Toaster

Actually this seems like the most logical and economical solution to resolve this particular issue. I have a couple questions about mounting a camera above the door. The door is under a small awning with a drop ceiling. The highest point is probably 7.5-8 ft up, which is where the camera will be mounted - as high as possible up against the drop ceiling mounted to brick. 1. I've seen vandal eye ball AND vandal dome's. Obviously there is a difference. Which is better? The eye ball camera's look like they're intended for inside, but they claim to be IP66 weather resistant and vandal resistant... 2. There are some with IR's for night vision, and others without. Since there is already a bullet camera much higher up ON TOP OF THE AWNING with IR night vision, should the dome/eye ball have IR? (I'm guessing YES on this one) 3. I'm thinking varifocal so I can adjust to get the best possible images in the most logical spot, which I'll figure out once I see exactly what the video will look like once its installed. 4. Any camera suggestions for a camera for this application? As always, I truly appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this thread, watch the video and voice your opinions. I absolutely love this forum, and really value the opinions/suggestions and GUIDANCE I have received. I've learned a lot, and hope to continue to do so. Many Thanks, Toaster

My QT528 dvr is set up to send email alerts for video loss and motion during closed business hours. Which is how I discovered the guy stole the first camera at 5:20am last year. What I'd like to be able to do is record 24/7, and still be able to search for motion events... which I have not been able to do, or I should say if its possible, I can't figure out how. Seems like my DVR either wants to record at the scheduled times (in my case 24/7) or based on motion. Yesterday we had an incident and I had to manually search the footage to find the event because it was during business hours (open) and I do not get email alerts at those times..

AGREED!

Obviously being the guy paying, I like the cheaper idea of simply adding a couple of IP camera's in the "trouble" areas as tomcctv suggests. Spending $5000 right now (or anytime honestly) is a huge investment for any small business owner. I'll say this, I understand the justification especially from the guy's who sell, install and service this type of equipment for a living. Spending $5000 to $10000 on cctv surveillance is like having insurance. I get that. I'm not sure what I want to do yet. I've seen some 720p kits for cheap... and of course seeing sample video's of HD vs SD would impress anybody, especially me after having an incident where I was unable to clearly make out the guys face who vandalized my parking lot. THIS THREAD I'm also contemplating adding a better placed camera outside, the problem with that is, I've already had a bullet camera stolen right off the wall before, so strategically placing even a dome camera would mean placing it low enough that someone would be able to access it fairly easily, and then I risk getting a camera stolen - AGAIN! I DON'T KNOW.. I'M SO CONFUSED!

Well what I'm trying to figure out is, my DVR is a Q-see QT528 which records D1 30fps across all 8 ch. So, I've always left it at the default CBR 1536k 30FPS D1 per ch, if I reduced it to say 15 fps D1, CBR 2048k (which is max CBR) would that improve the quality of the images recorded? Or VBR highest 2048k even? FWIW, I've adjusted a couple of cameras with these changes. Set one for VBR HIGHEST 2048k and lowered it to 15fps, and another to 10fps CBR 2048k... I dont think there is a huge difference between 30fps and 15fps, and even 10fps... My DVR at home is 8ch 7.5 fps D1, but because I don't use all the ch's I'm able to increase the frame rate per ch to 12, and the video looks very good (smooth wise I'm talking about) and I as someone said on here (somewhere) you're not making a movie, ultimately your gathering evidence... don't get hung up on FPS. After a few days I'll review the differences, but I'm a simple consumer, and I figured I'd ask you guys, the pro's who are in the know, and are much more familiar with the different scenario's. Any input would be appreciated and beneficial to all (I think?) THANKS

Any suggestions or examples?

