bpzle

Just thought of another idea that probably makes more sense... Use that wall plate that soundy and I mentioned (didnt realize we both posted it before). Then get maybe a 4-6 inch wide by X long heat shrink. You'd probably have to cut the BNC connectors off before you fished it through the heat shrink. This would give you that extra tidy "single cable" look. Or just do what I do and use that wall plate with lots and lots of black zip ties. I like to fancey myself as an artistic cable dresser.

Check this out: http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Connectors-Adapters/Video-Cables/VGA-Cables/TecNec-Cables-Connectors/D15HDM-5B-3.xhtml http://www.markertek.com/Patchbays-Wallplates/Wall-Plates-Accessories/TecNec-Panels-Wall-Plates/WPL-1189.xhtml The only problem with this setup is you can only consolidate 5 coax cables into 1 vga. You'd need 4 vga cables...

I don't know how much signal you would loose from all the connections... But you could get a VGA wall plate (male on each side) and maybe order a couple replacement breakouts/ pigtails for a DVR card like Geo Vision. I've never checked, but surely they sell them. Use a vga extension cord to extend the breakout to the DVR. Again, you may get some noise from all those connections... Wait, I just remember they sell VGA to BNC pig tails. Check MarkerTek.com They would have them. You'd probably have to check the pin outs....

SOME of that noise looks like it's because your taking a picture with a digital camera of a computer screen...

Do you use software or a browser based client? What port do you view each?

Here ya go: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18548&highlight=sliced+bread

So I have NO experience with your crap ebay purchase... However, I have seen weird issues with motherboards and windows not recognizing PCIe devices. You might check with Dell's site and see if there is a BIOS update for your mother board. I had that issue with a name brand card and a brand new Dell Vostro.... Just an idea to get your setup working with no more money invested. OR you can upgrade to a decent card. The AverMedia NV5000 would be a good choice. I would NOT buy from Ebay though... to many scammers and pirated/ re branded CRAP.

I've never used SSDs. Still too expensive for me. But then again, I hear what your saying... time IS money and running around replacing HDs is a big waste. About your problem with replacing a lot of HDs... what make/model have you been using? Are you consistently using the same? Also, when I build a PC based system I NEVER store video to the same hard disc as the OS and server software. It's saved me many times to keep the "video" drives separate from the important, hard to set back up stuff. In my opinion, when your writing to a hard disc 24/7 it's a matter of WHEN not IF that it will fail.

Interesting project... any luck yet?

Well if you put 3 party hard drives in the Dell you void the warranty. I have a job with 1 (5MP) 1 (1.3MP) and 4 (D1) cameras recording on motion and 3 (1.3MP) recording 24/7. All of them are outdoors except one D1 and 1 (1.3MP) and I get over 9 days of storage with one 1TB. Also that price for the Atom box that I build is with Windows. Exacq runs great on Linux so you can take that price down to $470 with a TB drive in it. This is just from my experience and what I would recommend. The dell is a fine solution too. What Dell doesn't know won't hurt them. The drives they would use are probably the same you'd get locally for cheap... The drives come with their own warranty. Often much longer than the standard warranties from Dell... I wouldn't sweat it. As far as the storage... Ok, I believe you. Honestly, you have way more experience with megapixel than I do! I still would recommend more than a TB though as I always try to encourage more than a month of storage, regardless of the setup. Just my preference. I am curious which codecs, quality, and FPS you used though...

BTW- I'd have to check LuxRiot's site for compatibility... but I bet you could use your old PC to run just the 3 cams. Just buy the 4 cam license from LuxRiot, 3 cams, and cheapo POE switch, couple hard drives, and BOOM your done! Maybe $3,500 US retail?

I'm thinking 5 will be overkill... you'd definitely get great angles but dang! Then that changes things a bit... Cams: (1) ACM-1231. Front porch? Misc tight shot? (2) AV5155DN. IR Flood: (1) XA-IR240 to help with light in the front of the house CPU: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=brcwc0p&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&kc=desktop-vostro-420 Gigabit card probably not necessary. Hard drives: Get from anywhere. just make sure they have high RPM and cache. I would get at least 3tb. The Vostro will fit them nicely. Switch: http://www.amazon.com/8-PORT-Switch-unmanaged-802-3AF-Ports/dp/B000LO69AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257627354&sr=8-1 Software: VideoInsight's IPSv4-4. 4 camera license and server software only. To save cash you could probably still go with the 4 camera license of LuxRiot... That will put you probably at maybe $5-6k (US) retail depending on what you want.

For the Actis... I was thinking one in the backyard and one on each side of the house (if its not a row house). It it is a row house, then maybe one on the porch, another in the backyard, and one misc in the front for some sort of tight shot? Idk... plenty to play with and room to grow!

That vostro is like $600 shipped with an LCD monitor!!! Why would you pay more for less and get an atom processor? Junk! Computers are so cheap these days... Why not get a good one??? And as far as the storage... I like more than 7 days (probably not realistic with 3 1.3mp cams and 2 5mp cams on 1tb) recording archive... I travel a lot and having a month or more is a must for me. Not to mention you can research someone scoping out your property a few weeks before something happened. Hard drives are cheap too! If your investing $4k in cameras... what's a couple hundred bucks in hard drives! Rubish!

