cglaeser

Perhaps you live in an area where power outages are extremely common, and that explains the high number of generators. However, given that you install the more affordable CCTV cameras because IP cameras are far too expensive for the businesses where you live, it's difficult to believe that these same businesses are installing generators because a burglar may cut the power. Best, Christopher

A burglar is not going to cut the power and then come back 12 hours later to rob the place. If a burglar cuts the power, it is far more likely they will be in and out is less than 30 minutes. Providing 30 to 60 minutes of battery backup is relatively inexpensive, and far less expensive than getting a generator. Best, Christopher

OK, thanks. So, if a site does not have a certificate, or if it does have a certificate and your computer is out of date, either way, you just click to ignore, and view the image, right? If you don't trust the site to be who they say it is for what ever reason, just don't enter any private information, right? In other words, no matter the reason for the warning about the certificate, if all you want to do is view an image, this is much ado about nothing, is that right? Best, Christopher

I thought the purpose of a valid security certificate was to warn users so they did not accidentally enter passwords and other private information on the wrong site. What is the potential harm in viewing an image via https on a site that does not have a certificate? Am I missing something? Best, Christopher

Avigilon is a bit pricey, but features, speed, and ease of use are far ahead of the competitors. I have two Avigilon 4 port encoders, a 2MP and a 5MP for a total of 10 cameras running on a $135 Intel Atom (plus memory and drive). The speed with which I can scroll the timeline across the internet is stunning. If you don't have the budget for Avigilon, then don't make the mistake of testing it, because you will wish you were using Avigilon over any other the other solutions. Best, Christopher

It would be a different story on our city. Best, Christopher

Oh, and the domain name that you would use to access your system from the WAN would be something like mydomain.dyndns.org. That domain name will always resolve to your current dynamic IP address. Best, Christopher

Register an account at a dynamic dns provider (I use dyndns.org) and then enable dynamic dns on your router (the one attached to the modem) and enter your dynamic dns user name a password that you registered at the provider. Best, Christopher

You want to spend $7.40 per camera license? Livin' life in the fast lane, eh? Best, Christopher

Any recommendations for a quality IP license plate camera? Best, Christopher

Understood. Apparently, this is easy to do with Mobotix. I've seen a fair number of properly exposed plates. Setting the xx% brightness must do the trick. Best, Christopher

So, when no car is driving by, the scene is underexposed, right? Best, Christopher

What did you do, if anything, to set the exposure? How do you ensure the plate is not under or over exposed given that a fast moving car with headlights at night is a rather difficult scene for a camera to properly expose. Best, Christopher

I've heard both good and bad. Don't know if this is a common failure, but I've been told that when some fail, none of the information on the SSD can be retrieved. It's probably a combination of a maturing technology and vendors to avoid. Best, Christopher

ONVIF is not yet mature and unless the manufacturer has tested the NVR and camera, you really won't know if it will work unless you test it yourself. Both Exacq and Avigilon have demo software. I prefer Avigilon, but Exacq is a good solution if that will work. Best, Christopher

It appears like it may be stuck in color mode. Could be a setting or could be a bad copy of the camera. Another thing to consider is the video encoder. I attached 8 dirt cheap Q See cameras to two Avigilon video encoders, and the images are pretty remarkable for $20 cameras. They look considerably better than when attached to the Q See DVR. Best, Christopher

What do you expect to pay for an enterprise 2TB HDD? Best, Christopher

What is the consensus on installing antivirus software on a stripped down (no games, email, etc) Windows NVR server? Best, Christopher

The specs are fine and the performance is fine too, but installation can be a royal pain. Also, I had to use a Dremel grinder to get full azimuth rotation. Best, Christopher

Are you serious? A three year old malfunctioning junk camera? If I needed a cardboard box, I suppose I could place a bid, and then toss the camera when the package arrives. Best, Christopher

It's surveillance video, not the next blockbuster movie. Depending on the situation, even 15fps is often more than is needed. Ask yourself this question. In terms of preventing or solving a crime, what would 30fps provide that 15fps would not. Also, you seem to be concerned about the cost of a 2TB HDD. 30fps is going to fill up that 500GB HDD pretty quick. Best, Christopher

A few quick comments. - If you are going to add your own hard drive, why 500GB? Get something bigger. - You don't need 30 fps. - If a DIY asks for PTZ, they are usually looking for a fun toy and don't really need it to enhance security. - Regarding your question about a DVR, I prefer using a quality NVR app with IP cameras and/or video encoders for the analog cameras. Best, Christopher

The video is written to another drive(s). I'm referring to the drive for the OS. Best, Christopher

The cameras are $12 Q See junk. The Avigilon on-line training videos will give you a better idea about features. Yes. Contact one of the distributors on this forum for a 30 day key. Yes, the Gateway that is needed to run the mobile apps is $500 per server (the iTunes apps are free). That's one of the reasons I was holding off on the switch. However, some of the other features are so compelling, I think it's worth the extra expense. Well, I know you are always super cost sensitive, so a fast performing top-of-the-line NVR app is likely out of your price range. You should review all the numbers before installing the demo. Otherwise, you may fall in love with a product you can't install. Best, Christopher

This is good advise, and all that is needed, but I also enter the MAC address of the device (e.g. DVR) in the router and map it to that same IP address. I do this for all the devices on my LAN. I use it sort of like documentation. I can open the router and see all the IP address assignments for all the stuff that is attached to my LAN. Best, Christopher