Testing the Waters: First Steps with a New PoE Camera System

As I embarked on the journey to upgrade my home security system, I wanted to share my first step, which served as a test to ensure everything would work seamlessly. After a lot of research, I decided to order the Amcrest 4K 8CH PoE NVR (model NV4108E-A2) and the Amcrest 5MP Turret PoE Camera (model IP5M-T1179EW-28MM).

Setting Up the NVR
The setup began with connecting the NVR to my network switch. I ran an HDMI cable from the NVR to a spare TV I placed in the office for live view and connected the power. Almost immediately, the NVR began to beep incessantly. A quick investigation revealed the cause: the NVR didn't have a hard drive installed. This was not an issue for me because I planned to use my Synology NAS for storage. I quickly disabled the alarm, silencing the beeping.

Connecting the Camera
Next, I unpackaged the PoE camera and connected it to the NVR. The system worked flawlessly and found the camera almost instantly. This was a promising sign that everything was going according to plan.

Integrating with Synology Surveillance
The final step was to log into Synology Surveillance. Since everything was connected to the network, the Synology system quickly found and added the camera. This seamless integration allowed me to view everything without needing a subscription, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for my home security needs.

Conclusion
This first step was more of a test than anything else, but it proved that my chosen components could work together seamlessly. With the NVR connected to my network and spare TV in the office, and the PoE camera up and running, I am now ready to continue expanding and fine-tuning my home security system. The ability to use my Synology NAS for storage and avoid subscription fees is a significant advantage, making this a successful initial test.