PHOENIX

For home use. Need a minimum of 8 channels. But would rather have 16, 12 or 9. Would like to keep price under $500.00 with hard drive. Must be color (some cameras will be color, others B&W) Must have good record rate (is 25ips / 25fps good, is there a difference?) Must have motion detection (would like the entire camera view to be motion if possible) Would like to be able to set the record time for motion detect different on each camera Would like prioritize cameras for motion detect. Need at least 72 hours of recording at highest quality. Would like to be able to set quality different for each camera. CD-R would be awesome, but I highly doubt in this price range (maybe add it later?) Would like at least one sound input. Four would be perfect though. I'm sure I am forgetting something, but off the top of my head those are features i am looking for. Of course quality and dependable unit! Please recommend something and tell me why. If it is worth breaking the $500 barrier by a few dollars for something alot better please let me know for what and why. thanks!

Whats the best dome camera for under $150?

Any issues with installing a dvr in a safe (gun safe)? Custom built gun safe is roughly 36"W x 60"H x 30"D. Safe is sealed with gasket around door and grommets at all locations where cables/wires come into the safe. Would there be a problem with the DVR cooling itself inside a sealed box of this size? This is in indoor safe.

From first post " Custom built gun safe is roughly 36"W x 60"H x 30"D. Safe is sealed with gasket around door and grommets at all locations where cables/wires come into the safe. " What else do you need to know? Shell is 3/16" mild steel plate. Door is 1/4" mild steel plate (recessed). Bolted to concrete with 5/8" x 2" anchors. There is some additional steel plates in key locations and angled plates beyond shell. There is also some insulation. No need to go into more detail. The safe is to protect the valuables inside. The dvr in the safe gives me better odds that I will get a person on "tape". If someone wants in your safe or house they are getting in no matter what you do. I have neighbors that are home all the time. Usually outside, they keep a good eye out for those who don't belong. They just caught a few guys a couple weeks ago breaking into the neighbors house. Basically the question is how hot do these dvr's get? If they are in a sealed cabinet that is roughly 35 cu. ft. will they be able to stay cool?

Safe is homemade.

I thought it was obvious why I would want to put a dvr in the safe. CSG has it right, if they steal your dvr, whats the point in having it. The problem with allowing vents into the safe is smoke damage during a fire. I dont have enough guns yet to fill a safe this size. But I also keep documents, cameras, jewelery, etc. in the safe. If the safe is vented and the house catches on fire the smoke will get into the safe and ruin most items inside. I live in a city just a block and a half away from the firestation so I am not too concerned about my houses burning to the ground. Im sure the safe could survive just about any fire that will happen here. CSG when you install a dvr in a safe do you keep the holes open? Or do you use grommets or seals? Most safe doors have a plastic looking gasket. Doesn't look like it will seal the door, but during a fire the heat makes the gasket expand and completely seal the door from smoke. Usually if the gasket expands the safe has been exposed to too much heat and you need to get a new safe.

Its Optiview, says right on it. Seems like the complaints in that link were more about the cameras. And some of the features they complained about the DVR are different in this one. You dont have any expierence with Clover dvr's yourself?

Well someone on this board tried to sell me one for $25 less. Would you say I would have been getting ripped off?

No, but my life doesn't depend on my dvr. I have real security for that. If my mom needed a hearing aid battery I would pick a pack up at Wal-Mart when I'm there.

The safe would be pretty much sealed closed. So no air would circulate in and out of the safe except when the door is open. Could be closed for days. Room temperature doesn't exceed 80 degrees. So the dvr would heat the inside of the safe to a point where it will damage itself?

So is this particular model not good. Or does Clover produce bad products? What makes this a bad machine? Opinions on this machine (whats it worth)? http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Electronics/Landing88a226.html

No opinion on that Clover from Sam's Club?

flood lights at night. So the lighting will be good.

If your mother said she had $175 to spend on a dome camera for her house. What would you buy her?

