Birdman Adam

No, using cat5+baluns gives perfect quality when installed properly (which is easy). It actually works at farther distances than coax. It is easier to install, and cheaper. CNB is certainly not low-end stuff... Maybe in terms of price only. I'm sure Samsung makes good cameras. When the ceiling is a drop-ceiling with tiles, I'd forget about using vandal-resistant domes. Kinda pointless. Save a bunch of money and go with indoor domes (I've used CNB's DBM-24VF). DON'T skimp on the recorder!! Get a nice 16-ch unit that can do at least 7.5FPS per channel at full D1...

I'd say this is the place!! I would suggest the Samsungs, but sounds like they are out of your price range: http://www.samsung-security.com/en/products/video-recording-and-management/dvr/16-channel.aspx Honestly, it sounds like $1200 is low for a 16-ch DVR that can do even just 7.5FPS per channel @ D1. I'd expect to pay ~$1200 for an 8-ch DVR that can do 30FPS per channel @D1... The Avermedia DVR you suggested can do up to 15FPS per channel @D1. This will be fine for most all applications.

Sure, it will work. My driveway camera (repurposed camcorder) is set up like this now. Its fine, just slightly ugly. And yes - if you don't turn off the IR it will make the image unusable because it will reflect on the window.

I think an IR extender would work. All they should do is receive IR on one end and play it back almost instantly on the other end. You could also just use some cat5 or something and extend those three pins, then stick the receiver anywhere you want.

Haven't used QVIS but I can definitely recommend the CNBs.

If you just want to know when someone's in the driveway, then a boxed BJ's DVR will probably be fine. If you want to identify that person, then get a more substantial DVR.

Yea, the SRD-830D can only do ~3.75 FPS when set for D1 on all 8 channels. This is probably unacceptable for a gas station, I'd bet you want at LEAST 5, preferably 10-15. Maybe go for the SRD-850DC (next step up), it will give you ~7.5 FPS when set for D1 on all channels. It only cost ~100-200 more. I would go ahead and get the SRD-870DC and set all channels to 15FPS@D1, it can do up to 30FPS per channel! If all of the cameras will be inside, you can save some money and go with DBM-24VFs (indoor dome) instead of the vandal-dome version.

Definitely check out Samsung's series of DVRs. I installed one and will be getting another for my place soon. They are very well-built, solid DVRs: http://www.samsung-security.com/en/products/video-recording-and-management.aspx Spec sheet for one I've used (SRD-870DC): http://www.samsung-security.com/SAMSUNG/upload/Product_Specifications/SRD-870DC-Specifications.pdf Can be controlled/viewed from Android and iPhone smartphones, as well as over an internet browser (Active-x is used, so IE only). They have a very nice program to connect in Windows called Smartviewer. Look through my thread in my signature for all sorts of info on this DVR!

Bluecherry makes good generic cards for use with any Linux software. They are supported by V4L & V4L2 - so they are plug&play.

To make it even more confusing, the standards are different for NTSC and PAL systems...

Yea, use VGA. Or better yet, if your DVR & monitor supports it - HDMI! The quality will be way better...

It would be very helpful if you were to upload some video or at least images of this. During night when the IR is on, it is not unusual to see little specks floating about.

So sounds like you have a fair bit of light everywhere? My choices would be a Samsung DVR & CNB cameras. I'd use cat5 cable with baluns to run video. Cameras can be powered with a couple pairs as well from a main 8-ch PSU. If audio is needed I would run microphones to wherever they are needed and connect to the DVR & associate to certain video channels. With this you should be able to come in right around $2k. Maybe a bit more.

It should be fine as long as you have the proper lens to zoom in on the driveway.

Dunno why they do that - I always see box cameras in housings... Personally, I would always rather install a vandal-dome. Much more secure. I've never had screws 'get tight'. Low light performance all depends on optics, the sensor, and DSP, & probably some other things... Get a true day/night camera. I love CNB's Monalisa line. Lots of pictures around here of them. Now box cameras do have an advantage in that you can install all sorts of fancy lenses. For example, watching a driveway, you may want a 5-50mm lens. can't easily do that with domes! Nothing wrong with IR, just that visible light will always produce a better image. good low-light cameras will work very well with IR.

Zoneminder works great, but be prepared to put in some work to get it right. I've found this to be typical with many free things in linux. Make sure you have a good capture card, preferably with only 2 cameras per chip (so you can get at least 5FPS). Bluecherry makes good cards. If I was in your situation, I would just buy a standalone DVR.

With BNC connectors, the center pin is the video, and the outer shell is the shield/ground. So yellow wire would be connected to the center, black to ground. Black is also used as ground for power (this is indicative of cheap cameras). Not sure how you should really go about doing this... I would probably open up the balun and solder the yellow to the center-pin connection and black to ground inside the balun. Yea its a 'hack' way to go, but what else can you do when you just have wires!

Judging by the IR LED count, I'd say its good for more like 40' (comparing to what I have). Both of the suggested cameras will be great for your scenario.

If you've got the money (don't think about comparing it to analog prices), you will love IP megapixel cameras. Others can suggest what to get for that... The wide shot is useless except for overview, the tighter shot on the car is fairly good. Certainly a better DVR would improve the situation some, but I would possibly play with the placement of your cameras - in particular really honing in on what you need to see. For example, if you need to see the face of someone at that far car in the wide shot, get a camera with a 5-50mm lens and zoom it in, and some tight IR so you can have a good shot.

CIF resolution is ~1/4 of full D1 (720x480). Stay away from CIF, the low resolution is useless unless people stick their faces right into the camera...lol 4CIF or D1 is great. If you are taking out the equipment, make sure to haggle that price down as said before! Heater are not required unless your lows are consistently below -20 degrees Fahrenheit. To use indoor cameras outside, yes you need an enclosure. They can be had for ~$40. If you are fine with your outdoor bullets right now, no need for housings.

What kind of answer is that?? My main concern would be the DVR, HDDs are getting old, fans getting old, etc. Cameras ought to be fine, Samsung is a good brand.

Nope, but I love Tiger Direct! (And Newegg!) What does this device do??

CCD all the way! You will be disappointed with boxed systems once you have a real system. Check out my thread in my signature for what I used. CNB vandal-domes with a Samsung SRD-870DC DVR. CNB offers great price, and the quality beats many more expensive cameras. I used models VCM-24VF and DBM-24VF. Don't think twice about 4-channel, just buy an 8-channel.

Yes, it is normal. It means the person has not opened them yet.

I think it would be really cool if the high TVL of today's cameras (say 750x650) could actually be recorded, for no extra cost (other than buying a new recorder). What exactly IS the resolution limit of NTSC analog signals??