BoneHeadGolf

Thanks again Soundy... Not sure how to operate the Navco 8520-16 DVR, certainly didn't work the way I thought it would/should. So now I'm looking for Navco 8520-16 DVR User Guides. Was not able for find anything to download from the Navco web site. I spoke to someone at Navco, not sure if it was a technical person becuase they didn't seem all that technical during our conversation. They basically sent me a 1 page fax for a different model with tips on how to record onto a DVD. Basically, no help there, may try to call again. Had a recent setback at the site before we had a chance to pull our cables. We suspect some water may have breeched the underground conduit and will drag some chamoises or rags through to determine how much and overall condition before we pull cables. If we have conncerns with future water collection problems in the underground conduit, should that influence our decision to use UTP vs. Coax? I'm thinking that can't be too good for the cables during the winter months if the water freezes, not sure which would have a greater tolerance. Any advise? Thanks, BHG

Does anyone have an electronic copy of a Navco 8520-16 DVR User Guide or know where I can download one? Couldn't find one on the Navco web site. Thanks, BHG

Hi Brittany - I sent you an email. Thanks, BHG

You 'da man Soundy... I scored big, got a great price... FREE " title="Applause" /> They were going to destroy this stuff anyway because it was EOL and couldn't be redeployed. I had the same thought to use the DVRs for a short time but they're too noisy for an office. I guess I could find a secure closet for the DVR and extend the video output and PTZ controller to the office where the LCD monitor is located . Speaking of LCD monitors, what's best for these DVRs, an LCD TV w/ tunner or a LCD monitor like we use with our computer? Also, what size (i.e. 19", 21") and format (i.e. standard or widescreen) do you find to work best if I would typically display 8 camera outputs? Those Pelco DF5 domes look interesting but you bring up a great point that they're not D/N. I thought to use the BNC barrel connector but wasn't sure how much signal loss (if any) there would be. Last question (for now ), what's the word on CNB Outdoor Speed Dome PTZ camera, any first hand experience, price/performance value...? Just gotta pull the trigger soon and pick a direction, will keep you informed. Thanks again for your input and feedback.

Hi Soundy, thanks for the last reply and as always, very informative. BTW, I was able to get a whole bunch of Pelco CCC1370H-2 and Navco 4850 block cams along with (2) Navco 8520-16 DVRs and (2) 24VAC fused Pelco MSC16-10E PSUs from a decommissioned project. Some of the stuff is pretty old but it works; probably good stuff back then. The fans in the 7-yr old DVRs are too noisy for our application, not sure if that's normal for that unit or if replacement fans will do the trick. I'm hesitant to use that DVR because of it's age, can't find an Owners Mannual or much information about this unit online JIC I need support in the future. As for the cams, not sure if they make dome enclosures (prefered for my application) for those Pelco & Navco brick cams however I may be able to use them indoors where a dome is not needed. If you (or others) don't mind, I have some more questions... Q1) Any idea spec and quality wise how these Pelco & Navco cameras compare to the CNB VBM-24VF? Q2) Although I'm not crazy about the siamese coax home-run option I previous mentioned, I was wondering if the 24VAC Pelco MSC16-10E PSU could drive those or CNB cams located max. 400 ft. without too much power dropoff? Q3) If I pull extra siamese coax for future use, do I leave the coax as-is or should I terminate the run? Q4) Is there a clean way to "extend" the extra siamese coax run I pulled to the shack location if I need to add a camera; if so, how? Best Regards, BHG

Is anyone familiar with a Navco 8520-16 DVR? I looked on the Navco web site for a User Guide but couldn't find one, was hoping to get the following information... Can I access the DVR over a LAN or Internet connection? What functionality would I get with Navco Retrieval Software? Thanks!

Thanks again Soundy for that detailed response. It's greatly appreciated! I think I'm becoming a fan of these CNB cameras as well without even seeing their performance yet. However, one of the CCTV installers wanted to use some comparably priced LT Security TDN cameras that he's used in the past. Do you (or any one else) have any first hand experience with LT Security cameras (>500TVL) in terms of performance, reliability, implementation and company support? Regards, BHG

Soundy - Thanks so much for the prompt, detailed and very helpful response. " title="Applause" /> It's good to have many of my thoughts (and over thoughts) validated while I approach this challenge. Good idea! In fact, I had thought of something very similar which would have been a hybrid approach to my hub and spoke option "C". I have a couple of cameras that NEED to be surface mounted and didn't want to use ugly surface mounted backboxes to hide the balun and didn't think the balun would fit in the base of the dome. So, I thought of using a 4ch Video UTP transceiver (4 x BNC female to 1 x RJ45) where the UTP enter each building and run siamese to each camera and the DVR. If I wanted to eliminate the use of a punchblock to demarc my "tie" cable and camera runs, could I just beanie-crimp the Video pairs in the 24VAC PSU enclosure assuming there's space in there or would that cause interference with the video signal? I think someone may have asked this once before but couldn't find the answers... Q1) What's the difference between the CNB VBM-24VF and VBM-24VD and and when would I use one camera over the other? Q2) Similar but different question, other than the surface mount, what's the difference between the CNB VBM-24VF and VCM-24VF and would a Muxlab 500023 Mini Balun fit in the base of either dome camera? Q3) For my indoor and outdoor locations that have some ambient lighting, would you recommend a VBM-24VF or something like CNB V2815NVR? edited.. Q4) Does anyone know if these CNB dome cameras mentioned above are weatherproof and can they be mounted outside with NY weather? If so, do they require special mounts for horizontal or vertical positions? Thanks all for your feedback, it's greatly appreciated! Regards, BHG

