I’m looking for security cameras that will integrate with my home server and nas. I want ones that record to my nas without some BS subscription service, and ideally run FOSS server logic I can deploy on my server. I’ve got one camera now that sorta does what I want, except the software isn’t FOSS and I’ve been unable to add the features that are missing.
My ideal requirements are:
- Good camera quality
- Direct powered (no battery)
- Connects via wifi to my network
- Records to remote nas (no cloud “subscription” requirement)
- Highly configurable via FOSS software
- Monitoring software runs on server with local web access
- QOL features like 2-way audio, audio recording, motion sensing, night vision, etc.
Does anyone have suggestions that meat what I’m looking for or close?
The most OSS solution out there would probably bee to use an ESP32-CAM with esphome(https://esphome.io/components/esp32_camera.html) and Home Assistant. I think you could even add a motion sensor to that as well. But it would require more work and some electronic knowledge to set up an esp32.
I’ve tried to use esp 32 cameras before. First issue, there are no esp32 cameras that either don’t have ir filters or have ir filters that can be removed. I finally found an Amazon seller that doesn’t glue the camera lenses together very thoroughly and once you break them open, the ir filter is in a place that can be removed if you’re patient enough with an exacto knife.
The other major issue is that esp 32s generate so much heat they eventually melt everything I put them in. You can’t leave them naked because even if it doesn’t rain, they still stop working after only a few days of being outside.
I really hope someone else has figured out a better way to use esp 32 cameras for home security because the only other choices are a) those chinese ones that don’t give you control over the rtsp stream (you can only use their spyware infested smartphone app) or b) those absurdly overpriced ones that don’t even come with night vision most of the time.
I’m not a big expert so I’m probably just ignorant, but why do you want to remove the IR filters? Also I was planning on using esp32 but inside only, and keep them naked. Does it overheat in this condition?
Night vision. You can remove the ir filter and then buy or make an infared lightbar and get good night vision that way.
They won’t overheat if you don’t put them in an enclosure or case but this makes them more suseptible to damage. I bet a small pc fan blowing through a custom made 3d printed or wood box would be enough to offset it.