Lets change it to $175 Outdoor, vari-focal B&W Outdoor, vari-focal Color Vandal proof a plus

Like most people I am on a budget. I could settle for a good 4-channel. I already have a 8 channel multiplexer. I can put the 3 most important camera on all the time, then have the remaining 5 camers go through the multiplexer and record on the 4th channel. How much can I get a good 4channel dvr for? Not looking for anything special. Motion would still be good. I will just disable it on the 4th channel. Would like the most ips possible. I really dont want to spend more then $650 on a dvr. Whats the best 4ch dvr with motion I can get for $650? I would also like to be able to add an external cd-r later. Of maybe a unit with a usb port so I can use one of those usb storage. Then take it to my PC and email or record on cd. Also what is the difference in the video compressions? What do I need to know about these? Some quick searches turned up a brand called Digimerge and Clover. Clover: http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&n=0&mt=a&coe=0&oidPath=0:-23542:-23589:-24294:-34203:961025 Opinions on these brands? Check out the Sams Club warranty too ($39.85) With a SAMS CLUB Service Agreement, there are no deductibles or hidden fees. All eligible repairs are fully covered for 3 years after expiration of the manufacturers warranty. And, if we cant fix it, well replace it for FREE! This plan covers parts and labor costs resulting from mechanical or electrical failure of the product caused by defects in workmanship, materials, and/or normal wear and tear, including those caused by power surges. We will repair the product, reimburse you for authorized repairs or replace the product by issuing a check, voucher or cash card (at our discretion) when required due to a breakdown, including those experienced during normal wear and tear, which is not concurrently covered under any other warranty, service plan or insurance policy. That means Ill have at least 4-years warranty.

<----------- First time on this forum These are for home use (day and night). Speco tech CSI CVC-321WP Waterproof B/W Bullet Camera with 10 IR LEDs and 120 Ft. Cable http://www.specotech.com/cart/products/productDetails.asp?prodID=583 Whats your opinion on this camera (and have you actually used it)? Application: Side of house, pointing almost straight down from peak (20'-0" above ground). Application: Backyard angled from roof (8'-0" above ground) towards ground seeing about 30'-0" to 40'-0" out. CSI CVC-638/170 Ultra Wide Angle Waterproof Color Bullet Camera http://www.specotech.com/cart/products/productDetails.asp?prodID=709 Whats your opinion on this camera (and have you actually used it)? Application: Front porch or drive way (8'-0" above ground) seeing above 40'-0" out. There will be standard type flood lamps near each camera. So lighting will be good at night, but cameras should still be able to see in low light just in case. None of the camera lens will be exposed to direct sun light. For the front yard I would like color cameras that are sharp out to 100'-0" so I can identify cars and persons. Maybe something with an adjustable lens is best for this type of application? What would you recommend for the front yard cameras? Looking to keep each camera under $200.00, $150.00 if possible. Thanks!

So are you guys saying dvrs usually last as long as their warranty?

So if I stepped up from a 420 to a 570 TV Lines Resolution camera I would get a much cleaner picture? For certain locations the CVC321 will do fine, but I would like something clearer for the most used locations.

DVR dont last long? How many months/years of use should you get out of a good dvr?

Would you say a Philips DMW16 (120gb) is worth $400?

Is the Philips DMX16 any good? I have a chance to buy a used one from a friend.

So when a dvr says it records 25ips thats total, not per channel? Thats a pretty crappy way to spec it IMO.

When you say cheaper, how much are you talking and which of those would you recommend. Also where would you recommend I purchase them from or at least browse online (good site, fair price, good products). I already own the cameras above and think they are ok. The 321 has a decent picture out to about 20'-0" which makes it good for sides of the house. But not good for distance (front yard). The 638 is a decent camera for covering front porches, etc. (small areas). I need some camers for further viewing for a decent price. I would prefer color, but if I can get a B&W with way better picture resolution then I would go that route. Clarity is more important then color for the from yard. I need to be able to identify cars and persons.

Whats the best deal on a 9ch dvr with motion detection? No need for remote monitoring, or anything like that. Just a stand alone unit I can hook to a small tv. So I take it there are at least two types of motion detection. 1) records only when motion is detected 2) records all the time, but logs when motion is detected. When you use option 2 you can go through a menu and just watch the times where the motion was triggered? Is this something that can be done quickly (daily).[/u]