Looking for a very specific security/nanny camera
August 11, 2016 5:04 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a specific security/"nanny" camera and so far the list of must-have features is causing me to fail at google and amazon-fu. Specific features needed listed inside.
The key features that are must haves:
--indoor/small camera (doesn't need to be hidden)
--continuous, 24/7 recording, not motion-activated
--battery-operated, either by on-board batteries or a charging station
--records via wireless to a DVR (preferably comes with one). Cloud storage would be acceptable if everything else was met and the webpage/app was good. An on-board memory card if absolutely nothing else was available.
--recordings are timestamped
--cost really isn't an issue
To give you an example of something that was looked at but won't work - this camera would be great except it doesn't have continuous recording, only motion activated.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
The key features that are must haves:
--indoor/small camera (doesn't need to be hidden)
--continuous, 24/7 recording, not motion-activated
--battery-operated, either by on-board batteries or a charging station
--records via wireless to a DVR (preferably comes with one). Cloud storage would be acceptable if everything else was met and the webpage/app was good. An on-board memory card if absolutely nothing else was available.
--recordings are timestamped
--cost really isn't an issue
To give you an example of something that was looked at but won't work - this camera would be great except it doesn't have continuous recording, only motion activated.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
If you can find everything but the battery part, you can just buy a big accessory battery pack with a plug. There are lithium ones that are intended to run a laptop for a while that would meet your needs. Even better would be to skip the DC-AC-DC conversion and connect the battery directly to the power supply.
posted by rockindata at 5:46 AM on August 11, 2016
posted by rockindata at 5:46 AM on August 11, 2016
The "continuous recording" will be handled by the DVR unless you find a camera with on-board storage (SD card) and want to manager it with something like Axis Camera Companion.
That being said, why in the world would you want continuous recording and not motion-activated (you can adjust sensitivity levels and such).
Just get an actual Axis camera with SD storage and a power injector that plugs into a regular outlet, and if you are into networking, get it back to your router with a wireless AP and use Axis' Camera Companion to manage it.
Your expectations are too much for an over-the-counter solution from Home Depot if you aren't willing to wire a network back to the DVR...
This is my day job (for reals).
posted by TinWhistle at 6:55 AM on August 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
That being said, why in the world would you want continuous recording and not motion-activated (you can adjust sensitivity levels and such).
Just get an actual Axis camera with SD storage and a power injector that plugs into a regular outlet, and if you are into networking, get it back to your router with a wireless AP and use Axis' Camera Companion to manage it.
Your expectations are too much for an over-the-counter solution from Home Depot if you aren't willing to wire a network back to the DVR...
This is my day job (for reals).
posted by TinWhistle at 6:55 AM on August 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I should add, you can get a "DVR" by simply downloading an Exacq server/client (FREE, but you might need to ask them for a password) that will run on any Windows or Linux computer...and it comes with one free IP license. Yes this is a professional solution, but you have professional requirements...
posted by TinWhistle at 6:58 AM on August 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by TinWhistle at 6:58 AM on August 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm not the expert TinWhistle is but a Dropcam runs off of a USB power source, likely others will as well. Which means you could in theory attach it to any sort of phone battery (Anker makes good ones) but the 24/7 recording is going to be a beast on batteries.
posted by bitdamaged at 10:02 AM on August 11, 2016
posted by bitdamaged at 10:02 AM on August 11, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for the replies. A few clarifications.
That being said, why in the world would you want continuous recording and not motion-activated (you can adjust sensitivity levels and such).
The motion-activated cameras that I've tested (so far) have had a 1-3 second delay from the time motion is detected until it starts recording and unfortunately that's not ideal.
Your expectations are too much for an over-the-counter solution from Home Depot if you aren't willing to wire a network back to the DVR...
I'm very much aware these are high expectations which is why, after exhausting just about every over-the-counter solution, I've posted here. I'm not expecting a miracle but it doesn't hurt to try.
a Dropcam runs off of a USB power source
This may end up being the 'best' option, I'll have to check it out.
posted by splen at 8:29 AM on August 12, 2016
That being said, why in the world would you want continuous recording and not motion-activated (you can adjust sensitivity levels and such).
The motion-activated cameras that I've tested (so far) have had a 1-3 second delay from the time motion is detected until it starts recording and unfortunately that's not ideal.
Your expectations are too much for an over-the-counter solution from Home Depot if you aren't willing to wire a network back to the DVR...
I'm very much aware these are high expectations which is why, after exhausting just about every over-the-counter solution, I've posted here. I'm not expecting a miracle but it doesn't hurt to try.
a Dropcam runs off of a USB power source
This may end up being the 'best' option, I'll have to check it out.
posted by splen at 8:29 AM on August 12, 2016
If cost is no option, then maybe the way to go is to have a 110V outlet installed where you want the camera.
posted by 445supermag at 1:33 PM on August 12, 2016
posted by 445supermag at 1:33 PM on August 12, 2016
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posted by Karaage at 5:15 AM on August 11, 2016 [4 favorites]