I would like to install 3 indoor cameras and 3 outdoor cameras to work with Veralite. For indoor I would prefer dome type and for outdoor bullet type (Suggestions welcome). I would like the resolution to be at least 2 MP. I would prefer Hikvision or Dahua (other suggestions welcome). Please suggest suitable models for the same. Do I need a NVR also ?
I personally switched out all of my cameras to Hikvision and will not use anything else now. They are worth the money over the cheap Chinese cameras like foscam. If you have a Windows pc with modern components, I suggest you look into using blue iris.
[quote=“garrettwp, post:2, topic:183607”]I personally switched out all of my cameras to Hikvision and will not use anything else now. They are worth the money over the cheap Chinese cameras like foscam. If you have a Windows pc with modern components, I suggest you look into using blue iris.
Garrett[/quote]
Which particular models are you using? Are you using both indoor and outdoor models from them?
I also switched out foscams and going hikvision 3mp.
You need NVR or recorder if you want record video. VERA is not recorder and is not very going at displaying live footage very good. I use BLUEIRIS and it’s app for the most part but also have the BlueIris plugin in VERA to see it on my Vera apps also.
I was/am in the same situation as you. I bought a Hikivision dome (DS-2CD2132-I), Hikivision bullet (DS-2CD2032-I) and a camera from bigworld_shop(ebay, PEO, 2MP, outdoor, bullet) and also researched many other cameras including complete sets with DVRs. The last camera mentioned was pretty inexpensive ($65) but I like the Hikivision much better. The Hikivision is a bit more expensive (not much) but is more compact, the locking mechanism for adjusting the angle is much better, the connector cable is white rather than black (very minor), and the connection is more weather proof and secure (to take advantage of that you have to route a bare cable through cap and crimp the connector or you can just plug a finished cable in without the added benefits).
I also bought the BlueIris software. While the Hikivision camera was not in their compatibility list it works just fine. Be aware that this software runs on a computer, i.e. it requires a computer to be on all the time. For me this is not an issue as I have a ‘server’ already running 24/7 anyways. However, this might be a potential issue for some people. At this point I am working on integrating BlueIris with Vera. There is a plugin available but I am still in the process of that integration so I can’t comment on that at this point.
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