In case anyone is looking into getting some security cameras set up at their place, I have had a really good experience with Amcrest. They are a company based in Texas and the cameras are made in Vietnam rather than China like everything else.

They are very easy to set up and attach to your home network. The app on your phone accepts push notifications if anyone enters the selected area that you set up. You can also view the cameras live via streaming. They have a slot for an SD card and they offer a cloud recording service. I didn't opt for the cloud service as it's a monthly fee. Instead, I set up a Zoneminder server on my network and record to a hard drive. This is not necessary but I like to have redundant recordings in case something happens to the SD card in the camera.

They didn't know if it would work with Zoneminder so they said it wouldn't work but I proved them wrong.

If you chat with them on the website before purchasing they will offer you a nice discount for your order. https://amcrest.com/

I got two 8-Megapixel Smart PoE bullet cameras (IP8M-2796EW-AI) and a 8-Megapixel Smart PoE turret camera (IP8M-2779EW-AI). I can suggest these to my friends here. I'm not affiliated with Amcrest, I'm just a pleased customer.

I am a fan!
3 out of my 6 are Amcrest.
The first one I got only because there at the time were very few doorbell cameras that worked with BlueIris (camera software) that were not ridiculous to set up.

I bought it and was very happy. They send out a lot of promotional emails. I ended up getting 2 different styles based upon my needs for the locations.
And found out the only thing that frustrates me is that all the cameras do not function with all the Amcrest Apps. So if you get one then you are limited on cameras if you want to only use one app.

They have 3 apps:
Amcrest View Pro
Amcrest Smart Home App
Amcrest Cloud

I use the Smart Home App as I have no need for cloud storage as I have a dedicated machine for my cameras.
I mainly use the Blue Iris so it is not a huge deal for me. There are just some direct camera settings I have to use the Amcrest App with.

Are these battery powered cameras?

ETA, I see the links say AI powered. What does that mean?

I had 5 Amcrest cameras on my last house. Fortunately, I had power available in the soffits for Christmas lights that powered the units. Look at Blue Iris for software.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Are these battery powered cameras?

ETA, I see the links say AI powered. What does that mean?

The ones I use are power over Ethernet.

The AI thing is they can use artificial intelligence to determine between a vehicle or a human or a cat and alert you properly. Bugs and animals don’t generally trigger a notification.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
I had 5 Amcrest cameras on my last house. Fortunately, I had power available in the soffits for Christmas lights that powered the units. Look at Blue Iris for software.

i believe Blue Iris is windows only.

I have 7 Amcrest cameras 4 wifi and 3 hardwired. They're great and extremely cost effective. My only gripe is the app kinda sucks but other than that it's great.

 
I finally turned mine off after 9 out of 10 motion activated pictures were of a wasp inspecting the lens.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
I finally turned mine off after 9 out of 10 motion activated pictures were of a wasp inspecting the lens.

Something, I forgot to add. Amcrest has pretty much done away with this.
Their cameras motion detection settings are really good and bugs, snow, and rain rarely set them off.
Used to be big snow storms I had to shut off notifications.

I've been systematically replacing my older Dahua cameras with Amcrest over the course of the last year or so.
Been exceedingly impressed with their low light capabilities.

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
I've been systematically replacing my older Dahua cameras with Amcrest over the course of the last year or so.
Been exceedingly impressed with their low light capabilities.

Wait, I learned from another forum that Amcrest were rebranded Dahua. Maybe that changed, not sure, but this was the case several years back.

in any case, I agree the newer models are better than the older ones.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
Wait, I learned from another forum that Amcrest were rebranded Dahua. Maybe that changed, not sure, but this was the case several years back.

in any case, I agree the newer models are better than the older ones.

That may well be true, I also thought that was the case a while back, not so sure about that anymore...

From the OP:

quote:

They are a company based in Texas and the cameras are made in Vietnam rather than China like everything else.