What's that you say? Flexible and growing budget? Alright!!! Now we're talking! Ok, here's what I'd get... Cams: (3) ACM-1231 these for good coverage all around the house. (2) AV5155DN for front coverage IR Flood: (1) XA-IR240 to help with light in the front of the house CPU: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=brcwc0p&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&kc=desktop-vostro-420 may also want to buy a cheap aftermarket gigabit card to help with the bandwidth coming into the CPU. Hard drives: Get from anywhere. just make sure they have high RPM and cache. I would get at least 5tb. The Vostro will fit them nicely. Switch: http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-FS726TP-ProSafe-Switch-Gigabit/dp/B0009WRU8O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257620730&sr=8-4 Software: VideoInsight's IPSv4-8. 8 camera license and server software only. To save cash you could probably still go with the 8 camera liscense of LuxRiot... That will put you probably at maybe $7-8k (US) retail. Expensive, but you asked! It would arguably be a pretty decent setup without going too crazy... I expect to hear some nay sayers on the switch but I've had good luck with them and for a residential setup, I don't see the need to shell out cash on a Cisco.

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Yea..... it's up on a pole so can't do much about it now till he adds more cameras and I have the lift again. It is really hard to focus the camera with your laptop in your hand on the lift. You need to be in a dark room so you can see the image really well. You could have borrowed Death's gown and played covered wagon with the laptop!

Nice example the wire guys! Is that Death by the snow plow? Creepy!

Check these tools out: http://www.arecontvision.com/sales-tools.html Bandwidth/ storage calculators. Also pixel density calculators that will help you figure out how to get the results you want. Like facial recognition or plate ID. Question though... have you thought about what type of software you'll be using to record? Will you still utilize your old analog cameras, maybe else where around the house? If you plan on recording both analog cameras and these new IP cameras you will need whats commonly known as a "hybrid" solution. These are usually bundled with a analog capture card and recording software capable of recording IP cameras simultaneously. The only problem is that most of these systems are very picky about the type of CPUs they will work in... Or if you want to record just your new IP cameras, then this will just be a simple recording software. LuxRiot seems to have a broad range of IP camera support, including the 5155 and it's fairly inexpensive. If your planning on just recording the IP cams, then running just the LuxRiot software should be fine on your existing PC. You will definitely need to add hard drive space though. Whatever you have I guarantee is not enough. Megapixel cameras eat storage like candy... Check out the storage calculator on the above link

I have a 16 camera install coming up. I’m going to have a mix of analog, IP, and IP megapixel cameras. Q1:You guys have suggestions for a POE switch? I was looking at using the Netgear FS726TP. What I like about it is it has 12 ports with POE , 10 regular 10/100, and 2 gigabit ports. Q2: Since the Netgear switch has 2 gigabit ports, I was thinking about adding a gigabit network card to the NVR I’m going to use. Do you think it would help speed things up for the NVR or would it be a waste of cash? My goal is to have the highest possible fps for the megapixel cameras I’ll be using. I know this will eat up bandwidth faster than anything I’ve been around before, so I figured it sure couldn't hurt.

I smell a spammer!!! Watchya sellin there son? Go ahead and tell me so we can kick you off!

I know what you mean about Arecont's still and video samples... Their not realistic camera angles. Most look like they're mounted on the hood of a car... who does that?? Yes the stills and video are from their cameras, but they don't specify which model. They just say "here's a 3mp example" or here's a "5mp sample". Does any one have realistic and similar FOV setup with the AV5155? If not, let me get a hold of my supplier and maybe I can have them setup a demo for you from their office on Monday... I may even order one of these myself for the simple fact I NEED sample footage in order to sell them. I've had a few clients in the past that probably would have pulled the trigger if I only had decent quality samples.... To answer your question, no I don't believe there is a cheaper 5mp solution. The only cheaper comparable solution I'm aware of is getting a "box camera" and a weather proof enclosure. But, by the time you buy a weatherproof housing and a lens you'd probably only save a hundred (US) dollars. Plus you would end up with HUGE gody looking cameras. Arecont really has the market cornered on quality outdoor 5mp domes. Maybe MegapixelMan knows different?? I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in yet.

There arn't any. Dump the client. lol!

I recently tested the ACM 3511 that you mentioned... Great camera for the price, but the internal IRs I think are this camera's weak point. This isn't uncommon for cameras with integrated IRs. It handled much better with an external IR flood and for that, you might as well get the 3511's equivalent, without IR: 3411. Also note that for your application, neither would probably be ideal even with an external IR flood. They are indoor only domes, not weatherproof.

Good choice going IP... I think to capture the detail you were looking for it would mean getting higher end analog cameras and adding lots of them. Check out the AV5155DN. It's a 5mp camera giving you optimal facial and license plate recognition. I know you wouldn't be disappointed. Only 2 of these bad boys and you'd probably capture the detail your looking for... You'll need an IR flood to accompany the cameras though...