cglaeser

When selecting among Low, Medium, High, and Maximum in the Change Display Quality dialog box, which resources are impacted? When increasing the display quality, does this a) increase the processing at the server, b) increase the bandwidth requirements between client and server, c) increase the processing at the client? If the processing is done at the client, and assuming H.264 and not MJPEG, can this processing be done by a high-performance video card on the client? Best, Christopher

Understood. I don't use maximum. I'm trying to understand what resources are affected. If the camera generates two streams, how are the four settings (low, medium, high, maximum) generated? Does the server send a subset of a stream to reduce the bandwidth? Is it possible for the server to strip off some of the high res information from a stream to reduce WAN bandwidth? Best, Christopher

Yes. The install was done yesterday and I exchanged email with the installer today. There is a new Avigilon rep in our area and the installer is meeting with him on Monday. I just signed off on another project that will use a 5MP 9mm-22mm bullet for the community clubhouse, and now I'm a bit worried about the ability to pull focus. Should I be? Best, Christopher

WAN.

I studied the crime patterns in this area before designing my security system. I've lived in this neighborhood fourteen years and have been neighborhood watch captain for about six. In all that time I don't recall one auto burglary in this neighborhood during the day. There were possibly a couple I don't know about, but they are extremely rare in this neighborhood. The home burglaries are typically during the day and the auto burglaries are typically at night. I have other outdoor sensors activated during the day (e.g. both side gates, mail box, etc). The foot paths are used all day by residents, so I turn off those zones during the day. I should also mention I have two alarm systems, one (the typical home security system) is monitored and the other is essentially a voice chime for all the outdoor sensors. During the day, the only outdoor sensors that are active are the ones very close to the house (driveway, front door, mail box). Then at night, I extend the range to several hundred feet. Best, Christopher

I have two Optex VX-402 in the my driveway, one facing across the driveway and the other facing down the driveway, and I never get a false alarm at night. Never, ever. We live near woods and there are many feral cats, racoons, and skunks, and they do not trigger them. I have an Optex SIP-100 that is aimed at a footpath that is 280' from the house. This PIR has three zones; a long range zone, a medium zone, and a tamper zone. The sensitivity adjustments on this unit are excellent. The highest sensitivity can detect a cat at 330 feet, but the adjustments are very precise and you can adjust the sensitivity so that small animals will not trigger it and people will. A large stag will walk through the area a couple times a year and he can trigger the PIR, but I'm essentially peering into woods. The Crow DD have excellent reviews as well, though I have not used them myself. In summary, if you select a quality PIR, it is possible to detect people and ignore animals at night. If you have large bushes and trees that can blow in the wind, this may be a challenge during the day (due to sun IR bouncing off the leaves) but will not be a problem at night. Best, Christopher

Thanks for the quick response. I don't need and don't use Maximum, but sometimes I have to drop from High (default) to Medium due to lagging responsiveness. What resource(s) would I need to increase so that I can leave the quality set to High with better responsiveness? Faster processor on the server? Faster processor on the client? Increased WAN bandwidth? Given that the client is more responsive some days compared to others, I'm guessing it is the WAN. Best, Christopher

Hey, I know those guys. I often refer to them as "the two dudes." They are in countless Youtube videos. Several years ago they would always appear in low quality analog video. Today they often appear in megapixel video. Even so, it's often shot at night, the lighting is too low for recognition, so they are seldom apprehended. I have fourteen burglary arrests in the last four years. Sure, I too have megapixel cameras, but the trick is to add outdoor motion sensors. If you had installed outdoor motion sensors that alert you when someone walks in your yard at 2 am, you could have watched the burglary live on your monitor while talking to the police dispatcher.

I was also disappointed to see Avigilon replace the JPEG2000 video encoders with H.264. I understand the decision to focus on the reduced bandwidth. Just wish there was the option to select either format. Best, Christopher

Day and night samples from the Avigilon bullet. fYl6xz1bQzY OPrCrQeFtMs

I have used the 9V Optex wireless PIR. They are designed to work with a wireless alarm such as Inovonics. The PIR runs about a year on a 9V. Best, Christopher

Actually, crime is extremely low in Pleasanton, which is one reason why residents commonly leave valuables in unlocked cars. My numbers are high because I'm very good at catching auto burglars.

I installed one on my home several years ago. It's fabulous. It can detect a cat at 300' in total darkness. The sensitivity is adjustable so you can dial it in to alarm on people and not small animals. I have fourteen arrests, mostly for auto burglary, and about half were the results of a 2 am early warning of that one device. I know they are coming before they get to my neighbor's house. By the time they get to my my house, I'm watching them on video while talking to dispatch.

Yes, you could be right. However, given the performance of the Messoa (which can read a front license plate at 200 feet while masking headlights), it's worth a test. FWIW, I live in California where the modern license plates are retro-reflective. Best, Christopher

Excellent. The 2MP is also WDR. A 2MP/5MP comparison of vehicle headlights, taillights, and license plates at night would be much appreciated. Best, Christopher

Thanks, Michael, I appreciate the feedback. I would love to see a comparison, but I know you prefer the 5MP over the 3MP, even for LP, so I'll take your recommendation and go with the 5MP. One quick question. Do you think I can pull plates at 170 feet at night with the 5MP when fully zoomed to 22, or is that expecting too much? The Messoas are working great at night at that distance, so if the 5MP can only cover daytime that's OK, but it would be nice if I could pull plates day/night at 170 feet with the Aviligon by itself. Best, Christopher

Do you have either of the 3MP or 5MP bullets? The 3MP has WDR and the 5MP does not. I would love to see a comparison of vehicle headlights/taillights/license plates of these two cameras at night. Best, Christopher

I was in a local battery shop yesterday and they had a small display of Redline flashlights made by Nebo. They look like some of the Surefire models. Uses an LED and claims 220 lumens. It has three power settings, and several flash modes. It is constructed from aircraft aluminum and the beam is focusable. I expected a price of perhaps $55, but when he said $25, I had to get one. I played with it last night and this little sucker is nice. The AAA batteries can be replaced with Eneloops for recharging and slow discharge rate. Best, Christopher

If you are an installer, then you are right, they are dropping the ball. I saw the ex-rep for our area recently. He was working insane hours and quit. He is now working at a new job and loving it. I don't think he has been replaced yet. That said, I can get any Avigilon camera(s) or software I want, and I'm a DIY, so I'm sure you can get pricing etc if you persist. FWIW, I love both the cameras and the software, so I think it's worth the effort. Best, Christopher

Are you an installer? Where do you live? Best, Christopher

They establish supply channels. Have you reviewed Avigilon's stellar growth? Best, Christopher

What cameras do you stock now? What is the total value of your current inventory of cameras? I don't know any installer who stocks cameras in the $1,000 range for future installations. Best, Christopher

I think a better solution would be to purchase defective cameras on this forum for cheap and place those in obvious locations, and use covert cameras to capture the act of vandalism. Best, Christopher

Here is a good location to test the 3MP vs 5MP. Uscin-9Yd0M

Thanks. A king must know these things. Best, Christopher