Now what, what? This incident is over. Use this as a learning experience. What have YOU learned? What will you change and/or add to your system to correct the problem? I'll give you a hint- it's not the equipment that failed you. I already know the placement of that camera is less than ideal, but nearly a year ago (to the day) we suffered another incident where someone STOLE the rear camera right off the wall. So I'm not a fan of lowering the cameras to anywhere near adult height where they can be tampered with. This outside parking lot camera is up on top of the awning type thing above the store's door.. in order to lower it any, I have to re-do the signage that is on that awning. OK, let's assume I did that, it would get moved about 2 feet closer to street level, I'm not sure that would have helped much. It would still be at a considerable angled view... again, there is just not a lot of option for that camera's placement. Unless I figure out a way to conceal one lower that would get a better face shot as someone walked in or towards the door. I'd have to hide it pretty good, otherwise I run the risk of it being stolen ---- AGAIN... THIS THREAD has pictures, and that video from 08/16/2011 when the bum stole my rear camera (which I never replaced yet)

This system was installed in 2010... and it was a nice inexpensive system at the time. Like everything in tech, time has marched forward and prices have dropped, products (across the board) have improved, and it might be time to consider upgrading. I've seen some NVR boxes, which last time I looked at IP camera's the only solution that I can remember was using a dedicated computer with capture card... now I see they have some stand alone boxes. So what would the folks here suggest? What is a decent solution, cost effective, with 6-8 cameras. (I'm currently running 6 cameras, but would probably add the other 2 outside for rear view, side view for a total of

FromTHIS THREAD Q-see 520tvl 1/3" CCD camera on 30fps D1 q-see dvr. Idiot comes to my store while its closed, and decides to trash my parking lot and sidewalk in front of the door. Apparently there was a bunch of trash on the side from the lawn cutting guy, and it was quickly used against me. ** I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE DOOR OR WINDOW ** TEWBfTmHwt4

In analog systems, do the cables make a big difference in video quality? I've been using the "plug n play" cables that came with my bundled system(s)... which is pretty thin, I'm sure its cheap. Would buying baluns and running cat 5 give better video quality? or using thicker higher quality cables to each camera???

