shockwave199

The dahua 2MP mini dome has it's quirks, but it can still produce. That plate is 25' out and the car was in motion. Just caught a good frame. 1080p 15fps CBR 4096.

Oh yeah, that's a nice tool right there. Must have for sure. Fiberglass rods are king too.

Tell him to leave the phone off the hook If it's not a closed off vestibule, there's nothing that can be done. I find like most people who know nothing about microphones in general, when it comes to cctv mics they're even more unrealistic. The byproduct of CSI tv shows.

I have this style camera and I would LOVE to be able to take the clear face plate off and clean the inside of the lens portion of it. It's got fog spots inside, for lack of a better description. I can put on fans manually in the camera but that doesn't clear it. I think it really needs to be wiped clean at this point. Anyone ever remove the face of one of these things? I can't seem to figure out how to do it, or if it can be done at all. I know it's long shot, but I figured I'd ask.

I agree...it is a lot of money to risk on a system without much feedback/reviews. I can cover my most critical areas with 4 cams and spring for the remaining 4 at a later date. I'll defiantly have to consider the overall cost more than I have. I do have a wife I need to convince this purchase is in our best interest! I checked out the link. Decoding the changes in Dahua brand names is a challenge. From what I am reading they don't sell their brand name in the USA. They change it to some other name and model number further clouding the ability to make sound choices. Do you have a good site for their products? There's an extensive thread about where to find them. As far as convincing the wife, you might try this line in which I convinced myself- can we afford NOT to?

Yes, it's definitely the end result that matters. I ran analog cams for years, and that's why I've replaced them all with IP cams. Here's an example that's not just leaves on trees, but shows the basic issue with Dahua's softness in shadows. It's a bright afternoon; plenty of light - this shouldn't be a challenging situation. Each of these is around 25' away from the camera, which is set for 3MP and 8192 kb/s, with the lens pulled back to 3.3mm. I've used Blue Iris to zoom in on the appropriate portion of the image; zoom didn't change on either capture. In the well lit part of the yard: And in the shade, just a few feet to the side: This is why I consider Dahua's softness to be a problem. What 1.3 or 2MP will handle that better? Cause it's 250 bucks or under that was asked. I'd be curious to see hiks or a lorex result.

I don't remember it being choppy like that the first time I listened. I think it's a youtube glitch. You should reupload it and see.

Last years hurricane put our power out for three days. During that humid tropical weather is when it got the worst. I figure it might even be a dry pack inside that's done as well. But it's almost as though it's dired smudge rings now. I can't turn on the heat fan manually. Wish I could. Only the cooling fans and they don't help. It might be that any fan is circulating the moisture from the dry pack which is done, who knows. But I'd love to pop the face off. Not sure I can with this one. I see they sell them now where you can take the face off. All else fails, may need a new one. Just use this one for parts if needed. The picture is still totally useable, but the fog rings make it less than perfect now.

Well I'm not really arguing for analog. Just a different perspective is all. Food for thought. The avertx system at costco is an interesting one. I've eyed it myself. Only one person here mentioned they had it, they liked it, but it could use some software tweaking. But they did like it, from what I can remember. And then, they simply dropped out of sight here. I tried to get a followup or two, but they split. It's a lot of money for an unknown. But it seems to me that the 16 channel nvr is actually more worth it. If you get the 8 channel, it only has four cameras. To fill it out you'll need to spend upward of 900 bucks for four more cameras. That puts you at around 3k right there. Why not spend the 3k and get eight cameras and a 16 channel nvr. That's room for expansion built right in. But the problem for me once again is the camera choices. Just two types isn't enough. And I'd have to call them to put together a custom package with the proper amount of the two different cameras for my needs- if that were possible. About the only manufacturer that has a decent selection of cameras is dahua. They're at different price points, but at least the selection is there and they will work with their NVR's for an all-in-one solution. http://www.dahuasecurity.com/products_category/2-megapixel-32.html

