ᐅ How to Connect an Outdoor Camera: LAN, Power Supply, or Battery?

I have another question...

I am planning to install two LAN connections on the exterior wall of the new build to connect one camera each. However, the electrician is charging a hefty 500 euros net. This raises the question again: pay up and be happy, or look for an alternative.

Using LAN with PoE is, of course, the most convenient option.
With Wi-Fi, power is often needed there as well, which would also have to be installed. (Would a switch then be required? Because outdoor power typically needs to be equipped with a switch? The camera would be running 24/7, so the switch would basically be redundant.)
Battery (plus solar) alone feels a bit unstable in terms of reliability, etc.
Besides, I want to save my recordings on my own NAS rather than on some cloud service. That further limits the choice of cameras.

What would you recommend, also considering the cost? Can you also recommend a specific camera? Ideally, it should be compatible with Synology.

Thanks!

Definitely choose LAN and PoE. Everything else is a makeshift solution and more in the category of "toys." If you want to operate the cameras reliably, with good resolution and without relying on the cloud, you don’t have many other options. In my opinion, your electrician doesn’t really understand the situation.

I prefer to install Axis cameras, and if budget is a concern, Hikvision. You will probably see others suggesting Mobotix because electricians often try to cover their training costs with those, but these systems are unnecessarily complicated for private homes with typical requirements. With a NAS or Surveillance Station, everything that supports ONVIF is compatible.

That already helps me a lot. Do you also have any advice on the best place to install the LAN cables?

Currently, I’m planning to run them at the garden side above the terrace near Child 2’s room and on the building side near Child 1’s room. I’ve attached the floor plan.

I’m wondering whether the angle is ideal or if it might even be installed too high.
Alternatively, I could add some wiring relatively inexpensively from the garage, but that would only provide power, not LAN.

Thanks in advance.

Since you don’t really know which camera will be used, it’s rather pointless to speculate about angles, etc. Even using different lenses on the same camera can result in completely different outcomes.

I recently looked at one from reo link. However, it only has 80 degrees horizontal viewing angle. Basically, I’m wondering if the positioning itself even makes sense...

Mycraft schrieb:

Since you don’t really know what kind of camera it will be, it’s quite pointless to speculate about angles and so on. Even different lenses on the same camera can lead to completely different results.

But it can’t hurt to think about a sensible setup for the future. Ultimately, a camera can also be chosen based on the available location.
How else would you prepare cameras but maybe replace them later or even swap out old ones in the system for new ones?
From the way you describe it, it sounds like it wouldn’t be possible to install the connection before the camera itself.
That would mean if our camera breaks at work, we could only buy the same model again and if it’s no longer available, then simply have none at all.