this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2025
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Privacy
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If you want a local camera system you need a NVR (Networked Video Recorder). These have Ethernet ports and’s you connect security cameras to them over Ethernet, they record, store and allow you to view the footage.
A DVR does the same thing but will use a video signal to record, maybe coax or component. These are getting a bit old and also have lower limits on how far the video signal can travel than an NVR but work and are cheaper, many offer network access to view the cameras and recordings.
If you are looking at budget options you can use the software FrigateNVR. It is an open source NVR software designed to work with any camera that uses standard protocols (and many that don’t thanks to the active community). Including wireless cameras although everyone in the community recommends avoiding wireless cameras unless have no other options.
You will be able to use your wyze cameras will frigate.
Almost all IP Cameras, especially the cheap one are considered compromised and open to easy hacking. It is important to isolate them on their own VLAN, if you really care about privacy so they can only talk to your NVR.
It is important to remember security cameras are cameras and need light to perform, especially in the dark. If you need a camera to perform in no light situations you either rely on its own lights which will illuminate maybe 5-10m, and external light source like a flood light or you have a larger camera sensor that can drink in the ambient light for decent quality (this last option will only come from a camera that costs 200-300USD.
A cheap 4k (8mp) camera will perform worse in low light than a cheap 6mp as they often have the same size sensor.
Do you know why wireless cameras are so discouraged? I tried doing some research yesterday and there really are not many onvif wireless cameras available but unfortunately I need to use one because it's not feasible for me to run cables outside. Also, it seems wyze decided to delete the RTSP firmware from their website because it was insecure, so that's why I need to buy new cameras.
This is a guide for getting the rstp back for some of the wyse cameras. I haven’t used it myself https://houndhillhomestead.com/using-wyze-cam-v3s-with-frigate/. Someone else recommended thingno which I have read works but also haven’t tried.
One of the reasons wifi is discouraged is for anyone who lives in an apartments or even units, the wifi channels often very crowded. If you live in your own house it’s less of an issue but they still generate continual traffic. Having to punch through a few walls, as they will probably have to do if you are sitting them up outside, will have an effect too. As will the weather.
There are many tricks to running cable between floors. If you have down lights you can pop them out then use a bit of yellow tongue to poke between the holes, running the cable from light to light. most modern houses use pozi trusses for floor support and they have many openings for running services.
Or if you own the house just cut a few holes in the plaster. Patching and painting one ceiling not that big of a job and you’ll be able to use the same cameras for years and years instead of replacing when the battery dies.