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.
Wireless cameras offer an easier vector for people to get into your camera feeds. Biggest risk to this is a poorly secured network in the first place, but the risk is still there.
Also, wireless is going to be inherently a worse quality video stream, and constant video traffic being sent over your Wi-Fi bogs down your entire network.
All that being said Wi-Fi cameras are just fine and as long as you have strong Wi-Fi security you're really not at a real risk unless someone very savvy is specifically targeting you, in which case you've got bigger problems.
I have probably a dozen cheap wireless cameras in my house (to keep an eye on pets) and I have them spaced over two access points and honestly I don't notice a difference on my Wi-Fi at all, but I'm sure it's worse than if I didn't have them. All my exterior cameras are wired, but that's more because I want better quality streams and I'm running a wire anyways so might as well be PoE. Only exterior wireless camera I have is my doorbell but that's because I didn't want to run a new wire to it.
Overall wired cameras are much better quality, but they're not as convenient. Make the decision for yourself based off of your priorities. Real tough to get a wireless camera with the fidelity needed to capture license plates clearly, but if you don't need that then why worry about whether your gear can achieve it or not?