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Cottage monitoring - what to buy? What recorder, cameras and other?

lgj 1962 11
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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #1 18134166
    lgj
    Level 5  
    Hello. At the beginning I wanted to say hello to everyone because this is my first post.
    I want to mount monitoring of my property. Single-family house standing in the middle of the plot 20-25 m to the border in each direction. Ultimately, 5-6 cameras will be installed under the roof soffit. Due to the limited budget of PLN 2000, I can now buy 2 cameras, a recorder, a POE switch and an HDD disk.
    I chose such equipment so I am asking for opinions whether it is worth investing in these elements or whether it is worth buying something else.
    Recorder: Hikvision DS-7608NI-K2 K2207 without POE
    Camera: Hikvision IP DS-2CD2143GO-I (2.8mm) 4MPX IR or Hikvision DS-2CD2143GO-IS WDR AUDIO or Hikvision DS-2CD2142FWD-I (2.8 or 4mm)
    Swich POE - I don't know what to ask for, (8-channel)
    HDD SATA 2TB
    Thank you in advance for all suggestions.
    Greetings.
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  • #2 18136945
    sosarek

    Level 43  
    Hardware reasonably ok, as for switches you have Polsar, Hika, Dahue....
    As for the WD Purple drive.
    Company Account:
    Z
    Pka, Poznań, 60-850
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
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  • #3 18137021
    suworow
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    lgj wrote:
    Hikvision DS-2CD2143GO-IS WDR AUDIO
    .
    Certainly a camera with WDR can be useful in places where you will have difficult lighting conditions both day and night. A lot depends on the mounting conditions of the expectations you didn't mention, but this equipment already gives some possibilities. CCTV is also about other important elements. Read: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3527930.html
  • #4 18137058
    rdt
    Level 25  
    IMHO wd purple is crap - I've listed dozens of these already .... I would never buy it and do not recommend it. I'm replacing the purple I got with the hardware with black. The DS-7608 seems like a good idea although the 80 Mb bandwidth didn't throw me, I had little contact with HIKs but they were OK.
    The target number of cameras is 5-6 but I bet that sooner or later there will be 8 - with 8 cameras the bandwidth will not be enough (by the way, with 6 DS-2CD2143G0 will not be enough either as video alone is 16 Mb and who knows, maybe you will want audio as well,
    Apart from what you have written, you do not write anything about the lighting conditions in which the equipment is to work.
    Do you already have an alarm for this ?
    P.S. If you can afford them, you should definitely buy surge protectors, even the cheapest (tested) ones.
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  • #6 18137745
    rdt
    Level 25  
    Some say it's not WD purple but BCS / Dahua but I don't have a comparison here - 90% of installations on BCS.
    Anyway, how I use BLACK was ok
  • #7 18138351
    lgj
    Level 5  
    Thanks in advance for your interest and valuable advice. The lighting conditions in which the equipment will work is currently not the best because the street is not illuminated and I don't have neighbors behind the fence from which my area could be illuminated with their decorative lighting. I thought so, that I am willing to mount halogen with a motion detector near each camera. It would then improve the quality of the recorded image. The cameras will be max 6 pcs because they are used to camera the whole area around the house. I want cameras to see partly the building's facades and the nearest area up to 15-20m. I want cameras to have motion detection. I don't have an alarm yet.
    Since the recorder I chose has too weak parameters to attract these cameras, then what you propose at reasonable prices, unless after illuminating the area with halogen lights you could use a lower quality camera. I'm a fellow in this topic so it's difficult for me to choose the right devices with cool parameters. Greetings.
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  • #9 18138825
    rdt
    Level 25  
    It is not that the parameters are too low - just those cameras you have chosen will not be released at the maximum settings. If you set everything to the max, you can fully handle 5 cameras.
    If you do not need each of the 25 fps cameras or you do not set the highest resolution, I think it can do it. Expansion of the system also probably will not go straight away and in 3-4 years it will probably turn out that such recorders as your chosen ones go on drugs for PLN 100 - 130.
    as mentioned above - motion detection is used to save disk space and to easier search for events.
    Halogen lighting has a deterrent effect on intruders, but the camera usually does not see immediately after changing the lighting conditions, so as colleagues mentioned above, an infrared heater is a better idea (I think).
    Of course, there is one golden rule in IP - "one manufacturer, I don't believe in ONVIF" may not apply to "transparent" elements for switch networks, but a camera with a recorder is a must.

    As for lighting:
    Maybe it is worth considering a hybrid with AHD / HDCVI / turboHD or something like that - look for tests of the camera of your choice from the night
  • #10 18139177
    lgj
    Level 5  
    Gentlemen. The image from the ds-2cd2135fwd-i camera is already satisfying. But the difference in price between 2135 and 2143 on the popular auction site is a difference of PLN 20 so not much. Both have only one implementation 3 and the other 4 megapixels. Maybe to unload the recorder, however, it is worth buying 2135 cameras because the difference in the image may be small. I am aware that the budget I have does not knock on my knees and the equipment is no longer the latest generation. That is why I am looking for a compromise between quality and price.
    PS. I'm wondering how much ready kits are worth for al ...... with 8 kameramiza 1200 PLN. Probably not many.
  • Helpful post
    #11 18139213
    rdt
    Level 25  
    from what I see I would take this 2143 -
    Frame Rate:
    50Hz: 25fps (2688 × 1520, 2560 × 1440, 2304 × 1296, 1920 × 1080)
    60Hz: 30fps (2688 × 1520, 2560 × 1440, 2304 × 1296, 1920 × 1080)
    here 2135 has max 12.5 frames in max resolution, sometimes it is not enough
    what cash can you give the composition of what you mean?
  • #12 18139252
    lgj
    Level 5  
    I do not want to quote specific sets here because there are many of them on "alledrogo". These are sets with much worse parameters than we are talking about here. At the moment I buy these 2143 cameras 2 pcs and see what the effect will be.
    Colleagues, can you give me a specific Poe switch model?

