CCTV camera for driveway

RPSN

RPSN

New member
I’m considering having a CCTV camera which overlooks my driveway and don’t need anything too fancy which is complicated to install.

There’s so much choice out there it gets a tad confusing?

I’ve been looking on this website which seems to be pretty good.

https://reolink.com/solution-finder/

https://reolink.com/how-to-install-a-home-surveillance-system/

Anyone got any suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance
 
Reolink are a good choice in my experience. I use their IP cameras indoors pointing through upstairs windows. They record 24/7 to a Synology NAS and have been excellent so far. I've had them for a few years now and find that they do a good job of keeping an eye on my driveway. I bought some IR illuminators and switched off the IR on the cameras as IR is a problem against glass. Coupled with a Nest video doorbell the entire driveway is covered nicely. The red glow from the IR illuminators can be seen at night which is no bad thing as it advertises the presence of cameras! You won't go far wrong with Reolink - they offer up to 4K resolution and have been 100% reliable for me. I have three in use, one wired, one via a homeplug and one wireless. Set to record in 20 minute segments they've been one of my best purchases, after the F-Type, naturally! Using the Reolink app the cameras can be viewed from anywhere on a phone or tablet which is great whilst you're away from home.
 
Main questions that need answering are:

Have you got a decent wireless signal and electricity easily accessible where the camera will be sited?
Do you want to be recording 24 hours a day or only on motion?
Do you want to be able to view the camera on more than just your phone or tablet?
Are you planning on setting up a security 'ring' or is this a one-off camera?


If you want the easiest installation, get one that only needs mains power and a wireless signal. Chances are it will only be accessible from a phone or tablet, but if the main goal is to keep an eye on things wherever you are, this is the best option. Some manufacturers will give you some free 'cloud' storage, for the motion-triggered footage to upload to, but many will charge you to store that footage so don't forget to budget for that possibility.

We have a Swann Floodlight camera here and all I'm going to say is, I wouldn't buy one or recommend one. It is working OK, now, but the aggravation it did cause was enough to have me almost bin the thing and get something else. The footage is fine, it's just the motion-activation that has proved to be a pain in the backside (it seems to trigger at the merest hint of a gnat fart in Outer Mongolia). This model is internet connected, and only accessible via the phone/tablet app but it took next to no setting up at all.


EDIT: Looking at the site you linked, the Reolink RLC-511WA looks like the sort of thing we have, only a bit better (and cheaper!).
 
We have (3 of) the equivalent of this

https://reolink.com/product/rlc-410w/

paid about £5 less - works well for what we wanted and recording to SD card gives about two weeks history, IR works well at night

motion detection a waste of time - a fly breathes from 15 yards and you get alerted
 
I have two of these TPlink cameras installed outside. Pretty cheap, with no subscription. It does need a micro SD card to store footage. For one of them I bought a 30m security camera extension cable from ebay so I could run a long power cable to it (comes with 3 metres). They can be a bit sensitive when it's raining or plants are moving in the wind.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9395132
 
We use a ring stick up cam with solar panel to charge it. It’s great. Also it has an alarm you can activate and you can speak and listen through it. Heaps of features like chosing zones to activate it etc.

https://en-uk.ring.com/products/stick-up-security-camera-solar
 
5mp 30m distance night vision IEGEEK camera from amazon, plus an sd card for 24/7 recording.

1603225177585.jpg

1603208504842.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx-xnudBiHA
Video is not me.
 
If I had to park on a forecourt like a lot of the English homes I would want more than a camera. A camera will merely tell you someone took your car as you would never get there before it was gone even if you had an alarm on your phone. I bright light that comes on when it detects human movement (not just any movement) would be a must, potentially a siren (though this can be a problem for neighbours with false alarms). I have tried to use wifi cameras and while I know some people have success with them I found them hit and miss. I would want something wired in and also have mains and backup power. If I was going to do it these would be non negotiables as I would want to do it properly. Watching a video alone of someone driving away in my pride and joy is not something I would want.
 
Many thanks for the replies.

I see that the cameras which have been recommended have person/vehicle or configurable motion detection (can tell humans from flying bugs or twigs etc). Some of them also have spotlights and a siren which are activated once an intruder is detected to warn off the would-be criminal. This is great providing you don’t get false alarms waking the neighbours up in the early hours!

