LC475

so, IP cameras, one computer, multiple remote screens. You could just use a VGA distribution amplifier like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EO0YJ4/ref=mp_s_a_1?tag=gpse-20&qid=1275362754&sr=8-1 ... as long as you just need the same thing to be shown on all the 21" screens and the workstation. Just plug the distribution amplifier into the workstation, and all the 4 monitors run off of it. If you need different pictures on each screen, e.g. cameras 1-4 on screen 1, camera 5 on screen 2, cameras 6-16 on screen 3, then you'll need a computer with a fairly good video card, at least good enough to drive those 4 monitors, and you split things up how you want them on the different screens. Or if you want to keep the workstation separate from the rest of it, get a second cheap used computer for $100 and use it (along with the VGA distribution box) as your "video matrix". I could be entirely misunderstanding what you're trying to do. Anyway, good luck!

It's just established businesses trying to cartelize the market and prevent new entrants into "their" market as much as possible. The State of NJ needing to steal more wealth to fund their ongoing operations also plays a role, of course.

Hello, everyone! Please enjoy me telling you a long story of my life and then asking a question. Once upon a time, I fixed a problem for a motel owner's PC-based DVR system. Then he decided I should advise him on what DVR system to buy for the next motel he wanted to DVR-ify. And install it. So I did. This second system has had various problems and just not been real stable and reliable, nor easy to use. All in all it has been a disappointment. Now, a couple years later, we're moving on to the third motel. I want it to turn out splendidly. My criteria for the DVR software are: 1) Not be lousy -- good interface 2) Good internet remote access. Ideally, I'd like to be able to adjust recording quality/resolution and over-the-internet-sending quality/reslution independently. I know at least one software can do this, as I remember seeing it mentioned some web page a few weeks ago. Also, a good transmitting codec -- I'm thinking here of H.264 because I've had good experience with it. 2a) Audio that is actually usable while listening over the internet, as op pos ed t o ... ch...o...p...p...y ...be...y...o...nd... ...a..ll... ...ho...pe... of... ...us...a...b..i...l..it...y. It seems like this should be easy. Just send the video with some buffering mechanism, like Youtube or every other video watching service around. Wait for the buffer to get ahead of you (the bar to fill up), then you can watch whatever you want even over dialup, with perfect smoothness and quality, no choppiness. Can DVR software makers not figure this out? Perhaps some have and you guys could let me know which ones have. 2b) Very easy and intuitive to download and save video onto the remote computer. Everything for the customer intuitive and easy. 2c) I like the idea of LuxRiot that "all functions, without exceptions may be accessed both locally and remotely". Do other programs have that? Anyway, I could go on and on. To cut myself short, the main way the customer uses these things (or wants to use them, if I could get it working beautifully for him) is to check in on what's going on (spy on the employees, figure out "where'd the missing money from the safe go", etc.) remotely over the internet. So nice internet access is a big priority. Currently, the two existing systems are: * a BlackBox.Net system from Netrome ( http://www.netromesystems.com/ -- out of business?). Card described as "Netrome SBB Device (AM7116 & PCI Bridge)" in Device Manager, * a Korean system. The software is pretty private about its identity, but I found a clue to suggest it's "S2", whatever that means, and it saves things as VDB. I think it is one of these Conexent 878 generic cards. Now I would love to replace the junky BlackBox and S2 software with whatever software is on the DVR we decide to use on motel #3, so all three motels can join hands in one Grand Unified Theory of motel surveillance. So, my question: I am wondering, (like so many others), what is the most awesomely great software for my application? I have read through all the FAQ pages and some other threads, and it looks like maybe this LuxRiot is good, or maybe go1984, or... who knows! Plug your software! Be opinionated! The motel owner went to India and his cousin had a Geovision system and he was very impressed by it (how much better it was than his), so that's a prime candidate in my mind. My second question: can I install some different software, like Geovision, on the two existing systems? I mean, can I buy the software and install it instead of the cludge softwares, or does a particular card only work with a particular software, meaning we need to buy whole new cards? Mostly, is anyone's software capable of working with the Netrome card? I think the generic one it sounds like I'll be able to find something for. Does Geovision work for generic cards?

Looked up ACTi. Aha, they're hardware boxes, not a software. So, am I to understand that converting the RG59 cameras into IP cameras via some sort of hardware device like ACTi is the best bet for allowing me to pick and choose from a variety of software independent of hardware and find something great? The "analog" cards (the kind with BNC connectors) are only compatible with their specific software? Is that right? Thanks, LC475

Price: $10,000 (not incl. installation) for a 16 camera system PC 1, Netrome: 2.66Ghz Celeron, 512 MB RAM, 32-bit Vista PC 2, Korea: 2.0Ghz Celeron, 512 MB, XP. So yes, the PCs are low-end, I know. For a few grand, I could get some sweet i7 machines and stick a geovision card in each. But is Geovision a high-quality, top-end software? If not, what is? Also, understand that though I am not a DVR guy, I am a computer guy. I can change those OSes, upgrade those RAMs, no problem. So that is no barrier. Note there are no IP cameras in any of this. Just non-IP, hooked to capture cards. Talking to PalmVid, Mace (formerly Exxis), and others, I've found boxes for 2,000, 1,000, and even 700. But I want this system to be awesome, and ideally to switch the other two to the same awesome software. We're willing to spend money, the thing is you don't always get what you pay for if you don't know the field. Last time, by spending some extra money, all I ended up doing was... spending some extra money, more than I should have. I could've got a (probably) better system with a better warrantee for cheaper had I just gone for low price alone. That's why I need some advice from some men with experience in this area. Otherwise, I know nothing but my own limited research and what the salesmen tell me. Not a good position to be in.