[mikestew]

If you're looking specifically for cameras, go get some Foscams, and use something, anything but the software that comes with them. I use a Synology NAS that can talk to cameras, but there are tons of other options that can talk to generic cameras. The only time the cameras have any interaction with the internet is when the Synology decides to send the stream to my phone. As far as the cameras know, there is no internet.

And if you dig around and aren't all that choosy on features, you can often find Foscams on close out or otherwise dirt cheap. Some I have were $35, with panning; no optical zoom at that price, though.