Someone close to me want’s to install some security cameras with the goal of a simple and relatively cheap surveilance system, ideally over wifi and with phone integration and maybe also a doorbell.
I’ve heard people recommend Reolink and the features and price seem good. Im just a bit concerned about them tracking any data.
It was shown that the Ring doorbell app collected data without the users knowledge or consent, and there was also a scandal with Anker’s Eufy cameras.
So my questions are: What do you think of Reolink as a company? Are they trustworthy and how happy are you as a consumer? Is there any red flag or “gotcha”, I might have missed?
Reolink is a Chinese company with probably the same policy as Anker. I have a Reolink camera but it is blocked from accessing the internet and records locally. I would never recommend them for a system set up like you want, only if you are going to manage your own recordings. Amcrest also makes better cameras in my opinion if you want random Chinese stuff.
Cameras and privacy don’t really go hand in hand. The only commercial product/service I trust is HomeKit secure video. It is all end to end encrypted and you can hook the available cameras directly up to it. But it comes as a cost of about $10 a month and pricey cameras with only motion recording.
The ultimate setup is something like surveillance station or blue iris. Cameras are cheap because you can use the random Chinese stuff, you just block them from accessing the internet to phone home. But this leaves you only being able to access your cameras/recordings when you are on your LAN so you have to setup a VPN to view them while you’re away.
Thanks for the input, I understand it would be best to cut the cameras and recording solution of the internet. Homekit sv is not an option because I don’t have Apple hardware and also not a fan of a subscription plan.
I will definitely check out Blue iris since its widely praised.
Been using Reolink IP cameras ever since I was robbed at gunpoint on my front porch in 2015. No complaints, though I wouldn’t use one of their NVRs or give them my info and sign into an app of theirs
I find used servers are cheap, more maintainable, and more configurable than proprietary hardware like an NVR.
A POE switch and BlueIris will run Reolink cams using the generic ONVIF protocol with no need to give Reolink personal data they don’t need.
I would avoid their zoom cameras - I bought a couple thinking they’d be a good supplement to the 6 standard 1440p Reolink cams I also have and tbh I really hate the zoom cameras. They go out of focus or zoom weird and it’s a bit of a PIA to get them dialed back in. Good luck!
Thank you for the tip to avoid their NVR. I found a post praising the HP Compaq Elite 8300, so I might just try that with Blue iris since it’s cheaply available for me. Also good to now the zoom cameras are not so good.
BI can apparently also send push notifications which is good.
Sounds like a solid plan! Note that you can also get BlueIris apps on Android and ios for a fairly low cost - still need the server + BlueIris server software, but being able to roll over in bed and check the cams in the middle of the night on your phone or tablet is indispensably convenient.