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lemmy - Link to source

Suggestions for outdoor smart camera that doesn't require proprietary app or connection to third-party servers

Can anyone recommend a weatherproof network camera that doesn't rely on any third party servers or a proprietary app? Bonus points if it can easily be attached to a bird feeder.

My main concerns are privacy, being able to use it when the company goes out of business, and looking at birds. Recording short clips and photos automatically when it detects a bird or motion is a plus.

I'm very technically inclined, but this would be for a nontechnical family member, so I could host Frigate (or similar) for them if necessary, but something that just connects directly to an open source app would be great.


Frigate NVR

NVR with realtime local object detection for IP cameras
frigate.video
#privacy
in reply to shrek_is_love

unitedwithme
lemmy - Link to source
unitedwithme
• •

Annke is Hikvision hardware, but direct to consumer, can be viewed directly over IP address over a multitude of apps (including FOSS) or webpage, can directly record to micro SD card so no online cloud or NVR needed. You can configure remote viewing over dynamic domain too.

THEY OFFER UHD/4K/8MP cameras with color night vision even that's insanely clear.

The downside is they're typically meant for 10ft+viewing distance. They do offer a special bird feeder camera with a solar panel+battery, but it's cheaper plastic model. The birds love it though!

in reply to shrek_is_love

Random_Character_A
lemmy - Link to source
Random_Character_A
• •

My camera solutions are basically raspberry pi + usb camera + outdoor junction box. Software is Raspberry Pi OS + motion. When motion is detected, script is run to send the image to cloud and to notify user through telegram, signal, MQTT etc.

Setup is too power hungry to run on batteries and solar, but it's easiest to setup with loads of flexibility

For battery+solar solutions I'd check for ESP32 based camera chips. However software can be a real bitch for uninitiated, even if vibe coding.

in reply to shrek_is_love

endlessvoid
lemmy - Link to source
endlessvoid
• •

Most non-battery powered reolink cameras have an https web server interface, as well as support for any 3rd party app through open onvif and rtsp protocols.

The bad part is, you typically need to turn those functions on with their app...

Fortunately they don't require a an account or login to do that!

I have several of their "E1 outdoor" ptz models, highly recommend the "cx" model with the starlight sensor for amazing night vision, although it looks to be backordered at the moment.

Edit: missed the bit about birds, you'd probably want one of their simple fixed outdoor cams like the RLC-510A or WA depending on whether you prefer wifi or Ethernet.

This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to shrek_is_love

Provolone
lemmy - Link to source
Provolone
• •

I've been looking into Unifi cameras and, someone correct me if I'm wrong, from my understanding they can work completely offline without an account or app. It can all be configured through the browser.

They're pricey, though. And you'd also need the UNVR for storage and Unifi Protect.

in reply to Provolone

curled
lemmy - Link to source
curled
• •
A UDM or Cloud Key Gen2 plus can also function as your recorder & protect app host
in reply to shrek_is_love

normalexit
lemmy - Link to source
normalexit
• •

I recently invested in some Eufy (Anker) cameras for my house, and they store data locally to a hard drive in a small standalone machine.

I don't know how much I trust them, but I trust them a lot more than the Amazon ring cameras I replaced.

in reply to normalexit

scrion
lemmy - Link to source
scrion
• •

You can trust them about this much:

theverge.com/23573362/anker-eu…


Anker finally comes clean about its Eufy security cameras

Anker’s Eufy, one of the few security camera brands promising to always end-to-end encrypt your footage, admits it didn’t do so on the web. Anker originally ignored our questions, but now we’re getting answers.
Sean Hollister (The Verge)
in reply to scrion

Batmorous
lemmy - Link to source
Batmorous
• •
We really need more community-made, and unionized company alternatives for security cameras and many other things
in reply to scrion

normalexit
lemmy - Link to source
normalexit
• •

Yikes. I don't use the website or share links, but that is a bit concerning.

Oh well.. they are screwed to my house now.

in reply to normalexit

scrion
lemmy - Link to source
scrion
• •
I'd probably set up some firewall rules / a VLAN to isolate the cameras. I generally don't trust any company to do the reasonable thing, and apparently, these days, we live in a world where many companies are outright malicious.
in reply to shrek_is_love

Securus777
lemmy - Link to source
Securus777
• •
I use Amcrest which does have their own cloud I don't use but they also support ONVIF which is what you want. Then if you have a firewall with rules or piehole/adhome you can block their outbound if you want.
in reply to shrek_is_love

Encrypt-Keeper
lemmy - Link to source
Encrypt-Keeper
• •
When I started getting into this the common answer was Reolink. I’m pretty happy with mine.
in reply to Encrypt-Keeper

Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ
piefed - Link to source
Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ
• •

Ditto. You do have to check þe specs, but most support RTSP and need no app. Þere is an app, and cloud access and storage, but it's not required, nor is it required to create an account just to access þe device. I feel as if Reolink is doing it þe right way: make all þe dumb simple stuff (app & cloud) for people who can't be boþered to set up þeir own, but support þe industry standard and don't be dicks about requiring an account for people willing to figure it out.

I do low-key like Reolink because of þis.

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