groovyman

I don't think it's a very common setting on dvr's, although some do have it. I've included a screenshot from the manual of the Aver Nano dvr for reference (See #2). If your DVR does not have this feature, then the suggestions given to install a smaller hard drive &/or change quality & framerate settings would be your options - other than purchasing a DVR with the feature to overwrite or delete recordings after x number of days.

Depends on the DVR. Some have dual stream, some don't. Some let you choose the remote viewing quality, some don't. If the channels are set at D1 and recordings produce decent video then it's probably not the cameras. Just another thought to try and help identify & correct the issue.

OK. I was attacking the issue from a networking angle because that's what it sounded like. Now it sounds like a video quality issue. What resolution does the DVR record? Is it CIF, 2CIF, 4CIF or HD1, D1? If you record at CIF and view full screen on a computer monitor the image is going to look lousy no matter what brand DVR is used. If recording at 4CIF or D1 it will look much better, and the step above that is mega pixel. Also, what type of camera is being used? Is it a camera that came boxed with the DVR? In my experience many times the cameras that come with those dvr in a box systems are terrible quality and produce terrible images. So, if by chance the DVR is recording at CIF with a low quality camera you will get lousy video, especially when viewed full screen. Even D1 with a lousy camera will produce lousy video.

A fairer comparison to the Dahua DVR in the pdf link posted would be the Aver EH6216H, not the Nano. Wasn't sure a 16CH system was wanted. Although the 16CH Aver Nano Hybrid is decent, take a look at the EH6216H. I'm sure whatever you decide to go with will suit your purposes - just throwing another idea out there for ya

A company named Freedom Scientific has a device called the Topaz. It's expensive, but Google it and take a look. Would something like that work?

What you're describing is a document camera. It works like an overhead projector, but can output to different devices like a flat panel HDTV. Google the term document camera and you'll get a load of information. I used to do quite a bit of residential computer services work and had clients with failing eyesight (I live in an area with a high retiree population). Some would use something that looked like a microfiche reader where they would put whatever they wanted to read on a tray and could set the magnification. I believe there are document cameras with the same capabilities.

So, it's not exactly the same on the lan as it is on the Internet afterall, as stated in the original post, several times.

My observation from being here a while is that every day people sign up and ask for product recommendations. Let's face it, the CCTV market can be very overwhelming and confusing, even to professionals. With so little information out there that compare/review DVRs, manufacturers & resellers how is anyone supposed to consider a product or consider where to buy it? I thought part of the appeal of a forum like this was getting that sort of advice. With all the members here, how many usually respond to product recommendation posts? It's very few. Those that do will naturally recommend product they're familiar with &/or product they sell. There really aren't too many members who step up to the plate. Seems that those who do, if they do it too often, get viewed as self promoters. I've made 2 purchases from Sean since I've been active on this forum for several reasons. 1 - to help a sponsor of the forum, 2 - because of all the great positive feedback he's received, and 3 - I'm a big supporter of the little guy. I think it's great that this forum has people who are honest and can serve some of the needs of other members. However, after reading through this thread, I'm personally reluctant to respond going forward. I think future topics from people asking for help will be deathly quiet due to potential repercussions if the same opinions are posted too often.

I'm thinking if this was to be viewed remotely all month the bandwidth caps imposed by wireless providers would be reached within a few days, if not sooner. Even if the wireless plan calls for unlimited bandwidth, it's not truly unlimited - but that's a discussion for another time. From their website: "All wireless systems claim to be cable-free, but our 4G cameras truly are." Oh yeah? What about power? Last time I chacked, power required a cable.

I'd start by contacting the place from where it was purchased or the manufacturer directly.

Just want to mention that I don't think it's really sales pitches. Different members sell different product lines. Like, if you were on a car forum and asked what car should be purchased, the Ford dealer will most likely recommend Ford Seems every day someone asks what to buy, and it's usually the same members who reply with the same recommendations. Members here will recommend what they know, like and, yes, will recommend what they sell. I've been using Aver DVRs lately and that's what I'll recommend. Many members here recommend the product line sold by Nelly's Surplus, for several reasons - he's a trusted member of the forum who provides a decent product at a decent price with excellent service (which I've had the pleasure to experience first hand - a couple of times). So, just wanted to say my piece. Back to regularly scheduled programming

Consider taking a look at the Aver Nano Hybrid DVRs. The 4CH can have any combination of IP & analog cameras. It has a large IP camera support list which is available for download on the Aver website. http://averusa.com http://surveillance.aver.com

What do you mean by edit? What are you looking to accomplish exactly? I've provided video to police several dozen times and (depending on the DVR) if the video segments were very long I just note the time(s) to FF to.

