Need security camera spots suggestions

[Samara1]

Planning to add 6 POE cameras on below spots (marked in numbers) around my GF home (2 storey).

Any suggestions or changes required on the spot and what type of camera design is good to go for the spots - bullets, domes or turrets

Location 1 camera - on Garage wall

Location 2 camera - under ceiling in Porch

Location 3,4,6 cameras - on wall

Location 5 camera - under Alfresco ceiling

[EricL]

Hello @Samara1 

Thanks for sharing your question about your camera positions. I believe that the positions you've chosen are good and that they cover the entire perimeter of the house. Some of the key factors when choosing a camera, I think are the ability of the cameras to move and what is its maximum viewing angle. I also suggest having a look at this guide - How to choose a home security camera by @Nham. 

Let me call on our experienced members @CSParnell, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.   

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @Samara1 looks like you have covered all areas very well. With this number of camera I don't see the need for any turret type if the lens angles cover the areas. Unless they have some form of auto-tracking in larger areas like C1 and C4 for front and backyards. Good night vision is obviously important and I would go with security spotlights over inbuilt camera ones as it tends to give the camera longer viewing range in the ones I have used. Min 2K resolution unless you can afford 4K giving up to 4X sharper image should you need to blow up the footage over HD (1080).

And if security has a very high importance consider one that has a battery back up. Or better still a UPS thats also connected to your home network. That way if there are any power failures you still recording and have remote access.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Morning @Samara1 

I think @EricL and @Nailbag has summed it up nicely. Using POE and a UPS supplied unit for the network will give a goodamount of flexibility when the power drops out. I prefer fixed cameras as there is less to go wrong with them over time.

Dave

[Samara1]

@Nailbag @Dave-1 @CSParnell 

Many thanks for your time.

i gave the measurements of all side in the orginal post (image updated) please check and let me know any changes in camera

1) I thought to go with Turrent type bec of its flexibility to directly mounted to ceilings or walls

Both Bullet & Turrent in Reolink 12MP camera covers the lens angel as below

https://reolink.com/product/rlc-1224a/?attribute_pa_version=2-pack-white-4mm#specifications

Lens : f=4.0mm; F=1.6, with IR-cut filter

Field of View: • Horizontal: 93°  | • Vertical: 49°

2) i didnt go with auto track camera like TrackMix in location1 in Garage wall as i have doubt for example, if someone move in left side direction of my garade then the camera lose the focus on my driveway coverage on right side or below, am i right?

3) thinking to go with six 12MP camera with 4TB NVR. Is it overkill for my above home. 

I thought the high MP camera like 12MP may slowdown my Network speed and also require more storage space.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Samara1 

I havnt bought a security system as yet But have been looking at different ones for years.

You are thinking along the same lines I have ended up with.

I like either the Bullet and dome system. Maybe go for the bullet in straight line of sight areas and the dome in areas that you may want to "move" the camera around. The mechanisim is protected more so from dirt and dust I presume by the dome.

I like the idea of the 12mp camera and also the size of storage. Nothing worse then looking back at security footage to find its been overwritten.

The POE unit you are intending to use, I would strongly suggest that its a stand alone system (So not part of your existing house networking) It will be connected yes to you can access it remotely but the 8 port POE switch will be for your security alone. This is why a UPS that its sole job is to have backup power for the POE switch and your NBN plus house network switch would be advantagous. Blackout and then everything network shuts down is my thoughts. Also Note UPS's will have a usage time before they also shut down.

So network speed wont be affected as its a stand alone network. Even if its part of the same network the cameras generally only record if there is movement. (depending on the model of camera)

Dave

[R4addZ]

Hi @Samara1

A few quick points, if any camera can be approached from a blind side without being visible from another camera, your security will be compromised.

An 8 port POE switch has been mentioned but most POE NVRs come with POE built in.

Your NVR has to be as inaccessible as possible or otherwise the intruder can just take it with them.

If possible upload the video to offsite storage in case the NVR gets taken (this will also enable greater storage).

The higher the resolution of the cameras, the more storage space needed, this isn't that big an issue as a lot of NVRs are sold without the hard disk and you can buy a disk big enough for your requirements (however the bigger the disk the higher the price)!

Finally the touchy subject, if the cables have not already been installed by the builder, you should be aware that like electrical work cabling, for example ethernet and telecommunications (heck even HDMI it would now seem), is illegal if you are not a registered cabler.

[Nailbag]

Hi @Samara1 personally I think 12MP res is overkill due to not only cost but for the main reason of both storage and remote access. Dome cameras are the more discrete for a domestic home but again personal choice. And if you aren't after auto-tracking, then to me a standard turret is also overkill when you have so many cameras covering all angles and areas.

Nailbag

[Nham]

Hi @Samara1,

Based on your drawing, I suggest repositioning the camera to capture the person from the front. Some of your fixed-angle cameras are only covering side views. At our home, we have a front driveway camera mounted in the centre of the garage; the camera itself provides a full 360° pan and 180° tilt, allowing it to track movement. I would recommend moving Camera #2 closer to the front door or using a video doorbell. Any brand should work well, but we personally prefer the WYZE system as they look minimalistic and are good value. Good luck.

[R4addZ]

The problem with the drawing is that it gives us no idea of what is around your block fence and access wise. For example , I didn't pay that much attention to the back of my house as there is a 15m wall intruders would have to scale to get in. I think they will take an easier target before mine seeing cameras at the front of the house. If there is no access to the alfresco for example, what's the need for a camera in the back corner of it as in @Samara1 s example.

Camera 5 should be in view of camera 6 on the corner of the pillar. Camera 4 can see Camera 5 and be seen by Camera 3. Camera 2 should be on the front pillar near the garage. Camera 3 should be on the front pillar looking down the side of the house (180 degrees so it also sees the street)! This way camera 2 can see both camera1 and 3.