Probably just another one, but…
Any suggestions for “reasonable” “inexpensive” cameras in mid-2026?
Surely there must be something out there that is not irresistibly tied tightly to its own cocoon…
Something that will detect motion, and send an alarm to a Google device, or, even better, stream to a Google hub…
Wishful thinking?
If it was me i would just buy cheap generic Chinese cameras capable of RTSP. then run up an install of Frigate to handle the detection and stuff.
You will need some resource and a GPU to handle Frigate but you can the easily use £30 cameras and will only need to app to set them up, then you can bin the app. .If they are plugged into a LAN cable you don’t even need to app, I have been running cheap Iegeek cameras for 3 years or so here on Frigate with no issues.
The video compression on the lower end ones isn’t great but Tapo cameras can be linked to Alexa and display on a Fire TV or Fire TV stick and also link to Google and display on a Nest display for example.
That bypasses HA of course but the official TP-Link Smart Home or the more fully featured HACS Tapo Camera Control one work pretty well giving you motion alert, video display & 2-way audio.
The Reolink integration is pretty good too although latency can be an issue.
I agree that they have to support RTSP or ONVIF (same thing really) to be properly useful - look at Frigate as suggested or just go2rtc/WebRTC card for a simpler HA-based setup. Both Tapo & Reolink support RTSP local streams.
Thanks for the replies.
Yes, should have mentioned I am ‘playing’ with the Frigate/HomeAssistant thing.
Already have an ElCheapo Nextech cam (QC3864), that I can get an rtsp stream from… Works “poorly” with HA…
Half the problem is being able to find rtsp/onvif ones that actually mention that they ARE!?
Reolink to expensive?
Reolink is my go to these days!
Yeah, I have 2 of them for about 5y and they are a good price/value option.
@hornetster have a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbCKWX34_G4
Do you need the hub with the Reolink stuff?
If so, yes…
And do they work locally?
If a camera outputs the right (RTSP/ONVIF) stream, you just hook it up to your network, wired or WiFi, and you can view/use the streams.
Just watch that video, it might clarify things for you.
The Home Hub currently makes the battery powered cams easier to intergrate to HA with full functions available. Without the Hub, some features are not available, but that appears to be temporary. StarkillerOG is actively working on improving HA’s Reolink intergration.
Reolink cameras can operate fully locally on your network, putting privacy first.
Reolink’s Home Hub localizes all your cameras.
Yep, you’ve almost got me!
So, all Reolink cameras give you the option to turn on/off the various protocols, (not just the more expensive ones - looked like he was using cheappies there..) and will all work totally locally using Frigate/HomeAssistant??
Could be running down to the shop in the morning!!
I’m not sure about that, you better check that before buying! (or maybe someone else might know more then me)
With all the models from Reolink, even the cheapest ones?
Define a cheap one. I probably have an older one I can test.
Reolink’s website will also have that info for each model.
Considering the processing power these cameras have, one has to wonder why they are so cheap?
I won’t be offended if you think I’m paranoid, but after my stint being responsible for computer security at a small company, I don’t think it’s paranoia.
Here’s my screed: Given the processing power, these cameras, with malicious code, can easily hack your network. Initially, they don’t have the code, but they “phone home” to get it. An innocuous call to an NTP server can sneak in one byte an hour, easily putting together bootstrap code in a week. After that, you’re done for.
Reolink cameras, from my brief observations, use a Reolink DNS to find NTP servers. Thus pool.ntp.org can easily be spoofed to an NTP server that supplies that extra byte.
What I have done is create an (almost) air gapped network for my cameras and have designed an NTP server from an Arduino and GPS. No WiFi on the network. All the devices on the network have fixed IP addresses. No DHCP nor DNS. I have a computer with two ethernet ports and isolate them. Only BlueIris can communicate with the cameras.
It’s not perfect security, but it does give me a bit of solace. I offer my thoughts because I suspect you’re a little paranoid, too. After all, you’re installing security cameras and using HA (no cloud).
I am using Annke cameras and am very pleased with them. Connected up to a Frigate server and running an internal NTP server on a Linux host (simple).
I have given the cameras no default gateway so they can’t “phone home”. I am also going to put them on a separate vlan when time permits.
You have a point about processing power but phoning home can also happen with expensive devices.
I guess most people know that when you buy cheap stuff, there might be a catch and otherwise they find out later.
Even though older types (maybe just because of that) and cheaper types, I managed to change the NTP server but this could not be done through the webUI.
Being able to use devices completely offline is a topic on itself (here) and it’s up to the owner to decide how much time/$$$ they want to invest in completely owning stuff.
I have no idea if all the models have this option so wanted to warn OP for this and you are right, this info (c)/(sh)ould be available form their website but just a quick look at the E1 does not seem to reveal that info, IMHO their website really s***s and this seems to not improve.
That’s an option too!
Reolink +1
You NEVER need the manufacturer’s hub.