Hello! This forum has been a fantastic resource for information and guidance on how to get a DVR. Here's what I specifically need:
8-9 channels, but expandability would be appreciated- meaning a 16 channel DVR would be excellent. 480FPS for 30fps recording on all channels if needed. Remote and online access. Removable hard drive or multiple hard drive slots. Pentaplex so that we can view, record and access online at the same time. As high a capture resolution as possible (storage is not a problem, I can get plenty of hard drives)
Here's some other preferred features if possible:
H.264 for nicer, reliable compression. D1 (which I believe is the higher resoluton recording) is available
Before doing proper research, the Sentinel3 system from Defender USA looked to be sufficient. But it is a Simplex system, has a low recording resolution, and has a low shared FPS.
I then found a Q-See system, the QSTD501616C-500, which has room for up to 5 hard drives, has eSATA support, and from what I can tell comes with some nice cameras.
I also looked into getting a DVR card, but getting one that can record at 30FPS per channel as well as building a system, purchasing cameras and cables and getting a power supply for the cameras, it just didn't seem to be worth it, especially as a PC would provide it's own troubles and variables, like operating system updates and other things that may put it out of commission.
The Q-See system at list price from Costco for ~$2100 is breaking the roof of my budget. Any guidance or help is greatly appreciated, especially if from a brand that will get the job done that I am previously unfamiliar with for less than the Q-See.