watch this BEFORE you buy Reolink cameras (are they good for your Home Server?)

so I am just about finished switching so I am just about finished switching out my camera setup from the kind of out my camera setup from the kind of out my camera setup from the kind of cheap little amrest cameras and the cheap little amrest cameras and the cheap little amrest cameras and the sonology surveillance station that I had sonology surveillance station that I had sonology surveillance station that I had working together to rolink and soon to working together to rolink and soon to working together to rolink and soon to be eventually rink and freegate which is be eventually rink and freegate which is be eventually rink and freegate which is a free and open- Source NVR solution I a free and open- Source NVR solution I a free and open- Source NVR solution I have not only purchased my own equipment have not only purchased my own equipment have not only purchased my own equipment but real link has sent over some of but real link has sent over some of but real link has sent over some of their other cameras for me to go ahead their other cameras for me to go ahead their other cameras for me to go ahead and try out and I've tried out a wide and try out and I've tried out a wide and try out and I've tried out a wide range of their things their MVR solution range of their things their MVR solution range of their things their MVR solution some of their Poe cameras we have the uh some of their Poe cameras we have the uh some of their Poe cameras we have the uh flood light camera a solar camera a flood light camera a solar camera a flood light camera a solar camera a whole lot of stuff this is going to be whole lot of stuff this is going to be whole lot of stuff this is going to be my review of all of it and I am going to my review of all of it and I am going to my review of all of it and I am going to start with the MVR solution this is the start with the MVR solution this is the start with the MVR solution this is the one thing that I purchased myself and one thing that I purchased myself and one thing that I purchased myself and you can see here it is listed for you can see here it is listed for you can see here it is listed for basically ,000 for eight cameras and basically ,000 for eight cameras and basically ,000 for eight cameras and their little NVR box here I was screwing their little NVR box here I was screwing their little NVR box here I was screwing Facebook Marketplace and I found this Facebook Marketplace and I found this Facebook Marketplace and I found this you can see it's sold I'm the one that you can see it's sold I'm the one that you can see it's sold I'm the one that bought it for bought it for bought it for $300 not a bad deal it was such a good $300 not a bad deal it was such a good $300 not a bad deal it was such a good deal I didn't even read the uh descrip deal I didn't even read the uh descrip deal I didn't even read the uh descrip deson here properly as this does not deson here properly as this does not deson here properly as this does not support rtsp or onvif protocols which support rtsp or onvif protocols which support rtsp or onvif protocols which for what I eventually want to do is for what I eventually want to do is for what I eventually want to do is essential and again that is kind of essential and again that is kind of essential and again that is kind of feeding everything all the media streams feeding everything all the media streams feeding everything all the media streams from these cameras to free gate so I from these cameras to free gate so I from these cameras to free gate so I have that open source solution with have that open source solution with have that open source solution with localized AI home lab nerdy stuff that I localized AI home lab nerdy stuff that I localized AI home lab nerdy stuff that I am really looking forward to getting am really looking forward to getting am really looking forward to getting going this is the kit that I purchased I going this is the kit that I purchased I going this is the kit that I purchased I have five of these cameras currently in have five of these cameras currently in have five of these cameras currently in use these are what the cameras look like use these are what the cameras look like use these are what the cameras look like and like I I said these things do not and like I I said these things do not and like I I said these things do not support streaming you can't log into the

support streaming you can't log into the support streaming you can't log into the individual cameras through the web UI or individual cameras through the web UI or individual cameras through the web UI or their app granted when it comes to NVR their app granted when it comes to NVR their app granted when it comes to NVR they are plug and play but at least on they are plug and play but at least on they are plug and play but at least on the surface level that's really all that the surface level that's really all that the surface level that's really all that we could use them for granted they are we could use them for granted they are we could use them for granted they are great cameras let's go here you can see great cameras let's go here you can see great cameras let's go here you can see I have the realink NVR as the entire I have the realink NVR as the entire I have the realink NVR as the entire thing here and then from there I select thing here and then from there I select thing here and then from there I select the channels so then that kind of makes the channels so then that kind of makes the channels so then that kind of makes that sharing complicated you can't share that sharing complicated you can't share that sharing complicated you can't share out specific cameras like this that are out specific cameras like this that are out specific cameras like this that are connected to an NVR you can only share connected to an NVR you can only share connected to an NVR you can only