Best wireless security camera for around $500?

[Someone10101 0]

I need some help in deciding what wireless indoor cameras will work best for me. I just order parts to build my linux based NVR and that should be arriving by next week. Newegg screwed up and sent me an openboxed motherboard and memory when I order new items. Luckily, their customers service is great.

 

Anyhow, here's what I need from this wireless camera:

 

1. Video recording 24x7 through web pages remotely and 3rd party software on my NVR thats in my home. I'm guessing this is all dependent on the software and not hardware.

2. WPA2 support

3. HD/Megapixel would be nice, but not necessary. As long as I can get a clean shot and recognize the person MOVING face from about 20ft away on any given day...Ex..(s)he is walking up my driveway.

4. Decent night viewing.

5. Ability to record in 2 different mode would be nice: ex. recording in HD for clarity and also record in lower resolution for FPS.

6. Ability to notify me once it detects motion through cell or email(Hotmail & Gmail only)

 

I think the most important two items would be ability to record 24x7(#1) and #3, ability to recognize the person face.

 

Security cameras will be mounted indoor on a tripod pointing out through a window.

 

Just trying to get the most out of $500 wireless indoor security camera.

 

I've been looking and reading on Vivotek, Arecont, and Axis. I did buy a Panasonic BL-C230a, but didn't like the image quality from it and returned it and software through HTTP wasn't the best.

[bpzle 0]

The camera you choose must be compatible with your NVR....

 

Also, wireless cameras sound neat but are usually a poor choice.

[Someone10101 0]

The camera you choose must be compatible with your NVR....

 

Also, wireless cameras sound neat but are usually a poor choice.

 

Do you mean the camera must be compatible with the software and OS that is run on my NVR?

 

I can run either Windows 7 32/64bit or any flavor of Linux OS 32/64 bit. I believe ZoneMinder and Exacq works on Linux. Exacq also works on Windows and offer a trial edition.

 

As for wireless...yeap..I read many stories on the wireless. Unfortunately, I'm trying to avoid running CAT5E/6 cable all over the ground in the house. I'm renting and prefer not to drill holes into the wall to run the ethernet cable only to tear them out when I move.

 

The one camera the will be wired will be power by PoE and run from the garage into my bedroom(about a 25ft cable).

Edited February 25, 2011 by Guest

[thewireguys 3]

Any IP camera can be wireless with an AP.

[Soundy 1]

The camera you choose must be compatible with your NVR....

 

Also, wireless cameras sound neat but are usually a poor choice.

 

Do you mean the camera must be compatible with the software and OS that is run on my NVR?

 

I can run either Windows 7 32/64bit or any flavor of Linux OS 32/64 bit. I believe ZoneMinder and Exacq works on Linux. Exacq also works on Windows and offer a trial edition.

OS isn't relevant, but the NVR software must support your camera(s).

 

Exacq is also available for Linux, BTW.

[Someone10101 0]

I saw a comment in this forum by someone about the Vivotek IP8332 and it being the best bang for the buck. I'm reading up on the docs on this camera now.

 

Anything else out there that is equivalent to this camera for around the same price?

 

Exacq software supports this software. This will be great once I get the camera to evaluate Exacq vs whatever software that comes w/ the Vivotek.

 

Update: A search on buy.com shows 3 different version of this camera.

http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=ip8332&qxt=home&display=col

 

The way buy.com describe it, it makes it sounds like the camera is manufacture by 4XEM. Going to 4XEM website, it says they are distributor.

 

I'll double check the user manual again, but I thought there was only one version of the IP8332.

[thewireguys 3]

 

Update: A search on buy.com shows 3 different version of this camera.

http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=ip8332&qxt=home&display=col

 

Please buy from a dealer not some box pushing web store.

[Someone10101 0]

Please buy from a dealer not some box pushing web store.

 

I would if I can find a place that sells Vivotek locally to support the small business people. I don't care too much about taxes since it's a business expense and I have to pay taxes on it sooner or later anyways.

 

Going to Vivotek website and looking for dealers in the USA, all I saw was Vivoktek in Sunnyvale, CA, which is about 15min away from my home. I'm sure they'll have all the cameras I want setup if they have a showroom and I can demo most of the cameras and software before I buy, but rather buy from a small mom/pop shop then the manufacturer or in this case, buy.com.

 

Yelp search pulls up all kinds of garbage...a lot of which is related to apartments advertising they have security cameras on site for the residents safety.

[tomcctv 187]

the Vivotek IP8332 is going to be a problem for you as it has ir. you will not get any image at night with this camera on a stand looking out of a window (you cant put an ir camera behind glass)

[Someone10101 0]

the Vivotek IP8332 is going to be a problem for you as it has ir. you will not get any image at night with this camera on a stand looking out of a window (you cant put an ir camera behind glass)

 

Thanks! I didn't know that. Unfortunately, outside mount wasn't a viable option given that I'll be moving out in about 3 months. After the home I was renting got robbed, I'm out.

