gingermonkey

Thanks, I must admit that I'm being a bit seduced by the Geovision option... Would an Avermedia solution offer as good quality? And would I be forced to use Avermedia software? GM

Hi, I've spent a few hours trawling through old threads trying to answer a question. However, the more I read, the more I'm getting confused. Firstly, I appologise if I use the wrong or confused teminology. I posted a question regarding the disappointing performance of my existing system in the general discussion area. It would seem that my DVR cards are fault (non-branded). I am thinking about scraping enough money together to buy a suitable Geovision DVR card. However, reading the forum I'm not sure if I should go down the IP route. With this in mind I wondered if someone could answer some questions to help me decide. I'm after a system to run 5 or 6 domestic cameras. Image quality is my highest priority rather than frame rate. All the cameras are within 40 feet of the PC that I currently use to record the data. Four cameras are used outside and one inside. My questions (sorry about this, I've only just joined the forum and done nothing but ask questions!): Would an IP system offer much better quality images compared to a Geovision based analogue system with reasonable quality box cameras? Would I be able to run an IP system from a PC without needing extra peripherals (other than a suitable card)? Can I run digital and anlogue cameras on one system (allowing for a progressive change-over to IP)? And the big questions, how much is it likely to cost me to: a. Buy a Geovision DVR to run 5 or 6 domestic cameras at a high quality (I've looked at several retail sites but can't work out what spec I need) b. Start over and go the IP route c. Buy something that will allow me to run both IP and analgue I would appreciate your advice and any pointers to avoid any unforseen pit-falls Many Thanks, GM

Hi, Having taken the advice of CCTV Forum members I've decided to stop messing about with non-branded rubbish and go for a Geovision card. I wondered if you would mind giving me some advice as to which card to go for and the software. Firstly the card: Image quality is the most important aspect to me rather that frame rate. I'm running a mixture of Samsung, Baxal and Panasonic cameras with good quality coaxial cable. I would like a card that can run 4 cameras at 10 FPS at high resolution. I don't have much money to spend so I would like to go for a card that meets the requirement and not much more! What card would you recommend? Secondly Geovision software Pt 1: I'm currently trialling Go1984 which I find to be intuitive and flexible. I have tried other DVR software that came with my non-branded DVR card which I found to be very simple to use but very inflexible regarding motion detection settings and camera adjustment. Does the Geovision software provide the ability to finely adjust motion detection areas, sensitivity, camera settings etc? Thirdly Geovision Software Pt 2: Do Geovision DVR cards ship with the full Geovision programme? And if so, does this software offer the ability to use IP cameras? (Which I intend to add in the future.) Finally, Drivers: Do Geovision cards come with drivers that will work with any DVR programme? The reason for asking is that my non-branded SAA7130 based card came with software that loaded the drivers automatically along with the DVR interface. These drivers were called Wav-P and would not work with Go1984 or iCatcher. I spent days hunting around for SAA7130 drivers that would work. Thanks in advance, GM

Hi Sean, Thanks for the advice which has been taken on board. I will be posting in the Geovision area shortly to ask which spec card I need and to see if the drivers provided by Geovision will work with other software. (The drivers that came with the non branded card I bought were Wav-p(?) and would only work with their rubbish software and I spent days trying to find SAA7130 that would work). Thanks again, GM

Hello, I originally posted this question in the system design forum, however, I think it may be better placed here This is my first question on the forum, so please be patient. I've searched the forum for the term 'disappointing performance' but can't find anything that matches my problem, so I wondered if you could offer some sagely advice. Firstly my system comprises: Dual core Athlon each running at 2.7 Ghz 2GB Ram Non-branded 8 channel SAA7130 DVR card (used as Video Capture Card) Non-branded 4 channel Conexant 878a Fusion DVR card (used as Video Capture Card) Go1984 software (ultimate version on trial) All signal cables upgraded to 2004 BW coaxial Samsung Box Camera (Computar Vari-focal zoom lense) (520 TVL I think) Panasonic Box Camera (Computar Vari-focal zoom lens) (520 TVL i think) 'Night Owl' Camera My problem is that the picture quality is very poor. I've spent ages trying to focus the cameras as accurately as possible, however, the images are very 'soft' and lack detail. I also get black bars appearing in areas of high movement - I understand that this may be an interlacing issue (although I haven't got a clue how to fix it ). The problems listed above are during daylight - I haven't started to think about optimising night-time performance yet. I've also spent ages adjusting the camera/software trying to get the best performance and tried iCatcher in an attempt to get better results. I'm expecting the poor performance is due to my non-branded cards, however, I want to make sure before I run-off to spend more money on something that doesn't help. (Getting the drivers for the SA7130 has been a complete swine BTW). Any ideas or recommendations please? Thanks in advance, GM

Hello Again, Having digested (hopefully) the advice given, I think I'll go for a Geovision card to improve the performance of my current analogue setup, whilst looking to change to IP in the future. So would you mind helping me with the following questions please: What card would you old hands recommend? I don't want to spend a fortune, and I'm only after viewing/recording at 10fps per camera but at high quality. How do IP cameras actually connect to the PC - my house modem/router only has 4 x RJ45 ports, one of which is hooked up to my CCTV PC. Would I be able to add another router somewhere (hopefully next to the CCTV PC)? I am trialling Go1984 at the moment which claims to do analogue and IP. I like the HMI as I can adjust many aspects of the motion detection/recording etc. However Geovision is not mentioned in the supported capture cards. Have any of you had experience of this prog working with Geovision cards? If the combination of the card and software is a poor one, would Geovision software offer the same adjustability as Go1984? Once again, I really appreciate you finding the time to help with my unending stream of questions. ATB GM

The Wire Guys, Chris P and Soundy, Thank you very much for finding the time to write such comprehensive and clear replies: the muddy waters are clearing! I'm rushing around to get to work at the moment but will sit down this evening and digest your knowledge, which will invariably result in a few more follow-up questions - Thanks again (why does boring desk-bound work get in the way of sorting interesting things like this?) GM

I got home this evening and hooked a camera up directly to a good quality (small dot-pitch) LCD TV/Monitor (I don't have a CRT TV small enough to lump about): The images were much clearer. However, when I put the same camera using the same cable through the PC the picture is degraded quite significantly. Does this narrow the problems down a bit? Thanks in advance, GM

Hi Soundy, According to the Go1984 HMI I'm viewing/recording at 720x576, PAL B, RGB24. Although I'm not certain of the impedance of the cable (I believe it to be 75 ohms), it did improve the picture over the pre-made CCTV/power cable I bought from Maplins. GM

Hi Rory, Thanks for the focussing tips - I'll start with that. The cable is a coaxial cable used in telecommunications. Whilst being only just able to to handle full TV bandwidth I thought it would be better than the skinny cables I'd used up to now. (I have noticed a significant improvement btw.) Anymore tips gratefully received GM

Moved Question to General Digital Discussion

Hello to All, I've just joined as I'm becoming increasingly interested in PC based CCTV as a hobby and have been modding and adding to my system for about 3 years now. However, I'm also getting increasingly frustrated at not being able to get my system to perform as well I had hoped (Despite reading quite a few threads on this forum.) I won't jump straight in with my questions here, I'll try to find the correct area and ask the questions there. I look forward to your help and guidance. GM