I’m sure this thread comes up a lot. I am looking for recommendations on both Interior and Outdoor cameras. I have 2Gig+ZWave/ADC setup.
I assume different recommendations for each of Interior and Outdoor. Some thoughts.
Transport: Cellular seems safest, but Wifi is also good. For the Outdoor cameras, I’ll have to test if the signal is strong enough, so may need a non-Wifi recommendation as well.
Power: Would prefer battery powered so I don’t have to mess with electrical, or lose them if the power goes out. Is this reasonable? I would hope the batteries could last at least 6-12 months before having to replace.
Service + Storage: I would prefer to use a cloud-based service (I assume ADC has one, and there are other services). What should I expect to pay? Of course, you can get raw space so cheap on things like Drive and AWS, but the key here is to get a good service for remote monitoring.
Positions:
Interior: I think 3 cameras, one per entrance is good. Maybe a 4th to cover some windows.
Exterior: how wide is the FOV typically? I’m going to guess I’ll need 4-6 - e.g. 2 for the back, 1 for the side, and 2-3 for the front.
Cost: estimates on equipment, installation and storage? Of course, if they are completely wireless, installation would be the one thing I could do myself.
If you are looking for Alarm.com compatible cameras and use of the ADC app to view video, then the options would be between available models:
ADC-V520IR, ADCV521IR, both wireless indoor. ADC-V720, V720W, V721W for outdoor. They are wireless transmission using wifi.
1. Transport: Cellular seems safest, but Wifi is also good. For the Outdoor cameras, I’ll have to test if the signal is strong enough, so may need a non-Wifi recommendation as well.
ADC cameras use your internet, wifi or wired ports. Cellular cannot transmit HD video very effectively (and would be very very costly)
2. Power: Would prefer battery powered so I don’t have to mess with electrical, or lose them if the power goes out. Is this reasonable? I would hope the batteries could last at least 6-12 months before having to replace.
Unfortunately, no. Batteries would not last more than a couple days to power a streaming video camera like that. ADC cameras are 12VDC powered (plug in transformer included)
3. Service + Storage: I would prefer to use a cloud-based service (I assume ADC has one, and there are other services). What should I expect to pay? Of course, you can get raw space so cheap on things like Drive and AWS, but the key here is to get a good service for remote monitoring.
ADC Cloud video is $5/month for the base package when added to an interactive alarm service plan through suretyDIY. Additional levels are $5/month additional. You can find info on our add-ons here.
* Exterior: how wide is the FOV typically? I’m going to guess I’ll need 4-6 – e.g. 2 for the back, 1 for the side, and 2-3 for the front.
Depends on the camera. Outdoor bullet cameras are typically a little narrower field of view than indoor. The V721W for example is 62 degrees horizontal by 38 degrees vertical.
5. Cost: estimates on equipment, installation and storage? Of course, if they are completely wireless, installation would be the one thing I could do myself.
Pricing is shown on product website. Installation of our products is DIY of course. As above, the service is in blocks of $5/month, unlimited streaming, saved recordings are clip based, 1000/month with base level, an extra 5000/month with each additional level.
Power: I see that some of those cameras support PoE (power over ethernet). Any caveats there, or does that mean if I can get an ethernet cable to it I don’t need to address the electric problem?
What does “clip-based” mean? The camera records short clips whenever it detects motion? What happens when you hit the maximum clips, does it drop the oldest or stop recording?
Do you recommend Image Sensors instead for Interior?
I was reading some comments that some of these ADC cameras aren’t very good. What about non-ADC alternatives? (if you can suggest that)
2. Power: I see that some of those cameras support PoE (power over ethernet). Any caveats there, or does that mean if I can get an ethernet cable to it I don’t need to address the electric problem?
Correct, the non-wifi ADC cameras support POE (ADC V820 and V720) so using a POE switch or injector you would not need a second power cable.
6. What does “clip-based” mean? The camera records short clips whenever it detects motion? What happens when you hit the maximum clips, does it drop the oldest or stop recording?
Yes, as a Cloud based service, recordings are in clip form, with various lengths depending on type but usually between 30 seconds - 60 seconds. Recordings are event based. Triggered by the cameras Video Motion Detection, alarms from your security system, sensor activity, etc.
7. Do you recommend Image Sensors instead for Interior?
Image sensors do not serve the same purpose as video cameras, however, if you do not want streaming and/or video recordings of interior areas, the Image Sensor will provide still images caught during the first motion triggered when alarms occur. (There are also background capture rules, so that any motion every so often is also captured)
8. I was reading some comments that some of these ADC cameras aren’t very good. What about non-ADC alternatives? (if you can suggest that)
There is a wide range of video products available when looking for surveillance products. ADC cameras are HD IP cameras which fall somewhere in the middle. They are very well suited to their purpose.
If you are looking for installation of a surveillance system, the best thing to do is contact local companies who perform this service and make sure to ask what brand of products they intend to use in an installation. Research the brand and the models they suggest to compare with other options. The manufacturer websites will have data sheets for the various models so you can compare specs.