sodbrother

Sorry didn't answer that last question. All structures are metal buildings. I mount 4x4x2 weather tight plastic boxes to building then mount camera to box, box contains connections.

I am running 3 pairs for power, one video. Blue- blue/white video. Orange pair plus solid brown power+, grn pair plus brown/white for neg. I checked power at supply is 12.4, power at camera is 12.14. Power was my first suspicion, but I am getting clear pick from DVR location using the battery powered hand held tv. Using same power, checking in DVR closet. I will check voltage at camera with camera plugged in tomorrow and see what it reads.

Hey SOUNDY! I have a question for you... since you answer the majority of the posts on this forum.. (Thanks) I have all my cameras mounted on this job. Went analog instead of IP since I had already bid the job and ordered the equipment. Cat5 and Baluns, each camera has its own line, no shared lines. Most runs are 300-400 feet long. I have checked my voltage and it checks fine, I am getting lines and or dark cloudy spots on some cameras, however if I hook a single line into my handheld Tester it looks perfect, hook it back into the DVR and poor image quality... I am using simple 12v DC power supplies. Not a large wall mounted PS. So Ground Loop problem?

Matt thanks for the reply, If I go IP I will have to mount a Switch and wireless router/access point in building 2 to connect the cameras then pickup the signal in building one and feed that into the NVR?

I have learned so much by browsing this forum and I hope you guys can help with a few questions. I have installed a few home and small business systems for myself and friends. I am trying to help a friend at his storage and might have got in over my head a little. This place is huge and I am not sure how to run all my wires. Planning out a 16 camera system. All cameras to be mounted on 2 buildings. Buildings are 70 feet apart. My options are wireless (havent seen any good reviews on wireless setups) or running the wires overhead via a tightwire. Building two is fully open on the east and west sides, used for RV and Boat storage. There is power all over building 2 and also a concrete wall in the middle. I have thought about mounting the DVR in a lockable weatherproof electrical box in building 2 and then mounting all cameras on building two. I am not sure how much heat a 16ch DVR would build without much ventilation. Has anyone here installed a DVR outside in a secure box? Any ideas or suggestions? The Star in the picture is the weak spot of the property and thieves favorite entry point. I would like a camera at 16 but not sure how to get it there. System: 16CH DVR, 700TVL Analog Cameras (12V), Couple box cameras, Cat5e with Baluns, 3-2TB HardDrives. I plan on using Cat5e with Baluns, runs will be 100 to 400 feet in length. Can I run the power over Cat5e that distance?

Alright I am going crazy trying to research the thousands of DVR options out there. I thought I would get on some forums and do some research... after several days of reading forums and looking at tons of different DVRs I am LOST! Just when I think I have an idea what I need I read some topic that starts talking about FPS, or Bitrate, Compression, processor speed, manufacturer updates and support... I am having a hard time finding user reviews for most systems as well. OK, I own a motorcycle shop and I have an outdated Speco (DVR-16TN) 16ch DVR that only does 120fps and CIF res (i think). I have some nice cameras installed (listed below) but am getting terrible image quality. Like most people I need to see tag numbers and vehicle details. We are located right off a major highway and once a month a semi truck tears up my property trying to turn around in my parking lot... I am hoping some of the "pros" in here can help point me in the right direction. Let me know what features are most important, what brands/manufacturers are the most reliable. I see Avtech and Avermedia mentioned the most around this forum. panasonic WV-cp484 (1-Focused on Exit) 10-44mm 1:1.4 - 1/3 cctv cs - aspherical 768x494 - 540 lines Speco 648IRVF (quantity 11) INSIDE DOMES / 420 lines SPECO TECH HT-INTB1 (Quantity 3 Outside) 580 lines / 768x494 effective pixels