article – I have installed multiple security cameras on my property for years. I started using his Wyze camera, but replaced it with a Vivint smart home security system in 2020. I still use a Vivint system, but sometimes the notifications aren’t instantaneous and I needed a setup that would allow me to monitor what was going on. Run in real time all day long from your desk without using up your internet bandwidth.
After doing some research, I purchased 3 of them. amcrest camera I installed it in various places on the outside wall of a detached garage. We chose PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras to avoid having to install a power outlet for each camera.
All I needed to do was connect one Ethernet cable to each camera. TP link PoE switchwhich was connected to the old one. Synology RT2600AC WiFi Router It sits on a shelf above a workbench in the garage.
have a new one Synology RT6600ax Router inside my house Synology 2-bay DiskStation DS223j NAS Run the free Synology Surveillance Station software. Running this software on your NAS allows you to connect up to 12 cameras per surveillance station. The only problem is that you only get two free camera licenses when you purchase the NAS. If you want to add more cameras, you will need to purchase more licenses. I have 3 of his cameras so I had to purchase an additional license for about $50.
This software allows you to use a multi-camera view window on your MacBook or PC. Ultrawide 49 inch Dell Monitor. It’s like having three physical windows in your basement office where you can look out all day and see what’s going on outside in your yard or driveway.
Being able to double-click on each camera window to zoom in is a great feature so you can see when the delivery person is pulling into your driveway. For example, a FedEx delivery a few weeks ago prompted me to download camera footage from two cameras. Edit and post to YouTube. The video went viral and has received over 530,000 views so far. This is the most viewed video I’ve ever posted on my YouTube channel. That’s probably more views than all of his 500+ videos on my channel combined. The video is just over a minute long. Please take a look.
Watching this video made me wonder how many interesting things can be captured on other people’s surveillance cameras. It also reminded me of the footage I took with my camera many years ago. Jeanne (my best friend) had a bad habit of leaving her muddy shoes outside the front door instead of in the garage. One day she put on her shoes and went outside to do some yard work, and she found that one of her shoes was missing. To solve the mystery, I scrolled through the surveillance camera footage to find where a stray dog came to the front door, sniffed the shoes, grabbed them, and ran off into the road. I definitely wish I had kept the footage.
About a week ago I was talking to my sister and she told me that she found a giant spider in the bathroom and that her surveillance camera (which I gave her) captured the incident . I asked her to send it to me. She did, and I made a video. Because why not? 🙂 This is a short 2.5 minute video of her, but it’s worth a laugh or two.
I really like the real-time security camera setup, not only because it makes me feel like a spy or a security guard (lol), but also because I can see what’s going on instantly without using my phone, and hopefully it will create something interesting to share with my family and friends.
Have you ever captured some interesting footage with your security cameras? And do you have them set up so you can watch them whenever you want like I do? Share it with me in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your setup.
Note: All devices (except Vivint and Wzye) were purchased with my own money.