Looking for security cameras with live feed to a TV and recording, any recommendations?

Home Security Product Recommendations Forum
1

I want to set up security cameras around my house that can show a live feed on a monitor or TV and also record. Any recommendations?

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What’s your budget?

3

Edward said:
What’s your budget?

I don’t want to spend more than about $150 per camera, and for the base system, around $200-$300.

4

Arthur said:

Edward said:
What’s your budget?

I don’t want to spend more than about $150 per camera, and for the base system, around $200-$300.

Reolink would be a solid option.

5

@Edward
Thanks, I’ll check them out.

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Hey, if you end up going with Reolink, let me know how it works for you after a few months.

We’re in the process of building and need a CCTV setup (not monitored, no cloud storage) with space for at least 16-24 cameras. Researching all the options has been overwhelming.

For now, we installed some Sehmua solar-powered Wi-Fi PTZ cameras at our construction site. There’s no power or internet, so we set up a solar-powered router and mounted the cameras in a tree. They aren’t fully installed yet and feel a little slow—could be the router—but they’re working so far.

Would love to hear your feedback when you’ve tested your setup. We’ve got about six months to finalize our system.

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@Dan
Sounds good, I’ll update when I have it set up.

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@Dan
I’ve been using Reolink for a couple of years now. They work fine for what they are, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • One of mine failed during a storm, but that was my fault for not sealing the connection properly. Just make sure you use waterproof covers or seal the connections well.
  • Always update the firmware manually for each camera and the NVR. Super important step.
  • If you go with Reolink, the ColorX (CX) models are good for color night vision, but you need really strong lighting for them to work well at night.
  • Their standard infrared (IR) cameras are solid during the day but not great at night unless you add external IR floodlights and turn off the built-in IR.
  • Reolink PTZ cameras aren’t great—auto-tracking is unreliable, and they don’t auto-zoom.
  • They don’t have advanced features like face recognition, line trespassing detection, or license plate recognition (LPR/ANPR). Brands like Hikvision, Dahua, or Axis offer those, but they’re way more expensive.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that gets the job done, Reolink is fine. But if you’re willing to spend more, Hikvision or Dahua give you better quality, and Axis is top-tier but super expensive.

Also, go with PoE cameras. Avoid Wi-Fi cameras unless you have no other option.

9

@Edward
Appreciate the breakdown. I’ll look into Hikvision and Dahua. We’re hardwiring everything—no Wi-Fi. Our budget has already gone way over, so we might as well get better cameras now instead of regretting it later.