Security Cameras and Systems Recs

[Account Closed]

For those of you who have installed exterior security cameras on your Airbnb, what brand/make/model do you recommend? Also, do you think exterior security cameras are enough or would you recommend getting indoor motion sensors? I was looking into the Nest security system which isn't yet available (getting just the indoor sensors in case someone breaks in), and it would send me notifications to my phone if it sensed anything. I wouldn't do their monthly service, but was mostly interested in their notifications that they would send me. It is very pricey so I don't know if it's really worth it. Should I just do an exterior camera?

[Peter R.]

Oh jeez, this is going to be a process, just putting that out there up front.  Much like home automation, security cameras are a strange hybrid industry of half crap and half frustration.

As far as I can tell from my research there are TWO GROUPS and THREE TYPES.  Any comments/thoughts/insights are welcome!

GROUP 1 - Wireless Technology

Type A:
Pay per camera.  Example: Nest/Dropcam, anything from a Security company, a few others.  You can VIEW the feeds for free usually but if you want any storage of video/still images you'll pay a monthly fee for each camera.

Type B: 

Pay per location.  Example: Arlo, Blink, a few others.  You get a property-wide set of cameras, usually 4-6 that you place around the property and they feed back to a hub of some sort that hooks into your internet router. Most offer a set amount of storage measured in days.  30 Days, etc. 

Type C:

DVR Based/No Remote Storage:  Example: Just about any kit from Amazon.  You get a few cameras much like in Type B but they all record to a DVR and you can view the feeds, view past recordings, etc but you cannot export those feeds offsite without saving them manually or setting up some advanced methods that are out of scope for this overview.  Usually can hold a week's worth of video on the DVR.  Quality varies WILDLY in this type but there are great cameras here.

GROUP 2 - WIRED Technology

Type A: 

IP Based: Available in pay per camera, per location, and in DVR only.  Requires power and ethernet to be wired to each camera location.  Many are going to PoE so it may be possible to only string one cable but I'd say the industry is still 50/50 here. 

Type B:

Coax Based: Same as above, available in all three main types but probably most common as a DVR setup. Uses coax so a single wire provides connectivity and power. Easier to manage, no real networking knowledge required, a favorite install type of many local security companies, easier to get up and running if you don't want to deal with networking.  I'd say more consistent quality over IP based cameras, much easier to do HD or 4k (not sure why you would but you could) vs. IP systems.  Usually better low light performance but I'd say the gap is closing between the two types here.

All that being said, consistent backup of video and stills OFF SITE is going to be a pain with DVR based systems but they are the most reliable if you want a constant record of what's going on even if internet is disrupted, like during a storm.  The DVR will always record as long as it has power and a beefy UPS will give you hours of recording even if power to the property is interrupted.  ARLO has a bit of this but that isn't quite up to DVR standards yet.

That all goes out the window, however, if someone steals the DVR.

I have a Coax based system I inherited from the previous owner on one of the properties.  It has apps for iPhone/Android and I can use the software provided to download videos from anywhere if I want to save a section of a recording.  Or snap a still from the recordings and send it somewhere.

Overall I'd say the IP and Coax battle isn't that big of a deal but overall Coax seems to have less issues due to not being as network dependent. 

But when it comes to cloud cameras like Nest/Arlo vs. DVR cameras?  DVR is still superior in my mind, most of the cloud ones still aren't quite...there yet...if you're looking for constant and consistent recording of everything that happens.

If, however, you just want to open an app and view what's going on with limited ability to go back in time and are willing to put up with some gaps in recording, probably ARLO or ARLO PRO are the best at the moment for easy setup and interfaces.  I just can't get over Nest charging per camera.