Indoor security camera for 24/7 recording - DVR? on memory card? Kit? best choice

cem

I'd like to put a security camera in the window to record outside (covering our driveway and garages). Of the numerous choices, it is confusing what kit to pick? I would like 24/7 recording (rather than motion detected) with night vision.  No issues connecting with DVR but just dont know which one to go with.
Any guidance would be deeply appreciated.

Neil_Jones

Be aware that if you want to record activity after dark the camera will need to go outside.  Otherwise you won't see diddly squat through the window as it will be full of reflections from the night vision LEDs.

tempus_fugit

I use a Hive camera in the bedroom window and it can see things fine when it’s dark, I just switch off the might light. It’s probably not the best camera to use for your purposes though, OP, as it doesn’t record continuaoulsy and you have to pay a subscription to access recording long term.

bengalknights

You could get away with using some Annke IP camera's, easy to setup and just rebadged Hikvisions with lower prices.

Frozen_up_north

As per the first reply, while it’s a nice idea to put a discreet camera in a window, it will be mediocre at best - unless there is very bright outdoor lighting. I tried one in the past, but even the quite sensitive monochrome cameras didn’t show much at night.

The “proper”, but not discreet, domestic CCTV cameras with the visibly glowing ring of LEDs will work to a distance of about 10m at night in “total darkness”... however, anything moving will tend to blur. Commercial installations often use quite bright floodlights and colour cameras in order to obtain good images at night.

virgo17

Frozen_up_north said:

The “proper”, but not discreet, domestic CCTV cameras with the visibly glowing ring of LEDs will work to a distance of about 10m at night in “total darkness”.

Just to add that putting a camera with the ring of LED's behind a window will result in a whiteout as the glass reflects the IR light straight back to the lens.

Frozen_up_north

Sorry, should have mentioned that the “through window” discreet camera was a bullet camera without LED illumination. I’ve since installed a very visible camera system with outdoor cameras!

a

Ideally you want a pir floodlight outside to detect movement, which when turned on will give your inside camera a good well lit picture.
IR gives a grey scale picture, and the features and definition of the person can sometimes be hard to define,
You do get cameras that do very well in the dark (low light) and give colour too, but they are probably way out of your price range.