share out the whole NVR to specific people so out the whole NVR to specific people so out the whole NVR to specific people so that makes kind of managing that a that makes kind of managing that a that makes kind of managing that a little bit difficult East Side camera little bit difficult East Side camera little bit difficult East Side camera here you can see the stream is pretty here you can see the stream is pretty here you can see the stream is pretty good quality as I go into the grass it good quality as I go into the grass it good quality as I go into the grass it does kind of pixelate a bit and if I go does kind of pixelate a bit and if I go does kind of pixelate a bit and if I go into the individual setting for the into the individual setting for the into the individual setting for the camera itself go to stream you could see camera itself go to stream you could see camera itself go to stream you could see that we are rocking about a uh 2K that we are rocking about a uh 2K that we are rocking about a uh 2K resolution so these are little 2K resolution so these are little 2K resolution so these are little 2K cameras here that came with the kit does cameras here that came with the kit does cameras here that came with the kit does have multiple streams and I will talk have multiple streams and I will talk have multiple streams and I will talk about this a little later at the end but about this a little later at the end but about this a little later at the end but I did find kind of a workaround to get I did find kind of a workaround to get I did find kind of a workaround to get these NVR cameras these like cheap kit these NVR cameras these like cheap kit these NVR cameras these like cheap kit cameras into something like freegate is cameras into something like freegate is cameras into something like freegate is from the NVR so using these cameras I'm from the NVR so using these cameras I'm from the NVR so using these cameras I'm going to have to have the real link MVR going to have to have the real link MVR going to have to have the real link MVR up and running all the time but I can up and running all the time but I can up and running all the time but I can individualize these streams coming out individualize these streams coming out individualize these streams coming out of the NVR to a third-party application of the NVR to a third-party application of the NVR to a third-party application but honestly at $300 for this much but honestly at $300 for this much but honestly at $300 for this much equipment I'm still happy with the deal equipment I'm still happy with the deal equipment I'm still happy with the deal that I got these cameras do look sharp that I got these cameras do look sharp that I got these cameras do look sharp but they don't have really any other but they don't have really any other but they don't have really any other features other than they do support features other than they do support features other than they do support night vision which works pretty good night vision which works pretty good night vision which works pretty good unless if there's something in the way unless if there's something in the way unless if there's something in the way but that works with any other camera but that works with any other camera but that works with any other camera there's no two-way audio it does pick up

there's no two-way audio it does pick up there's no two-way audio it does pick up audio itself hello there this is a test audio itself hello there this is a test audio itself hello there this is a test of the audio I'm probably about uh 7t of the audio I'm probably about uh 7t of the audio I'm probably about uh 7t from the camera this is maybe about 20t from the camera this is maybe about 20t from the camera this is maybe about 20t from the camera with wind blowing AC from the camera with wind blowing AC from the camera with wind blowing AC exhaust another thing to note with the exhaust another thing to note with the exhaust another thing to note with the NVR is to actually like add cameras and NVR is to actually like add cameras and NVR is to actually like add cameras and like move these around Within These like move these around Within These like move these around Within These various channels here you actually need various channels here you actually need various channels here you actually need to plug it in and it's it's right over to plug it in and it's it's right over to plug it in and it's it's right over there hook it up to a display use their there hook it up to a display use their there hook it up to a display use their Mouse and actually manage everything on Mouse and actually manage everything on Mouse and actually manage everything on the MVR itself which just kind of is the MVR itself which just kind of is the MVR itself which just kind of is inconvenient to do and it's on the inconvenient to do and it's on the inconvenient to do and it's on the settings within the NVR itself that you settings within the NVR itself that you settings within the NVR itself that you would go and actually open it up to would go and actually open it up to would go and actually open it up to allow these streams per the individual allow these streams per the individual allow these streams per the individual channels to be able to be exported and channels to be able to be exported and channels to be able to be exported and viewed and it does allow for some uh viewed and it does allow for some uh viewed and it does allow for some uh battery cameras that don't have the rtsp battery cameras that don't have the rtsp battery cameras that don't have the rtsp features that these ones also do not features that these ones also do not features that these ones also do not have to actually allow that specifically have to actually allow that specifically have to actually allow that specifically the solar powered camera that we'll be the solar powered camera that we'll be the solar powered camera that we'll be talking about in a