Building My New Blue Iris CCTV Setup with PTZ Cameras
TLDRIn this informative video, the viewer is taken through the process of setting up a new CCTV system using Relink E1 Zoom cameras and a Blue Iris NVR. The video covers the reasons for switching from a UniFi Protect system, the features of the new cameras, and the advantages of using a Blue Iris NVR for better scalability and privacy. The installation process, configuration of the PTZ cameras, and integration with home automation for privacy settings are also discussed, along with the initial experience and satisfaction with the new setup.
Takeaways
- ๐ The video discusses the installation of a new CCTV setup using Relink E1 Zoom cameras and a Blue Iris NVR as an alternative to the UniFi Protect system.
- ๐ฆ The Relink cameras are chosen for their ONVIF compliance, Ethernet support, and PTZ capabilities, which allow for pan, tilt, and zoom functions.
- ๐ง The cameras were set up with static IP addresses and configured for optimal performance, including adjusting bit rates and frame rates for efficient recording.
- ๐ฅ The Blue Iris software was installed on a Dell OptiPlex 5070 micro mini PC, which was chosen for its small form factor, low power consumption, and included Windows license.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ The NVR is managed remotely via RDP, with settings adjusted to prevent the system from going to sleep and to automatically power on when main power is applied.
- ๐ The video also covers the use of PoE injectors and splitters to provide power and network connectivity to the cameras, despite the cameras not having built-in PoE capabilities.
- ๐ฏ The setup includes a privacy feature where the PTZ cameras physically turn away from recording areas when the user is at home, triggered by the alarm system status.
- ๐ The user has integrated the CCTV system with their existing home automation for added convenience and control over the recording process.
- ๐ ๏ธ The video provides insights into the configuration of Blue Iris, including camera setup, recording options, and PTZ control, as well as the challenges and learning curve associated with the software.
- ๐๏ธ The user discusses the storage considerations for the CCTV footage, highlighting the need for a balance between recording quality and storage capacity.
- ๐ก The video concludes with the user's satisfaction with the new setup, noting that while it may not be as polished as UniFi Protect, it offers additional functionality and flexibility.
Q & A
What is the main reason the author wants to replace their current CCTV setup?
-The main reason is to integrate PTZ cameras, which can pan, tilt, and zoom, allowing for more flexible surveillance and better privacy control when at home.
What type of cameras did the author choose for the new setup?
-The author chose the Realink E1 Zoom cameras, which are 5-megapixel PTZ cameras with ONVIF compliance and built-in Ethernet support.
Why did the author decide to use Blue Iris as the NVR software?
-The author chose Blue Iris due to its commercial availability, reasonable price, scalability, and compatibility with multiple cameras, as well as not requiring additional payments to add more cameras.
What is the main advantage of using PTZ cameras over the author's previous setup?
-The main advantage is the ability to physically turn the cameras away from recording areas when the author is at home, providing better privacy and a less intrusive surveillance system.
How does the author plan to address the lack of Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability in the Realink E1 Zoom cameras?
-The author plans to use PoE Splitters to provide both network and power connections to the cameras through a single Ethernet cable.
What type of hardware is the author using as the NVR for the Blue Iris setup?
-The author is using a Dell OptiPlex 5070 Micro Mini PC as the NVR for the Blue Iris setup.
How does the author intend to integrate the new CCTV setup with their existing home automation system?
-The author intends to use the Blue Iris MQTT API to integrate the PTZ camera controls with their alarm system, allowing the cameras to turn away when disarmed and back to recording position when armed.
What storage solution did the author add to the NVR for video recordings?
-The author added a 1 terabyte hard drive to the NVR for storing video recordings.
How does the author plan to handle motion detection and recording with the new setup?
-The author plans to use the 'continuous sub plus triggered' recording option in Blue Iris, which records a lower-quality substream continuously and a high-quality stream when motion is detected.
What are the main differences between the author's old CCTV setup and the new one?
-The main differences include the use of PTZ cameras, integration with home automation for privacy control, the use of Blue Iris as the NVR software, and a change from a cloud-based system to a more locally controlled setup.