Had a quick look and these Reolink WiFi cameras are examples.....

https://reolink.com/product/rlc-511wa/ £118.99

https://reolink.com/product/e1-outdoor/ £98.99

https://reolink.com/product/reolink-lumus/ £39.99

I have a decent wireless signal at home and it wouldn’t be too difficult to run a power cable to where the camera will be sited high up on the house brickwork or soffit. I don't really need to be recording 24 hours a day so I'd probably record on motion and I don't need to view the camera on more than just a phone or laptop. This would be a one-off CCTV camera overlooking my driveway as I'm not planning on setting up a security 'ring'.

I’ve spoken with the local ‘City Electrical Factors’ branch and they recommended these ESP CCTV Kits which are priced at £167.95 (£201.54 inc VAT and delivery). They prefer them to the wireless kits as they are more reliable and suggested to set them up on motion recording. Also, there are no subscription fees as data is stored to the 500GB hard drive. They don’t include a spotlight or siren but as I already have a good PIR halogen floodlight overlooking my driveway it doesn’t really matter.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/categories/cctv-systems-and-accessories-cctv-kits?sort=price_inclusive_vat.sort_asc

I'm open to any more thoughts?

Cheers
 

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RPSN said:
Some of them also have spotlights and a siren which are activated once an intruder is detected to warn off the would-be criminal. This is great providing you don’t get false alarms waking the neighbours up in the early hours!
Click to expand...

I think I'd be more concerned that it wakes me up in the early hours!
 
As I said above, without light at least and potentially a siren in my view a complete waste of time. A camera just allows you to watch your car being driven away, it won't do much more. Yes you can give some nice footage to the police, but it is still unlikely you will get your car back (and you might not want it), and insurance coverage is a far better idea.
 
Hammers said:
As I said above, without light at least and potentially a siren in my view a complete waste of time. A camera just allows you to watch your car being driven away, it won't do much more. Yes you can give some nice footage to the police, but it is still unlikely you will get your car back (and you might not want it), and insurance coverage is a far better idea.
Click to expand...


As you can see, some of the cameras that have already been recommended include a spotlight and/or siren to help deter intruders or thieves. I have a powerful halogen PIR floodlight overlooking my driveway so this is more than sufficient for light.

Also, the F-Type is blocked in on the driveway by my other car most of the time (always overnight). Both cars are alarmed and have hefty steering wheel locks fitted.

As well as recording events, a CCTV camera is a good visible deterrent which will make a potential thief think twice. As the saying goes......’Prevention is better than cure.’

Fully comprehensive insurance is standard practice for most F-Type owners in the UK.
 
RPSN said:
Hammers said:
As I said above, without light at least and potentially a siren in my view a complete waste of time. A camera just allows you to watch your car being driven away, it won't do much more. Yes you can give some nice footage to the police, but it is still unlikely you will get your car back (and you might not want it), and insurance coverage is a far better idea.
Click to expand...


As you can see, some of the cameras that have already been recommended include a spotlight and/or siren to help deter intruders or thieves. I have a powerful halogen PIR floodlight overlooking my driveway so this is more than sufficient for light.

Also, the F-Type is blocked in on the driveway by my other car most of the time (always overnight). Both cars are alarmed and have hefty steering wheel locks fitted.

As well as recording events, a CCTV camera is a good visible deterrent which will make a potential thief think twice. As the saying goes......’Prevention is better than cure.’

Fully comprehensive insurance is standard practice for most F-Type owners in the UK.
Click to expand...

Agree with all of that, just wouldn't want a camera by itself as the people that can steal and F-Type can do it in mere seconds and aren't too concerned about the camera itself. Team it with lights and sirens, that is different. I use a steering lock when I park elsewhere but at home I have a locked garage with a movement detector in it - did help me catch a mouse once as it kept going off at night but I didn't see anything :D
 
Hammers said:
at home I have a locked garage with a movement detector in it - did help me catch a mouse once as it kept going off at night but I didn't see anything :D
Click to expand...


Talking of mice.......they have caused expensive damage to some F-Types by chewing through cable insulation and removing foam from the underside of the engine cover as explained in these links (I haven't gone into too much detail as it's going off-topic):

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3956

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4107

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f-type-x152-72/brand-new-ftype-issues-need-advice-188106/#post1747915
 
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