Building My New Blue Iris CCTV Setup with PTZ Cameras

Cameron Gray
24 Feb 202445:18

TLDRIn this video, the creator discusses his new CCTV setup using Reolink E1 Zoom cameras and a Blue Iris NVR, replacing his previous UniFi Protect system. He highlights the benefits of PTZ cameras for privacy, the aesthetic appeal of the cameras, and the scalability of the Blue Iris software. The video covers the installation process, camera setup, and integration with his home automation system for enhanced privacy and security.

Takeaways

  • 🏠 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.
  • 📦 The Relink cameras are chosen for their ONVIF compliance, Ethernet support, and PTZ capabilities, which allow for pan, tilt, and zoom functions.
  • 🔧 The cameras were set up with static IP addresses and configured for optimal performance, including adjusting bit rates and frame rates for efficient recording.
  • 🎥 The Blue Iris software was chosen as the NVR solution due to its compatibility with ONVIF cameras, scalability, and one-time cost without additional licensing fees.
  • 💻 A Dell OptiPlex 5070 Mini PC was used as the hardware for running Blue Iris, offering a low-power, compact form factor suitable for a home server setup.
  • 🛠 The video covers the initial setup process of Blue Iris, including enabling remote desktop, configuring the hard drive, and installing the software.
  • 🔄 The PTZ functionality of the cameras is managed through Blue Iris, with presets configured directly on the cameras and triggered via the software.
  • 🚫 The video emphasizes the importance of privacy, with the cameras set to turn away from the room when the user is at home, and back to recording position when away.
  • 🔒 The system is integrated with the home alarm, using the Blue Iris MQTT API to automate the cameras' privacy settings based on the alarm status.
  • 💬 The user shares their overall satisfaction with the new setup, noting that while it may not be as smooth as UniFi Protect, it offers additional features and customization options.
  • 🔍 The video serves as a guide for those considering a similar home CCTV setup, providing insights into the hardware, software, and configuration process.

Q & A

  • What is the main reason for the speaker wanting to replace their current CCTV setup?

    -The main reason for wanting to replace the current CCTV setup is the lack of support for PTZ cameras and the desire for a more pet camera or baby monitor style camera, rather than a professional-looking CCTV camera.

  • What are the key features the speaker is looking for in a new CCTV camera?

    -The key features the speaker is looking for include PTZ functionality, ONVIF compliance for interoperability, built-in Ethernet for wired connections, and a more friendly, non-intrusive design.

  • Why does the speaker prefer wired cameras over Wi-Fi cameras?

    -The speaker prefers wired cameras because they offer a more stable connection, are less susceptible to interference, and allow for centralized power management.

  • What is the speaker's solution for powering the non-PoE capable cameras?

    -The speaker uses PoE Splitters and appropriate tip adapters to provide power and network connections to the cameras through a single Ethernet cable.

  • Why did the speaker choose Blue Iris as the NVR software?

    -The speaker chose Blue Iris due to its compatibility with Windows, its reasonable price, and the fact that it is a well-regarded option with good reviews, despite being commercial software.

  • What type of computer does the speaker use for the NVR, and why?

    -The speaker uses a Dell OptiPlex 5070 Micro Mini PC for the NVR because it is small in form factor, has low power consumption, is relatively powerful, and comes with a Windows license included.

  • How does the speaker plan to integrate the new CCTV system with their home automation system?

    -The speaker plans to use the Blue Iris MQTT API to integrate the PTZ cameras with their alarm system, allowing the cameras to turn away when they are at home and back towards the rooms when they are away.

  • What are the storage requirements for the new CCTV setup?

    -The speaker has added a 1 terabyte hard drive to the NVR for video storage, which should be sufficient for storing two weeks of continuous footage at the configured settings.

  • How does the speaker plan to handle guest privacy with the new PTZ cameras?

    -The speaker has set up a 'privacy' preset for each camera that points it away from the room, ensuring that guests are not filmed while the speaker is at home.

  • What is the speaker's overall impression of the Blue Iris software?

    -The speaker finds Blue Iris to be a bit complicated initially but once figured out, it works well. They note that it is not as intuitive as UniFi Protect but is still functional and effective for their needs.

Outlines

00:00

🏠 Home CCTV Setup Introduction

The speaker introduces a new home CCTV setup using cameras from R link and a Blue Iris NVR. They explain that their current UniFi Protect system, while functional, has limitations regarding PTZ cameras and aesthetics. The goal is to replace it with a more privacy-friendly and aesthetically pleasing alternative that also allows for better pet or baby monitoring.

05:01

📦 Unboxing and Initial Setup

The speaker unboxes the new Realink E1 Zoom cameras, highlighting their 5-megapixel resolution, ONVIF compliance, and built-in Ethernet, which allows for a wired connection. They also discuss the NVR, a Dell OptiPlex 5070 Micro Mini PC, chosen for its small form factor, low power consumption, and inclusion of a Windows license. The speaker emphasizes the ease of setting up the NVR and the importance of configuring the cameras with static IP addresses and disabling certain features for privacy.

10:04

🔧 Installing and Configuring the NVR

The speaker describes the process of installing the NVR, including opening the Dell OptiPlex, inserting a hard drive, and configuring the machine with Windows 11 Pro. They also discuss the importance of enabling remote desktop, disabling sleep mode, and setting the machine to automatically turn on when power is applied. The speaker then moves on to install and activate Blue Iris, noting the need for a product key and the importance of testing the software before committing to a purchase.

