I installed a video surveillance system about a year and a half ago and only considered hard wired Ethernet due to some cheap devices that can render a wireless system useless. I bought a $15 device to test that claim and it really worked killing my neighborhood watch leads wireless cameras and Ring doorbell, with her permission of course. I walked up her driveway and into her house past all the cameras and all her video stuff went completely stupid. So no wireless for me.
With that I went with Reolink, one of a thousand companies that make this stuff. Their equipment is well made, very affordable and very scalable to your needs. It has a 2TB hard drive and each camera has adjustable sized areas within the screen that can be used for record start or the DVR can notify you via email or other means when there is activity in a designated area. The POE for the cameras comes right from the DVR, so no extra hardware is needed.
I have prior experience with other higher end commercial systems from Toshiba but they require some knowledge accessing your home router to open ports so the system can be accessed from the outside, etc. The Reolink is very cool where there is a bar code on the DVR and after you download the app, you point your phone camera at the bar code and it sets everything up for you including a secure tunnel to the DVR. I also tried to access and hack the Reolink system within my home LAN and it has its own firewall that seems to be impenetrable, so I don't think anyone from the outside could ever gain access to the DVR or what's coming off your cameras.
There are many companies selling Reolink on Ebay but I kept shopping until I found the actual Reolink company selling on Ebay. Here is a generic add for an 8 camera Reolink DVR with 4 cameras but if you shop around you should find the same thing from Reolink for less $$.
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 4k Ultra HD Poe Security Camera System 4pcs Wired 8mp Outdoor IP Cameras 8 Chann at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
Update:
I found the ad from Reolink, 8 camera DVR with four 4MP cameras for $333 with free shipping. This is exactly what I started with then added more cameras later and some with zoom function.
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Reolink RLK8-410B4 8-Channel 5MP/4MP PoE Security Camera System at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com