PSA for Eufy camera users

[jkaetz]

Anker’s Eufy lied to us about the security of its security cameras

The cameras have a flaw that Eufy insisted would be impossible

www.theverge.com

I'm guessing that's a screw up, but who knows.

 

[jerrob]

Anker’s Eufy lied to us about the security of its security cameras

The cameras have a flaw that Eufy insisted would be impossible

www.theverge.com

I'm guessing that's a screw up, but who knows.

Thanks for posting.
This one WAS on a short list of security camera systems for it's local only storage feature. Guess it's back to a hard wired, non internet system.

 

[jkaetz]

Thanks for posting.
This one WAS on a short list of security camera systems for it's local only storage feature. Guess it's back to a hard wired, non internet system.

I have two ReoLink cameras that can have their default gateway set to 0.0.0.0 and still function (Local network traffic only). Tried Eufy once but they had to have an internet connection and couldn't figure out how to connect to my wireless because the phone was using the 5Ghz signal and the cameras only used the 2.4Ghz signal.

Those went back to Amazon.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Yeah, ANY system that absolutely REQUIRES an internet connection should be a huge red flag. ESPECIALLY if they claim that your data isnt leaving your network.

EDIT: and remember kids, If its cloud based or internet connection REQUIRED, you dont truly own an autonomous system. The vendor can kill your device at any time by bricking it, or shutting down the cloud. (whether voluntarily or by going out of business)

 

[JettaKnight]

With my ReadyNAS, should I be able to set up any basic POE camera to write to it?

 

[Cameramonkey]

With my ReadyNAS, should I be able to set up any basic POE camera to write to it?

I dont think so. You'd need an application running on it acting as a NVR. I dont know of any NVR packages that run on them.

I moved over to Synology. Those support docker apps including Synology Surveilance station. In that case you would just need to buy camera licenses. It MIGHT come with 1 free license.

 

[indyblue]

I've been a long time IT sysadmin and either I have a mental block or I'm just not sure where to look, but I been looking for cameras that don't require a cloud or account or a special app to access. It's like pulling teeth to figure out which ones meet that requirement that I can afford.

I run 100% open source software and O/S's at home since Linux/UNIX are my specialty. I want to run Zoneminder, an open source web baased video surveillance program that has multi-camera viewing pages, auto camera detection and customizable motion detection capabilities. You can literally draw an area on a view that defines where to detect motion and trigger alerts or scripts/programs to run upon detection. This can eliminate most false detections like animals or shrubs blowing in the wind. The software works best with ONVIF cameras.

So far the only one I know that works are the AXIS cameras but the are a bit pricey at $350-1800/ea. I'd prefer to keep the cost down to ~$150 so I can have more cameras. I don't need PTZ, but it would be nice to have at least one. The AXIS cameras have built in webserver that support mjpeg or rtsp streams and can be setup to store the stream to any type of networked storage. All you need to do is to point a browser to the default ip address (usually 192.168.0.xx) to reconfigure for your network.

@Cameramonkey I might have to check out the Synology but I know nothing about them. I have extensive Docker experience so that's a plus or I just spin up a Virtualbox VM to run my specialty apps just like I do for the churchmouse photo album site.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I've been a long time IT sysadmin and either I have a mental block or I'm just not sure where to look, but I been looking for cameras that don't require a cloud or account or a special app to access. It's like pulling teeth to figure out which ones meet that requirement that I can afford.

I run 100% open source software and O/S's at home since Linux/UNIX are my specialty. I want to run Zoneminder, an open source web baased video surveillance program that has multi-camera viewing pages, auto camera detection and customizable motion detection capabilities. You can literally draw an area on a view that defines where to detect motion and trigger alerts or scripts/programs to run upon detection. This can eliminate most false detections like animals or shrubs blowing in the wind. The software works best with ONVIF cameras.

So far the only one I know that works are the AXIS cameras but the are a bit pricey at $350-1800/ea. I'd prefer to keep the cost down to ~$150 so I can have more cameras. I don't need PTZ, but it would be nice to have at least one. The AXIS cameras have built in webserver that support mjpeg or rtsp streams and can be setup to store the stream to any type of networked storage. All you need to do is to point a browser to the default ip address (usually 192.168.0.xx) to reconfigure for your network.

@Cameramonkey I might have to check out the Synology but I know nothing about them. I have extensive Docker experience so that's a plus or I just spin up a Virtualbox VM to run my specialty apps just like I do for the churchmouse photo album site.

Hikvision and Amcrest make DECENT cameras and dedicated NVRs at a reasonable cost. Ignore the anti Chicom rhetoric against Hik. Its mostly political and trumped up propaganda regarding backdoors. Not one proven claim of a true backdoor. The closest a hater has been able to come to claiming is default passwords that werent changed on older firmware is a backdoor.

BlueIris is what I am running at home for an NVR and I like it.

@indyblue Definitely check out Synology. Its a better platform than ReadyNas. And ive run RNs for years. I mean, they are great if you just want a NAS. If you also want docker apps, maybe using it for a firewall, etc. Synology is the way to go. I just switched my Unifi network controller to a docker version and ditched my Cloudkey. I also use the Synology Drive software, so I've got my own synced private cloud storage.

