My parents had multiple break-ins last year. The burglars never stole anything, but they keep breaking windows, and they’re tired of replacing them. I know Reolink cameras get criticized by professionals who usually recommend Dahua or Hikvision. While I agree there are better systems, setting up something like Blue Iris with a dedicated server would be too complicated and expensive. My parents just need a simple system they can set up and forget.
Their current alarm system is useless since it only goes off once someone is already inside. So we’re looking at getting outdoor cameras instead.
I’m not expecting to catch clear images of intruders’ faces—our neighbors have Hikvision cameras, and all their footage ever shows is someone in a hoodie and a mask. But the real value comes from mobile notifications, visual confirmation, and the ability to turn on floodlights and sound an alarm remotely. Every time the lights and sirens go off, the trespassers run.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
4 to 5 PoE wired cameras
2K resolution with at least a 90° field of view
Good color night vision (something like Reolink Starlight)
Reliable motion detection with quick mobile alerts
Ability to view at least 3 live feeds and access recorded footage remotely
Remote backup or download of NVR footage (in case the hard drive fills up and starts overwriting clips)
Easy setup and minimal maintenance (my parents are not tech-savvy)
Would Reolink be a good choice for this, or is there a better alternative that’s still easy to use?
I have cameras both outside and inside (pointing out windows). This way, if someone tries to disable an outdoor camera, they don’t realize there’s an indoor one watching too.
Also, I hardwired my indoor cameras so they still work if someone tries to jam the WiFi. A USB-to-Ethernet adapter for your phone can help you access the NVR even if your WiFi goes down. I also installed vibration sensors on my windows to detect break-in attempts.
@PeeEye
I was planning to mount cameras outside pointing at the windows and then place additional cameras under the roof eaves to monitor those cameras. This way, they cover each other. I could add vibration sensors too, though with cameras watching the windows, I’m not sure if they’re necessary.
@Josh
Cameras alone might not be enough. They can give a lot of false alerts. I set mine up to only notify me at night if both the motion detection and vibration sensors trigger at the same time.
PeeEye said: @Josh
Cameras alone might not be enough. They can give a lot of false alerts. I set mine up to only notify me at night if both the motion detection and vibration sensors trigger at the same time.
That makes sense. Are you using Home Assistant for automation?
That’s really interesting. I need to look into HA at some point. Sometimes I think a simple physical tripwire might be the best security system for a house without pets.
@Josh
That could actually work. If you use a battery-powered contact sensor with a thin thread, unless they spot the thread and carefully break it, they’ll have to pull the magnet away, triggering the alarm. The Ring contact sensor works with Home Assistant over Z-Wave, and I’ve mounted one on my side gate.
@PeeEye
That’s a great idea. I can already think of ways to mount those sensors. What hardware do you use for Home Assistant? I saw the Home Assistant Green, but I wonder if I’d outgrow it too quickly.
@Josh
I have a Green. It’s fine for basic automation, but it struggled when I tried running Music Assistant on it, so I moved that to a PC. If you get the Ring sensor, you’ll need to reset it before pairing it with Home Assistant.
@Josh
Cameras inside looking out the window don’t work well. The glass causes glare and reflections, making it hard to see anything at night. Cameras outside pointing inside can work, but they won’t help much for identifying people indoors.
If you want good value, Hikvision is a solid choice.
For night vision, most cameras slow their shutter speed in low light. This makes stationary objects look fine, but moving people will be blurry.
Budget cameras switch to black and white at night with built-in infrared, which helps but isn’t great. Higher-end models, like Hikvision’s Starvis sensor cameras, have bigger sensors (1/1.2" or 1/1.8") and F1.0 lenses to let in more light. They perform much better at night than cheaper cameras with small sensors and narrow apertures.
I use 8 Hikvision PoE cameras with a second-hand mini PC running Agent DVR. Took some time to set up, but now it runs 24/7, and the mobile app is simple enough for my partner to use.
@LocksmithLeo
Appreciate the detailed reply. It sounds like Hikvision or Dahua would take more time to set up than I have right now. I only have 3-4 days to install this, and I live four hours away, so it has to be a one-shot job. If this were for me, I’d take my time and do it properly.
I think for now, I’ll set things up in a way that makes future upgrades easier—extra PoE ports, larger conduit, and junction boxes. That way, if we decide to upgrade later, it’ll be easier to swap out cameras. We can always sell the old system second-hand.
Alternatively, I could get a quote from a security company, but I don’t fully trust them to do a good job, especially around here where there are too many companies and not enough real professionals.
Reolink is great for the price. I recommend their vandal-proof dome cameras because they’re harder to disable. The Duo V2 has a 180° view and costs around $140. Night vision is solid, and the siren is loud. I’ve scared off trespassers with it multiple times.