mycctv

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I am planning to install a home security cam. but I'm not sure which products to go with. I'd be most interested if someone could point me to a complete system ready to install, or at least buy all the parts from one sourcel. Things I want to have are: ease of use, DVR should start recording when there is motion detected; reliability, quality and parts should work well with long life, and ability to handle weather like snow or rain, etc.; video quality should be high, like if it is burned to DVD, the quality should look DVD quality. clear, sharp, recognizable facial detail. too often I've seen other's home cameras look nice on the monitor, but the recording just looks terrible. Also, I've been trying to find a step by step video on how to install the camera, how to find the best place to mount etc. I only will set up to watch the front door, so it should be very simple. Currently I was looking at: a DVR from worldeyecam, the H.264 High Resolution 4 CH H.264 Stand alone DVR mouse controlled and the worldeyecam MB-530IR36 Weather Proof Day/Night Bullet Security Camera 530TV lines but I don't know the actual quality of the products. Does anyone have experience with these products? What do you recommend? Also, what else is needed to run the security cam and recording the video? Thanks.

I was wondering if security professionals or companies actually use these "spy cam" style products, also are there any spy/mini/micro cameras that can hook up to a dvr? most seem to hook up to a vcr or tv. I found these two websites: [no link] [no link] For those people who use mini cameras for home or business security, what advantages or disadvantages do they have? Thanks.

Thanks Scott, From the confidence and knowledge of your words, are you a security professional? Currently we only need 1 camera, but a dvr's ability to add more is helpful. so 4 camera or 8 camera dvr is ok, as long as it can meet the specified quality. we'd rather have fewer cameras first, rather than buy one with 8 or 16, then have those other cameras just lying around. So, IP camera is plug and play, I've been looking into that too. but i worry about the maintainance of windows os, (i've had the experience of needing to restart windows at least a few times a week), because my family doesn't know about computers, and wouldn't be able to tell if they need to restart windows because it got stuck, or if they restart it and it wasn't recording properly, how to use the keyboard, etc. so that's why we want a standalone system, that can be reliable without worry. and if some un tech savy person isn't there, they can use it easily. How do I find your email address? posting on this forum is ok. otherwise you can email me: noel@nc-games.com

Thanks Scott, The specs of the system is what I am looking for, but if you could recommend a different system of similar or better quality or a better price then I'd definitely take a look! I'm not hooked on worldeyecam, but shopping around I haven't yet seen a system that is similar or better in it's specs. I'm still novice so there is probably some companies I have overlooked. Also, yes we don't need ptz (just today I finally figured out what ptz means), but it seems the higher quality dvr all have ptz controls? The reason I don't want an IP cam, is mainly because I need to set up a network and computer. My family, who is going to have the cam, is not computer literate and don't have time to learn how to use one. I would definitely rather have an overkill system with crystal clear clarity than one that would barely have recognizable people with blurry or pixelized faces. Spending around 1000-1500 is acceptable if the product is worth it, but of course spending less for a great system is still best. As you mentioned, a non ptz DVR will cost less, so I will look into that, and hope you have some suggestions for me. Thanks everyone. I'd say what you've picked out not only covers what you're looking for but is like killing a fly with rocket launcher. I'm not saying don't get it! Whatever makes you happy and comfortable with your choice is the most important thing, however I'm sure if you did a bit more searching you could easily find what your looking for 1/2 the price you're going to pay for that system. I'll take a look around for you if you want, even though I can't offer what you want, I'd have no problem helping you pick out a system that will cover what you want and not empty your wallet. I do have to ask though, how stuck are you on the worldeyecams? It's also a shame that you don't want to consider IP cameras because with the right software you could literally set up an 4 camera system that does everything you want it to for less than $1200....depending on the cameras you pick. Right now you're looking at spending 1200+ and, from what I've seen and priced out, you'll only be getting the dvr and 1 WG4-HPV540 for that price. The DVR you picked tops out at over 1000. It does look like a good DVR, judging by the specs, and I know its what you WANT but is it what you NEED? You have to realize the difference or you're going to get strung out to dry on the price. For instance, if you have no need for a system that can pan, tilt or zoom you need to stear clear of systems that offer this function. Why spend 1000 on a dvr that has pzt controls built in when you can buy a similar dvr, with no built in pzt controls, for 500 less? Also, and this isn't to discredit anyone, but more of a "heads up"....personally I'd steer clear of buying from organizations that registered at a forum in order to respond to my post with an offering from their site especially when they were refered by someone that joined just to respond to that same post. At least check out the site, though, as it may have what you need...but I wouldn't put to much stock into that referal!