Outlines
๐ Home CCTV Setup Introduction
The video begins with the creator discussing his current home CCTV setup based on UniFi Protect, which includes a cloud key Gen 2 and several cameras. Despite its effectiveness, he is looking to replace it with a new system using PTZ cameras from R-Link and a Blue Iris NVR. The main reason for this change is to enhance privacy by having cameras that can physically turn away when he's at home. Additionally, he wants a more pet-friendly camera aesthetic and a system that can scale up for future needs.
๐ฆ Unboxing and Overview of New Cameras
The creator presents the new Realink E1 Zoom cameras, highlighting their 5-megapixel resolution and ONVIF compliance, which allows them to work with various NVRs. He appreciates the built-in Ethernet, preferring it over Wi-Fi for a more reliable connection. The cameras also include PTZ functionality, which he plans to use for privacy reasons. However, he notes that the cameras are not PoE (Power over Ethernet) capable, which he plans to work around with adapters.
๐ป Setting Up the Blue Iris NVR
The creator discusses his choice of an Dell OptiPlex 5070 Micro Mini PC as the NVR for Blue Iris, citing its small form factor, low power consumption, and inclusion of a Windows license as benefits. He describes the hardware specifications, such as the Intel i5 9500T processor and 8GB of RAM, and explains how he added a 1TB hard drive for video storage. He also covers the initial setup process for Windows 11 Pro and the necessary configurations for remote management and automatic startup after power loss.
๐ง Installing and Configuring Cameras
The creator walks through the process of setting up the cameras, including changing the admin password, updating the firmware, and assigning static IP addresses. He also discusses the camera's stream settings, such as adjusting the bit rate and frame rate for both the main and sub-streams. The goal is to balance video quality with storage space, ensuring continuous recording without excessive consumption of disk space.
๐ค Blue Iris Software and Camera Integration
The creator shares his first impressions of Blue Iris, noting that while it's not as intuitive as UniFi Protect, it becomes manageable once understood. He explains the process of adding cameras to Blue Iris, including configuring network settings and enabling motion detection. He also discusses the difference between triggers and alerts within the software, emphasizing the importance of understanding these concepts for effective CCTV management.
๐ฅ PTZ Functionality and Privacy Settings
The creator explores the PTZ controls within Blue Iris, explaining how to adjust camera positions and use presets for privacy and home settings. He describes the process of setting up presets directly on the camera and then triggering them through Blue Iris. The intention is to automate this process with his alarm system, allowing the cameras to turn away when he's home and back to recording position when he's away.
๐ Final Setup and Real-World Usage
The creator concludes the video by discussing his experience using the new CCTV setup over a couple of weeks. He shares his satisfaction with the system's performance, particularly its ability to handle remote access and the PTZ functionality. He also talks about the physical installation of the cameras and the NVR in his home, emphasizing the seamless integration with his existing network infrastructure and home automation system.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กCCTV setup
๐กReolink E1 Zoom
๐กBlue Iris NVR
๐กPTZ cameras
๐กPrivacy concerns
๐กEthernet connectivity
๐กPoE (Power over Ethernet)
๐กONVIF compliance
๐กHome automation integration
๐กMQTT API
Highlights
Installing a new CCTV setup using R link cameras and a Blue Iris NVR.
The existing UniFi protect system is being replaced due to limitations with PTZ cameras and desired privacy enhancements.
The new PTZ cameras allow for panning, tilting, and zooming, providing enhanced surveillance capabilities.
The cameras can be physically turned away for privacy when at home, a feature not possible with UniFi protect.
The Realink E1 Zoom cameras were chosen for their ONVIF compliance and Ethernet support.
The Blue Iris NVR software offers scalability and does not require additional licenses for more cameras.
A Dell OptiPlex 5070 Micro Mini PC was used as the NVR due to its low power consumption and included Windows license.
The setup involves configuring the cameras with static IP addresses and disabling cloud connectivity for privacy.
Blue Iris allows for direct to disk recording without unnecessary transcoding, reducing CPU load and power consumption.
The PTZ control in Blue Iris enables remote adjustment of camera positions and the use of presets.
The system has been integrated with the home alarm for automatic camera positioning based on the alarm status.
The Blue Iris web interface provides a way to manage the CCTV system remotely.
The new setup provides at least two weeks of recording storage on a 1 terabyte hard drive.
The user plans to explore further integration with home automation systems for additional functionality.
Overall, the user is satisfied with the performance and functionality of the new CCTV setup.