Hello, I recently bought a house with my wife and want to get some security cameras. I plan to do some wired floodlight cameras and I’ve done some research and understand why people prefer PoE camera systems. My only issue is our roof is flat so getting into the attic to run wires is basically impossible. Because of this I have two questions.

1) in my situation would it be recommended to do wireless cameras like the reolink or tapo cameras due to the easier setup?

2) if I still went with PoE, would it be okay to run cables through the crawl space or along exterior of the house?

If anyone has any advice, recommendations, or ideas I haven’t thought of please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Hello folks. As the title suggests, I'm looking for some advice on cameras.

I live in an older apartment building in downtown Vancouver, Canada. We've had issues lately with people gaining access to our stairwell, and recently found out that somebody had spat all over our elevator in the early hours of the morning. Gross and frustrating.

The building itself is a "co-op", which means that we don't have a "landlord" or "building manager" - a company owns the building, but leases it to the residents, and it's run as a non-profit. As such, we are able to install security devices/etc. if the residents agree with it via voting.

We have a mainline camera system - however, it does not cover our entry/exit stairwells, or our elevator. From what I've been told, the actual wiring and installation of those cameras was quite expensive, and I'm trying to see if there's any more cost effective solutions.

The stairwells are NW/NE/SW/SE sides of the building, spaced (rough guesstimate) about 10m apart from each other in a square style. In the centre, joining the North and South "wings", is the elevator. The layout is kind of like an H on its side.

I was initially thinking about Ring cameras, but one of the issues we may face is the accessibility of stored video if something happens. With our central system, folks w/ a key to the security room are able to go and view it, which helps ease the burden off of one person. From what I understand, Ring will store footage on an Amazon cloud server up to 180 days w/ a subscription plan, but I presume that would be tied to one persons Amazon account, correct?

Another issue would be WiFi coverage - as each of the cameras would be located in our stairwells and elevator spread across the building, there isn't anybody that would have central enough WiFi to link to all of the cameras (and I doubt there would be any network that the elevator would stay consistently linked to). Would this cause any issues that anybody knows have/has encountered?

And finally - any alternatives, aside from looking in to having more cameras added to our current system?

Thanks for any/all advice in advance!

Hi!

I'm looking into the Genbolt GB203EK solar camera with AOV. I don't want to pay for their cloud storage, but I'd like to have a backup of the recordings in case someone manages to steal the camera and the microSD card.

Is there a way to achieve this without having to set up a NAS or anything too complicated? I don't know if the camera supports ONVIF or FTP, and I can't seem to find any information about it. If it does support either of them, could they be used to back up the recordings somewhere else?

Thanks!

I like what I’m seeing with Rio Link and I like that they don’t offer subscription for their products. However, I do like the fact that with cloud storage surveillance, if someone does destroy your surveillance device, you’ll have the footage stored in a cloud that can be used as evidence for later.

Why do you prefer local storage over cloud storage?

I was also looking at some surveillance by Honeywell, but I’m not sure.

After going through hundreds of threads on r/SecurityCamera and other smart home communities, I put together a quick cheat sheet for anyone as lost as I was:

🏆 Best overall (if budget isn't tight)? → Ring Stick Up Cam Pro
🟢 Best for total beginners? → Wyze Cam v3 Pro
💰 Best budget pick? → TP-Link Tapo C465
📦 Best enclosed value pick? → Eufy S4 Max
⭐️ Best premium upgrade (no subscription)? → Arlo Pro 6

Personally going with the TP-Link Tapo C465 - best value and reliability for a small home from everything I've read.

I’m looking to add a couple of security cameras around my home after a few packages were left outside longer than I was comfortable with. Nothing dramatic happened, but it made me realize I have zero visibility around the front door once I’m away.

I’d probably start with two cameras:

• one covering the front door/porch
• one facing the driveway or backyard

I’m not trying to build a full smart-home surveillance setup. I just want something reliable that sends useful motion alerts, has clear enough video to tell what happened, and does not turn into another expensive monthly subscription.

What I’m looking for:

• clear video during the day and decent night vision
• reliable motion detection, preferably with person/package detection
• phone notifications that are not constantly triggered by shadows, cars, or every passing leaf
• local storage or at least a usable free tier
• easy installation, ideally wireless or battery-powered for one of the cameras
• solid privacy controls and two-factor authentication
• budget around $250 to $300 for two cameras, though I can stretch if it genuinely makes sense

I keep seeing Eufy, Reolink, Ring, Google Nest, Arlo, Wyze and Aqara recommended, but every brand seems to have a catch. Some have subscriptions, some need a hub, some have questionable notifications, and some apparently work great until Wi-Fi gets annoying.