15:05

📱 Blue Iris Setup and Camera Addition

The speaker explains the somewhat unintuitive process of adding cameras to Blue Iris, detailing the steps required to configure camera settings and enable features like direct to disk recording. They discuss the importance of matching camera stream settings to Blue Iris defaults and the need to adjust certain settings, such as frame rate and key frame interval, for optimal recording. The speaker also touches on the concept of triggers and alerts within Blue Iris, which are used to detect and respond to motion events.

20:06

🎥 Understanding PTZ Functionality

The speaker clarifies the PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) functionality in Blue Iris, explaining how to use the web interface to control camera movement and set presets. They discuss the initial confusion in understanding how to set up and trigger presets, which are configured on the camera and then activated through Blue Iris. The speaker also shares their intention to integrate the PTZ functionality with their home automation system for added privacy and convenience.

25:06

🏠 Final Setup and Home Automation Integration

The speaker shares their experience after setting up and using the new CCTV system for a couple of weeks. They report satisfactory performance, especially in terms of remote access and recording capabilities. They detail the physical installation of the cameras, the configuration of the system to respect privacy while at home, and the successful integration of the PTZ cameras with their alarm system for automatic positioning changes based on the home occupancy status.

30:08

🙏 Conclusion and Thanks

The speaker concludes the video by expressing overall satisfaction with the new Blue Iris CCTV setup, highlighting the added functionality and home automation integration. They encourage viewers to explore further tutorials for detailed instructions and thank them for watching the video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡CCTV setup

A CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) setup refers to the installation and configuration of a surveillance system that allows monitoring of specific areas using cameras. In the video, the user is installing a new CCTV setup using R link cameras and a Blue Iris NVR, which replaces their previous UniFi Protect system for enhanced privacy and functionality.

💡PTZ cameras

PTZ cameras are a type of security camera that can be remotely controlled to pan (rotate left or right), tilt (move up or down), and zoom in or out. They offer greater flexibility than fixed cameras, allowing for dynamic monitoring of various areas. In the video, the user opts for PTZ cameras to improve privacy by having the cameras turn away when not needed.

💡Blue Iris NVR

Blue Iris is a software that acts as a Network Video Recorder (NVR), allowing users to set up and manage surveillance cameras on a computer. It offers features like motion detection, video recording, and remote access. In the video, the user chooses Blue Iris as their NVR solution for its compatibility with PTZ cameras and its scalability.

💡UniFi Protect

UniFi Protect is a cloud-based video surveillance service provided by Ubiquiti Networks. It includes a range of cameras and an NVR solution for monitoring and recording video footage. In the video, the user mentions their previous CCTV setup was based around UniFi Protect but decided to replace it due to limitations with PTZ cameras and the desire for more control.

💡Ethernet and Wi-Fi cameras

Ethernet and Wi-Fi are two different types of network connectivity for cameras. Ethernet cameras use a wired connection to transmit data, while Wi-Fi cameras use wireless connections. The choice between the two depends on the user's preference for wired or wireless setup, as well as the environment's infrastructure. In the video, the user prefers Ethernet for a stable connection but also uses Wi-Fi for convenience.

💡Privacy concerns

Privacy concerns refer to the user's worry about their personal space being monitored when not needed, as well as the desire to ensure guests feel comfortable without being watched. In the video, the user addresses these concerns by using PTZ cameras that can be physically turned away from recording areas when not in use.

💡Home automation integration

Home automation integration involves connecting various devices and systems within a home to allow them to communicate and function together. This can include security systems, lighting, heating, and more. In the video, the user integrates their new CCTV setup with their home automation system to automate the turning away of cameras when at home and repositioning them when away.

💡MQTT API

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) API refers to a set of rules and protocols for lightweight messaging and data transfer between devices and applications. It is commonly used in Internet of Things (IoT) and home automation. In the video, the user plans to use the Blue Iris MQTT API to trigger actions in their CCTV setup as part of their home automation system.

💡Remote access

Remote access refers to the ability to connect to and manage a system or device from a different location, typically using the internet. In the context of the video, remote access is important for the user to monitor their CCTV setup and adjust settings when away from home.

💡Variable vs. constant bit rate recording

Variable bit rate (VBR) recording adjusts the quality and file size of the video stream based on the amount of motion or changes in the scene, allocating more bits to complex scenes and less to static ones. Constant bit rate (CBR) recording maintains a steady data rate regardless of the scene's complexity. The user discusses this concept while comparing the recording methods of UniFi Protect and their new Blue Iris setup.

Highlights

Installing a new CCTV setup using R link cameras and a Blue Iris NVR.

Replacing an existing UniFi Protect-based CCTV setup due to limitations with PTZ cameras and desired privacy enhancements.

The new system allows cameras to physically turn away for privacy when at home, instead of just disabling recording.

Choosing the Realink E1 Zoom cameras for their PTZ capabilities, ONVIF compliance, and Ethernet support.

Using a Dell OptiPlex 7070 Micro Mini PC as the NVR for its small form factor, low power consumption, and included Windows license.

The Blue Iris software provides a scalable solution for NVR needs, with a one-time cost and no additional camera licensing fees.

Setting up the cameras involves configuring static IP addresses, disabling cloud connectivity, and enabling RTSP and ONVIF in the Realink web interface.

The PTZ cameras can be controlled via the Blue Iris interface, with presets for privacy and home positions.

Integrating the CCTV setup with the home alarm system to automatically adjust camera positions based on the alarm status.

The Blue Iris software is not as intuitive as UniFi Protect but offers more flexibility and functionality once understood.

Using PoE injectors to provide power and network connection to the cameras, with an option for a UPS for battery backup.

The new setup allows for long-term recording with a 1TB hard drive and the potential to expand storage as needed.

The system has been successfully installed and integrated into the home, providing a reliable and privacy-friendly surveillance solution.

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