 

Also, I wanted to get a Mobotix or Axis that had a 180 FOV, but putting that on a one story home....I don't expect a $1400+ camera to be around that long.

 

If I do decide to mount the Vivoktek IP8332 outside at the new home, at least a $400 loss isn't as big of a lost compare to $1400+.

[tomcctv 187]

the Vivotek IP8332 is going to be a problem for you as it has ir. you will not get any image at night with this camera on a stand looking out of a window (you cant put an ir camera behind glass)

 

Thanks! I didn't know that. Unfortunately, outside mount wasn't a viable option given that I'll be moving out in about 3 months. After the home I was renting got robbed, I'm out.

 

Also, I wanted to get a Mobotix or Axis that had a 180 FOV, but putting that on a one story home....I don't expect a $1400+ camera to be around that long.

 

If I do decide to mount the Vivoktek IP8332 outside at the new home, at least a $400 loss isn't as big of a lost compare to $1400+.

 

 

 

 

the post you have put from were you are buying the camera. i would say go with a distributor. the place you have posted has nothing to do with cctv you will get no support at all.

 

if you have never built a nvr before you can buy for far less than build i.e pc/software/ licence

 

http://www.avermedia.com/AVerDiGi/Product/Detail.aspx?id=281

[Someone10101 0]

if you have never built a nvr before you can buy for far less than build i.e pc/software/ licence http://www.avermedia.com/AVerDiGi/Product/Detail.aspx?id=281

 

Thansk for the link! Nice clean enclosure and fanless too. Unfortunately, I hate embedded systems because the OS is written/customized specifically for that hardware and is dependent upon the manufacturer for update.

 

Generic system using off the shelf product, I can get better and faster support from the community.

 

I build systems for fun and for family/friends when ask too. Only then, do I spend days researching like I'm doing now for security cameras.

 

I'll call around later today to some shop around me and see if they carry Vivotek camers to see if I can see it in person and try it out before I buy from the local shop.

[tomcctv 187]

if you have never built a nvr before you can buy for far less than build i.e pc/software/ licence http://www.avermedia.com/AVerDiGi/Product/Detail.aspx?id=281

 

Thansk for the link! Nice clean enclosure and fanless too. Unfortunately, I hate embedded systems because the OS is written/customized specifically for that hardware and is dependent upon the manufacturer for update.

 

Generic system using off the shelf product, I can get better and faster support from the community.

 

I build systems for fun and for family/friends when ask too. Only then, do I spend days researching like I'm doing now for security cameras.

 

I'll call around later today to some shop around me and see if they carry Vivotek camers to see if I can see it in person and try it out before I buy from the local shop.

 

 

i understand you like to do research. ok your built nvr / ip compatabitlity ??? licence ???. and you will be lucky if you can get a Vivotek ip and be able to take it back .... you have to programme ip ....... it becomes used.

[bpzle 0]

Someone10101,

 

PM sent.

[dvarapala 0]

the Vivotek IP8332 is going to be a problem for you as it has ir. you will not get any image at night with this camera on a stand looking out of a window (you cant put an ir camera behind glass)

 

FYI, the IR LEDs can be disabled on one of the camera's configuration pages. I have my IP8332 mounted in a window right now, as a matter of fact, and it works fine.

[tomcctv 187]

the Vivotek IP8332 is going to be a problem for you as it has ir. you will not get any image at night with this camera on a stand looking out of a window (you cant put an ir camera behind glass)

 

FYI, the IR LEDs can be disabled on one of the camera's configuration pages. I have my IP8332 mounted in a window right now, as a matter of fact, and it works fine.

 

 

 

well you could have saved yourself $110 if you had bought another brand name ip without ir.

 

yes you can switch the ir off but then the camera will not going D/N mode. i.e on/auto/off. and yes it will work fine till you get reflextions in the window glass

[ak357 0]

 

I have my IP8332 mounted in a window right now, as a matter of fact, and it works fine.

 

Have u notice what will happen if u put your hand at front of camera with IR ON

its does not get wash out

I am talking about foot away from camera

[cglaeser 0]

I have an Axis 207MW. It does not have the low light that you want, but the connection across a 4400 square foot house has been flawless since installing several years ago, in part because the Netgear WNDR3700 is an excellent wireless router. I agree with another comment, use an AP, and then you can select the camera of your choice. The Netgear dual band bridges work extremely well. I would recommend H.264 to minimize the bandwidth. If you decide to license Exacq, you should PM thewireguys. Michael provides excellent advise and support.

 

Best,

Christopher