Recommended Cameras

Indoor cameras

WiFi or PoE. Fixed domes — steady, tamper-resistant coverage for classrooms and hallways.

	Budget	Pro
Model	Reolink RLC-520A recommended	Hikvision DS-2CD2143G2-I
Resolution	5MP	4MP
Price	~$35	~$120
Connection	WiFi / PoE	PoE
Night vision	IR	ColorVu (full color)
Audio	2-way	Built-in mic
ONVIF / RTSP	Yes	Yes
Best for	Classrooms, small rooms, home childcare	Hallways, lobbies, elder care

Reolink setup note: RTSP is enabled by default on Reolink cameras — no app toggle required. TinyGuard auto-discovers them on your network within 60 seconds of being powered on.

Outdoor cameras

All PoE. Weatherproof. On-camera person detection reduces false alerts.

	Budget	Mid-range	Pro
Model	Reolink RLC-510A	Amcrest IP8M-2496E	Hikvision DS-2CD2347G2-LU
Resolution	5MP	4K (8MP)	4MP
Price	~$50	~$80	~$140
Connection	PoE	PoE	PoE
Weatherproof	IP66	IP67	IP67
Night vision	IR (100 ft)	IR (98 ft)	ColorVu (full color)
AI on-cam	Person/vehicle	Person/vehicle	Person/vehicle + line crossing
ONVIF / RTSP	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best for	Playgrounds, parking lots	Entry/exit, perimeter	Drop-off zones, elder care courtyards

Cameras that don't work

Cloud-only cameras can't expose a local video stream. It's not a TinyGuard limitation — these manufacturers lock you into their subscription service by design.

Brand	Why not	Use instead
Wyze	No native RTSP. Requires custom firmware flash.	Reolink RLC-520A (~$35)
Ring	Cloud-only. No RTSP, no ONVIF.	Reolink RLC-510A (~$50)
Arlo	Cloud-only. No RTSP, no ONVIF.	Reolink RLC-520A (~$35)
Nest / Google	Cloud-only. Google Home API unstable.	Any ONVIF camera above
Blink	Cloud-only. Amazon ecosystem lock-in.	Reolink RLC-520A (~$35)

WiFi vs PoE

Both work. Here's when each makes sense.

WiFi

InstallationPlug in anywhere

ReliabilitySubject to interference

Cost per camera$30–60

Best forHome childcare, ≤5 cameras

PoE (recommended for 6+)

InstallationRequires Ethernet run

ReliabilityRock solid

Cost per camera$50–140 + cable

Best forCommercial, permanent installs

Real talk: WiFi cameras on congested facility WiFi (tablets, staff phones, check-in kiosks) drop frames and disconnect. Once you cross ~5 cameras, PoE pays for itself in fewer headaches.

Buying guide

Starting from zero? Here's what to buy at three budget levels. All prices include the TinyGuard Pi.

Small — Home childcare

$454 all-in

3× Reolink RLC-520A indoor ($35 ea)
1× Reolink RLC-510A outdoor ($50)
Pi 5 Setup Kit ($299)
1–4 cameras total

Medium — Childcare center

$819 all-in

8× Reolink RLC-520A indoor ($35 ea)
2× Amcrest outdoor ($80 ea)
1× 16-port PoE switch ($80)
Pi 5 Setup Kit ($299)
8–12 cameras total

Large — Center or elder care

$2,000+ all-in

Mix of Hikvision dome + Reolink outdoor
PoE switch(es) ($150–300)
TinyGuard Pro Hub ($450)
20–40 cameras total

Already have cameras?

If your cameras support ONVIF or RTSP, you just need the TinyGuard Pi. Installation takes 15 minutes. If you have an NVR, TinyGuard can pull streams from it too.

NVR Brand	RTSP URL Format	Example (camera 1)
Hikvision	`rtsp://user:pass@ip:554/Streaming/Channels/101`	Channel 1 main = 101, sub = 102
Dahua	`rtsp://user:pass@ip:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0`	subtype=0 = main, 1 = sub
Amcrest	Same as Dahua (OEM)	Same format
Lorex (post-2018)	Same as Dahua (was Dahua-owned)	May vary — check model docs
Uniview	`rtsp://user:pass@ip:554/media/video1`	video1 = camera 1

Sub-stream tip: Pull the sub-stream (720p) for TinyGuard, leave the main stream (1080p/4K) for your NVR's recording. TinyGuard's AV1 transcode makes the sub-stream look excellent even at lower resolution.

What does live video cost?

Every camera is a fixed monthly price set by the retention you pick — no per-GB metering, no overage bills, no volume math. Work out your whole bill right here.

What cameras work with TinyGuard?

Indoor cameras

Outdoor cameras

Cameras that don't work

WiFi vs PoE

WiFi

PoE (recommended for 6+)

Buying guide

Already have cameras?

What does live video cost?

Ready to set up?