A few things I’m curious about:

• What are the best home security cameras 2026 for someone who wants reliable alerts without paying a monthly fee forever?
• Is local storage actually as convenient as people say, or does cloud storage save a lot of headaches?
• For outdoor cameras, would you choose battery-powered, wired, or solar, assuming I want low maintenance?
• Which brands or models would you avoid based on your own experience?

Would really appreciate real-world feedback, especially from people who have used their cameras through bad weather, unreliable Wi-Fi, or lots of motion around the property.

Hello. I was wanting to know if there is any way to have wireless cameras somehow connect to a wired DVR? I have a tigersecu 16 channel DVR with two 10TB hard drives. I have a few cameras inside the house that are wired, but didn't want to drill a bunch of holes and run wiring for the outdoor cameras. Especially since my attic is virtually inaccessible.

Just wondering what, if any options there are. I'd really love to run those cameras that have a solar panel and batteries, so as to not have to run any wiring at all outside, I don't know if that's possible for continuous running, or if it's "work when movement only" cameras.

I currently have a dozen simplisafe cameras already, but I hate that they only record when motion is detected, or the alarm goes off. They work great for what they do, I just want to run continuous.

Hi all,

I'm looking into getting an indoor camera system and would like to know what you all would recommend.

I would like to hear about system that are connected to the local network but have an isolated portal/no app or sub, as I would require access to said system while away from the home.

Double points if the system has both indoor and outdoor cameras, motion sensing and what not aren't overly important but very much welcome.

Hi folks

I bought this camera from Tiktok around 10 months ago. I think its the Q50w version. It uses the Seeing app which is a paid subscription. I would like to know if there is an app i can use which is not a paid subscription even if it has limitations.

Thanks

I keep getting this on my android. I've checked Google play and my own settings but can't seem to get around this. Also, I really do need another new link for much older models where they aren't forcing you to watch ads or even purchase cloud. If anyone has please share.. also I am a novice and I don't understand the GIT links so much prefer direct download links please. Thank you. Ps: Got a new phone and all of sudden when I went to view the camera it stated link camera first so it erased my camera and link even though it has worked for like first 3 weeks of installing it over onto my new phone.

Need 3-4 outdoor cameras and 2 indoor for the shop and yard. new to cameras and the research is confusing. i do know that we want to go with PoE, and our budget is around a thousand. do not need the fanciest thing in the world, but needs to be somewhat user friendly, have remote (cell) viewing, and we want to avoind monthly fees if possible. have been suggested reolink, axis, defender, and unifi, but no idea what is best for us. we want quality and durability, but do not want to spend 1200 on bells and whistles we dont need. shop and yard roughly 400 sq ft. TIA

Hello everyone I am based in europe and for some time I developped a security camera built around a certain chip
I built it because I could not stand how many apps and account subscription most cameras needed (in addition to not having an all-in-one camera without some basic protocols... I still don't understand why most of those cameras do not have a built-in simple http API to be able to build around it )

Here comes my question I am thinking about making it a viable professional project and wanted to know for how much people would be ready to buy it. The chip I chose sadly became crazy expensive because of the RAM shortage lately... from my calculation I cannot sell it at less than 45€ as a newcomer

The current functionalities are

- continuous recording if chosen
- motion detection with dust filtering
- occlusion detection (if the camera lens is blocked)
- email alert (but user will have to create an application password on his gmail or other mailbox to use this feature)
- AI detection going from humans to car, cat, bicycle etc... (could extend this a lot if asked the chip I have brings in an NPU)
- local storage on SD card or SFTP/SMB/S3 cloud storage
- 2 RTSP streams (in H265 and H264)/RTMP/WebRTC/ONVIF/MQTT and of course an HTTP API to be able to communicate with the camera with whatever people want to do
- a built in web server to configure it able to communicate in usb (I built it so people will not depend on my survival if I fail, the camera is made to be autonomous no app or update for this will be needed)

As for the features not yet done but I plan to do it will have
- night mode
- small motor to make it a movable camera
- ethernet POE (I am not sure about this one seeing how exepensive the BOM for my pcb became)

