LoneWolf

Thanks scorpion. Yes, plan on recording 24/7. Standard drives fail quick under these demands so I guess the question is are the enterprise class drives better than the "made for DVR" drives. There isn't too that mch of a cost difference when you consider the big picture.

I need to replace the hard drives in some exisitng DVR's mostly due to their age. The DVR's are Webgate's and also a Samsung. Replacing them is easy but what typeof drive do you reccomend? I was told that the Seagate SV series drives are good as they were desgined for DVR use. They cost only slightly more than a standard drive. The other option I though of is to purchase enterprise level drives like the Hitachi AK drives.At about twice the cost they are built like tanks and are designed for heavy use. The drives that were in the machines are just standard drives, so I don't even know that the extra money and effort is worth it. Any thoughts or suggestions? Kevin

Here are the specs of the $700 DVR, he is giving us a "deal" because we are a 501©3 non profit. Video System NTSC / PAL (auto detection) Video Compression Format H.264 Video Input 16 Channels. Composite video signal 1 Vp-p 75? BNC Video Loop Out 16 Channels. Composite video signal 1 Vp-p 75? BNC Video Output Main Monitor BNC Output: Composite video signal 1 Vp-p 75? BNC Call Monitor BNC Output: Composite video signal 1 Vp-p 75? BNC Main Monitor VGA Output: for LCD or Computer Monitor up to 1600/1200 Maximum Recording Rate (Frame) 120 IPS @ 720×480 pixels / 100 IPS @ 720×576 pixels Maximum Recording Rate (Field) 240 IPS @ 720×240 pixels / 200 IPS @ 720×288 pixels Maximum Recording Rate (CIF) 480 IPS @ 352×240 pixels / 400 IPS @ 352×288 pixels Adjustable Recording Speed Frame: 120,60,30, 15, 7, 3 IPS / 100,50,25, 12, 6, 3 IPS Field: 240,120,60, 30, 15, 7 IPS / 200,100,50, 25, 12,6 IPS CIF: 480,240,120, 60, 30, 15 IPS / 400,200,100, 50, 25, 12 IPS Multilingual OSD Yes Image Quality Setting Supper Best, Best, Normal and Basic Hard Disk Storage Accommodate Up to 2 SATA Hard Drive. HDD Quick Cleaning Quick clean up the "index system" of the recorded files. 3 TB under 2 seconds Recording Mode Manual / Timer / Motion / Alarm / Remote Refresh Rate ( Live View) 480 IPS for NTSC / 400 IPS for PAL Audio I/O 4 audio input, 2 audio output (Mono) with Audio over internet I'm not always good at comparison shopping, so I am going to look up the Avermedia specs and compare. Oh and here is a pic of the rear of the Digital Watchdog we have. I do hear you about buying outdated technology, I'm just trying to justify the expense in our situation.

Ok guys, I 've got the dogs taken care of and tore apart the closet (rats nest as I call it) and pulled the DVR. It is as I said, but I took photos of it. It looks nothing like the current model. It does not have audio. I could get by with just 3 or 4 audio ports. How does the audio work in monitoring? Do you hear all the audio inputs at once or do you hear the audio with each channel or what? Also, one of my volunteers works next to a CCTV installer and told me he can get me an AVTECH 16 channel DVR with Audio and 1tb for $700. Or, if I want something better he can get a similarly configured SPECO for $900. Remember we are on a big time budget, so I am not looking for enterprise reliability. I looked up AVtech and they seem to be similar to many of the models out today just in a different box. They all seem to be made in Korea or Taiwan. Oh, and I do not need IP camera integration, too expensive for our needs right now.

Ok guys, I'm at the kennel now and pulled the DVR out to take a look, I didn't remember audio, but looked again based on what you all said. I'm right, there are no audio ports whatsoever. Perhaps this is an older generation of a current model? I might call Kelco on monday and ask, but this definetly does not have any audio ports. There are BNC 16 inputs and loops for cameras, a VGA port and two BNC video outs. Lots of alarm points and PTZ control stuff, but no RCA jacks . So looks like a new DVR..?

Hello All- I need some help and advice for upgrading and exisiting system. I run a small Kennel operation for animal rescue and have a system to monitor the animals for both security and so I can check on them during the hours when I can't be there. Currently, I have 10 cameras, 6 outsidide and 4 inside. All of the outside cameras are box style low lux, 1/3 sony CCD type and the image quality is sufficient for what I need. The inside cameras are cheaper dome style and the image quality isn't great, and backlighting is always an issue. My current DVR is a Digital Watchdog, the model says DW-ZA-16Pro-120. I don't know if its a current model or not as it is about 3-4 years old and we purchased it used at that time. From my understanding it is a pretty good DVR, and I've never had any issues with it. I think it uses JPEG2000 but I am unsure of all the detailed specs because I don't know if it is a current model or not. My big problem is audio. The DVR I have does not do audio and I need to be able to have that function to hear whats going on with the dogs. I also would like to add some better dome cameras inside, ones that might do better with the backlighting coming from the windows above the indoor runs. I'm afraid I might need a new DVR to handle audio, unless someone knows a way to add it to the exisiting unit. Money is tight as we are a non-profit, so I've been looking at what is available on Ebay and know nothing of the brands and models out there. Do any of you have any suggestions on an inexpensive good quality 16chanel DVR that can do sound? How good is and how sensitive is the sound quality? What about indoor dome cameras? Thanks so much, Kevin