i like secure and only you can access your footage and not the camera maker or hackers

what do you like

Getting a local security camera setup is kind of a pain but do able. Look into the self hosted software Frigate and go with their recommended brands.

I have a positive experience with Reolink. Not connected to internet at all currently.

Not sure if I will. If I do, will definitely try some firewall stuff. Another part of me is considering not connecting the NVR itself, but taking the video stream from the HDMI and somehow making it so I can see that stream from anywhere. Would miss out on alerts that way though.

Nearly any decent PoE camera. I prefer Ubiquiti and Reolink. With PoE cameras you can control (with a firewall) what gets egress to the outside network. Block egress for every camera. Can even go one step further and block them internally but allow only certain ports needed, like 554 for RTSP and 80/443 for management.

I have zero trust in companies so i prefer
flashing open source firmware on poe cameras,
using open source nvr to record,
Cameras are all on a no-internet vlan,
One way firewall rule to view from my main vlan,
Vpn to my house to view remotely.

nice

I like generic lan-only rtsp poe cameras that are additionally blocked from accessing anything but the box that receives the streams.