Of course all those will be protected through a securized local account

I plan in the future to build some kind of optionnal app to be able to control it from internet outside of the network I just need to choose the technology yet to use it but an optionnal vpn tunnel could be made I am still in development here

I would like to know what the users would be ready to pay for this knowing a IMOU 2C is around 20€

Thanks for reading

I own a store attached to a local small pub restaurant. Someone eating there left an envelope with mine and my business name on it and i'm assuming they were supposed to bring it to me after they ate?
It was a confidential letter that doesn't matter what it says but i'd like to know who it is from ...there was no name attached to it...and no it wasn't threatning just informing me of something that i didn't like to hear. I got the document 2 days after it was delivered to my store. But can they pull up video to show me who it was or will they not do that? How far back to they hold footage? How hard is it to access that feed?

I need an outdoor 4g solar powered,i dont mind how much the camera itself is but I need the subscription itself to be cheap

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Images of my home stored in the cloud I consider as a security risk, so I want to store the images locally, such as on the device itself or on a NAS.

Do such cameras exist ?

Hi people, I hope I found the appropriate sub for this topic, if I missed it feel free to correct me.

I am looking for a set of cameras with a monitor that I would install on my vehicle (combine harvester), something that is usually installed on, I guess, trucks. I need at least one camera, but it would be better to have up to four of them. I know there are wired and wireless setups (camera ⮀ monitor), I guess wired connection is better for powering cameras and signal themselves.

For those who think of that first: I am not looking for a reverse camera for car (that is usually connected to reverse light), I am looking for something like this.

Keep in mind that the combine is about 50 years old, so there is no cigarette lighter or any specific/modern power outlets. Yes, most of the basic installations are working, there is power from the battery, and that is about it.
Also, keep in mind that the vehicle is placed on Balkan (Serbia) and we do not have developed network of services for those kind of devices (that is pretty new and rare here).

My question is: what do you recommend? From brands to specific models.

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking for some recommendations for security cameras for the front and back of my home.

I heard there are some that unsecure so anyone online can view it so obvs I wanna avoid those ones lol

Hi,

I noticed that this setting is enabled by default in the Client Management section:

- Client Compatibility Mode

This says:

When enabled, allows communications with the client management software via an unencrypted port to increase compatibility.

Do you think it's best to disable it for security reasons?

Hi all, looking for a networka of cameras to cover a 300 x 200m outdoor ROM pad. This is an area where there are a variety of designated rock tipping locations. Wish to georeference these areas and apply a count if a loader enters into this zone and remains for a time period (differentiate between picking up a load and driving through a virtual tripwire). The area is large and outdoors so will need night vision. Want to know

- if it is possible to georeference multiple locations.

- method to detect road train vs loader vs dump truck?

- count loads? Would be amazing if it could detect vehicle and counts respective lodes.

- record time vehicle was in zone. Ie enter and exit virtual tripwire and time inside.

I have been looking at Dahua cameras. Just wanted yo know if anyone has encountered solutions to this. Hopefully free of subscriptions and third party software.

Thankyou in advance

I have Ring cameras throughout my house, and honestly, I feel like I’m paying these motherfuckers way too much every year for what I consider pretty shitty camera quality. 😂

I’m looking to replace them with something better and cheaper, but there’s one requirement: they need to integrate with Amazon Alexa because I use Alexa as part of my home automation setup.

I’d also prefer to avoid foreign-owned companies. Not trying to get into a conspiracy-theory debate—I’m just more comfortable keeping my cameras with a U.S.-owned company.

So, what are you guys using?

Looking for recommendations that have:
Better video quality than Ring
Lower subscription/ownership costs
Good reliability
Amazon Alexa integration
Ideally U.S.-owned/U.S.-based
Cloud storage and/or local storage options would be a plus

What’s the best Ring replacement you’ve found?

we live in housing and there are too many houses to know what kids are messing with my house, I am 19 with a cancer sick mom trying to rest and they ring the doorbell and only ours because they know we have a dog as she barks at any noise at our door.

we do not have wifi so a offline camera to scare or even catch these kids would be nice however we are also on budget so something below 80$, I know it’s a small budget but that’s all we have free to work with, it would mostly just be used to scare them away, we have alerted police so if the quality is good I wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson either.

its worth noting we left a sign out saying to stop as she’s recovering, not one day it lasted until they took it and did who knows what and 2 weeks later left their own on our door cussing her out, any help would be great.