Lots of local-only options out there for security cameras. Doorbell cameras may be a little harder to find, but it looks like they exist.
I have a few Amcrest PoE bullet cameras, and they work great local-only. They’re on a separate VLAN, only my server can talk to them, and I have had zero problems with them. They even support NTP, which my router provides, so the clocks stay synced with no intervention. I’m running them with Frigate.
We only have Ring cameras because they came with the house. Thankfully, I do not live in an area where this is a risk to my neighbors, but I’ve wanted to switch to a local PoE system since we moved in.
Does the system you have give access to the cameras on your phone when away from the house? That’s the one big thing my partner and I want on ours. I’m just barely getting into self hosting, but I’m willing to try to do something with a system that matches our needs.
Depends on you. I use frigate I can access it from outside my house but its your choice how you do it. VPN, reverse proxy, port forwarding all work have own risks but your choice.
Frigate is extremely capable but is severely lacking in the “wife approved” department. I had a Frigate server set up for a few months with one camera, but could not get 2-way audio working properly, no matter what I did. We use 2-way audio quite a lot.
Ubiquiti is an option and many folks already use their switches and other networking gear, but the cameras are a bit pricey and the doorbell is ungodly expensive at $400. I wish they’d release one without so many unnecessary features for half the price.
Lots of local-only options out there for security cameras. Doorbell cameras may be a little harder to find, but it looks like they exist.
I have a few Amcrest PoE bullet cameras, and they work great local-only. They’re on a separate VLAN, only my server can talk to them, and I have had zero problems with them. They even support NTP, which my router provides, so the clocks stay synced with no intervention. I’m running them with Frigate.
We only have Ring cameras because they came with the house. Thankfully, I do not live in an area where this is a risk to my neighbors, but I’ve wanted to switch to a local PoE system since we moved in.
Does the system you have give access to the cameras on your phone when away from the house? That’s the one big thing my partner and I want on ours. I’m just barely getting into self hosting, but I’m willing to try to do something with a system that matches our needs.
Depends on you. I use frigate I can access it from outside my house but its your choice how you do it. VPN, reverse proxy, port forwarding all work have own risks but your choice.
Frigate is extremely capable but is severely lacking in the “wife approved” department. I had a Frigate server set up for a few months with one camera, but could not get 2-way audio working properly, no matter what I did. We use 2-way audio quite a lot.
Thanks for the info
Reolink will give you cloud access but has local storage and good privacy history
Thanks! I’ll check them out.
Ubiquiti is an option and many folks already use their switches and other networking gear, but the cameras are a bit pricey and the doorbell is ungodly expensive at $400. I wish they’d release one without so many unnecessary features for half the price.
They have. The Doorbell Lite is $99.
Oh damn, I’ve been waiting for this! Shame it’s only POE… I rent and so I can’t use this. Gotta have a wifi version.
You just made my day, I can ditch my remaining Nest cam!