Fed up with Arlo - Wireless cameras with local storage

Hardware
1

Wondering what people are using for security cams that allow for local storage?

Have had Arlo for years and they keep getting worse and worse. I can’t view any of my recordings unless I disconnect me local storage and connect to my PC.

I searched but couldn’t find anything recent.

2

I don’t have them but I’ve installed for others, Eufy. They look the same as Arlo but don’t need a subscription or anything. The video quality is really good too. There is a custom HA Integration via HACS.

Otherwise (what I have) is a full local NVR setup. My cameras aren’t wireless though.

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3

I have 3 Eufy cameras along with the hacs integration and they work well. Two of them also have solar panels, so I have not had to recharge their batteries, even in winter. These are the only downsides I’ve found:

  • I wouldn’t say they’re overly fast in getting an alert to me on motion detection. It’s too slow to usefully turn a light on when there’s movement. I’ve not tried the idea of showing the camera automatically on an iPad when there’s movement, but I assume it would be too slow to be useful.
  • I think the zone detection only works during the day. At night, moving shadows on the wall (which is outside the zone) seem to trigger movement. And at night it doesn’t do person detection so I get false positive notifications when windy.
  • Obviously with battery cameras you’re not going to get 24/7 recording. I have extended it to record for up to a minute on movement.
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4

Perhaps use something like MotionEye or Frigate to handle this rather than rely on the Eufy system.

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5

Thank you for the input

6

Thank you much appreciated

7

I use Reolink PoE camera’s, the price is okay and I chose these for local storage. The Reolink integration does work nice in home assistant.
I guess you first need to figure out what price range suits you best, also depends on the number of camera’s you will install eventually.

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8

Tapo C110 are pretty damn cheap (~$35) and have local storage if you really want it. Why not stream it to Frigate and let the integration handle the viewing?

9

I am a REOLink camera user. But, not wireless. All of them are POE.

I must admit that it is easier since I am building. Currently testing with a bunch of them in the office laying all over the place :slight_smile:

I am using Blue Iris for local storage. It integrates into HA and works nice with IP Camera Viewer Pro on Roku devices.

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10

I’ve used different Amcrest models over WiFi for years, but recently tested a Reolink POE and was impressed with the flexibility of the camera and the quality of the HA integration.

11

Thank you everyone I went with the Tapo cams and doorbell. Appreciate the input from all that replied, I looked into each recommendation.

12

I’m in the same boat, but with Nest cameras. I’m really over how terrible they are and that they don’t really integrate well with HA. I currently run HA Yellow and I’m extremely confused as to how to setup cameras with local storage. From what I’ve read, I need separate hardware for an NVR if I want to record locally? I haven’t been able to find a full explainer of just how to do this however. Are there cameras that just record to SD that might also work? Thought I was fairly seasoned as this stuff but the whole camera thing really has my head spinning!

13

You need cameras that support ONVIF, which allows you to interact with them from NVR software. Can safely go with Reolink or Amcrest. Both support standard, open communication protocols and also have a fully documented public API.

Then you’ll need the NVR software. Online search is your best friend. Some well known are Blue Iris, Zoneminder, Milestone…

For storage the easiest would be a NAS with reliable disks.

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Just not Reolink Battery cameras. They don’t support ONVIF :face_with_symbols_over_mouth:

15

Or Frigate or MotionEye. Both of these are available as HA Add-ons.

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Thanks.The part I’m struggling with is the NAS / storage aspect as I don’t have any experience there. I’ll keep reading for the time being, not quite ready to pull the trigger just yet, just trying to sort out what I’ll need before I write up the pitch to my wife :stuck_out_tongue:

17

I divorced my wife over a NAS storage argument. Just kidding…Synology servers are pretty intuitive and my choice for home movies, surveillance and so many other features. I currently run a RS 1221+ but owned a 218+ and for it’s size it was a beast.

I use POE Reolinks and they are solid. I had a few amcrests and have nothing bad to say about them. Cloud camera service with HA is pathetic. I have 15 Blinks and don’t even connect them, No live view.

18

Hey just curious which doorbell you went with? I picked up come C100 and have them working great. Looking at the D130 now and wondering if it will integrate easily as well.

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Sorry for the late reply. Life got in the way and I am just now working on getting things fully integrated. I went with the KD110 dorbell cam so far its working well no issues.

Best of luck

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i agree, Arlo has been promoting free use of the cloud function and then revoked this. I do not want to go for Chinese manufacturers, any recommendations using US/EU manufacturers?