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Show HN: CheapSecurity – Lightweight, Self-Hosted CCTV for Linux SBCs

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Why This Matters

CheapSecurity offers an affordable, privacy-centric CCTV solution that leverages existing Linux-based hardware, making home surveillance accessible and customizable. Its lightweight design ensures efficient operation on low-power devices, providing users full control over their video data without relying on cloud services. This approach enhances privacy, reduces costs, and simplifies deployment for tech-savvy consumers and enthusiasts.

Key Takeaways

CheapSecurity

This project provides a lightweight, self-hosted CCTV solution designed for Linux-based single-board computers (SBCs) and standard USB webcams. It offers an affordable, privacy-focused alternative for home monitoring by keeping your video data entirely under your control. Project Philosophy

Privacy-First: By storing all footage locally, this system eliminates the need for third-party cloud subscriptions and ensures your data never leaves your network.

Cost-Effective: Leverage existing hardware—such as a spare Linux board and a USB webcam—to build a fully functional surveillance system without recurring fees.

Minimalist Architecture: The software is optimized to run efficiently on low-power devices, ensuring high performance even on entry-level hardware.

Key Features

Hardware Agnostic: Highly compatible with a wide range of standard USB webcams.

Resource Efficient: Optimized specifically for Linux-based boards (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, or similar SBCs).

Data Sovereignty: Full control over your storage path, retention policies, and access methods.

Simple Deployment: Designed for quick setup and easy maintenance.

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