I only suggest analog if it could make sense for a particular person. I'm not defending or pushing analog all the time. In some instances, it could still make sense. See, that's not necessarily true. That's what you come to believe when you haven't actually had an MP camera in line, and just form opinions from reading and looking at pictures. MP cameras have quirks. And even worse, unlike analog where the choice of cameras is endless, with NVR packages such as swann, lorex, or dahua, you're getting just one type of camera. Just ONE. Or if you want, for a bunch more money you can purchase a set of another type of camera- ONE other type of camera that works with their systems. At the price point for the average customer who would buy an analog system, an NVR package is actually quite limiting still. But that gets washed over by the thought of mega pixels and higher resolution. It is NOT just higher resolution that matters. You cannot throw all that matters for surveillance out the window just for the sake of higher resolution. If you do, you'll be disappointed. I do agree, seeing even a 1.3mp picture is a beautiful thing compared to an analog picture. And having that resolution means you can digitally drill into a shot more than you can with analog. But that's as far as resolution will go for you. Those who would buy into NVR packages still need varifocal camera choices, more fixed lens choices, light finder choices, cameras with audio, better WDR performance, some ptz choices, and eyeball dome choices which inherently work much better with IR built in than bubble domes. And the only eyeball dome I see available is a 1.3mp from dahua- kudos at least for that. If you want more and better camera choices, that changes the approach of your system entirely, as well as the cost. All I'm saying is that mere higher resolution is not the end all of well installed surveillance. It's a big part of it, but everything else still applies AND, you need to be very comfortable with either learning some networking techniques or have some basic knowledge to carry you through. The package NVR system providers are banking on the fact that higher resolution will distract you from all the limitations at this point. And all things considered, for certain people who ask here, I'm just trying to truly assess their needs and keep it real for them. I am hoping like hell all the offerings and improvements in NVR boxes and MP cameras comes FAST because I want to install a system at home too! But, it still has to makes sense to go through all the work of the change from analog. It just doesn't yet. Mega pixels alone isn't enough to properly work for every area I need to cover. At least, not at my budget.

There are those who swear analog is and will certainly be irrelevant. Maybe, maybe not. Keep in mind what's relevant for YOUR needs. Lots of people simply get caught up in G.A.S., which is gear acquisition syndrome. They must have the latest, the best, the newest flavor of the month, or just enjoy this as a hobby and have the money to throw at it all the time. If you prefer to set it and forget it, you might want to think about installing an IP system after all. If you're gonna be picky and you must have the best images to satisfy your eyes and you want to install it and walk away, don't do analog. The image resolution will nag you, especially when you hang out here and see all the pretty pictures posted with mega pixel cameras. Not critical crime solving pictures mind you, just beautiful shots of cars and driveways and tress and streets and yards. It's implied those beautiful pictures could ID someone, but it's always a crap shoot. They simply give more of an edge- they tilt the odds in our favor. Nothing wrong with going for the best picture you can. It's just that many people come here with basic needs and get lulled into thinking it must be all or nothing. That's not really the case, imo. You need to read here more. Hours isn't enough. You don't have a grip on everything and it's all been generously written many times here. Search for your questions- it's a treasure trove here. In short, if for whatever reason I knew I wasn't going to upgrade down the line to a network system, I would not use baluns. I'd buy quality siamese cable in bulk and put on the connections myself. I posted some good places for product in that thread. Take a look around. Search, read, learn. Keep it simple and maybe you'll get a system in place before the next incident. Good luck.

Avoid wireless. Unless you're good with networking, you shouldn't rule out analog. Your budget at the moment is better suited for analog as well. See my post in this thread for consideration- viewtopic.php?f=54&t=36261 There aren't many nvr choices out there right now except for the ones talked about lately. And you'll want to buy the cameras that work with those nvs- the full package systems. Using third party cameras with nvr boxes that are meant for specific cameras will be hit and miss, and adds complication to setting up the whole thing. No matter how easy you want an nvr system to be, you have to be prepared to network into the cameras and all, for tweaks and firmware upgrades. IP systems are easier, and more complex all at the same time. And they cost a good deal more too. Analog can be very effective. Don't let the majority of posts being in the MP/IP forum fool you. Analog can still be a great solution for many people like you. It's straight forward, reliable, greatly interchangeable for cameras, and if installed wisely it will catch the incidents you need. As much as I like IP systems and have even installed one in a business now, I look at my analog system at home and consider the choices out there and STILL come down on the side of keeping my analog system in place for another year or two. Mega pixel cameras still have a ways to go at the mid price point level. I figure in a couple years the choices of cameras and the features they have will be much more improved and plentiful. You could install analog using cat5 and baluns for your cabling, making it much easier to switch over to a network system down the line if you need to. So, don't rule out analog if you want to get a system in place and start documenting the goings on around your property in short order. Good luck.

