I use both Reolink & Vigi for many years. So far - zero failure. Just make sure you get that high endurance SD card.

Here's my active CCTVs

2 units Reolink C1 Pro (no longer available)
3 units Reolink E1 Pro
2 units Reolink E1
1 unit Reolink RLC-410W (outdoor)

1 unit TP-Link Vigi C340

3 units TP-Link Tapo C225
1 unit TP-Link Tapo C325WB (outdoor)

1 unit TP-Link Vigi 8 channel NVR (outdoor)

Installed at my houses and my parents' house.

FYI, I like Tapo App is the best (Android). Quick to load and stream the video feed. Slowest app load is Reolink one. Vigi app - in between.

I'm slowly changing to Tapo when it's due. Single app.

This post has been edited by haturaya: May 7 2024, 06:49 PM

Yup. Tapo always load & stream video faster (Android).

I didn't use PoE. Just plain WiFi.

TP-Link Tapo C325WB - use WiFi too.

Vigi NVR sits on my wired network + TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi.

Very simple setups, nothing fancy. Primary goal to keep track of my cats (my house) and keep track of my 80++ years old parents.

This post has been edited by haturaya: May 7 2024, 07:21 PM

Won't go wrong with this model. Reasonably priced.


Tapi / VIGI AI detection is better / more accurate than Xiaomi. Less false alarm.

Having an NVR is not about indoor / outdoor, it's about having a recorded footage copy outside of your CCTV. Your needs may vary. It's to safeguard the recording when you need it. One copy in CCTV, one copy in NVR.

As for resolution, 4mp is good enough, but it also depends on camera angle and distance. You have to test. For example, my outdoor one, looking out from first floor towards road in front of my house. Can't see the car plate, too small. It's far away.

I hope that's gives you some insight.

VIGI - it's for commercial use. The one you're looking for is wired setup. You have to do the wirings.

No need SD card. The recording will go direct to wired NVR. No harm to have both.

Tapo - consumer grade from TP-Link
Vigi - commercial grade from TP-Link, slightly more expensive.

I've use both. Need different apps to manage Tapo & Vigi.

At the moment I use 7 Tapo CCTVs (3 outdoors, 4 indoors). I've ditch Vigi one. Sticking to one app. I have unused VIGI NVR1008H (8-Channels NVR) sitting doing nothing.

NVR can be both wireless and wired. I used VIGI NVR1008H before. 7 CCTV, all wireless. Go with wireless. easier to relocate.

As for wired. a CAT5E is more than enough. Normally CCTV needs only 100bmps speed only.

Tapo C225 - 2K QHD 4MP (2688×1520 px)
Tapo C520WS and Tapo C325WB - 2K QHD 4MP (2560 × 1440 px)

NVR - 3.5 SATA hdd. Can use NAS hdd or CCTV hdd. Should be okay for 24 x 7 operation. No issue. Overwrite is no issue. It will take months to be overwritten. Huge storage. HDD - no issue with overwriting data. No degradation like SSD.

This post has been edited by haturaya: Oct 28 2025, 11:44 AM

Tapo hubs - need 2.5" hdd. No cheap NAS / CCTV grade hard disk available. But can always use good SSD.

VIGI NVR1008H is for wireless only. No direct UTP connection to the CCTV. You need to have a network switch / router. I've use it before. Can playback any recording remotely. No issue.