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But I'd absolutely expect a decent $100+ (or even less) IP camera to not have any cloud dependencies, it's just not some exotic feature. My only complaint is that I wish there was a model with a motor. They do not have inherent internet functionality (and of course in turn require no remote connection). Hikvision and pretty much every camera under $150 bucks you'll have that "spy" fear i'd say. They originally had a pretty purely enterprise/business focus but their more friendly UniFi line has matured a lot in the last few years, though in turn the market has become more competitive then ever. Ubiquiti may or may not be a good match for what you've got installed already but I think they're worth a look if only for perspective and comparison purposes. Remember if you're using PoE (or ethernet in general) outdoors to keep in mind surge suppression. The cameras are still 24V passive PoE rather then PoE+, but include an adapter so you don't need to have a switch supporting it. They offer an NVR of their own as well if you don't want to roll something yourself. Most importantly their pricing has been very competitive up and down the line, they don't have any ongoing fee structure or 3rd party requirements, and they have solid weather resistance/operating ranges (-22 to 158° F/-30 to 70° C). I have a UniFi/AirOS setup at a small office and it's been reliable and well updated. A major downside is that it really is much more of a unified solution and you get the most seamless benefits if you use at least some of their other products. UniFi can be setup in the cloud if you wish, in your own private "cloud" (via your own server, Amazon instance or whatever), purely local (apply VPN as needed), or they have some hybrid stuff.
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Ubiquiti makes some nice PoE kit, and if you're at all in their UniFi ecosystem or interested in considering it their UniFi G3s are worth a look. Their web site is really short on details about the products though. HD PoE cameras use a local DVR, and there's an app for remote viewing. Q-See is the best option I've come across. I've been looking for something similar, though frankly haven't spent enough time doing research. I know most cameras are running in the $75 to $125 range and recorders run the gamut don't care about audio, fine if it's there or not
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wired is fine, PoE is probably preferred at this point. something that's NOT always connected to the outside internet, or more specifically that I can turn that off if I want video recorder that can grab a few days worth of video for playback at least 3 cameras, 2+MP, outdoor, but under eaves, so protected from most weather If I can get to it, so can someone else (or in the case of Hikvision, the Chinese government that manufactures it.) I don't really care about being able to watch while I'm away I'd just like a record in case anything happens. A couple of the Amcrest packs on Amazon look almost right but I'm concerned about the Cloud thing. I'm a bit overwhelmed now after a day or two of reading and I'm not sure I can find what I want. So there's been a string of petty thefts from garages and such in the neighborhood and I'd like to get a couple of outdoor cameras to watch my entrances/garage.
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