Full Disclosure... I'm a Newb and this is my first post after reading tons of great information on this forum. I volunteer a lot of my time to a non-profit youth activities organization in different roles and capacities (i.e. coaching, field maintenance, IT support, web stuff, etc.). The organization recently purchased a Snack Shack trailer for our ball-fields and would like to implement an affordable CCTV solution that would ensure the safety of our Snack Shack occupants and patrons while protecting the new investment from vandalism. A Clubhouse located approx. 330 ft. from the Snack Shack will host a DVR and several cameras as well. We have an onsite licensed electrician and IT Network resource (me) that will assist with implementation, configuration and troubleshooting of cameras, software and networks to reduce time and expense implementing the CCTV solution. I did a walk-thru of my site and requirements with three different local CCTV installers and each had different recommendations, provided contradicting information and non-detailed quotes after which I was more confused than when I started. My challenge is to sort through the requirements (see below) and decide which vendor and architecture I can build with on a limited budget without implementing a junky solution. Hopefully, the knowledgable folks on this forum could help me gain some clarity. Here's is a brain dump of what I’m trying to accomplish, any feedback to my questions below would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. Goals: * Monitor and record people entering/exiting the snack shack trailer and clubhouse facilities. Total facial recognition is not required. These are not high-risk areas. * Monitor and record internal/external snack shack and clubhouse activity * Deter vandalism and potential for product and/or monetary loss * Minimize expense where possible via donation, material at cost and DIY resources Camera Locations: * Snack Shack located approx. 330 ft. from clubhouse: (4) cameras total (2-indoor dome, 1-outdoor dome, 1-outdoor PTZ) * Clubhouse: (4) cameras total (3-indoor dome, 1-outdoor dome) Camera Requirements: * Ability to record full motion video images in day/low/no-light, auto iris, vari-focal lens with built-in video motion detection * (5) Indoor Vari-focal/day-night or IR/vandal-proof/>500 TVL dome cameras (budget about $100-$150/camera) * (2) Outdoor Vari-focal/day-night or IR/weather-proof/vandal-proof/>500 TVL dome cameras (budget about $100-$150/camera) * (1) Outdoor PTZ/day-night or IR/weather-proof/vandal-proof dome w/ heater & blower/>500 TVL dome cameras. (budget $400-$500) DVR Requirements: * Standalone 16ch DVR w/ 1TB in clubhouse office, connect to network router and configure for web-based remote access (budget about $700 for DVR) * Record video activity with a high frame rate from 7-8 cameras (initial) with potential to support at least 16 cameras (future) * Retain video activity for at least 14 days * Ability to monitor selective cameras & playback recordings from local and remote (i.e. via internet) locations * Ability to transfer selective audio/video recordings to removable media (i.e. USB drive, CD/DVD-ROM…) * PTZ speed dome controller keypad * 19” or 21” LCD Flatscreen panel (TBD: wide screen or standard) Cable and Power: * Empty 2" underground conduit currently in place between clubhouse and snack shack facility, approx 330 ft. * Distance from DVR to farthest camera approx. 400 ft. * Cables between the clubhouse and snack shack will be pulled by onsite licensed electrician and available when needed * IT resource will assist with implementation, configuration and troubleshooting of cameras, software and networks. TBD: * Cable: UTP CAT5e/6 using Video w/ Power-thru Baluns or Siamese coax * Power supply: 12VDC or 24VAC Questions: Q1) Can't decide if we should... a) Home Run Siamese Coax - from cameras back to the clubhouse DVR and power supply over siamese coax. (note: distance from DVR/power supply to farthest camera approx. 400 ft.) Pros: single power supply, clean, simple solution, no terminal blocks or baluns needed, less points of failure Cons: siamese coax is bulky and heavy, would have to pull one coax cable for ever camera needed plus spares, limited potential for future expansion b) Home Run UTP CAT5e/6 - from cameras back to the clubhouse DVR and power supply over UTP cable (note: distance from DVR/power supply to farthest camera approx. 400 ft.) Pros: single power supply, clean, simple solution, only one terminal block needed, power and video via same UTP cable Cons: Need to run one UTP cable per camera, quality Video /w Power baluns get expensive, some people question quality of video signal and power over UTP with balun, would need to pull extra UTP for future expansion if additional cameras needed at remote snack shack location c) Hub and spoke UTP - with a power supply and 110 punch block in both the clubhouse and snack shack locations. "Tie" clubhouse and snack shack hubs together with (4) CAT5e/6 cables terminating on 110 punch blocks. Cameras will "spoke" back to either clubhouse or snack shack 110 block/power supply "hubs" with UTP CAT5e/6 cable and Video w/ power-thru baluns. Pros: easier to pull UTP cable, can transmit (4) video signals over one UTP cable, good potential for future expansion if additional cameras needed at snack shack location, good migration path to IP-based cameras if needed, can run data for PTZ over unused twisted pairs. Cons: Added expense for more components needed (e.g. additional power supply, (2) 110 punch blocks, (16) Video Buluns), more points of failure, some people question quality of video signal over UTP with baluns Q2) If choosing either options a) or b) above, should I opt for a 24VAC power supply or 12VDC? Q3) If choosing option c) above, would a 12VDC suffice? Q4) Will there be much of a difference in video quality using siamese coax vs. UTP at a max.distance of 400 ft. assuming everything was installed to spec? Q5) Looking for quality CCTV Baluns and Baluns w/ power pass-thru recommendations within budget (~ $20 each) Possible candidates: MuxLab, others? Q6) Looking for dome camera manufacturer and model recommendations within budget (~ $100-$150). Possible candidates: CNB Monalisa, LT Security, others? Q7) Looking for DVR manufacturer and model recommendations within budget. (~ $600-$750) Sorry for the lengthy post. Regards, BHG