Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#161

Post by dingaling » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 9:33 PM UTC

EvanAnderson wrote: post #52

bradfitz wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another recommendation for Axis here. I've used dozens of them for almost 20 years now and they've been rock solid, technically and support-wise. But they're expensive. They do have cheaper models nowadays, though. In addition to explosion-proof ones: https://www.axis.com/en-us/products/explosion-protected-came...

Fun story re: the term "explosion-proof": I was given a tour of an industrial facility where conditions required explosion-proof equipment. The tour guide made a point of calling out the explosion-proof motors in one of the rooms. One of the other tour group members asked the question "Why would it matter if these motors survived an explosion?" I visualized the facility exploding in a fiery blaze and a motor, fully i…

> "Explosion-proof means that it won't cause an explosion."

Surely that should be "non-explosive".

Otherwise rain-proof and fire-proof could have interesting overloaded definitions...

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#162

Post by AdamJacobMuller » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 9:42 PM UTC

EvanAnderson wrote: post #136

AdamJacobMuller wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it's a silly question, my first thought about explosion proof would also be able to survive some level of explosion. Especially for cameras in potentially hazardous or critical areas, being able to capture details of their final moments could be important (obviously great to have cameras which [also] don't cause explosions in the first place). I can also think of many situations in which you would want…

It's definitely not a silly question. I shared it because I really enjoyed the image that came to my mind when it happened. It was a formative experience for me, too. I try really, really hard to explain terms-of-art to my audience if I'm unsure of their familiarity. "Reading the room" can be difficult sometimes so I try to always preface w/ "Stop me if you know this already...". I also learned not to be afraid to sp…

> The tour guide had to awkwardly answer

That bit made me think otherwise.

> I also learned not to be afraid to speak up when terminology isn't familiar to me.

100% agreed. I don't care much if others think I'm stupid. I care about actually being educated and understanding the situation. If someone thinks me asking questions makes me stupid, I'm probably better off with them thinking that and avoiding me for it :)

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#163

Post by lsllc » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 9:42 PM UTC

j_h_o wrote: post #15

Bosch, Hanwha, Axis, Ubiquiti/UniFi. I personally prefer Bosch and Hanwha cameras. Great optics, low light performance and solid firmware. Axis tends to be expensive and low light performance is not as good, for the price. UniFi Protect cameras are decent, but the standalone firmware is rather limited. I connect these cameras to Frigate[1] locally. Some example model numbers: Bosch Flexidome IP Starlight 6000 Dome Se…

+1 for Ubiquiti/UniFi Protect. Their cameras are pretty decent are PoE and can be managed by a local (or remote via VPN) NVR but can also operate standalone RSTP (and web app) if you don't want to run them with an NVR. You can access the NVR via an app on your phone if you want to "cloud enable it" (but it's just a relay of some sort at no additional/recurring cost I might add).

I know UBNT have had a few missteps recently, but in general I like their kit and am pretty happy with it.

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#164

Post by EvanAnderson » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 9:58 PM UTC

AdamJacobMuller wrote: post #162

EvanAnderson wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's definitely not a silly question. I shared it because I really enjoyed the image that came to my mind when it happened. It was a formative experience for me, too. I try really, really hard to explain terms-of-art to my audience if I'm unsure of their familiarity. "Reading the room" can be difficult sometimes so I try to always preface w/ "Stop me if you know this already...". I also learned not to be afraid to sp…

> The tour guide had to awkwardly answer That bit made me think otherwise. > I also learned not to be afraid to speak up when terminology isn't familiar to me. 100% agreed. I don't care much if others think I'm stupid. I care about actually being educated and understanding the situation. If someone thinks me asking questions makes me stupid, I'm probably better off with them thinking that and avoiding me for it :)

> > The tour guide had to awkwardly answer

> That bit made me think otherwise.

I could have phrased that better. It was clearly awkward for the tour guide. I think the guide could have handled it in a less awkward way— maybe with some humor.

I found it amusing by way of the image it created in my mind, but that shouldn’t be taken as me discouraging others asking questions.