I’m actually in the market for a camera system but I don’t know what to buy. The amcrest website has so many options it’s hard to make a decision. What would you guys buy if you had cat5 pre-wired from a central location to four exterior camera locations? I’m trying to avoid paying for cloud services or any other reoccurring fees.

quote:

Originally posted by cheeze:
I’m actually in the market for a camera system but I don’t know what to buy. The amcrest website has so many options it’s hard to make a decision. What would you guys buy if you had cat5 pre-wired from a central location to four exterior camera locations? I’m trying to avoid paying for cloud services or any other reoccurring fees.

Don't get dome cameras for outside, unless it's somewhere that's easy to reach because the dome gets dirty easily and attracts bugs. If it's sitting above your front door then it'll be fine. For other locations, use bullet cameras.

Get yourself a somewhat decent PC with a WD purple hard drive for storage and purchase blue iris. Blue Iris is great DVR software that is user friendly and saves footage right to the computer. Then get a cheap POE router to power the cameras.

The Amcrest app while clunky and slow to load sometimes is very convenient for quick viewing the cameras no matter where you are.

quote:

Don't get dome cameras for outside. unless it's somewhere that's easy to reach because the dome gets dirty easily and attracts bugs.

Agree for difference reason.
I have found that the dome can have IR reflection issues that make night IR almost unviewable in many cases.
Never had any other issues and daytime they work fine.

As for as any VMS (video management software) look over and try them first.
Blue Iris is on the low end side but still usable and others that are more professional may actually be fairly cheap for a low number of cams and offer free trial.
You need to evaluate: storage including estimating space which can be substantial, mobile app capabilities, management of all the cams into a singular interface.
The downside of the trials is the required learning curve as VMS is a sophisticated software that can do many functions so look at it carefully.

quote:

Then get a cheap POE router to power the cameras.

You would be better off getting a POE switch ~ one you need to evaluate what is called a "budget" or how may POE devices it can support.
Additionally, not the actual power POE vs POE Plus.
POE Plus would not be a factor in cams but could for three radio AP's.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:


Don't get dome cameras for outside, unless it's somewhere that's easy to reach because the dome gets dirty easily and attracts bugs. If it's sitting above your front door then it'll be fine. For other locations, use bullet cameras.

I went the route of a turret cam. No issues.

I also went with Blue Iris and am very happy with it.

I consider my install to be a high end hobby system. Not what the real pros have, but it exceeds my needs.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
You would be better off getting a POE switch ~ one you need to evaluate what is called a "budget" or how may POE devices it can support.
Additionally, not the actual power POE vs POE Plus.
POE Plus would not be a factor in cams but could for three radio AP's.

Yeah that's what I meant, not sure why I put router. I bought a used commercial one off FB marketplace for around 100 bucks. It has 48 ports because I wanted the option for essentially unlimited expansion potential.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
I consider my install to be a high end hobby system. Not what the real pros have, but it exceeds my needs.

Same. I have an American Dynamics PTZ sitting in my basement that I used to have wired up at my old house. I may have to get a POE one.

So you guys don’t recommend getting the amcrest NVR to go with the cameras?

quote:

Originally posted by cheeze:
So you guys don’t recommend getting the amcrest NVR to go with the cameras?

They're fine and I think they include power over Ethernet and have some added AI capacities but I just do it all myself.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Don't get dome cameras for outside. unless it's somewhere that's easy to reach because the dome gets dirty easily and attracts bugs.

Agree for difference reason.
I have found that the dome can have IR reflection issues that make night IR almost unviewable in many cases.
Never had any other issues and daytime they work fine.

I bought one several of these stand alone IR illuminators.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ...VMDMC46EPHQ2FEFD20CQ


Bugs are attracted to IR, especially spiders. I put this illuminator about 2 feet from my camera and problem solved.


Of course the jokes on me because I try to POE everything and this thing takes 12 volts, so I had to run a separate power line to it. Oh well.