I realize this may make me appear to be a privacy hypocrite, but crime is an issue. I don’t like the idea of Ring recording my yard (and sometimes me) over the internet and keeping it on their servers (and sharing it with Lord knows who) every time I step out into the yard. Are there any reasonable alternatives to Ring that can be trusted?
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A guard/watch dog.
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This is a reoccurring topic. Really depends on what you are hoping to achieve. You may want to watch the video on this post: It's Time to Take Down your Smart Cameras - Benn Jordan
As well as the other linked posts in that topic
If you want that Ring style of alerts and no effort having to self host you could look into Apple Home app - Apple
But I looked into this some years ago and found it expensive (to me anyway).
If you want to deter people then you could try a DVR system that stores footage on a Hard drive at home. You obviously won’t get alerts from a traditional DVR, but it might put off some people.
But as @FranklyFlawless said, a dog is the best way to deter people who will just cover themselves up and make most cameras useless.
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I assume you’ve already searched the forums, but perhaps you could be more specific in where existing threads aren’t adressing your considerations?
For a thread on security cameras, there’s this one: Self-Hosted CCTV (IP Home Security Camera) System
For another thread on security cameras, there’s this: Security camera setup for beginners?
(And for a comment speaking to the reoccurence of this topic, linking to both the threads above, here’s that as well: It's Time to Take Down your Smart Cameras - Benn Jordan - #3 by beantaco )
A generic PoE camera separated via VLAN and accessed via NVR appears to be the most common recommendation, as per this comment, but does that break with your wish for a “reasonable” alternative?
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Reolink is a good alternative. It can be self hosted or you can use their cloud.
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Literally the first answer from any Law Enforcement Officer. Especially the ones who go on to study crime.
A dog places you in the upper tier of hedgehogs for burglars etc. And I second it because OP is focused on crime rather than surveillance.
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Dog: too many false alarms, annoys the neighbors, wife is allergic.
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Thanks for all the responses I’ll take a deep dive into those links. Thanks for providing them.
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Jimmy I’ll check it out. Thanks and welcome to the forum.
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It’s a pricey option, but Unifi makes some stellar equipment. Their cameras are top-notch imho, I use their G4S coupled with a UDM-Pro, and it’s been nothing but smooth sailing so far.
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The same claims can be stated for smart cameras.
Not really. I never used alerts and they can be turned off. You can’t turn off a dog barking at anything that moves.
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Without dogs, I suggest a brick wall compound. Buy bricks and cement every other paycheck and make sure you break some beer bottles and make a little anti climbing feature at the top.
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For those who already have a Ring: you can enable end-to-end encryption where they claim that Amazon/Ring can’t see your video feed. Who knows though.
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