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around setting up a monitoring system for a single-family house, focusing on the selection of cameras, a recorder, a POE switch, and an HDD within a budget of PLN 2000. The user is considering various Hikvision camera models, including the DS-2CD2143GO-I, DS-2CD2143GO-IS, and DS-2CD2142FWD-I, and a Hikvision recorder model DS-7608NI-K2. Participants suggest considering lighting conditions, the importance of motion detection, and the potential need for infrared illuminators for better night vision. The user is also advised to ensure compatibility between the cameras and the recorder, emphasizing the need for a single manufacturer to avoid issues with ONVIF compatibility. The conversation highlights the trade-off between camera quality and budget constraints, with recommendations for specific models and configurations.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: For 4MP DS‑2CD2143G0, expect 25–30 fps; “I would take this 2143.” Plan NVR bandwidth for 5–8 cameras and add IR lighting. This FAQ helps budget DIY homeowners pick cameras, NVR, PoE, storage, and lighting for cottage monitoring. [Elektroda, rdt, post #18139213]

Why it matters: Smart choices prevent night‑time blind spots, bandwidth bottlenecks, and costly rework.

Quick Facts

How many 4MP cameras can a DS‑7608NI‑K2 record at max quality?

Expect about five 4MP cameras at max settings. With six, lower frame rate or resolution to stay stable. Expansion takes time, so plan realistically and size for your true needs. “If you set everything to the max, you can fully handle 5 cameras.” [Elektroda, rdt, post #18138825]

Which is better for my setup—DS‑2CD2143G0 or DS‑2CD2135FWD‑I?

Pick the DS‑2CD2143G0. It delivers 25/30 fps at 4MP, improving motion clarity. The DS‑2CD2135FWD‑I reaches only 12.5 fps at max resolution. Expert advice: “I would take this 2143.” Faster frames help with identification and tracking. [Elektroda, rdt, post #18139213]

Is WDR worth paying for on outdoor soffit cameras?

Yes. Choose WDR where scenes mix bright and dark areas, day or night. Soffit cameras often face sunlit yards and shaded porches. WDR recovers facial detail and plate contrast in those conditions. “A camera with WDR can be useful in places with difficult lighting.” [Elektroda, suworow, post #18137021]

Should I use motion floodlights or IR for night footage?

Use IR illuminators for consistent night video. Floodlights can blind cameras during sudden changes, reducing capture quality. IR keeps exposure stable and avoids missed frames right after triggering. It deters less than floods, but records better. Expert note: “an infrared heater is a better idea.” [Elektroda, rdt, post #18138825]

Do 940 nm IR illuminators really help at night?

Yes. If you care about image quality at night, add 940 nm IR illuminators. They boost clarity and avoid visible red glow that alerts intruders. Mount them near cameras to maintain consistent exposure and reduce reliance on floodlights. “If you care about the image at night, 940nm illuminators.” [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18138385]

What’s motion detection for in these cameras?

Use motion detection to save disk space and speed up event searches. It is not a full security layer. Set zones carefully to cut false alerts from trees or headlights. Recording on motion still uses bandwidth during activity bursts. “Motion detection is used to save disk space and to easier search for events.” [Elektroda, rdt, post #18138825]

Do I also need an alarm system?

Yes. Cameras document; alarms deter and alert. Pair CCTV with an alarm for real protection and response. “An alarm system is the basis.” Start with perimeter sensors and a siren, then integrate with the NVR for unified monitoring. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18138385]

Can I mix brands via ONVIF, or should I stick to one manufacturer?

Stick to one manufacturer for cameras and NVR. Cross‑brand ONVIF often limits features and complicates support. Single‑vendor ecosystems streamline updates and analytics. “One manufacturer, I don’t believe in ONVIF.” Use any reliable switch, but keep core devices unified. [Elektroda, rdt, post #18138825]

Which PoE switch should I buy for six to eight cameras?

Look at 8‑port PoE switches from Polsar, Hikvision, or Dahua. They’re common picks alongside Hikvision systems. Choose enough ports for current cameras with room to grow. Use proper cabling and cable management for reliability. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18136945]

What hard drive should I use for 24/7 recording?

Installer reports on WD Purple are mixed. One wrote, “wd purple is crap — I’ve listed dozens of these already,” and now swaps them for WD Black. Prioritize reliable, tested drives and monitor SMART health. If you inherit Purple, keep backups and replace on warning signs. [Elektroda, rdt, post #18137058]

How should I plan for 8 cameras if I only need 5–6 now?

Plan for eight early. The same installer expects many systems to reach eight, where 80 Mb/s NVRs struggle. At max quality, 4MP video alone can be around 16 Mb/s per camera. That saturates bandwidth fast. Size NVR and storage with headroom. [Elektroda, rdt, post #18137058]

How do I size NVR bandwidth for my cameras?

Use this three‑step sizing method:
  1. Note each camera’s bitrate at your target settings (e.g., ~16 Mb/s for 4MP max).
  2. Multiply by camera count and add 20% headroom for peaks.
  3. Choose an NVR whose incoming bandwidth exceeds that sum (e.g., above 80 Mb/s). [Elektroda, rdt, post #18137058]

Will adding audio change my NVR sizing?

Yes. Audio adds bitrate and processing overhead. If you later enable audio, recalculate bandwidth and storage. “Maybe you will want audio as well,” so budget headroom now to avoid stutters and dropped frames when you enable it. [Elektroda, rdt, post #18137058]
Generated by the language model.
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