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Message
Home security camera question
Posted on 1/13/26 at 4:54 pm
Posted on 1/13/26 at 4:54 pm
My old Lorex system seems to have bit the bullet after 6-7 years. I think the cameras are still good, but I can’t get the DVR to turn on. I’m considering getting a reolink 4 camera system, with an 8 ch DVR from Amazon. Will my Lorex cameras work with a Reolink DVR? I’d only use 2 of the old cameras
1
Posted on 1/13/26 at 6:34 pm to Glock17
Older Lorex PoE is mostly Dahua made and should work with almost any NVR.
If analog and using DVR, then maybe time for full upgrade. I wouldn’t suggest Reolink but most will be fine anyway. Analog DVR or old hybrid DVR/NVR are basically e-waste at this point. Should fine one for price of HDD.
If analog and using DVR, then maybe time for full upgrade. I wouldn’t suggest Reolink but most will be fine anyway. Analog DVR or old hybrid DVR/NVR are basically e-waste at this point. Should fine one for price of HDD.
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 6:59 pm
Posted on 1/13/26 at 6:57 pm to Dallaswho
My current system is POE so I figured doing a system swap will be pretty easy since everything is run already
Posted on 1/13/26 at 7:07 pm to Glock17
Ya I didn’t read your post good enough.
So if you buy a new system, the old cameras will work with it, but the “smart” features like people detection and what not will not be compatible. Unless you’re using a software NVR, then those features are handled on the cameras themselves while a matching NVR can act as a coordinator.
I andvise against going with a set and match lens FOV to your specific needs or buy verafocal lens models if unsure. Only “cheap” that are actually good right now are Andy’s empiretech but I’m not sure what kind of support is available as Dahua just completely left the US a couple weeks ago.
So if you buy a new system, the old cameras will work with it, but the “smart” features like people detection and what not will not be compatible. Unless you’re using a software NVR, then those features are handled on the cameras themselves while a matching NVR can act as a coordinator.
I andvise against going with a set and match lens FOV to your specific needs or buy verafocal lens models if unsure. Only “cheap” that are actually good right now are Andy’s empiretech but I’m not sure what kind of support is available as Dahua just completely left the US a couple weeks ago.
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 7:29 pm
Posted on 1/17/26 at 1:23 pm to Dallaswho
What would you recommend for a new system?
Posted on 1/17/26 at 2:07 pm to ItsBernie
quote:
What would you recommend for a new system?
I’m kind of an enthusiast who spends way too much time on this stuff so I’m saying 100% Dahua/empiretech cameras and software NVR (frigate here). I’ve only had decent stuff for months and already everything in my yard is a sensor writing logs for an AI agent.
If you have the money and want a faster learning curve without giving up quality, then ubiquiti finally got a decent camera line with the unify protect G6 but the you’re locked pretty tightly inside their walled garden.
This post was edited on 1/17/26 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:17 pm to Dallaswho
quote:
If you have the money and want a faster learning curve without giving up quality, then ubiquiti finally got a decent camera line with the unify protect G6 but the you’re locked pretty tightly inside their walled garden.
I second the Ubiquiti stuff. You have to have some basic networking skills. Cameras can be expensive, but they only have 1 wireless camera at the moment and requires access to a wall outlet. I have that 1 camera and 3 other different models that are PoE. I recall reading in some of the documentation that their system can accommodate some other brands of cameras. Once you run all the Ubi switches and router in your environment, setup is so much easier. It's over kill for most, but I like the functionality and I like to tinker since I'm in IT.
This post was edited on 1/21/26 at 11:32 am
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:35 pm to TigerB8
quote:
they only have 1 wireless camera at the moment and requires access to a wall outlet.
All good info, but just wanted to add you can run the g4/g6 instants with POE using a POE/USB C adapter if you don’t have an outlet handy.
If OP really wants to go UniFi for cameras but doesn’t want to go all in on their gateway/ap’s/switches they did start offering the UNVR-Instant kit that includes the NVR/Protect/4 G5 ultra turrets/POE switch.
UNVR-instant kit
This post was edited on 1/20/26 at 1:39 pm
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:49 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Kind of but here is the thing. Ubiquiti is basically Apple on steroids. Once you go Protect, you can't back out. You have to be 100% Protect.
You can't export streams at all without their NVR and you can't realistically export streams even with NVR to anything more useful because they use VBR and the external system won't get any detail that the original Protect camera didn't deem important enough to encode properly. Also, almost nothing is configurable. Can't even rotate 90 degrees without screwing up detection and getting chopped in the UI. Unify Protect is a walled garden, and while a lot of people like it, their only decent exit option is a complete new system.
I would just say proceed with extraordinary caution and due diligence because your capabilities are tightly locked in.
You can't export streams at all without their NVR and you can't realistically export streams even with NVR to anything more useful because they use VBR and the external system won't get any detail that the original Protect camera didn't deem important enough to encode properly. Also, almost nothing is configurable. Can't even rotate 90 degrees without screwing up detection and getting chopped in the UI. Unify Protect is a walled garden, and while a lot of people like it, their only decent exit option is a complete new system.
I would just say proceed with extraordinary caution and due diligence because your capabilities are tightly locked in.
This post was edited on 1/20/26 at 1:54 pm
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