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Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:56 pm
by krishkal
Hi, can someone recommend a small sized camera that works with BI? Looking for something for indoor use that won’t look ugly. I need a WiFi capable one. Thanks!
Re: Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:57 pm
by TimG
Rather difficult without knowing things like price range, fixed/ varifocal or ptz etc. Pogo has previously said:
If I might make a suggestion that would be nearly perfect for your situation at only $25 US, take a look at the TP-Link Tapo C110. An incredible camera for the price and is even ONVIF 20.06 conformant. A slightly older ONVIF version, but still legitimately an ONVIF device which makes it completely independent from any proprietary cloud support for its functionality. In other words, no Internet required to operate exclusively on a private LAN/WAN, but still provides p2p connectivity for direct remote access via their very nice little app when/if required. Otherwise, it operates exclusively on your LAN/WAN with no strings attached.
But what are your requirements ?
Re: Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:47 pm
by HeneryH
Interestingly I heard that criminals are now brining wifi scramblers with them on thefts to thwart cameras and alarms that are wifi based.
Re: Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:36 pm
by krishkal
Hey @timg, the Tapo looks perfect for me, thanks for the pointer. That’s the kind of camera I was looking for: no PTZ, but “aimable”.
Interesting point about the WiFi scrambler, but wired is not practical for me. Would a potential alternative be Zigbee based cameras, or are those affected by WiFi scrambler as well?
Re: Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:42 pm
by TimG
BI5 works with IP cams and the odd analogue cam with the right card. Zigbee is a control protocol rather than a camera protocol - what do you have in mind ?
Re: Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:31 pm
by krishkal
Honestly, haven’t thought much about it. Just wondering if there is an alternative that is neither WiFi nor hard wired. I guess there is really no answer to the WiFi scrambling issue other than hard wiring.
Re: Discreet camera recommendation
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:02 pm
by TimG
There IS powerline ethernet. I use the newer G.hn variants to get ethernet to places where I don't want to drill holes. Have a look
here for TP-Link PG2400 type devices (UK). MUCH faster and a better connection than any of the older HomePlug AV/AV2 powerline adapters protocols. Recommended.