 

[wcd]

Yeah, ANY system that absolutely REQUIRES an internet connection should be a huge red flag. ESPECIALLY if they claim that your data isnt leaving your network.

EDIT: and remember kids, If its cloud based or internet connection REQUIRED, you dont truly own an autonomous system. The vendor can kill your device at any time by bricking it, or shutting down the cloud. (whether voluntarily or by going out of business)

So in layman’s terms Blink = Bad Idea?

 

[indyblue]

Hikvision and Amcrest make DECENT cameras and dedicated NVRs at a reasonable cost. Ignore the anti Chicom rhetoric against Hik. Its mostly political and trumped up propaganda regarding backdoors. Not one proven claim of a true backdoor. The closest a hater has been able to come to claiming is default passwords that werent changed on older firmware is a backdoor.

BlueIris is what I am running at home for an NVR and I like it.

@indyblue Definitely check out Synology. Its a better platform than ReadyNas. And ive run RNs for years. I mean, they are great if you just want a NAS. If you also want docker apps, maybe using it for a firewall, etc. Synology is the way to go. I just switched my Unifi network controller to a docker version and ditched my Cloudkey. I also use the Synology Drive software, so I've got my own synced private cloud storage.

I don't really need the NVR part, Zoneminder and local or network (nfs, etc.) storage will do that for me. I have several spare 2-6Tb drives I can share on my local network.

I have a VM running OpenSense firewall on my network. Just need a camera with an open interface.

 

[KLB]

If you want help with cameras, I suggest checking out this forum

Home

IP Cam Talk is a place to discuss IP Cameras, CCTV, home automation, security, Blue Iris & everything related.

ipcamtalk.com

 

[jkaetz]

I've been a long time IT sysadmin and either I have a mental block or I'm just not sure where to look, but I been looking for cameras that don't require a cloud or account or a special app to access. It's like pulling teeth to figure out which ones meet that requirement that I can afford.

I run 100% open source software and O/S's at home since Linux/UNIX are my specialty. I want to run Zoneminder, an open source web baased video surveillance program that has multi-camera viewing pages, auto camera detection and customizable motion detection capabilities. You can literally draw an area on a view that defines where to detect motion and trigger alerts or scripts/programs to run upon detection. This can eliminate most false detections like animals or shrubs blowing in the wind. The software works best with ONVIF cameras.

So far the only one I know that works are the AXIS cameras but the are a bit pricey at $350-1800/ea. I'd prefer to keep the cost down to ~$150 so I can have more cameras. I don't need PTZ, but it would be nice to have at least one. The AXIS cameras have built in webserver that support mjpeg or rtsp streams and can be setup to store the stream to any type of networked storage. All you need to do is to point a browser to the default ip address (usually 192.168.0.xx) to reconfigure for your network.

@Cameramonkey I might have to check out the Synology but I know nothing about them. I have extensive Docker experience so that's a plus or I just spin up a Virtualbox VM to run my specialty apps just like I do for the churchmouse photo album site.

For what it's worth here is ReoLink's info on ONVIF

ONVIF Compliant IP Security Cameras All You Need To Know

Learn ONVIF IP camera meaning. Get the best ONVIF compliant IP security cameras here! All useful ONVIF IP CCTV surveillance camera information included!

reolink.com

 

[Cameramonkey]

So in layman’s terms Blink = Bad Idea?

Not necessarily. They are a nice idea if you arent technical.

Just be aware that it may have a limited life and the manufacturer may alter the terms of its use after you purchase it. Or it may last until it breaks and you have no problems, ever. There just may come a time where they say "sorry, even though that camera still works just fine, it wont be supported after x date and if you wish to continue to have a camera, you will have to purchase an updated version." Conversely, buying a 100% local setup means it will all work until it breaks. Regardless of what the manufacturer does.

 

[wcd]

Not necessarily. They are a nice idea if you arent technical.

Just be aware that it may have a limited life and the manufacturer may alter the terms of its use after you purchase it. Or it may last until it breaks and you have no problems, ever. There just may come a time where they say "sorry, even though that camera still works just fine, it wont be supported after x date and if you wish to continue to have a camera, you will have to purchase an updated version." Conversely, buying a 100% local setup means it will all work until it breaks. Regardless of what the manufacturer does.

I think just like an edc it’s a compromise?

I can get everything that I would need for about $264.00 tax title and destination. Right now we have a solar powered spot light and a game cam at the front gate.
my thought was to put up the brand x doorbell at the gate that way we have real time notification. then I was fount to set some cameras around the house Out of reach and a few elevated post.

Not sold on it yet but I guess for, less than $300

if we get a year or, two out of it maybe it’s worth it.

 

[bwframe]

Why Review Geek Can’t Recommend Wyze or eufy Cameras Anymore

When it comes to either affordable Wi-Fi cameras or cloudless Wi-Fi cameras, Review Geek has long recommended two companies: Wyze and eufy. We’ve reviewed products from both companies highly and included them in our “best of” lists multiple times. But as of today, we can no longer recommend either.

www.reviewgeek.com