Choosing a System
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Hi everyone,
I'm really interested in getting a security system, and have read lots of good things about ReoLinks.
I'm trying to figure out which cameras would be suitable including:
- where would the best positions be for them?
- whether to mount them from my eaves or from the walls (and so whether to get bullet or dome cameras)?
- whether to purchase an NVR as well or see if I can stream to my FTP server?
I currently have a home server with FTP capabilities, but not sure if it would be able to cope with streaming multiple sources. I'm probably keen to just record when motion is detected and have around 8 cameras, maybe a couple more (so if I went with an NVR, I'd need to determine whether 8 would be enough).
So apart from the questions above, I guess how do I determine whether my FTP server would cope with the extra load? And what types of cameras and what locations would be best to position them?
Thanks in advance for any advice
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Oh, my. Good idea to plan ahead before making an investment.
Here are some random thoughts:
Cameras have to connect. I originally purchased Reolink because I could not come up with a way to install wiring from a central location (such as NVR) to where cameras would be most useful. Reolink had the best 2.4G/5G WiFi cameras with higher than 1024 resolution at a reasonable cost. SD Cards in each camera meant that no "server" was required (NVR or FTP). How can you connect and power cameras?
Most people want cameras to cover "important places", such as the front door, vehicles, etc. I actually bought my first camera because Amazon said a package had been delivered when I was certain it had not been. "Next time I'll have PROOF", I said.
Eave or wall mount is also a function of how you get communication and power to the camera. 99% of security cameras these days are either (1) WiFi where you need to get a low voltage power cable to the camera, or (2) Power over Ethernet (PoE) where comm and power both go through the ethernet cable. How does either cable get to the camera location?
Do you have a "Esthetic preference"? I have bullet cameras mounted on several walls, but went with dome cameras on the front of the garage to cover the driveway. They just look better (to me).
Motion detection is a sensitive topic. Security cameras are notorious for either "missing" motion entirely or sensing motion that I don't care about. The beauty of NVR's is that they record EVERYTHING. (I still do not have one.)
It's a serious investment of money and time. I'd read a LOT of product reviews first. -
Thanks for the response and thoughts
I'm planning on PoE, because I can get into my roof space and force the wires though myself. It's either getting an NVR (makes it easier I guess) or having to get a switch with PoE for enough cameras and then using my FTP server (if it can cope). It might be better to just go with the NVR, I'm just concerned whether 8 is enough, or whether I need to jump up to 16 if I went that way...
In terms of camera types, I prefer the dome...they look more robust and slightly less obvious. But I'm not sure how they work in terms of the angles they cover (it says the domes can rotate 360 degrees and tilt up to 70 degrees), but if I mounted one on a wall would the video be sideways, so then I'd have to get a bullet camera in that circumstance???
cheers -
– where would the best positions be for them?
– whether to mount them from my eaves or from the walls (and so whether to get bullet or dome cameras)?
It's suggested to install dome cameras on the ceiling usually. You can install the camera on the wall, too. Please see the video attached to see the view angle. But it may affect the waterproof of the camera. Therefore, if you want to install the camera on the wall, bullet cameras will be better.
– whether to purchase an NVR as well or see if I can stream to my FTP server?
It depends on the camera model. The cameras and NVR that support NVR:
RLC-410; RLC-410-5MP; RLC-410S; RLC-411; RLC-411-5MP; RLC-411S; RLC-411S-5MP; RLC-420; RLC-420-5MP; RLC-422-4MP; RLC-422-5MP; RLC-423; RLC-423S; RLC-511; RLC-520; RLC-510A; RLC-520A; RLC-810A; RLC-811A; RLC-820A; RLC-822A; RLC-1210A; RLC-1220A; E2 outdoor; RLC-511WA; C1; C1 Pro; C2; C2 Pro; E1 Zoom; RLC-410W; RLC-410W-5MP; RLC-410WS; RLC-411WS; RLC-411WS-5MP; RLC-422W; RLC-423WS; RLC-511W;RLC-422W-5MP; RLC-522; RLN16-410;RLN8-410;RLN8-410-E; -
– where would the best positions be for them?
