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Doug VanFlag for Canada

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A recording security camera that will work without WiFi or Internet connection

I am looking for an indoor security camera that will work in a location that will not have access to Internet or a WiFi network.

Furthermore, the camera will need to record video, on motion detection, and store to a SSD memory. Downloading the video should be possible via a local hotspot connection with an Android or iPhone.

The Problem: This may seem like easy requirements but I am tested about five cameras now and found that all of them require a WiFi connection to operate. :(  
The one camera that works without WiFi is an inexpensive "hidden camera" model: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PQK9LKJ 
Unfortunately, this camera isn't acceptable for my requirements. Why? Mostly because the field of view is extremely narrow (about 90 degrees or less).

I think that a solution to this question will help others because I am confident that I'm not the only person who has a need for a recording security camera in a location without WiFi or any form of Internet connection.

My requirements:
- Must be a dedicated single-use security camera.
- Must be designed to be wall mountable.
- At least 720p but higher resolution is better.
- Dome type configuration is ideal.
- Must be a single stand-alone camera with a power (AC or DC) connector.
- The field of view should be about 110 degrees. Although, I suspect that 110 degrees may be a 4K resolution camera (acceptable as long as it's under $250)
- SD memory storage (at least 32GB).
- Cell phone app to download captured video, stored on SSD.
- Ideally, include security so that an "admin" needs to log in in order to download video captures.
- Ideally, under $250.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions, but please don't suggest:
- A custom Raspberry PI solution.
- Repurposing another camera, such as a cell phone. Thanks ZeropointNRG - I hadn't considered that as a possible suggestion :)
- Adding a WiFi connection
- Pulling the SD card out to download the videos. The camera is going to be installed in a location that will be difficult to physically access.
- That such a camera doesn't exist (they do and I am sure that I just need someone with personal experience with a particular camera)

:)
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ZeropointNRG
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Edward Snowden made an app called Haven that turns your phone into a security camera...Scroll down to read about it.

It turns any phone or tablet (Androids) into a security camera. It has motion detection, heat detection, breath on it and it records, move the phone of tablet and it records it can do all the internet stuff, like send warnings alerts etc, but it can do this without internet and it records to memory...

So grab yourself some really cheap second hand phones and try it out! xD
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ASKER

Ha ha...

Although that sounds cool, and I will likely look at it... for curiosity sake, a phone isn't suitable for my application.

It must be a dedicated security camera that will operate 24/7. :)

Thanks.
No problem :)
I would suggest you look at the Phylink camera model PLC-325PW/PLC-335PW
While they are capable of wireless network attachment, they also have an ethernet connection.  
While they are capable of internet / cloud support, they should be usable entirely without using that capability.
They aren't expensive.
They have a Micro SD capability - which these days can be as large as 1TB and will support continuous recording they say.

They can record autonomously and be reviewed with suitable control interfacing.
(They have TWO modes which weren't obvious to me at first.  One mode allows you to monitor the camera in real time over the network - but it won't allow you to adjust the settings.  The other mode will allow the settings to be adjusted but requires there be a computer on the network and not just a passive monitor).

I believe the field of view requirement will be harder to achieve in an off-the-shelf surveillance camera but I would certainly ask about lenses.
Also, with the price of these, attaching 2 or 3 of them together to increase the field of view may seem a bit hokey but could do the job.
Thank you, Fred!

The Phylink PLC-233W might be a winner. My only disappointment is the 90 degree field of view. :(

>Also, with the price of these, attaching 2 or 3 of them together to increase the field of view may seem a bit hokey but could do the job.

Yeah, that would be hokey. LOL  I would rather just be disappointed with the lessor field of view. Lens attachments "might" work but in my experience, the quality is usually unacceptably degraded.

I will wait to see if there are other candidates before I purchase one to test.

Thank you. :)
have you ever looked at an image with a wide field of view i.e. fish-eye lens.  One buys enough cameras to cover the area required.
Thanks for the reminder, David.

I edited my criteria. I am unsure how I missed that. 140 degrees was excessive. I changed it to 110 degrees as ideal. Even then, I might need to settle for 90 degrees. I have found a few at 110 degrees, but they have 4K resolution, which is fine if all the other criteria are met.

The greater field of view is desirable b/c I have a limited mounting area, and I need to capture as much of a small room as possible.
140 isn't excessive especially when we have 360 degree cameras xD
So far, my possible candidates are:
(I prefer Amazon because they make it super easy to return if the item fails to meet my expectations)

https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-1920TVL-Security-Wireless-IP2M-841B
https://www.amazon.com/Phylink-Wireless-Security-Surveillance-PLC-233W (Thanks Fred!)
https://www.amazon.com/ICAMI-Security-Camera-Wireless-Surveuillance

I am sharing this to give you an idea about what I am looking for. :)

But before I purchase, I will need to contact each of the manufacturers.
ZeropointNRG:
>140 isn't excessive especially when we have 360 degree cameras xD

But those 360 degree cameras are really 2x180 or 4x 90 degree cameras with real-time software/firmware stitching. I have never seen a really high resolution 360 degree camera.

But higher field of view always results in less detail.
And still, it's 360 degrees, covering more area = less cameras xD And there are 4k versions too and night vision to 200 feet.
Thanks ZeopointNRG,

But still not a solution for my application. I only require a maximum of about 110 degrees of recording field.  :)
Yeah I know bud ;) BUT! BUT! BUT! On sale! I

I love this one...I know you don't want it I just want you to see it's awesomeness!
https://www.cctvsecuritypros.com/security-cameras/by-type-of-camera/while-supplies-last-4mp-ip-ptz-camera-with-12x-optical-zoom/
I didn't say to ask about lens attachments but, rather, lenses... I have no idea.
Hi Fred,

>I didn't say to ask about lens attachments but, rather, lenses... I have no idea.

Yes. I understood that. Most of these commodity cameras do not have interchangeable lenses. The "baked in" lens is usually configured specifically for the resolution of the small imaging chip.
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Doug Van
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