SK

If not a Pi, try to go for those (used)mini PCs, they will allow you a bit more power than a Pi and cost just about the same. Then get docker on it and you’re all set for easy deployments.

And look up homelab youtubers, they have some good tutorials for beginners. thats where i started. Jim’s garage would be my recommendation, especially his older videos about hardware, security and networking basics. You will need to learn these to keep things secure.

I use homeassistant with frigate. detection, alerts and recording, it supports it all and the mobile client is useful to monitor it remotely.