– whether to mount them from my eaves or from the walls (and so whether to get bullet or dome cameras)?
It's suggested to install dome cameras on the ceiling usually. You can install the camera on the wall, too. Please see the video attached to see the view angle. But it may affect the waterproof of the camera. Therefore, if you want to install the camera on the wall, bullet cameras will be better.
– whether to purchase an NVR as well or see if I can stream to my FTP server?
It depends on the camera model. The cameras and NVR that support NVR:
RLC-410; RLC-410-5MP; RLC-410S; RLC-411; RLC-411-5MP; RLC-411S; RLC-411S-5MP; RLC-420; RLC-420-5MP; RLC-422-4MP; RLC-422-5MP; RLC-423; RLC-423S; RLC-511; RLC-520; RLC-510A; RLC-520A; RLC-810A; RLC-811A; RLC-820A; RLC-822A; RLC-1210A; RLC-1220A; E2 outdoor; RLC-511WA; C1; C1 Pro; C2; C2 Pro; E1 Zoom; RLC-410W; RLC-410W-5MP; RLC-410WS; RLC-411WS; RLC-411WS-5MP; RLC-422W; RLC-423WS; RLC-511W;RLC-422W-5MP; RLC-522; RLN16-410;RLN8-410;RLN8-410-E;
Thank you. The attachment doesn't seem to work for me? I'd be installing them on a wall under cover, so waterproofing isn't really a problem, I'm more wondering about whether the picture would be the right way up if I installed a dome camera on a wall pointing sideways (so down an alley way for instance)?
Yes, the NVR would be supported with the models I'm looking at, just wondering whether to go for an NVR or just stream to FTP (as not sure if my server can cope with the simultaneous streams)... Reolink also informed me that you can't access the FTP recordings via the app, only NVR recordings
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I have both bullet and dome cameras mounted against walls. Bullet cameras are easy to point "sideways" (I have one that way). Honestly, I have not experimented with how far a dome camera can be pointed to the side.
Both bullet and dome cameras can be set to "mirror" (reversing left and right). My Argus battery operated cameras can also "Flip" (put the picture upside down), but the regular cameras can only mirror left/right. -
You need to adjust the camera lens to the "up" as the picture attached.
For FTP, you can set up the FTP on the Reolink app or Reolink Client. But you couldn't access the recordings on the FTP via Reolink app or Reolink Client.
You can save the recordings in the HDD of the NVR and at the same time, you can upload the recordings via FTP.
If you want the specific information, you can send an email to support@reolink.com. The technical support team will help you.
wall.png -
You need to adjust the camera lens to the ”up” as the picture attached.
For FTP, you can set up the FTP on the Reolink app or Reolink Client. But you couldn't access the recordings on the FTP via Reolink app or Reolink Client.
You can save the recordings in the HDD of the NVR and at the same time, you can upload the recordings via FTP.
If you want the specific information, you can send an email to support@reolink.com. The technical support team will help you.
Thanks so much Cynthia, that's exactly what I wanted to know, if you can adjust where the UP is on the camera by rotating as well as tilting, perfect
Yes, I'm leaning towards getting an 8 port NVR...whcih should cover me, but if I need to expand by 1 or 2 cameras in future, to maybe use an SD card in them. I think the 16 port NVR is probably over kill. But I think this is better than buying an extra 8 port POE enabled switch, plus it'll have the HD and processing power inside it to cope with constant recording
So I'm leaning towards getting an 8 port NVR with 8 dome cameras now, after everyone's help. I think it should be capable of doing what I need it to do, and sounds like it'd be a decent surveillance system, fingers crossed
Thanks everyone! -
Glad to help you. If you have any further questions, please let us know.
Have a nice day. -
Thanks Cynthia.
I'm interested in comparing the 2k and 4k cameras. It says that the new 4k ones are better at detecting people/cars, but can the sensitivity be changed to pick up animals/zones as well?
I'm thinking maybe to go for the newer 4k models, but not sure if it's worth the extra expense. Does anyone have anything that might help with my decision making? Thanks. -
Hello, the RLC-810A camera can't support customizer sensitivity now. But with the latest firmware version, the camera can customize the detection zone for person/vehicle detection.
