Indoor CCTV

AubreyMac

I live by myself in a flat. Over the coming weeks I will be regularly spending a few nights per week away due to being needed by other relatives in terms of care (and I'm happy to help).


I also have 3 holidays planned this year that will mean I will be away for a week or 10 days at a time.


Last week I had a forced entry from the London Fire Brigade and they left a note saying my bathroom sink was leaking - I'm not sure I 100% believe this but I will need to speak with them this week to find out what happened (neighbours do not answer to my knocks). This really left me shaken as my flat is left empty all day while I work.


There is only 6 flats in my block and I do worry that neighbours can clock when I'm in or not.


Anyway, I would like to install some sort of cctv inside my flat and be able to access it via an app or online whenever I wish to. I have had a browse on amazon and there is so much there. I'm also suspicious about all these good reviews 'in exchange for a discount on the product'.


My requirement are:


-It is easy to set up, literally just plug and pair with phone/app.
-I can login to it an anytime.
-It doesn't need to always record but I would like it to record as soon as it detects movement - It would also be handy to record sound at this point too.
-It can have night vision.
-It is not fiddly to turn off when I am in.


I only need one camera to put in the hallway and monitor mainly the front door, I don't think it's necessary to have one in each room.


Does anyone have a indoor cctv that they can personally recommend?

WaywardDriver

Search Amazon for pet monitoring camera. The one I bought works well and meets your requirements. Specific model no longer on Amazon but similar to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Security-Monitor-Detection-Instant/dp/B073R8TBN7/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520235723&sr=1-2&keywords=pet+monitoring+camera.

buglawton

I looks like you have to choose between big brand names with monthly cloud subscriptions to store your motion detected clips, or no-name brands direct from China that offer a bit of free cloud, but are more complicated to configure and you never know how long they are supported for.

IIRC Y-Cam brand (who do offer a decent hardware product) recently incensed its customers by suddenly introducing subscriptions on its previous free basic cloud storage.

forgotmyname

The problem with cloud based items is when the company decide to stop the service.

Im sure there was a thread quite recently naming a company that will be stopping its cloud service.

steviebabes

I have one of these, works very well and easy to set up. Needs phone power adapter and long micro USB cable if not near a power outlet.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clever-Dog-Surveillance-Detection-Smartphone/dp/B072QS2GQL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520241522&sr=8-2&keywords=clever+dog+smart+camera

DavidFx

If you have an old smartphone, there are plenty of apps which will convert it to a WiFi connected security camera.

es5595

I have a canary camera indoors and it’s pretty good. The quality (day and night) is good, it plugs in so no worrying about batteries etc, and the app user interface is good. It looks good, and the majority of visitors have no idea it’s actually a camera. You can also speak through it, although this isn’t so great, and if someone does get in, you can set off a siren. Finally, to get full functionality you need a subscription, so you must account for this.

Secondly, I have a ring video doorbell, and this is also highly recommended (so much so I bought my Mum one for Christmas). It’s battery powered, and even in cold weather my battery lasts about three weeks. When someone rings the doorbell, it comes up as a notification on your phone, and it can also notify you (and automatically records a 30s clip) when motion is detected. Once again, it really needs a subscription for full functionality.

Unless you’re really in a rush, I’d try and hold out for the next amazon prime day (assuming you’re a member or know someone who is!) because they often give big discounts on the cameras then.

AubreyMac

Thanks guys, I'll check out the amazon link later as I'm restricted from work.


I really do not wish to have a subscription or any ongoing costs, what about ones that take SD cards? I don't intend for it to constantly record, only when it detects movement. I want to be able to login and see it 'live' whenever I want.


While I'm away the only movement that might trigger off a recording is when the postman shove letters through the letterbox and that lasts a few seconds. I will also be having a friend stay over from abroad for a week in May (she and her partner and child will be staying there while I stay with my parents) so to protect her privacy I'll be switching it off (or taking it down) during that week.

agrinnall

forgotmyname wrote: »

Im sure there was a thread quite recently naming a company that will be stopping its cloud service.

If it's the one that I remember (I think it was in PV&W) didn't they stop the free for life cloud service and wanted people to start paying for it instead?

teleaddict

I had a play with my raspberry pi a while back & set up a basic CCTV system utilising a webcam with the pi using "motion eye". It recorded footage following motion detection. Footage is viewed via a web browser, so can be accessed remotely (including on your mobile). The software can also be configured to email you when motion is detected.

scottishblondie

AubreyMac wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'll check out the amazon link later as I'm restricted from work.


I really do not wish to have a subscription or any ongoing costs, what about ones that take SD cards? I don't intend for it to constantly record, only when it detects movement. I want to be able to login and see it 'live' whenever I want.


While I'm away the only movement that might trigger off a recording is when the postman shove letters through the letterbox and that lasts a few seconds. I will also be having a friend stay over from abroad for a week in May (she and her partner and child will be staying there while I stay with my parents) so to protect her privacy I'll be switching it off (or taking it down) during that week.

As has already been said, I think you'll be able to find something on Amazon that meets your requirements easily enough for less than £40. For example, I picked up a "Keekoon" brand IP camera from Amazon a couple of years ago that fills all your requirements - takes an SD card for recording, motion triggered recording and alerts, pairs with an app on your phone for live viewing, night vision. The sound quality in the app isn't great, but I haven't tried recording to an SD card. A quick look suggests there are plenty of options to choose from.