Best cost effective security IP Camera

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Peterbr

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Jun 16, 2009
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Thinking about adding an IP cam to monitor my boat while away. There are many options to choose from PTZ, SD card storage, Cloud storage etc. Anyone have experience with these?
 
I have lots of experience with it. What are you hoping to see? Inside the boat or outside the boat? What do you have for internet service? do you plan to log in remotely or just play back the video when you get back to the boat?

I use standard analog cameras and a Flir DVR with a hosted DDNS service that allows me to log in remotely without having to setup or program port forwarding into my Router allowing me to use my Rogue Wave logged onto an Optimum hot spot to access my cameras from anywhere anytime.

I sell and install cameras systems I have seen and used many different systems there are many differences and pros and cons to everything it really depends on your needs and desires. I used analog cameras so that I can view them live from my GPS displays while at the helm. I have three cameras on the boat a back up camera an engine room camera and a side view that allows me to see the dock as I'm docking. I test a DLink camera inside my boat for a while this worked fairly well boat it was an indoor only camera I also decided I didn't like being recorded inside my boat while I was there so I gave to my son so he can keep an eye on his dog while he is out.
 
Dave,
Ideally "I think", I want two cameras, first one that I can set up on the boat facing my land deck area, (I have a 12x14 gazebo setup behind my boat were I keep a fridge, countertop & cabinet's, 46" flat screen etc.) The second camera I'd like to mount in or around my gazebo facing my boat so that I can keep an eye on it.

I'm thinking a PTZ would be nice to have so that I could rotate it to get different angles up and down my dock in order to see who is coming and going etc.

I do want to access live streaming remotely so that and would also like something that has the capability of recording motion activated activity.

Bruce,
I have a WiFi drop at my slip/gazebo that I pay for it's not public. I use this mostly for internet access for work but do stream movies from Amazon or Netflix from time to time as well.

I like the idea of the two way communication features that I'm seeing out there. It would be nice to virtually hang out at the Dock and hold conversations with my slip neighbors when I can't be there LOL.

Peter
 
Thanks Peter. I live just 2 miles from the marina, but really like the idea of boat monitoring.
 
If you are not very techy I hear good stories about P2P cams. They seem to enable remote connections very well. I do not use them, and I think they require support at a website to work remotely.

Otherwise, I use Foscam PTZ cams. They are reasonable and have quite a few features. The email and recording for alarms works, but if you use it on the outside of the cam the boat's motion in the wind will set off the alarm even if it is a very subtle movement.

If you are techy or a bit of a geek, you can set up port forwarding and use Dyndns to enable remote viewing of the cam. However, if you have to log into the access point, it may not have a "public IP address" so you may not be able to view a cam in this manner. If the access point merely has encryption that does not require a user and password, you are normally good to go with port forwarding and DynDns. No remote server support is required for this set up.

Dave, what service do you use for the DVR and how is it connected to the router on the boat?
 
I did a job for Sharp at their headquarters in Mahwah NJ I was surprised when the asked me to install Foscam cameras in there parking lot. They had the parts in stock i suspect they had them for a while so they weren't the newest model I brought one home to test it and it work well much like the Dlink cameras but the Foscam is available in an outdoor housing at a reasonable price. The unit I tested required port forwarding but most new equipment doesn't. This may be a good option for you the PTZ I tested did have two way audio as well i didn't test this feature.

I use a Flir dvr on my boat it capable of using HD cameras but I use standard analog cameras so that I can loop them into my GPS and veiw them while under way I like having the backup camera while i dock. This Flir unit doesn't require port forwarding and setup is a joke!
 
Dave but how do you access it from home? Unless you have a fixed IP, or dynamic domain name service (DynDns) set up, or a server the dvr logs into, you won't find it on the net from home.

What model DVR are you using on the boat Dave? I can see how uPnP is handy for a local network, but to go beyond the DVR to the internet something else is required.

For example the Flir DNR-100 has facilities to configure DDNS and states that is required for remote access.

I (we) don't need to know your domain name and I don't suggest you supply it, just curious how this can work.

I know folks that claim P2P (peer to peer) cams are a snap to set up but I believe they require a viewing service you log into remotely?
 
http://www.flirsecurity.com/pro/product/m4200-series/ This is the DVR have

Dan Flir hosts an access portal it is a built in feature and a free service. All you need to do is load the app on your phone then you sellect add site and it has you scan the code on the unit and you are done, there is no need to port forwarding. It does not matter what hotspot I access with my Rouge the flir unit connects outbound to the Flir portal then the remote veiwing app logs in thru the same static portal but again ths is all automatic and requires no programming.
 
I can second foscam for the standalone. Samsung makes some nice packages if you are willing to run some cables(not IP). I have a DLINK in the bilge and a sony ipela on the arch. Doing it again, i would seriousy look at the Samsung kit.

Dave, BTW I am a Sharp MFP dealer. I know that mahwah building well!
 
Issue with Dlinks is no record.
I have 2 dlinks a 932 and a 5020.
The 932 records the movement and sends me a email with a few pictures, so I can see what moved.
The 5020 does not and it's annoying.
Just make sure you get one that records the movements!
 
Dave ,
I have both 932 ahd 5020

Both send alerts, stills and video .

I did have a problem with one 5020 but was setup issue .

Rob
 
I run "vuezone" by Netgear at four locations in three states and a total of 20 cameras. The cameras are wireless and you need a base unit (looks like a router) plugged in within range of about 100 feet. Its about $200 per base including two cameras and $50 to $100 per extra camera depending on features and source. Camera batteries at $1.50 each last for months.

Caught a workman who had gained unauthorized access on a Saturday afternoon showing his girlfriend the house.
 
I have had many different cams over the years.

I have settled on DCS-930Ls (two pack is $70)
and laptops with HD usb webcams. The laptops
run blueiris which does the video capture and
notification.

By far the main benefit of the cameras on the boat is
that I can monitor the power to the boat. No pics = no power.
No power = bilge pumps and refer on batteries:(

The main choice of any camera is the field of view.
Many fixed focus cameras have a very limited field of view.

The main choice of placement of the cameras is bugs and lightning.
The motion sensor will give you thousands of pics of spiders building webs;(

If you have an old laptop and web cam I would try that first inside the boat.
Blueiris is inexpensive, if you want a free program try YAWCAM.

The DCS930s work well for outdoor use. I have some on solar panels/batteries.
(45 Watt Solar Panel Kit from harbor freight)
 
So a laptop with YAWCAM in the boat would capture video from the cameras?
I have the 932 and 5020 and would like to add external outdoor camera looking at the boat.
Also add capture software as both cameras send alerts but only 932 sends snapshot of motion.
I want constant recording.
 
yawcam on a laptop with a HD usb camera can serve to web and do motion detection/email notifications.
This is an inexpensive and high quality way to get started.
Blue iris can monitor multiple cameras, store and web serve clips locally, and do motion detection/email notifications

The 932 will work outdoors as is, I have some on 100ft of low voltage wire and some on solar panels.

As for constant recording, software does exist for this but I haven't used it.
 
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