little bit only works talking about in a little bit only works talking about in a little bit only works with realink apps but I was able to get with realink apps but I was able to get with realink apps but I was able to get it into the NVR which then you could use it into the NVR which then you could use it into the NVR which then you could use that to send it to third party that to send it to third party that to send it to third party applications so if you're going to buy a applications so if you're going to buy a applications so if you're going to buy a kit uh there are some things to note kit uh there are some things to note kit uh there are some things to note with that there are uh difficulties if with that there are uh difficulties if with that there are uh difficulties if you want to go out of the rol link you want to go out of the rol link you want to go out of the rol link platform and that takes us to the uh platform and that takes us to the uh platform and that takes us to the uh living room camera here if I open it up living room camera here if I open it up living room camera here if I open it up we could see what it is specifically we could see what it is specifically we could see what it is specifically there it is it's a little Dome camera there it is it's a little Dome camera there it is it's a little Dome camera they sent over two of these for me to R they sent over two of these for me to R they sent over two of these for me to R and check out and they're super cool and check out and they're super cool and check out and they're super cool when I first looked at them I kind of when I first looked at them I kind of when I first looked at them I kind of assumed that it would have a motion

assumed that it would have a motion assumed that it would have a motion functionality it does not that would be functionality it does not that would be functionality it does not that would be nice but it does have two-way audio nice but it does have two-way audio nice but it does have two-way audio within the settings here we could within the settings here we could within the settings here we could see the settings the stream itself is 2K see the settings the stream itself is 2K see the settings the stream itself is 2K at 15 frames per second I can edit this at 15 frames per second I can edit this at 15 frames per second I can edit this up to 4K which is nice and then we could up to 4K which is nice and then we could up to 4K which is nice and then we could also go up to 25 frames per second but also go up to 25 frames per second but also go up to 25 frames per second but for me I don't need a 4K stream of my for me I don't need a 4K stream of my for me I don't need a 4K stream of my living room personally like the others living room personally like the others living room personally like the others there is motion detection we do have there is motion detection we do have there is motion detection we do have light this one has a spotlight which is light this one has a spotlight which is light this one has a spotlight which is incredibly bright I have one in the kids incredibly bright I have one in the kids incredibly bright I have one in the kids room and I accidentally turned it on room and I accidentally turned it on room and I accidentally turned it on through the app one time and oh boy they through the app one time and oh boy they through the app one time and oh boy they did not like that additionally it does did not like that additionally it does did not like that additionally it does have two-way audio so you could talk have two-way audio so you could talk have two-way audio so you could talk through it which is incredibly through it which is incredibly through it which is incredibly convenient if you're like not home and convenient if you're like not home and convenient if you're like not home and you need to like say hey can you answer you need to like say hey can you answer you need to like say hey can you answer your phone or something like that your phone or something like that your phone or something like that through it this is a test of the audio through it this is a test of the audio through it this is a test of the audio on the Dome camera but yeah the these on the Dome camera but yeah the these on the Dome camera but yeah the these are working really good and for the the are working really good and for the the are working really good and for the the whole setup that I have going on the whole setup that I have going on the whole setup that I have going on the actual NVR does have Poe on the back but actual NVR does have Poe on the back but actual NVR does have Poe on the back but the cameras are so far and wide I don't the cameras are so far and wide I don't the cameras are so far and wide I don't want to run like 100 foot like multiple want to run like 100 foot like multiple want to run like 100 foot like multiple 100 foot cords into one thing so I have 100 foot cords into one thing so I have 100 foot cords into one thing so I have it kind of going up through the like it kind of going up through the like it kind of going up through the like closet I'm in basement level it goes closet I'm in basement level it goes closet I'm in basement level it goes through my bedroom closet in there we through my bedroom closet in there we through my bedroom closet in there we have a little uh it's an omada switch have a little uh it's an omada switch have a little uh it's an omada switch with uh eight Poe ports and a lot of with uh eight Poe ports and a lot of with uh eight Poe ports and a lot of those are running through or the a lot those are running through or the a lot those are running through or the a lot of the cords from those are running of the cords from those are running of the cords from those are running through the attic which absolutely was through the attic which absolutely was through the attic which absolutely was miserable to go up and install so I ran

