bt101

Thanks. I'm not clear on what an NVR does though? All I need is for the camera to write its files to a network share. Do IP cameras do that? Once the files are on the computer, I can view them with the web server.

My current camera system is built on linux/motion/analogue and USB cameras. I went that route years ago because the USB cameras gave me multi megapixel recordings at 1/100th the cost of multi megapixel IP cameras at the time. Now that IP cameras are no longer insanely priced, I was thinking of buying some. However I'm stumped about the purpose of an NVR and am asking if I really need one? On my current system, the cameras/software simply write all the videos to a directory. Completely separate from the recording aspect, I have a web server running on the same computer that serves a web page where I can review events and watch recorded videos. So I'm guessing I would simply configure the IP cameras to write their videos to the directory as well, and I'm pretty much done. I gather these IP cameras (have an ethernet connection) can write to a file share right? I tried looking for some "basics" about IP cameras and this link mentions 3 methods that IP cameras can record videos, however it doesn't mention writing to a file share: http://www.kintronics.com/neteye/video_qa.htm I can't imagine that they would make an "IP" camera (that has an ethernet connection) and it doesn't write to a share (would be like selling a car without wheels).

Yep, "rock bottom" is my middle name. I'll try one of those recommendations to see the difference. I've never had a problem with water as the cameras are far underneath the eaves. Thanks.

Sorry... I just see so many of these cameras on Ebay from so many sellers that I just assume they are the "Volkswagen" of cameras. Here's the specs: Features: * Image Device: SONY 1/3" CCD Color Sensor * 3.6mm fixed lens * TV System: PAL/NTSC * Horizontal definition: 420 TV Lines * Validity pixel: PAL:528*582,NTSC:510*492 * Scan frequency: PAL/NTSC: 50Hz/60Hz * Minimum illumination: 0Lux /F1.2 with IR * Video Out: 1.0Vp-p,75 Ohm * AGC: Auto * Infrared Leds: 24 Leds * Infrared Range: 20M * S/N Ratio: Better than 48db * Minimum illumination: 0LUX * Automatic conversion on Daytime or night * Daytime (Color) / Infra-Red Night (B/W) * Power : DC 12V 500mA * 1 X CCD Dome Camera SONY 1/3" * 1 X AC/DC 12C Power Adapter They are priced around $35 to $45 US shipped to anywhere in the world. I see the "typical" next step up is the same camera but with 520TVL for an extra $20. I'm wondering if that upgrade does anything or is there some other models/price-points that people recommend. I'd like to stay away from this style which sticks out like a wasp nest under the soffit:

Any thoughts on how much to spend to go to the next level of quality? I would hate to spend 2 or 3 times as much and end up with the same quality. Here is the typical camera I have now: Things I like about them: works at -40C metal case (I paint it white to match soffit) small (after white paint, you hardly notice it under the soffit as opposed to ones with a big glass dome) cheap I can't "complain" about the picture quality. I'm just wondering: what is the cost to get to the next level how much better is the picture any links to an actual recommended model

Hi Let me start be saying I'm cheap! I am using typical Ebay analogue NTSC dome cameras (fixed 3.6mm lens) that cost between $50 and $80. The video quality is Ok/soso. Does anybody know if the video quality from more expensive cameras is substantially better (and at what price point do you jump to better quality). I see that when you get around $100+, the camera specs say 500TVL or 600TVL. I'm wondering if this is all bogus because the NTSC standard only allows something like 480 lines anyway. I definitely can't read a licence plate with these cameras. To get around this, I grabbed a $50 PC, a $30 webcam, and a couple of $10 USB extenders and made a true 2 megapixel DVR. It's a bit of a clunky solution so I've always been looking for a cheap IP cam. The prices are absurd though.