Since it's happening on the LAN I think it's a physical problem - maybe an issue with the cable, router, network port on the DVR or maybe as simple as the cable not making a good connection on either the router port or DVR port. Is the cable self made? Might be a bad termination or possibly some wires are crossed. As a test, try configuring your laptop with a static IP address on the wired network port and connect directly to the DVR with a patch cable, bypassing any routers or switches. Many ethernet ports are auto sensing today, so you may not need a crossover cable. It could very well be the DVR or software too. Have you tried contacting Swann about the issue?

The VCMs are IP65 rated. Thanks. I stand corrected. I didn't see that in the spec sheet I was looking at, but looked again and saw the IP65 listed on another description.

Great. Didn't know you're experience level. That certainly isn't the issue then I have some small suppliers in my area and always bought from them. I always like to support the small business guy rather than the huge suppliers. But, I haven't bought much cable in the last couple of years as these days I don't run much of the cable on the jobs I get. I have a couple of guys who do a great job. I don't need to be the guy up on the ladder pulling anymore - been there, done that & tired of it (and my back thanks me for it ). I'll terminate, mount patch panels, switches, routers, cameras, etc. and configure all the equipment. I can't completely avoid running cable, but I avoid it as much as I can

Yeah, they have catalogs to download, but you need to read through the specs and compare models to figure out what's different. That's what I just did. Would be nice to see the specs common to all, then the differences next to each model, or highlighted in a different color.

the 2G models are IP67 rated. VCM - no IP rating, Surface/Flush Mount VBM - IP66 rated, Surface Mount Only VBM 2G - IP67 rated, Surface Mount Only

Something to consider is the type of cable and connectors. Cat5 & Cat6 require different RJ-45 connectors. Stranded or solid may require different RJ-45 connectors if the connectors are not designed for both. I think it's obvious if the video flickers and the baluns &/or cable has to be jiggled, a proper connection isn't being made somewhere. It could be something with the baluns or connectors also - maybe something in the manufacturing process. A few years ago I purchased a bag of RJ-45 connectors at a local computer show. They were absolute crap and I threw them away. The few dollars I saved was not worth the aggrivation I went through with those cheap pieces of crap.

VCM-24VF: SURFACE/FLUSH MOUNT VBM-24VF: SURFACE MOUNT ONLY, IP66 Then there's: VCM-24VFH - SURFACE/FLUSH MOUNT and has a heater VCM-24VD - SURFACE/FLUSH MOUNT but 0.05LUX where the others are 0.005LUX VBM-24VD - SURFACE MOUNT ONLY, IP66 and also 0.05LUX All other specs appear to be the same.

Well, I can't seem to help you any further, sorry. But just to recap, this is the proceedure: 1 - connect dvr to the network, have it obtain an ip address and connect to the dvr locally 2 - configure the router with the proper port forwarding to the dvr 3 - connect to the dvr remotely with the WAN IP address using the proper app and ports Seems that somewhere along the line something wasn't done properly. I'd go back and look at the setup in the router and ports set in the dvr. Review the screenshots, instruction & links provided by everyone who replied. The answers are all there. Maybe consider bringing in a professional to configure the port forwarding if all else fails. I sincerely hope you can find the issue, resolve it and ultimately connect to the dvr remotely. I tell ya, once you do you'll really feel like you accomplished something after all this work.

Works for me.

Typically you should use the app that's recommended. I have some older DVRs out in the field that don't have specific phone apps and I use IP Cam Viewer by Robert Chou. A little annoying to setup as every camera needs to be setup individually, but it works with hundreds of systems. There's a free version that allows access to 6 cameras (might be 8, but I think it's 6).

Yeah, the first time I worked with one I was like WTF is going on here.

yea i have no problem doing that, but it tells me to use port 15961 for internal access Open a pinhole for port port 15961 in the router just like 80 and 9000, map it to the dvr and try using that port when trying to access the DVR remotely.