All good, but during the day it would be an alarm fest for many, including me. How do you deal with that?

Be honest now- how many false alarms wake up up from those sensors? Honestly. Many times the intentions are good with that but after a bunch of false alarms, that's the end of that. If you say they work perfectly with no false triggers, than let us all know what ones you use and how you installed them. And I would suggest that it's also wise to consider installing a siren on the alarm outputs of any nvr/dvr. Alarm outputs with the ability to manually trigger that output is a deal breaker for any unit I choose- it must have that feature.

I think you have to keep things in perspective too. Take a look at some analog footage for an eye adjustment. Buy as good as you can afford. I think too often we get caught up in just picture quality. I save that for when I'm picking a still camera for the holidays. A 1.3 or 2mp dahua has about as good a chance at solving a crime as a 5mp axis. It's how the cameras are implemented for every zone you're covering. THAT is the challenge. Not how well leaves look on tress, but rather, how well is your zone lighted for your camera choice in the darkness of 3AM. How well the camera is aimed and framed. When some putz is trying to pry up your garage door, take advantage of an open car door, or jiggling the front door knob, how well will the camera do THEN? You want to know how well your choices are working- be the criminal in front of your cameras in the dark of night. That's when you see what the deal is. And THAT's the footage that can impress and convince others. Still shots of absolutely nothing happening for the sake of picture clarity doesn't really help the cause. And yet, we spend all kinds of money on a hope that the camera will be okay. It actually amazes me with surveillance, that we are forced to choose our weapons of choice for something as critical as crime solving, almost sight UNSEEN for our particular applications. And we pay dearly for the wrong choices. Meh- I have a head cold. Sorry I'm ranting.

For youtube, you have to leave out everything but RdzXq6FTFME, as your link provides. RdzXq6FTFME So, they park in your driveway and a neighbors across the street and for upwards of 15 minutes steal tires? Amazing that they rolled the dice that neither you or the neighbor wouldn't be alerted to someone pulling into your driveways. And even more so that they took so long- long enough for police to actually show up. The last camera with them driving away- be careful with motion blur for the sake of night time exposure. It can be counter productive. Hope they catch them.

They're even further ahead than that- the car is usually stolen.

If you want an excellent ptz, look no further than this one- http://www.securitycameraking.com/23x-700tvl-smart-infrared-ptz-59090-prd1.html I use that one at work and it's superb. I use a ptz at home similar to this one, except mine has auto tracking. It has been very nice as well- http://www.securitycameraking.com/700tvl-27x-infrared-ptz-security-59219-prd1.html Front door/walkway backyard domes- http://www.gadspot.com/p-479-gs6008.aspx For the driveway, a 3.2 which is wide enough to give you nice overall coverage- http://www.gadspot.com/p-450-gs6102.aspx There you go. Easy as that! Now if you insist on complicating the matter, ask why, why not, and I wonder if. That'll keep you without cameras recording for a good long time. You chose a nice dvr. All these cameras will serve you fine. Any one of them will catch the little bastard if circumstances are just right. Thousands of dollars in cameras still depend on circumstances being just right, as does 55 dollar cameras. You often do not need to spend two mortage payments to have a decent system. Keep it simple, and you may have a shot at getting a system up and recording in the near future. Good luck!

The 3384 looks good- maybe a little high. Not real sure what you need to cover in this room- like how many doors/windows and on what walls. Maybe bring the 3384 down to 9' and at the back of the shot, which is the outside glass behind the pool, make the height of that no more than 8'. That will help to get more foreground in the shot, while keeping anyone fully in the shot at the pool. And keep in mind, sometimes it takes more than one camera to see all you need to see. The 3364 actually may be more flexible for your fov. Keep working on the exposure. It's zoomed and getting more room than the 3384. But always keep in mind the back of your field of view need not be any higher than a tall person- 7.5' would fine too.