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#165

Post by adolph » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 10:03 PM UTC

bradfitz wrote: post #35

kunwon1 wrote: post #6

I have worked professionally with access control and surveillance. I can give you two manufacturer recommendations: Axis and Geovision. Axis cameras are high end and expensive, but they will, in my experience, do anything an IP camera could reasonably be expected to do, and they will do it well. They are European in origin and are available from various retail outlets to ship this week. Geovision cameras are low end…

Another recommendation for Axis here. I've used dozens of them for almost 20 years now and they've been rock solid, technically and support-wise. But they're expensive. They do have cheaper models nowadays, though. In addition to explosion-proof ones: https://www.axis.com/en-us/products/explosion-protected-came...

One of the "explosion proof" ones even has a little windshield washer/wiper!

XPQ1785

Starts the washer. When the sequence starts, the camera moves to the configured position to receive the wash spray. When the whole wash sequence is completed, the camera returns to its previous position. This icon is only visible when the washer is connected and configured.

Starts the wiper.*

https://help.axis.com/en-us/axis-xpq1785

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#166

Post by l33tman » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 10:11 PM UTC

thewebcount wrote: post #150

kunwon1 wrote: post #6

I have worked professionally with access control and surveillance. I can give you two manufacturer recommendations: Axis and Geovision. Axis cameras are high end and expensive, but they will, in my experience, do anything an IP camera could reasonably be expected to do, and they will do it well. They are European in origin and are available from various retail outlets to ship this week. Geovision cameras are low end…

Christ on a cracker, Axis' website is horrible! I saw one model that looked interesting, but can't find a price. You have to click on "How to Buy" to get redirected to another page where you then have to click on "Find a Reseller Near Me" which takes you to a form you have to fill out with a bunch of personal information and then send to them, and maybe someone will get back to you. How do these companies stay in bus…

Axis doesn't sell to customers directly (not even to businesses), they sell exclusively to distributors that in turn sell to well-stocked online computer stores from where you can buy them like any other tech product

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#167

Post by reassembled » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 10:11 PM UTC

kunwon1 wrote: post #6

I have worked professionally with access control and surveillance. I can give you two manufacturer recommendations: Axis and Geovision. Axis cameras are high end and expensive, but they will, in my experience, do anything an IP camera could reasonably be expected to do, and they will do it well. They are European in origin and are available from various retail outlets to ship this week. Geovision cameras are low end…

I second the recommendation for Axis cameras. They have LAN only streaming options built in.

You can find older used HD resolution Axis cams fairly inexpensively on eBay. They have a lot of different chassis/lens configurations and a lot model numbers so some research might be required to find the right camera configuration for your desired use case, especially if searching through the used market for models that have been discontinued by Axis.

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#168

Post by opello » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 10:24 PM UTC

Disappointing to hear about Amcrest. I was hoping to go that route as my single IP8M-T2669EW-AI has worked so well for me. I guess this means it's going with Axis which is only disappointing from a cost perspective.

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#169

Post by cbzoiav » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 10:32 PM UTC

LordDragonfang wrote: post #158

thewebcount wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Christ on a cracker, Axis' website is horrible! I saw one model that looked interesting, but can't find a price. You have to click on "How to Buy" to get redirected to another page where you then have to click on "Find a Reseller Near Me" which takes you to a form you have to fill out with a bunch of personal information and then send to them, and maybe someone will get back to you. How do these companies stay in bus…

By selling mostly to business clients, where that sort of nonsense (no prices up front, contact for a quote) is more of a norm. Entities that are buying a dozen or dozens of cameras and other items to outfit a building, and plan on negotiating on volume.

The price isn't listed because it depends on bulk, anticipated support and support contracts (ongoing revenue), anticipated future sales etc.

If an independent shop wants 2 cameras you charge them enough to make a profit on the overhead of dealing with them (or point them to a retailer if they want less than a pallet).

If Walmart want 2 cameras to try out you give them (or loan them) to them for free knowing if they like them you'll be shipping them by the pallet for years.

Re: Ask HN: IP cameras that don't require an app or internet?

#170

Post by deepspace » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 10:34 PM UTC

MegaDeKay wrote: post #152

You don't mention your use case but the ESP32-CAM gets you an ESP32-based wifi streaming camera for about $10 USD. No app. No account. Surprisingly powerful. https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-cam-video-streaming-fa...

Have they fixed the stability issues yet? When I last looked at ESP32-CAM a couple of years ago, it was so unstable as to be unusable. Have newer versions of software and/or hardware made an improvement?