After researching a little more I'm looking at these components: WJS-4RTA Enterprise Class Digital Video Recorder * Hardware & Performance H.264 Hardware Compression * Pentaplex - Live/Playback/Record/Backup/Remote Access * Embedded Linux RTOS for reliability * High Performance Embedded Microprocessor and Texas Instruments DSPs for performance * Real-Time Record at 2CIF * Can be configured for 15 FPS/channel record at 4CIF (D1) * Sync'd Audio on all channels * VOIP * 2 USB 2.0 Ports - 1 for mouse, 1 for USB HDD, CDRW, DVDRW, flash drive backup * Internal DVD-RW writer * 6 SATA Hard Drives Bays, even with DVD-RW installed * VGA Monitor Output * Spot Monitor Output (not available on 4ch model) * 10/100 Network Interface WG4-HPV540 SONY HQ1 540 TV LINES Sony Super HADTM Technology • 1/3-Inch Format CCD Sensor • Digital Signal Processing • 540 Max TV Lines Resolution • 0 Lux Infrared Sensitivity • 36 High Powered LED Illuminators • External Adjustable Varifocal Lens • DC Auto Iris Drive • Automatic Gain Control (AGC) • Automatic White Balance • IP66 Weatherproof Rating • Integral Feedthrough Mount Included Sensor Type 1/3-inch Sony Super HADTM CCD Effective Pixels 768 (H) x 494 (V) Scanning System 2:1 Interlace Horizontal Resolution Color: 540 TV Line Iris Control Auto CCD Shutter Speed 1/60 - 1/10,000 second Auto Iris DC Minimum Illumination 0 lux:LED On, 1.0 (F/1.2):LED off S/N Ratio >48dB Automatic Gain Control Auto Electronic Shutter Control Auto White Balance Mode Auto White Balance Range 3200 ~ 10000 oK Sync Type Internal Signal Processing Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Gamma Correction 0.45 Video Output 1.0Vp-p(Sync, Negative), 75 ohms IR Range 30M 35o And cables and power supply I'm not too knowledgable in deciphering the technical data. So, from these specs, do you think it will match the criteria I was looking for? Thanks.

Hi I took a look at that website, most of those systmes seem to have lower horizontal scanlines than what I was looking for.

Thanks this is very informative. As for the system I'm looking at, so far I think this will be good (My posts are too few so I'm not allowed to add urls yet, but typing these in the search will pull up those products.): a DVR from worldeyecam, the H.264 High Resolution 4 CH H.264 Stand alone DVR mouse controlled Wired Camera--and the worldeyecam MB-530IR36 Weather Proof Day/Night Bullet Security Camera 530TV lines Wireless Camera-- WEC 24GHZ Wireless Color Infrared Audio Security Camera or IP7152 Vivotek Progressive Scan CCD Network Camera Day/Night Varifocal Lens - Wireless For the IP Cameras, does it have to hook into another computer... or can I hook it to a dvr for direct recording? And from the specifications, can you tell whether or not they have battery pack for the wireless cam? [/b]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know there was an IP camera. Looking into that, is there a good battery operated wireless IP camera? Also, if using an IP camera, does that mean the computer is always on and recording? Could my neighbor's get the wireless signal and view the camera too? Edit: Searching about IP cameras, and thinking about running the computer all the time, and possibility of virus or hacker damaging the files, it will be more cost effective for me to run a standalone system. later I may add additional cameras. If I get a wireless camera, I see there's a power adapter, are there battery packs available? I'm thinking if I have a wireless camera that can operate on a battery, I don't have to drill all the way thru the wall and fiddle with wires to get the camera working. just mount it and go. So, do you think that the equipment sold by worldeyecam is reliable and worth the money? will the quality be good enough... also, for the installation side, to watch the front door, where is the best place to mount the cam so i can also get a clear view of the visitor's face? What tools are generally needed to install a camera, and how much time is normal to do it? Thanks again for everyone's help.

Thanks for the link, but there's too many models to choose from... Which ones in specific will match what I'm looking for? High quality (like DVD quality) video, and reliable? I've been looking around this forum and was reading about scanlines as being important when choosing a DVR and camera and also compression codec... Which DVR has the highest quality codec, I don't want to lose video fidelity when recording? How many scanlines will provide DVD or better quality? Does anyone have a screenshot or image sample they can post so I can see which model is good?