Running cctv off a 4g router

[mobileweld]

Hi has anybody got a system like this? I’d like 3 cameras that record and am able to view from an app. The internet already slow at the farm so would be running from a 4g router if that is possible. The router would be solely for the cameras.

just wondering if that’s possible and if anyone else has done the same

 

[rollestonpark]

better asking in the computer IT section...

You'd probably need an unlimited 4G connection which could be around £35/month depending on which provider.
check which network is strong on 4G at your location. Maybe do an odd speedtest: speedtest.net

It's do able, but if your living on site, could you manage without viewing it remotely? ie have a backup NVR onsite doing the recording, then view via wifi when onsite / in the farmhouse etc?
Thus no remote connection needed. You can still look through old recordings whilst onsite, and view live whilst on the site wifi.

If your thinking of a monthly 4G contract, maybe use the 4G for the site as a whole? Cameras, farmhouse, Office etc and get rid of the old connection to save money?
a word of warning depending on the load on your local phone mast, speed on 4G can vary wildly from great to crap, depending on time of day usage.

 

[Farmer 059]

Easy enough to do as long as 4g signal is strong. Worth speaking to Farmstream - had excellent cameras from them and some are 4G, work of a phone app anywhere in the world - very pleased!

 

[Nearly]

Running 4 cameras and 3 cottages on 4G. Mast is only 1/3 mile away though.

 

[mobileweld]

What cameras are those please nearly?

 

[Nearly]

Hik vision.
Front yard, back yard, calving shed ptz and end of drive.

 

[Netherfield]

Hik vision.
Front yard, back yard, calving shed ptz and end of drive.

What are they like in the dark?

 

[Nearly]

Good visibility. Black and white.
One at end of drive has built in led light so colour all the time.

 

[Courier]

These guys have a good range ..

Home 4G/5G installations, Networking, Building to Building WiFi, Fibre - solwise.co.uk | Solwise Ltd

www.solwise.co.uk

 

[zyklon]

You don’t need a monthly sub for a 4G camera setup. I have installed numerous systems and most SIM cards are a one of payment of £25/£50 per year. What a lot of people fail to notice is most networks don’t count upload data as part of your data allowance. When you remote view, Your download data isn’t deducted.

I‘ve been using EE pre paid cards now for the past 5 years in Hikvision/Dahua systems and no data has been used.

For recording, stick to NVR. I have used SDCard setups in the past but reliability is a problem.

Use ColorVu Hikvision cameras or Dahula equivalent for yard monitoring. Gives full colour viewing in the dark than the old black/white/greyscale cameras.

 

[Rookie]

The problem Ive had running camera's off my 4g router is that most 4g providers dont use a static IP address, unlike a landline / fibre internet.
I can access camera's from my fibre connection at home ok but in order to access when Im out in the fields via 4g I need to use a VPN in order to view ?
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has to do the same.

 

[sant2468]

i suggest you look at "camera sim card" or wireless camera via google or amazon. u can get some cameras were the battery can last over a year

 

[zyklon]

The problem Ive had running camera's off my 4g router is that most 4g providers dont use a static IP address, unlike a landline / fibre internet.
I can access camera's from my fibre connection at home ok but in order to access when Im out in the fields via 4g I need to use a VPN in order to view ?
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has to do the same.

Hikvision and Dahua use a cloud based system such as Hik-Connect for Hikvision which gets around the 4G issue.

 

[mobileweld]

Have chosen a set up. It’s the same as a neighbour has and recommended it. Tapo? Cameras. And an EE router. He has his up and running nearly a year no issues. seemed clear picture and simple to use ect and he was able to rewind a few weeks too.
Thanks everyone

 

[sant2468]

Have chosen a set up. It’s the same as a neighbour has and recommended it. Tapo? Cameras. And an EE router. He has his up and running nearly a year no issues. seemed clear picture and simple to use ect and he was able to rewind a few weeks too.
Thanks everyone

Sounds good ... you may also want to check that the camera has AI detection ... it can detect the difference between a person and animals etc

 

[zyklon]

Have chosen a set up. It’s the same as a neighbour has and recommended it. Tapo? Cameras. And an EE router. He has his up and running nearly a year no issues. seemed clear picture and simple to use ect and he was able to rewind a few weeks too.
Thanks everyone

They are just a basic camera setup for the home user. Probably do your job but nowhere close to a professional system such as Dahua or Hikvision. Biggest downfall with kits like that is their poor performance at night.

 

[rollestonpark]

The problem Ive had running camera's off my 4g router is that most 4g providers dont use a static IP address, unlike a landline / fibre internet.
I can access camera's from my fibre connection at home ok but in order to access when Im out in the fields via 4g I need to use a VPN in order to view ?
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has to do the same.

So you could have a cloud system as already mentioned. (if that's available on you camera system).
But 4G internet uses ' CGNAT ' so you can't remote into your network when out and about.
If your 4G router supports something like zerotier , then this can be used for free, to get around the issue.

Effectively your router joins a private network at zerotier using a type of dial out VPN. Then you use your phone with the zerotier app to VPN to the same network (at zerotier).
Thus they can exchange data. It's like a cloud LAN or virtual LAN.

It's not without it's drawbacks, but I use it to remote access machines on the farm when I'm away. (since I use starlink and that also is CGNAT unfortunately)

 

[TheTallGuy]

Have chosen a set up. It’s the same as a neighbour has and recommended it. Tapo? Cameras. And an EE router. He has his up and running nearly a year no issues. seemed clear picture and simple to use ect and he was able to rewind a few weeks too.
Thanks everyone

I have a couple of Tapo cameras in the house and they're okay, nothing special. Occasionally one camera drops out despite only being a few feet away from the router. Recording is to an SD card in the camera, so if a thief grabs the camera then you loose the footage.

 

[mobileweld]

I think they will be ok for what I need. It’s not a big modern farm yard with lots happening, just a small family unit a few barns. Just be nice to keep an eye on things. The cameras will be mounted up on buildings well out of reach.
Will see how they perform anyway