Just know what features you need and pick accordingly. Good luck! http://www.securitycameraking.com/16-channel-security-dvrs-199-ctg.html

Both units look to be equal at a glance. The cameras for each choice aren't great, but the hot deals cameras are 3.6mm which will give a wider field of view and they also have stronger [more] IR's, whereas the newegg cameras are 6mm and will be give a much more zoomed field of view, plus they have less IR's. So it depends on how close you'll be mounting the cameras to the targets, and if you prefer to have a wider picture or a more zoomed close up picture. Niether cameras mention TDN, so your day colors will probably be awful. Both systems you're looking at, in a word, suck. Consider spending more because it is worth it. Please remember, cheap is cheap, cheap is expensive. Perhaps with a 500gb hard drive- http://www.securitycameraking.com/8-channel-ultimate-mini-series-59081-prd1.html If you prefer bullet cameras, this is a nice 4mm on sale. It will give a nice general field of view that is versitle- not too zoomed, not overly wide. http://www.gadspot.com/p-358-gs5002.aspx If you prefer domes, this is a nice camera too, which will give a wider shot @ 3.2mm. http://www.gadspot.com/p-450-gs6102.aspx All of these cameras come with their own power supplies as well, which is nice. Grab various size cables, keeping in mind you usually under estimate what you think you need- http://www.gadspot.com/p-38-bncpower-cut.aspx This gear will cost you more, but it's a very reasonable price for the system. And once it's setup you'll be happy with the results, and will have not wasted your time. With the two systems you're looking at, you're looking at a complete waste of time. You have been told. Good luck to you!

Btw- if it's possible, also check the power supply for the dvr. They can go bad too. If you have another one at the same spec, try it and see. The same spec power supply, mind you. As far as the firmware update, it's most likely that you don't have the proper file written and/or showing on the media you're using. I don't think you can have any other file on there except the firmware, and make sure it's not a zip file of it, but the unzipped actual firmware file and nothing else on there.

Another thing to try is to unplug the hard drive and boot up the dvr. If the unit stays on without rebooting, it's something with the hard drive. Reconnect the hard drive and make sure the ribbon connector is in there nice and snug. In fact, once you open the unit, you could try that first- just disconnect and reconnect the hard drive. Sometimes reseating the connection is all it takes. If you try all that without luck, and then within the two minute reboot time you manage to do any kind of reboot schedule check or health check on the hard drive and there's still a reboot problem, have qsee send you a new hard drive. I had a thing with my qsee 408 where it would not reboot when I turned it off for whatever reason. Sometimes it would take two days to come back on. In the end it stayed off and never came back on. I opened the case and reseated the power connector in there and bingo- it boots up like a charm every time. So, reseating connections in these things should be something to try- really the first thing to try. Good luck.

I really like your reviews, B. When it comes to low light, many residential applications aren't just low light, but complete darkness. The sides of homes are many times completely dark, with motion sensor lights that pop on if needed. I would suggest that your reviews include how all cameras look in total darkness, be low light goodies and all cameras with IR. No landscape lights, no nothing- darkness. That is the reality of many residential applications and that is what tells the real story about what any camera that includes IR really looks like as well. Thanks for your reviews!

I've never used PIR sensors, but I would suggest you only consider good ones and they can range from close to 100 bucks and up. I do use wireless sensors for stuff, of the cheap variety. They generally take a pounding from climate conditions over time. It's a device you depend on for critical alerts, but over time it gets pounded by sun, freezing temps, humidity, rain, and just age. They all seem to work well in the first year and then they start to succumb to the elements. At a certain point for exterior cameras you have to concede defeat. You block what you can, set sensitivity as best you can, do a walk through to check it all carefully, and that's it. Depending, it can make the most sense to just record continuously. Some systems support dual recording, where you can have lower quality settings for continuous and higher quality when motion is sensed. But as far as motion sensing, I have a client who missed two events from absolute beginning and end because of such a wide field of view in a parking lot. There was no choice but to schedule combinations of continuous/motion recording so nothing would be missed. And it's fine. You know you won't miss a thing with continuous recording and regardless of the decrease in archive time, you have full time coverage. There was a time when I would turn off recording my home system during rain or snow, thinking that was prudent to save hard drive space. That is, until I missed theft at 3am during a rain storm. That ended that. And forget relying on emails for exterior cameras. More often than not, it's not practical. I think of it this way- if you're not recording, you're missing. You should be maxing out hard drive size regardless. Record people, just record.