miserable to go up and install so I ran miserable to go up and install so I ran all that into the rooms and all the all that into the rooms and all the all that into the rooms and all the outside cameras as well as various Wi-Fi outside cameras as well as various Wi-Fi outside cameras as well as various Wi-Fi access points but I'll talk about that a access points but I'll talk about that a access points but I'll talk about that a little bit more in a actual kind of little bit more in a actual kind of little bit more in a actual kind of omada setup video that I do plan on omada setup video that I do plan on omada setup video that I do plan on making the cameras I am using indoors making the cameras I am using indoors making the cameras I am using indoors come at about $100 a pop so definitely come at about $100 a pop so definitely come at about $100 a pop so definitely not as good of a deal as I got getting not as good of a deal as I got getting not as good of a deal as I got getting it used on Facebook Market still pretty it used on Facebook Market still pretty it used on Facebook Market still pretty good you can see if I zoom in here it good you can see if I zoom in here it good you can see if I zoom in here it it's pretty good quality let's Let's it's pretty good quality let's Let's it's pretty good quality let's Let's test 4K real fast let's up this stream test 4K real fast let's up this stream test 4K real fast let's up this stream to 4K save that all right so let's zoom to 4K save that all right so let's zoom to 4K save that all right so let's zoom into that snake again oh yeah definitely into that snake again oh yeah definitely into that snake again oh yeah definitely a lot crisper I mean it's not super a lot crisper I mean it's not super a lot crisper I mean it's not super clear but it's pretty good so this is clear but it's pretty good so this is clear but it's pretty good so this is the uh 4K stream zoomed in and this the uh 4K stream zoomed in and this the uh 4K stream zoomed in and this right here is the uh 2K stream so you be right here is the uh 2K stream so you be right here is the uh 2K stream so you be the judge and from there that takes us the judge and from there that takes us the judge and from there that takes us to our flood light camera you can see to our flood light camera you can see to our flood light camera you can see ridiculous the wide angle 180° here the ridiculous the wide angle 180° here the ridiculous the wide angle 180° here the exact model is the r link Duo flood exact model is the r link Duo flood exact model is the r link Duo flood light Poe and where this currently is I light Poe and where this currently is I light Poe and where this currently is I actually had a really kind of tacky old actually had a really kind of tacky old actually had a really kind of tacky old school flood light ripped that out uh school flood light ripped that out uh school flood light ripped that out uh ended up having to redo some of the ended up having to redo some of the ended up having to redo some of the wiring because it was uh Lord have wiring because it was uh Lord have wiring because it was uh Lord have mercy got all that installed plugged in mercy got all that installed plugged in mercy got all that installed plugged in Poe the flood light itself works great Poe the flood light itself works great Poe the flood light itself works great it's LED lights no issue there and the it's LED lights no issue there and the it's LED lights no issue there and the flood lights actually just use power flood lights actually just use power flood lights actually just use power from Poe so I didn't actually have to to from Poe so I didn't actually have to to from Poe so I didn't actually have to to kind of wire in hard power to it which kind of wire in hard power to it which kind of wire in hard power to it which is awesome but it was nice it came with is awesome but it was nice it came with is awesome but it was nice it came with a little kind of guide to actually drill a little kind of guide to actually drill a little kind of guide to actually drill the holes there's a little mounting

the holes there's a little mounting the holes there's a little mounting plate you just put that on slight it's a plate you just put that on slight it's a plate you just put that on slight it's a pretty straightforward installation pretty straightforward installation pretty straightforward installation process it was no problem at all and process it was no problem at all and process it was no problem at all and plugging it in showed up right away when plugging it in showed up right away when plugging it in showed up right away when I did a land scan and here it is you can I did a land scan and here it is you can I did a land scan and here it is you can see right here it is a super wide see right here it is a super wide see right here it is a super wide display I could go a little smaller if I display I could go a little smaller if I display I could go a little smaller if I want to but for this I do like the want to but for this I do like the want to but for this I do like the bigger quality or the more pixels bigger quality or the more pixels bigger quality or the more pixels because there is definitely a lot more because there is definitely a lot more because there is definitely a lot more being shown you can see if I zoom into being shown you can see if I zoom into being shown you can see if I zoom into this flag here pretty good quality and this flag here pretty good quality and this flag here pretty good quality and it is basically wall to wall so if I go it is basically wall to wall so if I go it is basically wall to wall so if I go over here you could see the entirety of over here you could see the entirety of over here you could see the entirety of the wall here and if I go to the other the wall here and if I go to the other the wall here and if I go to the other side it is a slightly leaning in that side it is a slightly leaning in that side it is a slightly leaning in