This is long (sorry in advance). This is my consumer review of the Q-see QT428 8CH DVR. Which is actually made by TVT and is a TD-2308SE. Records in D1 or CIF. Give's you 240 FPS at CIF or 60 FPS at D1 to distribute among the 8CH as you please. In my case, since I am currently only using 4 camera's (as an example) I can use all 60 FPS in 4 channels and get D1 at 15fps on each of the 4 cameras. You can set each channel to record individually, FPS, Resolution, Quality, Bit rate up to 2048k at D1 (either CBR or VBR and in VBR there is also a quality setting). This model came preinstalled with 500GB HDD, has a single sata port and can be upgraded to 2TB drive. It has a graphic user interface that is pretty straight forward to setup. Remote control is next to useless imo. The mouse is just a little bit better. The best way is to get your network setup asap, then using Windows Internet Explorer, log in remotely on your LAN, install the ActiveX interface and complete setup there with keyboard and mouse on a PC. (sorry mac users - no support yet, but TVT says their working on it) I was able to get Email alerts working using a Gmail account (using SSL), and it will send out the alerts as your select them to up to 3 recipients. (I thought this was nice). Example: it detects motion, snaps 3 pictures over 6 seconds and emails me those 3 pictures during motion event schedule, video loss, etc... It automatically sync's to internet time servers at user selectable intervals so the clock is always accurate. It has a single wired ethernet port on the back, so no wifi. The only thing that would throw a common user a curve ball is the DVR will only work with a computer monitor hooked up through the VGA port on initial power up. NO MENU OUTPUT VIA COMPOSITE OUT OF THE BOX. This was not an issue for me, but- for anyone else beware, you will absolutely need a computer monitor in the beginning, once you log in to the system and turn on the composite output (which KILLS the vga port btw), you'll get menu access through composite and can complete setup on a standard tv or whatever. The DVR records in scheduled/continuous mode, scheduled motion detection mode, alarm sensor mode... One of things I liked about this one I was able to setup motion detection only during CLOSED hours, and recording 24/7, so this way I only get motion email alerts while we are closed - which worked out perfectly for me, as I have a retail store and wouldn't want email alerts every time a customer walked in the door or pulled in the parking lot. Motion detection is very good, and you can select the area you want to detect motion and the sensitivity level, it brings up a grid over live video and you turn on/off squares in the to detect motion... And you can mask out sections of video completely, I'm sure that has its place - but I don't know why. It is remote viewable through a WINDOWS PC AND INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY USING ACTIVATE X CONTROL (or smart phone, iphone, blackberry, android, etc). NO MACINTOSH VIEWING OR ACCESS POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME, but an email to TVT tech support claims that a macintosh app is in the works for release soon...? The active x control interface in IE is pretty good in my opinion. I can remotely configure the entire DVR even when not on the LAN. I can select single view, quad view, 6 view, 9 view, etc... I can select master stream or sub (net) stream to view, either for all channels or individual channels. Change color settings on cameras, configure alerts, schedule, backup video, review video, all through the internet explorer activex app. THERE IS NO CLIENT PC/WINDOWS SOFTWARE AT ALL, ITS ALL ACTIVEX INTERNET EXPLORER BASED. Of course remote viewing requires you to setup port forwarding on your router, so you'll need to learn or know how to do that. I've only used the iPhone remote viewing app, and The iphone viewing software is pretty nice too. You can only see the low resolution sub stream feed (CIF), but you can see 4-way quad view on the phone, which is nice. It uses SuperCam Pro for iPhone You can take a snapshot of a camera, record a bit of video directly from a camera to the phone, pretty cool I thought. Rotate sideways gives you a full screen view of either single camera or bigger quad view. Oh and viewing is only for LIVE playback through smartphone. You can NOT review recorded video on the phone, but you can on a pc. Backing up the video is pretty simple, save's in h264 compressed .avi format, but does require a windows codec to be installed for playback since it is h264 encoded, and it does NOT have to be ITS codec - any valid h264 codec works. And when you download some video, the IE app ask's if you want to download the windows codec.exe everytime, so no matter where you are when saving (backup) video, it will give you the chance to download the codec right then and there (which is tiny btw) and allows playback in media player in windows. And you can download specific time segments instead of the entire 30 minute save clip... Download only 9:12 to 9:13 instead of 9:00 to 9:30... which brings me to the next part, it records 30 minute sections When backing up or remote viewing, you can search backup and view multiple channels, single channel, time frame or event based searches on specific channels or all channels. Its pretty common sense based, and not confusing.. YMMV. There are a string of BLUE LED's on the right top edge of the face on the DVR, one shows NET activity so you know when someone is logged in viewing the camera's. You can allow up to 10 users at a time and you can set everyone up with their own user account and password each with different restrictions, options, viewing rights, only view certain cameras, only log on when local, etc.. VERY FLEXIBLE. I can see that being very advantageous for you pro's... The DVR box itself boots quickly, within 45 seconds - runs silent, has a spot for a small <60mm (?) case fan (which is not installed), came with a green power WD 500GB HDD. Like I said trying to navigate through the menu's using the buttons, remote control is painful, the mouse is better - maybe a BETTER MOUSE might help I havn't tried that. Quickly on the camera's, they are Q-see 1/4 Sony CCD 420TVL with IR night vision. Basic cheap color day, b/w night, cameras. The night IR distance is impressive easily covering 40+ feet, but the quality of the video (day/night) is just OK. As has been discussed before, you're gonna want better camera's and you'll want them faster than you think. AT LEAST I KNOW I DO This "bundle" comes with 4x 3.6mm wide angle lens cameras, which are clearer in the center and "blurrier" on the outer edges. Like I said, for the price, and since they all come together in a package - they're ok, but like I said in my last review of the q-see products, these DIY bundle's are targeting ME - a cheap skate guy who wanted basic surveillance. The PRO's won't be satisfied at all. Remember, this is a $300 complete kit with 8CH DVR, 500gb HDD, 4x Cameras and 4x 60ft cables, power supplies, etc. Timestamp is encoded over the video, can be adjusted, size, position, color... Can name specific cameras or disable naming. Has DDNS server support, which is free and easy to setup. Feel free to ask any questions.

