Panasonic older ip cameras. No issue setting them up using a web browser on my Mac. Just got a Hikvision ip camera. Set it up on my Mac as well without issue.

I was using Security Spy, until I bought a Synology NAS. It comes with Surveillance Station with a 2 camera license. The iOS app that Synology offers makes it very easy to remotely view the cameras. I have Surveillance Station set up to alert me on motion detection (you can select areas of the camera coverage for alerting purposes). When motion is detected, I get an email with a screen shot.

I bought 3 Nest cameras 6 months ago, they suck.

1) they don;t see through windows. I wanted one to view the area by my front door and driveway except at night they don't see because the built in IR light does not go through glass.
2) you cannot review footage without paying $20 per month per camera.
3) I am alerted about every car that drives by but it misses the UPS guy walking right up to it to drop off a package.

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Mr645
I bought 3 Nest cameras 6 months ago, they suck.

1) they don;t see through windows. I wanted one to view the area by my front door and driveway except at night they don't see because the built in IR light does not go through glass.
2) you cannot review footage without paying $20 per month per camera.
3) I am alerted about every car that drives by but it misses the UPS guy walking right up to it to drop off a package.

Not aware of an IR lights that go thru glass. Only solution might be to put the camera right up to the glass so that the IR doesn't reflect back into the lens.

The "monitoring" cost is what drove me to roll my own.