ChatterBank3 mins ago
Contract-Free Wifi Security Cameras?
26 Answers
Can you buy wifi security cameras that you can connect to your ‘own’ cloud, e.g. iCloud or Google, and so not pay monthly subscription fees?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.You'd need more storage than normally comes free with cloud accounts.
For example, to use HomeKit secure video with an iCloud account you'd need a 2 TB storage plan (at £6.99 per month) for up to 5 cameras, although you could get away with just using a 200 GB storage plan (at £2.49 per month) if you were only using 1 camera. The 5 GB of free storage that you can get with iCloud simply isn't anywhere near enough to handle all of the data from the cameras.
https:/ /suppor t.apple .com/en -gb/HT2 10538
For example, to use HomeKit secure video with an iCloud account you'd need a 2 TB storage plan (at £6.99 per month) for up to 5 cameras, although you could get away with just using a 200 GB storage plan (at £2.49 per month) if you were only using 1 camera. The 5 GB of free storage that you can get with iCloud simply isn't anywhere near enough to handle all of the data from the cameras.
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Just to add to Chris' post, you'd probably need approx 1 TB of storage, depending on your set up.
I say this because we have 4 cameras; 2 of which record 24-7 and the other 2 record when motion is detected. We have a 1 TB hard drive and it usually lasts just over 3 weeks, before it's full and it starts recording over the oldest recording .... so what storage you'd need would depend on how many cameras you've got and how long they're recording ..... plus the quality of your cameras .... the better the cameras, the quicker they'll fill your memory up.
I say this because we have 4 cameras; 2 of which record 24-7 and the other 2 record when motion is detected. We have a 1 TB hard drive and it usually lasts just over 3 weeks, before it's full and it starts recording over the oldest recording .... so what storage you'd need would depend on how many cameras you've got and how long they're recording ..... plus the quality of your cameras .... the better the cameras, the quicker they'll fill your memory up.
Overwriting shouldn't be a problem because if there's a problem and there's something you need to view on the cameras, you'll probably be aware of it quite early on, so the data should still be there.
2 problems that I can think of with using a hard drive:
...... possible failure of the hard drive.
and:
..... if someone breaks into your house and finds the CCTV system, if they steal the hard drive, all your data is gone along with any incriminating evidence.
2 problems that I can think of with using a hard drive:
...... possible failure of the hard drive.
and:
..... if someone breaks into your house and finds the CCTV system, if they steal the hard drive, all your data is gone along with any incriminating evidence.
you can also buy them with internal storage on a memory chip, just change the chip and save the contents elsewhere. Security cameras can be set to only film when there is noise or movement and some can be set to only activate if there is movement in a certain area of the coverage to avoid stuff like moving plants or the neighbour's car setting it off.
Woof, I have such a camera and it is great for what I want. It was sold as a security camera some years ago and I use it to film the badgers and foxes. It is useless as a security camera ~ no alerts on my phone, can’t be viewed if I’m not at home, overwrites recordings if I’m away from home for extended periods. Burglar Bill could steal the memory card if he knows it is there and has a hammer. I rely on my WiFi cameras for security
Barry.
As usual, you are going to straighten out my muddled thinking.
This is what I want to do. Knock down my skittles!
I want a decent camera (maybe an Arlo Essential).
I want to look at its pictures on my iPad, wifi, through my home router.
If I do want to store longish films, I want to connect (wifi) to a hefty Tb drive, maybe 10TB.
To set this up, I assume I’ll need www access through my iPad.
Later, I might want to add more similar cameras to the system.
Sounds simple, so what (if anything) am I missing?
Oh, and my ladder-climbing days are over, so I want battery-powered cameras, not mains.
A
As usual, you are going to straighten out my muddled thinking.
This is what I want to do. Knock down my skittles!
I want a decent camera (maybe an Arlo Essential).
I want to look at its pictures on my iPad, wifi, through my home router.
If I do want to store longish films, I want to connect (wifi) to a hefty Tb drive, maybe 10TB.
To set this up, I assume I’ll need www access through my iPad.
Later, I might want to add more similar cameras to the system.
Sounds simple, so what (if anything) am I missing?
Oh, and my ladder-climbing days are over, so I want battery-powered cameras, not mains.
A
If you want battery powered cameras won't you have to climb the ladders a lot?
Arlo are probably amongst the most expensive cameras you can buy and far exceed your needs.
Have you considered this one?
https:/ /www.sw ann.com /uk/swi fi-camw
Arlo are probably amongst the most expensive cameras you can buy and far exceed your needs.
Have you considered this one?
https:/
Yes, very feasible. The camera I mentioned earlier that I use for filming the local wildlife is 15 years old at least and cost me around £50. Compared to today's cameras it is very poor spec and old fashioned - but the footage is good enough.
I am sure that you will be pleased with the Swann recordings but there is something else to consider - a trail camera that is designed to film wildlife and is usually battery operated. Some do connect to the wifi if the camera is in range but most once again use memory cards which can of course be viewed on your iPad (not live footage, obviously) and downloaded to your hard drive. The advantage of these cameras is that they are designed to be mounted anywhere - often strapped low down to a tree - and can be moved about. They are rugged and can withstand all weathers. It is a simple no faff option.
I am sure that you will be pleased with the Swann recordings but there is something else to consider - a trail camera that is designed to film wildlife and is usually battery operated. Some do connect to the wifi if the camera is in range but most once again use memory cards which can of course be viewed on your iPad (not live footage, obviously) and downloaded to your hard drive. The advantage of these cameras is that they are designed to be mounted anywhere - often strapped low down to a tree - and can be moved about. They are rugged and can withstand all weathers. It is a simple no faff option.
Well it is a technological marvel, really, allen, being able to see what's going on outside your home when you're many miles away. A bit different from chatting to your pal using two empty baked bean tins and a long piece of string :D
I'm not convinced that you do need google assist and chromecast to access the features you want. Check with them before you buy.
I'm not convinced that you do need google assist and chromecast to access the features you want. Check with them before you buy.
I have got the old version of these to use around the garden and they are excellent. Not wifi but great low light quality. Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation
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