ssnapier

What is it that you need help with? What kind of system are you installing?

Well, I have multiple DX8100 systems deployed to customers right now, but these are all Federal Gov't folks. Honestly, for small business or home use you don't need a system like that. They are made for rack-mounting and the ability tro run sort of like a computer. You can hook a keyboard and mouse to it (cheaper DVR's are mouse only) you can have extra alarm inputs/ outputs or different options for PTZ handling, but in general a DVR is a DVR. The thing I look for in these (both DVR's and NVR's) is how the user interface works. Does it makes sense to you? Do you like the layout? Can you export directly to a DVD or do you need a flash drive? So if you can find screen shots online or find a place that might let you play with their gear, it is worth the shopping time to get one you will be happy with.

I never followed up, but I actually ordered from the exact company you posted above. We got the stainless steel stuff and it is VERY well made! We are using this to wire up about 200 glass break sensors in a green house and it works like a champ! They make everything in the USA (Chicago) and we had 200 feet of this stuff made to order and delivered in 3 or 4 days.

The biggest problem I have with those Costco cameras are the GARBAGE interface on the NVR.

Can you take a screen shot of your router page where the port forwarding is done? Also, can you verify that your router (local) address is 192.168.0.1?

Ok, based on that screen shot of your router, your network is 192.168.0.xxx (unless you changed it at some point) IN THE ROUTER: Leave DHCP ON! <--- This is what assigns addresses to machines in your network. IN THE DVR: TURN DHCP OFF!! Now, go to the DVR and make your IP address 192.168.0.251, that should be high enough not to mess with any other machine on the network. Also in the DVR, the gateway and the DNS server (if it asks for that) should both be 192.168.0.1. If it asks for a second DNS server put in 8.8.8.8, that is the Google Open DNS, it is always a good backup in case your ISP's DNS decides to take a crap. Once you have that adjusted, stay on the DVR and try to send a test email alert or try to sync to an internet time server like 1.pool.ntp.org and if that works, you have verified that your internet connection to the DVR is proper. After that, you just need match up the ports being forwarded between the DVR and the Router. Here is a graphic I made to explain this to folks the top box represent the entire router, I just split it inside so you can see what is happening. This may be too simplistic for some people, but I made it for the lowest common denominator.

You are not forwarding the ports in the DVR, you are forwarding them in your router to MATCH the ports in your DVR. The router will ask you what ports to forward and what IP address to forward them to... in this case that would be the IP address of your DVR.

It has been a while, but last time I did it you needed licenses for each camera. The software is only half the equation.

The only real advantage to a unit like that would be higher frame rates across all channels and an interface that is easier to understand. In some of the lower end models the interface and naming conventions used don't always make a lot of sense since the programmers are not native English speakers. If you are happy with it then what else matters?

Just don't leave them with default passwords!

Yeah that was operator error in my opinion. Never checked for updates, and never changed the default password? Why not just hang a sign that says "I'm wide open and clueless, go nuts!" Foscam needs to have a setup wizard that FORCES the password change... problem solved. Their PR department must hate this stuff, I know I would be coming up with solutions to prevent this from being my brand again. You could also add an auto-update function for the stupid thing since it is on the net.... sheesh.

You have a few options. Geovision sells license keys to put their NVR software on your machine (it is a USB dongle actually) or you could buy one of their analog video cards and install that, then the analog cards allow syou to use their software and add IP cameras to the system. The card would act as your dongle in this case. I cannot recall which is cheaper right now, but it is easy enough to find out. The next option would be a pre-built NVR from Geovision. Their Cube NVR supports up to 32 channels and with a 2TB HD it would cost somewhere around $1800. This seems like the easiest option to me, it is always preferred (in my opinion) to stick with one brand all the way thru if possible. Especially on smaller systems because the support will be easier and interoperability issues tend to be far less or non-existent. The other option would be to look at something like Nuuo.... again, this will limit the cameras features you can use and support would be there, just not as simple as having it all from one place.

It is possible that your ISP is messing with your upload speed because they see that as a streaming service? There are some places where streaming on the upload is prohibited and it is shut down thru an automated service... which typically takes a few seconds to process the stream and evaluate it. You may want to check with your ISP and see what the rules are.

You will need an E-SATA hard drive attached to that since it has no storage on board. Also, I am betting the frame rate per channel is fairly low so it depends on your needs. It also only playback 4 channels at a time in 720p or a single channel at 1080p. I am guessing that is their live viewing and not really playback... so again, if you are good with only seeing 4 of your 8 cameras at any given time then it could be an option.

Yeah I just took what he said an assumed about a 15 foot square and went from there which is how I got the numbers I posted... do you disagree?

Some red light cameras have CCTV looking domes with motion sensors inside the dome. I have also seen regular speed sensors in dmes like that on roads with a lot of commuter traffic. They report back to the State DOT to identify traffic issues, and in some cases they are used to adjust stoplight timing, but that is pretty rare. That picture is WAY too small to do anything with. Post the full size version and we might be of more assistance.

That is typically called a Central Station or Central Monitoring System (CMS) but I don't think Swann makes anything like that for their stuff. If they do I am not aware of it.... of course I don't use much Swann gear so maybe someone with more direct experience will chime in with a possible solution. I would look at the CD that came with your DVR though, it may be on there if there is one.

Yeah those knockout kits are bad ass! This is the one I have, and I love it:

You will need at least a 210mm lens to do what you are asking. I know there are a few cameras that can provide that, but the only one I can recall right now is the Avigilon 29MP camera. It will require a professional DLSR lens that goes to AT LEAST 210mm, I am thinking 250 would be more ideal. There are other super high end cameras from companies like Cohu HD, but I am guessing they will be a long way out of your price range.

We will need a bit more information than that. How much do you want to see at that distance. If you only want to see a general overview, that is much easier (and cheaper) than being able to ID a person or a car at 200 meters.

My guess is Hoffman, their catalog is HUUUGE!

Mobotix cameras have a USB out to record to an external drive, but the encryption would still be a tough nut to crack.

The one big advantage for CAT-6 vs. CAT5e is that it is one gauge of wire larger so you can carry power a bit more efficiently as the runs get longer, but Don Stephens is correct that 5e is perfectly fine for everything right now as long as your runs as within the spec (under 300 feet).

That is your internal IP address, you need your public IP address to access it from outside of your home network. Here is a very crude diagram that I came up with to show folks how this works, bear in mind that the port number I just was random, yours will be whatever you chose. You can find your public IP address here: http://www.whatismyip.com/

What address are you using to connect to the DVR when you leave the house?