Here's the question, I'm currently using a 30fps @ D1 dvr, it came with a 1TB drive green drive. If I upgrade it to a 2tb drive, can I use one of those cheapies I see at the computer superstore's? Like a hitachi 5900rpm 2tb with 32mb cache? Or should it be a "green" drive? The dvr is a large footprint drive, can hold 2 HDD's and a CDR/DVDR drive. NO CASE FANS. And its in my business and it gets HOT in the summer when the store is closed, and COLD in the winter when the store is closed. Would I benefit from fan cooling? and would a lower RPM hard drive be able to keep up with recording say all 8 ch's at 30fps d1?

Whats the better option for a home? regular security flood lights motion activated or IR lights that no one can see (just for camera clarity) The CCTV IR flood's are insanely expensive (imo), while regular flood lights are super cheap....?

On 8/16/2011 at 5:20am, some guy, who looked like a homeless bum, walked by the back of my building, caught a glimpse of my bullet camera mounted on the back of the building... A few seconds later, you see him pulling himself UP to get the camera, I'm assuming he used the gas line (or whatever that pipe is). The camera was about 8.5ft up (give or take). He pulled the mounting and ended up BREAKING the camera, because he couldn't get the wire through the tiny hole in the cement wall, the connectors were too big. So he ended up pulling the wires OUT of the camera, because they're still connected in the back. Because it was NIGHT TIME, never got a real good look at him - but even if so, I doubt anything would come of it. I'm thankful he didn't pull and damage the cable feeding the camera, or manage to pull the cable far enough to drop the DVR it self... It was a cheap $40-$50 Clover camera, which like I said - he totally F'd up anyway! IDIOT LOSER! Click anywhere on the jerk's face to watch the 42 second video. View My Video

looking at the TVT spec. for most of there units they have a MAX of 2tb also are you recording motion ?? D1 30fps x 5 = 1 month you would just about get that at CIF. I'm recording 24/7, and have motion alerts set for "closed" hours only, though it continues to record 24/7

No, its a TVT made DVR sold under Q-see brand.

Right now, 1TB is giving me about 20 days of recording, all D1 30FPS across 5 cameras (well 4 since the 8/16 as one outside camera was stolen - that story's and video is in another thread - CLICK ME) But 2tb drives at 5900, which are hitachi with 32mb buffers are on sale now for $70, so adding the second drive would yield 3tb of storage and if I'm calculating that right about 2 months of recording 24/7.... I need to get a 60mm fan for this case (I'm pretty sure thats the size its going to require) and make a little air flow...

WOW, impressive setup, and maybe a more impressive demo of said setup. Pictures, video's, etc... TWO THUMBS WAY UP

What I need to do is add some security lighting back there, to help the camera's see and lighten up that whole back area.... Overall I'm grateful and consider myself lucky. He only took a $h!tty cheap camera, so I'm out $50. No damage to my store, windows, doors, etc. Thankfully he didn't (or couldn't) pull the cabling out and risk pulling the DVR off the shelf its sitting on, causing damage to the computer underneath and whatever else was on the desk. I have since tethered the camera feed cables against the wall just before the DVR in a zig zag pattern, so IF in the future this happens again, the chances of damaging, pulling or dropping the DVR are slim(mer).. I would think the cabling will tear first.

Hold play or esc (or both) while powering up. If I remember that's how to switch between initial display output modes, or just hook up a tv and or monitor. Do you have the Q-see branded one or the TVT branded one?

Great examples... THANKS

I know this is funny and sad all in the same sense, but the thing that KILLS ME about this, it was done SOOO CASUALLY... like walking passed a news paper stand and then deciding yeah I'll take one. EDIT: To address the criminal aspect, I never bothered calling the cops. I know I should have, but.....

BOOBY TRAP THE CAMERAS! I LOVE IT! " title="Applause" />

I would think a 7200 would just make way too much heat...?

I'm sending you a PM