Available IP Cameras

I thought before I started buying cameras I would check and see what, if any, restrictions there would be on what I can purchase.

I was in the process of narrowing down a choice between a couple Amcrest IP cameras (outdoor and one model of PTZ indoor camera) all of which were IP, PoE based and were functional with SmartThings. If I am reading and interpreting things correctly, it appears HA is less restrictive in that manner. Whereas SmartThings seemed to have a limited field of security cameras it could use, HA seems a bit more open and flexible in that regard.

That all said I wanted to be certain before investing the money. As well, are there any examples of configurations out there, particularly for Amcrest?

I’ve been using Vstarcam cams lately at the recommendation of one of the users here and have been quite happy with them. I use the generic MJPEG camera component.

I also have two Foscams that I could never get to work with the Foscam component but work quite well with Generic MJPEG.

This is a great little resource for figuring out what url to use with the Generic MJPEG component and you should be able to find whatever Amcrest you’re looking at:

https://www.ispyconnect.com/sources.aspx

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Excellent. Thank you @rpitera. I have not heard of that brand, but neither had I Amcrest either, they just came recommended for use with SmartThings.

Thanks for the link as well, I can see that coming in quite handy.

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I’m using regular TPLink cams and custom made cams with Raspberry Pi.

All are connected to HA using the MJPEG camera component. Low network consumption, enough video quality at least for my needs.

Is there any specific requirement for using Amcrest instead of any other?

I’m running two Raspberry Pi cameras using Motioneyeos via POE. I have motion logging and hi res captures inside Motioneyeos, I just don’t have night vision. I use the Generic IP camera method to tie into the two cameras & bounce it on my phone for remote monitoring.

Remember 90%+of the time you will not be monitoring your camera so PTZ is not that valuable & you loose the ability to mask regions (for motion detection).

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A good point that I hadn’t thought of.

No, other than they are PoE megapixel cameras, and they are known to work with SmartThings. They also have good night vision capability. They are non-PTZ and would be used to monitor the exterior of the house.

We had an attempted break-in a couple years ago. So my plan was to use cameras in conjunction with motion sensing to trigger recording.

The only requirements I have for the exterior cameras is that they produce good images, have night vision and be PoE devices and work with HA. I’m kind of tired right now after a 12hr shift, but that’s all I can think of at the moment.

Thanks for the input so far.

Vstarcams I mentioned will meet all those criteria. I haven’t attempted to set them up with motion yet though.

Excellent. I will look into those then. Thank you for that info.

no, that’s clear for me now, thank you sir! :slight_smile:

What model Vstarcams are you using?

Hosafe POE cams with motioneye
$40 Poe cams

A 720p model that they don’t make anymore and a C7816WIP. I bought them both from eBay for under 40 bucks.

May I ask whick TP-Link camera you use? I have the NC230, but all I get in the Generic IP Camera component is ‘image not available’

Hi, I need help with configuring my vstarcam C7837WIP.
Now it’s just connected to the Eye4 app but I’d like to import it into the Home Assistant.
How do I do it?
Thanks to who helps me

Has anyone managed to get a ‘CCD-Cam’ branded IP camera working in HA? They are ONVIF but I have struggled to get the ONVIF component working…