that direction but you could see the walls direction but you could see the walls direction but you could see the walls right here so I am missing probably right here so I am missing probably right here so I am missing probably about a foot there but I could adjust about a foot there but I could adjust about a foot there but I could adjust that to make it absolutely perfect if I that to make it absolutely perfect if I that to make it absolutely perfect if I wanted to this one of course has motion wanted to this one of course has motion wanted to this one of course has motion detection we do have the flood light detection we do have the flood light detection we do have the flood light settings here and you could set the settings here and you could set the settings here and you could set the smart modes based on how you want the smart modes based on how you want the smart modes based on how you want the light to turn on so it could be uh light to turn on so it could be uh light to turn on so it could be uh instead of all motion you could disable instead of all motion you could disable instead of all motion you could disable like vehicles and pets so if you only like vehicles and pets so if you only like vehicles and pets so if you only wanted it to turn on when it detects a wanted it to turn on when it detects a wanted it to turn on when it detects a person you do have that option or you person you do have that option or you person you do have that option or you can set it in timer mode and kind of can set it in timer mode and kind of can set it in timer mode and kind of change it how you want to from there for change it how you want to from there for change it how you want to from there for audio this does have two-way audio which audio this does have two-way audio which audio this does have two-way audio which is nice and this is a specific model if is nice and this is a specific model if is nice and this is a specific model if you're interested in that for a security you're interested in that for a security you're interested in that for a security camera it's pretty good so out here is camera it's pretty good so out here is camera it's pretty good so out here is the camera that is the solar powered one the camera that is the solar powered one the camera that is the solar powered one again it has that super wide angle view again it has that super wide angle view again it has that super wide angle view so I see basically fence to my so I see basically fence to my so I see basically fence to my neighbor's house in the back kind of neighbor's house in the back kind of neighbor's house in the back kind of dramatic but the coverage is awesome dramatic but the coverage is awesome dramatic but the coverage is awesome which is nice and the battery lasts which is nice and the battery lasts which is nice and the battery lasts absolutely forever to the point that I

absolutely forever to the point that I absolutely forever to the point that I do wish one of the settings which I've do wish one of the settings which I've do wish one of the settings which I've been fighting with and I don't think I been fighting with and I don't think I been fighting with and I don't think I could change it is it automatically could change it is it automatically could change it is it automatically enters standby mode after a certain enters standby mode after a certain enters standby mode after a certain amount of time meaning it needs to have amount of time meaning it needs to have amount of time meaning it needs to have like the mobile app or something open up like the mobile app or something open up like the mobile app or something open up to connect to it to see that live feed to connect to it to see that live feed to connect to it to see that live feed and that does add complications to the and that does add complications to the and that does add complications to the kind of freegate setup that I'm going kind of freegate setup that I'm going kind of freegate setup that I'm going for with this thing and I do get why for with this thing and I do get why for with this thing and I do get why they have that it is a battery camera they have that it is a battery camera they have that it is a battery camera but the battery is good enough that it but the battery is good enough that it but the battery is good enough that it does last and with the solar power it does last and with the solar power it does last and with the solar power it lasts overnight just fine even if that lasts overnight just fine even if that lasts overnight just fine even if that live feed was going I would at least live feed was going I would at least live feed was going I would at least like the opportunity to be able to like the opportunity to be able to like the opportunity to be able to actually test it maybe change the actually test it maybe change the actually test it maybe change the settings so it lasts longer without settings so it lasts longer without settings so it lasts longer without standby mode so on so forth so if you're standby mode so on so forth so if you're standby mode so on so forth so if you're trying to do a setup like I am trying to trying to do a setup like I am trying to trying to do a setup like I am trying to do getting the battery cameras from rink do getting the battery cameras from rink do getting the battery cameras from rink probably isn't the best idea but if probably isn't the best idea but if probably isn't the best idea but if you're somebody who's just going to you're somebody who's just going to you're somebody who's just going to depend on their app for things it it's depend on their app for things it it's depend on their app for things it it's pretty good and of course it does have pretty good and of course it does have pretty good and of course it does have all the other features that the one in all the other features that the one in all the other features that the one in the front has when it comes to the the front has when it comes to the