Looking for recommendations. I never had one.I need to put up a few security cameras around my vacation home. Where I am, cell signal can be spotty. The router in the house doesn’t reach far outside. Can you still have security cameras without internet or cell connection?
We have had good luck with Arlo cameras but it needs a WiFi signal.
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Is there any attic access for hard wired cameras? Ours are wired, but were built with the house. I’ve asked for a few extra cameras and I think they are going to be able to drop more wires down to accommodate.
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Can you add a wifi extender?
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Maybe invest in some type of wifi mesh system or run ethernet cables. Some of the stuff that uses z-wave plus has extenders and the devices also connect to one another. Smartthings works with lots of devices including wifi, zigbee, and z-wave.
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I see there are some that allows SD cards. Is that any good if I don’t need streaming?
I would not use SD cards because they’ll need to be changed too frequently, for me anyway. We have Lorex cameras (from Costco) with a pretty big DVR. That enables me to review playback for up to a week depending on the sensitivity settings we use. My husband ran the wires at our former homes and for our temporary house. We could have internet access but have usually set up for internal use only.
Being able to review playback and capture date/time stamped still shots has saved me from quite a few problems with everyone from delivery companies to painters to yard service. Companies that start off arguing that my complaint can’t be possible quickly change their tune when I explain that I have multiple cameras recording that show that the delivery never took place, or the pest control guy never left his truck, or the painters failed to prime before painting, etc.
I second the suggestions by @jpga13, too.
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How long does the DVR run before rewriting over?
One other thing; Are they theft/temper proof? If someone doesn’t want to be seen, could they just rip it off?
It can be as little as three days or as long as a week+. It depends on how we set up the camera’s trigger/sensitivity and whether any cameras are linked to trigger when another one does.
If the camera settings are too sensitive, they’ll trigger when a swarm of gnats flies nearby. If they’re not sensitive enough, then we might miss the first bit of activity. In that case, we might see a person running away from the house but not see them run onto the porch and pick up/drop off a package. We had good luck at the old house by linking a few cameras so that if one that was set to react slowly was tripped then a nearby camera would also start recording and catch the person or animal at the right time.
We currently have eight cameras, but on the last house we had (I think) 13 with the option to go to 15 or 16. It was a long, rambling house and we wanted good coverage after two attempted break-ins.
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I would not recommend wifi cameras since the link can be spotty. And you’ll need to supply power to the cameras anyway. A hardwired camera can carry power in the same cable (it’s called PoE). Install the base unit in a location that isn’t immediately accessible such as the attic.
What are you looking to do with the system? Do you just want to know what’s going on at the vacation home and deter prowlers? Or are you looking for notifications when anyone approaches?
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It is mainly for deterrence. To keep people out. I noticed the yard is disturbed while I am gone. Nothing serious so far. Hardwiring is pain.
Yard disturbed? Humans or pests? If the latter, a couple of Scarecrow sprinklers will do a decent job.
Hardwiring is easy if all you have to deal with us low voltage wires. It is no different than installing a bunch of garden lights.
Humans of course. I don’t mind critters. I am in THEIR territory.
You have to make a hole on the wall and fish out lines. I consider garden lights hard to install.
You don’t need to make holes if you have outdoor outlets. The power can be run from those. The internet connection through the wifi. Easy as pie. 
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We have our whole house set up with Wyze cameras. You can go directly to their website or they sell them on Amazon. The app is free, and there are all sorts of features (motion activation notifications, etc). They are very inexpensive and work great! We even have one in our owl box watching over momma owl and her eggs. They have both wireless and hard wired ones. We have found the hard wired ones work better.
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I, too, use Wyze cameras, they are an inexpensive way to start out with cameras, if you decide you need more you can upgrade to one of the fancier systems. I have the outdoor battery (rechargeable) camera at my place.
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Third vote for Wyze. My IT hubby has them set up and likes the interface and ease of use.
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Wyze has to be wired. I would prefer something quick and easy. I am looking at Eufy. Does anyone have experience with it?
It definitely does not have to be wired. That is incorrect. We have many many unwired Wyze cameras at our house and at MIL’s house. Wyze is great. Highly recommend.
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