Comment by ProllyInfamous
4 days ago
$$$ Return your Ring garbage $$$
My local CostCo has the ReoLink 8-camera CCTV system (4TB 12MP, supports up to 16 cameræ) on sale, $150 off MSRP (so, $649 total) — last week I installed mine and am very satisfied (PoE, so no additional power supply issues). You can entirely run two cameræ per single ethernet cable.
This device stores everything locally [1]; also has an option to connect to your Reolink system remotely using their app. I believe they do offer off-site storage options (to store footage), but I prefer to keep this information isolated — it's for my and neighbors' own protection (my corner lot sees entire ingress/egress).
[0] <https://www.costco.com/p/-/reolink-16-channel-8-4k-wired-dom...>
[1] even has a 2nd SATA slot for additional recording retention time (VERY EASY to install additional drive; holds up to 16TB)
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Let's become the stewards of our own data, again...
I ditched my two Ring (Elite PoE) doorbells and replaced them with Reolinks a little over a year ago. They cost less, perform better, support open standards for video streaming, and don't partner with law enforcement to surveil your neighborhood.
The only drawback I've found is that despite their IP65 weatherproof rating, I've had two failures caused by rain. (In each case, the microphone was permanently affected.) They've been good about issuing RMAs and sending replacements, but I guess I'll need to start paying for replacements if they begin failing after the warranty period.
Even with their IP rating, I made sure to install them under eves (with 2ft overhangs). I looked at the microphone location (@unboxing) and immediately thought "that cannot be waterproof!"
This system was recommended by a trusted EE/hn guy, and his have been functional since ~2016 (no RMA, to my knowledge; but his are also under well-under eves).
ESL readers: "eve" (noun) is the underside of a roof overhang
It's spelled “eave”.
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