the front has when it comes to the two-way audio really good person car two-way audio really good person car two-way audio really good person car detection things like that but again detection things like that but again detection things like that but again that's another reason why I want it in that's another reason why I want it in that's another reason why I want it in freegate because there are way more freegate because there are way more freegate because there are way more options when it comes to tracking options when it comes to tracking options when it comes to tracking various animals there's even an option various animals there's even an option various animals there's even an option to be able to TCH bird species which is to be able to TCH bird species which is to be able to TCH bird species which is interesting I don't know how well that's interesting I don't know how well that's interesting I don't know how well that's going to work because at least in my going to work because at least in my going to work because at least in my initial testing of free gate without initial testing of free gate without initial testing of free gate without config figuring it too much the uh config figuring it too much the uh config figuring it too much the uh object detection is questionable at best object detection is questionable at best object detection is questionable at best I I can probably make it better but it's I I can probably make it better but it's I I can probably make it better but it's that's a ongoing project so in

that's a ongoing project so in that's a ongoing project so in conclusion when it comes to doing conclusion when it comes to doing conclusion when it comes to doing something that I am trying to do all of something that I am trying to do all of something that I am trying to do all of their power over internet cameras are their power over internet cameras are their power over internet cameras are phenomenal but if you are finding cheap phenomenal but if you are finding cheap phenomenal but if you are finding cheap ones and they were part of a kit do note ones and they were part of a kit do note ones and they were part of a kit do note that you are going to have to have a that you are going to have to have a that you are going to have to have a real link and VR which if that's what real link and VR which if that's what real link and VR which if that's what you want hey there you go you you get a you want hey there you go you you get a you want hey there you go you you get a really affordable setup with that but really affordable setup with that but really affordable setup with that but the power over internet cameras that I the power over internet cameras that I the power over internet cameras that I find myself liking are all about $100 find myself liking are all about $100 find myself liking are all about $100 per which is up there battery cameras per which is up there battery cameras per which is up there battery cameras like I said are perfectly fine if you like I said are perfectly fine if you like I said are perfectly fine if you are going to just be in their app and are going to just be in their app and are going to just be in their app and ecosystem works fine so ultimately I do ecosystem works fine so ultimately I do ecosystem works fine so ultimately I do hope this video has helped you out if hope this video has helped you out if hope this video has helped you out if you're looking into realink cameras do you're looking into realink cameras do you're looking into realink cameras do your research realink seems to uh their your research realink seems to uh their your research realink seems to uh their biggest Pro is also their biggest con as biggest Pro is also their biggest con as biggest Pro is also their biggest con as they have so many different models and they have so many different models and they have so many different models and the various models in the different the various models in the different the various models in the different classes support different features So classes support different features So classes support different features So when you buy a model you have to really when you buy a model you have to really when you buy a model you have to really do your research to figure out it's do your research to figure out it's do your research to figure out it's going to have exactly what you need have going to have exactly what you need have going to have exactly what you need have the uh features and the third- party the uh features and the third- party the uh features and the third- party support that you're going to need so support that you're going to need so support that you're going to need so it's uh something you're going to have it's uh something you're going to have it's uh something you're going to have to research I'll link down below to the to research I'll link down below to the to research I'll link down below to the cameras that I have used with notes on cameras that I have used with notes on cameras that I have used with notes on who they're good for why you should or who they're good for why you should or who they're good for why you should or shouldn't buy it so go ahead check that shouldn't buy it so go ahead check that shouldn't buy it so go ahead check that down below of course they're all down below of course they're all down below of course they're all affiliate links but if you don't want to affiliate links but if you don't want to affiliate links but if you don't want to use my affiliate link just go on their use my affiliate link just go on their use my affiliate link just go on their website look up the model you want want website look up the model you want want website look up the model you want want and life is good with all that I do hope and life is good with all that I do hope and life is good with all that I do hope you have an absolutely beautiful day and you have an absolutely beautiful day and you have an absolutely beautiful day and goodbye