Please recommend your outdoor security camera system

Looking to install a (hopefully) wireless outdoor security camera system (not locally, in another home). Been checking out Lorex systems but don't see many reviews for them. Features preferred are 4 weatherproof cameras with nightvision, DVR and remote access to view live and recorded video.

My personal set up: GW Security. 8 channel (though I'm only using 6). 1080p ip cameras going through a switch for PoE and coming back to a 3TB NVR.

What are the specs of the system you are looking at?

Re: your preferences. Almost all the newer systems allow for remote viewing, some even provide nifty qr codes for quick direction. As for weatherproof, many failures occur not to the camera itself but to the connection. Folks plug in and leave wires exposed to the elements. You'll want to make sure the connection is watertight. (What I do it to try to have the connection inside a wall)

Some things to consider:

I would stay away from wireless if possible. Generally wired is better, (I hate anything wireless..speakers, cameras etc and many in my field agree). Wireless is susceptible to interference, signal loss, difficulties with set up, bandwidth usage yada yada. Of course...they're not really wireless, you still need power.

Lorex brand is not all that bad as long as you go with one of their higher end units. I almost purchased a Lorex system (LNR400) but their cameras were said to be proprietary and that their NVR only worked with their cameras...I didn't like that.

Speaking of "proprietary". Just about all of these systems have some sort of "only theirs" aspect. I'd stay away from something that was no name, once their stuff is outdated, support is gone. I've also seen many systems that burn video only in "their" format. This is fine as long as the systems allows you to also do the common types. (saving video in a proprietary format actually has some use, like for ensuring the footage won't be altered but this is only important for evidentiary value and even with that, I've never seen/heard of a .wmv file being challenged just because it's widely used).

I recently worked with a Zmodo set up and it wasn't that bad. I actually liked it. The user interface was way easier than what I have.

I would stay away from Swann and Qsee. Samsung was also out for me though I can't recall what nixed it.

As for it being wired. I opted for IP cameras for simplicity..and high res. You can use a single cat 5 wire to provide power and bring back video. The extra wires allow you to record audio if needed/wanted and even operate a PTZ camera (with some finagling).

Hope I haven't lost you, i just realized I'm being totally nerdy.

It's good that you're looking for rec's because none of what I just wrote matters if you don't plan ahead. I can't tell you how often homeowners/businesses are let down because they didn't fully understand some of the most crucial aspects of surveillance systems.

Site planning! This is the part where you map out your desired coverage areas and decide what you want to cover. For example, many times I'l have someone place a camera at the beck of a store, up high, facing the door. They think because they have a view of the door that they'll be able to zoom in and see a face. If cameras are not set up correctly, you'll zoom in and see at something that looks like a minecraft character. Things like camera lens (field of view), camera resolution, compression rates all come into play. Same thing goes with exterior cameras. 90% of the time when a vehicle is captured, there isn't enough resolution to actually zoom in and get a license plate. It's very frustrating for folks who until needed, thought they had a good set up. Think of everything, like what your video will look like at 8am, vs noon, vs 8 pm. How does the sun glare hit the camera lens at certain times. Also, whenever a manufacturer gives their night vision stats, assume half. (if they say their cameras can see 120ft in darkness, plan for 60ft).

Set up. How are you going to set up your system to record and overwrite and will it have an impact regarding resolution.

There are many layers to peel away here so, I'll go back to your system..what are ya looking at?

Thank you for all the info - I did think about site placement and wondered what the best config would be for capturing the perimeter of a small, rectangular home - one camera at each corner (4 total) or perhaps 6 (2 cameras facing each long side).... This is one of the systems I thought about:

https://www.lorextechnology.com/Wireless-camera-system/outdoor-wireless-security-camera-system/2138.p

I agree with Ace789nj stay away from wireless camera's of any kind. Also stay away from analog cameras, the images are ok in live mode but look terrible on playback and if you need to enlarge the image. I recommend and install only IP cameras 1.3 MP at a minimum but a 2 or 3 MP camera's are best. For your network video recorder 1 TB for the hard drive at a minimum.

Sorry for taking so long to reply, busy work week and now camping trip. (Surprised that I get signal up here).

When you say small rectangular home, what dimensions are you talking? I ask this because I would almost always suggest that 4 cameras at the corners of structures is not enough. Now, I say this with the idea that i'd want to get both a wide field of view but also be able to see a person, up close, at an entry way. If you set up only 4 cameras, at building corners, you would def need a high Def camera to have the ability to zoom in on a person going into a doorway, and this is only if the house is as you say, relatively small.

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want/expect. I go a bit overboard with this stuff. Overkill when it comes to cameras isn't all that bad but it's no bueno on the wallet.

6 cameras would be better yes. You don't necessarily need the 2 on the long side to split the side in two, you could use one to see a close image of a door or a bank of windows. This helps also with sensor triggered recording, you'll know someone is at that front door.

As for the set up in that link. I'd be a bit worried about the lack of info regarding camera specs. Unless I missed it, there's really nothing that says what the cameras themselves do. You know what the receiver is capable of recording but that doesn't actually mean that's what the cameras can do. Just something to think about, I like to see specs on everything. Also, take a look at the disclaimers.

if I had more time I'd post up a few links for you to look at re: systems. I'm back on monday, will reach out then.

ETA: I just read my post and realized how banged up it is. Sorry, it's 2 am and the Balvenie is in full effect.

Haha - brilliant with the scotch - I'll respond more properly when I take measurements of the home and my El Jimador wears off a little. My rectangle guess is 20x60 ft.

I recently bought the Nest Outdoor cam and it works great. The monthly fee is $10 for 10 days of backup which is okay given I've canceled my alarm company.

I didn't want the bother of installing indoor/outdoor equipment and paying a monthly fee. In this house I got the Ring Video Doorbell which also detects motion within your set range. When someone rings your doorbell, you can see who's there and talk to them via your computer or cell phone, whether you're home or not. This really helped me out when I was recuperating from surgeries and my bedroom is in the back of the house (neighbors wouldn't call first -- they'd just come to ring my bell to see how I was....). It works via your Wifi (or you can hard wire it) and they charge $30 a year to be able to save all of your activity. I bought mine on Amazon so I got 5% back on Prime. You can also enhance it with cameras and other security features: https://ring.com/products

Good luck!

From past 1 year, I have been using wireless security system by Calgary Alarm ( http://www.calgaryalarm.com/vacation-home-security/wireless-security-systems/). Fortunately it is working fine. If you are still in search, try with their products. Where are you located? Not sure, if they are available in your area. Do check for their vacation home security systems.