Cameras
Camera are an easy additional to a node, and is often the first thing a node owner will add. Some camera have lots of experienced and helpful users; other are more experimental.
Recommended Cameras
The recommended cameras are easy to setup, and require no extra software to access from the mesh.
We recommend starting with #Ubiquiti Cameras or #Amcrest Cameras.
Amcrest Cameras
https://amcrest.com/ip-cameras/poe-cameras.html
Amcrest makes a large range of affordable, well made, rugged metal enclosure cameras. Unlike other brands, they continue to provide a web UI in all their cameras, making them easy to integrate.
Like Ubiquiti cameras, they provide a snapshot URL /cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi making it easy to put the camera's image on the mesh.
Many of the cameras are Wifi enabled, but they have a range of PoE devices which support both 802.3af (not passive PoE) and a 12V DC jack.
Amcrest UltraHD 5MP Outdoor PoE Camera
A simple inexpensive basic camera.
Amcrest 5MP IP PoE AI Camera
Similar to the first camera, but with more bells and whistles, and often priced cheaper.
AXIS Cameras
Axis cameras are the gold standard for video surveillance, and found on the Alert Wild fire network. New PTZ cameras models will cost ~$1000 a camera. Ebay or B&H may yield a deal.
NOTE: don't forget the mounting bracket! The don't come with one.
- AXIS Q1786-LE buy
- Q61 PTZ
- Q6135-LE Long range PTZ
- P3807-PVE 180deg camera x2 for 360deg! sample video buy
- Q6074 720p PTZ Network Dome Camera (60 Hz)
- M55 Series M5525-E 1080p Outdoor PTZ Network Dome Camera. Product link HD PTZ with 20x zoom, 120x digital zoom, Configurable mpeg and H264 encoders. 48v PoE/ 20-26v VDC input on the camera. "Sample photo"
- Q6075 1080p PTZ Network Dome Camera (60 Hz)
Sill images can be requested from the device /jpg/image.jpg. I strongly suggest you read up on the AXIS API.
SUNBA Cameras
SUNBA P636 V2
The P636 V2 is a serious camera probably best used for security at backbone sites rather than home deployment (ie. it's very big and quite expensive).
(Note that while this camera originally had issue working with AREDN due to a firmware bug, this has been fixed).
SUNBA 405-D20X 4K
One of SUNBA's Lite Series cameras offering good features and performance but at a more modest price (~$200) to their high-end offerings. This version is PoE+/802.3at (injector not included) so doesn't require additional cabling.
NOTE: To use the camera from a web browser requires a plugin on Chrome and only works on Windows. There is a native app which will run on Mac and Windows. There is no Linux support. This is true for all Lite Series cameras.
SUNBA P525 4MP 25X
For a few more dollars than the SUNBA 405-D20X (~$250) the P525 provides generally better performance without the needs for plugins. It's also PoE+/802.3at (injector not included) powered for simpler cabling.
Snapshots
- Lite Series - http://{IP}/webcapture.jpg?command=snap&channel=1&user={username}&password={password}
- Performance Series - http://{username}:{password}@{IP}:{PORT}/images/snapshot.jpg
- Smart Series - http://{IP}/ISAPI/Custom/snapshot?authInfo={username}:{password}
Ubiquiti Cameras
https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-cameras-nvrs
Ubiquiti cameras are a popular choice as they are easy to setup. They also have a public /snap.jpeg page make it easy to view the camera image on the mesh.
G4 Bullet
A higher resolution version of the G3 bullet, but requires 802.3af PoE (not the passive PoE used by most nodes).
G3 Bullet
Note: No longer available new.
One of the easier camera to start with, supporting the same passive PoE voltage as the nodes, so can be plugged into the same power injectors or into the auxiliary ethernet port found on some nodes.
G3 Flex
Note: No longer available new.
A cheaper version of the G3 Bullet. The specifications says it requires 802.3af PoE but people have had success running it on 24V passive PoE.
G5/G6 Cameras (Do not buy)
The latest camera from Ubiquiti do not provide a web UI and require their app or other hardware to use. Avoid these.
Power for Cameras
While some cameras can be powered using the passive 24V PoE (the same as most mesh nodes), most cannot. For these power converters or injectors are required.
802.3af Injectors
802.3af injectors (there are many) can be used to provide power to many of the non-passive PoE cameras.
24V to 12V Converter
This converter accepts a passive 24V PoE input and spits it into separate non-PoE ethernet and 12V outputs. Useful for camera such as Amcrest which support external 12V power.
24V to 48V 802.3af Converter
This converter accept 12-30V and converts it to 48V 802.3af, making it ideal for converting passive 24v PoE to 802.3af used by many camera. The only down side is that the converter is not waterproof.
For more about PoE see here.