EndlessGrowthDoom

Hello, I'm new here but have a moderate knowledge of camera tech. I am looking at installing a new system at my house and I really only need 1 camera right now, maybe 2. I want quality video though, since I've seen enough people get ripped off with it all on camera, but they couldn't ID anything/anyone due to poor video quality. I've decided to start with the camera and build around that since I can't seem to find a better deal than the Lorex LBC6050 600TVL @ $190: http://www.frys.com/product/6420782?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG Any ideas on the least expensive (of course) DVR that will provide a good image with this camera? I figure I need at least 480 recording/playback. I'm just going to assume 4 channel for future expansion. Assume h.264 capable. Triplex or better. I'd like to have a network connection for home lan +internet viewing if possible (free ddns?) 500 or 320gb drive? I'm not sure of the recording time difference- but I shouldn't need but 1 week minimum w/ 24/7 recording. Fast searching, so 32x or better. I was looking at the local Fry's in stock items, so the Lorex 320 GB LH304 & LH314, or the Swann 500GB DVR4-2500/SW-342, or Lilin 500GB DVR204. The Swann & Lilin appear to have the exact same specs, except Lilin is Taiwan and the manual printing sucks (so maybe quality too?) Swann & Lilin are 500gb & record/display in 704x480; while the Lorex 304 is 320gb & displays 1280x1024 & records in 640x480. Which do you think is better? How about other DVR's better for 600 TVL cam? Any thoughts on this other system I stumbled upon? 500gb, 540TVL, 1cam, 1920x1080 display, 720x480record http://www.closeoutcctv.com/1-Ch-Camera-DVR-Security-Surveillance-CCTV-Package- p/cl-1propk512sh.htm

Thank you all for the information. I too purchased everything at Frys (since they were the only store around that had a supposed wide selection of surveillance equipment, & I could return items) in order to test and learn more. Indeed it is all junk as far as I'm concerned (for that kind of money). I'm just not going to pay that kind of money, upwards of $800, for VGA/D1 recording. I've seen enough people and places get ripped off right on camera, but video quality was not sufficient to make ID's. Even the $200 VGA Axis M1011 ip camera I tried looked better (but the Axis-only plug'n'play wouldn't function in my NAS- hence my search for a stand alone DVR). Now I'm pretty convinced that I need a MP camera and so IP for the quality I'm looking for. Besides that, I now feel that analog is just plain outdated and doesn't seem to have much use (for me at least) other than seeing if "someone" was there at some time, or for general live viewing, etc. After looking around some smaller specialized shops here in San Diego, CA, I stumbled upon an amazing gadget- the Mobotix q24 hemispheric camera. I think I will be purchasing this if I can make it work with my temperamental ix4-200d NAS, otherwise I'll just buy a small cheap network drive for the camera alone. It is an IP camera up to 3MP w/a built in 32GB max card slot, and almost 360* coverage w/o fisheye effect, 2 way audio, all the different triggering, virtual ptz.... http://www.mobotix.com/por_PT/content/view/full/25611 And I can just use one camera to cover my entire front property continuously, with no ptz motors/etc; and it costs about as much as a crap dvr & cameras were going to cost me... and it doesn't look like a camera at all. If it doesn't work out for some reason, it is still one of the coolest gadgets I've seen in a really long time. I recommend everyone see a demonstration- I was sold (barring any future technical difficulties)!