webdweeb

I am a new forum user but have been researching camera security systems on and off for a few years (more toward the recent past). In that time, I have acquired the following equipment: 2 Sony SSC-CD73v cameras 2 Sony SSC-CD77 cameras 1 Axis 241q video server 1 Mac Mini Intel Core2Duo 2.4 GHz with 500GB HD (which would run Security Spy as the primary camera monitoring app, not yet purchased) None of the equipment has been installed, mainly because I plan to do the install myself, and that task has not been at the top of my honey do list until now. I am also not looking forward to installing Siamese cabling to the cameras in a house with cathedral ceilings and a slab foundation. I think this setup will work for my existing needs, but I have been contemplating adding a few more cameras, which led me to considering a stand-alone DVR instead of the Axis/Mac Mini combo. However, there seem to be very few DVRs with Mac clients or compatibility with Mac browsers (ie, no ActiveX), and I haven't found any yet with a Mac-based management software app-the best seem to be an emulated app running in a virtual Windows environment on the Mac, but I have seen no native Mac OSX management apps. Before I abandon that option and add another Axis 241q and cameras (and the Security Spy SW to manage it all), I wanted to ask the forum experts if there were any viable DVR options that would be competitive with the Axis/Mac combo. TIA for any thoughts or comments

Thanks to all that replied to my questions-your comments and suggestions have been most helpful.

Looks like the main difference between the HF-S, HF-L and HF-A models is the form factor and the number of HDDs it can accommodate-is that correct? If so, I would probably be fine with the -A model, since even 2 HDDs is plenty. It is not clear if the HDD capacity is internal or external, but given the size difference, I am assuming that they are talking about internal HDDs. Are these available without HDDs? Storage is so cheap these days that it probably makes more sense to get a non-HD model and buy and install the HDs myself.

I think the one Tom suggested is the HF-S, although I haven't spent much time reading the specs (which I will be doing as soon as I type this reply). I would probably get an 8 channel for future growth, which is a limitation of my current setup. Rory or Tom, do you happen to know the Dahua model that corresponds to the Q-See QT528?

Hmmm.it seems like I need a "Rosetta Stone" cross reference chart that shows the Dahua models against the models offered by the various US distributors so I know what I am looking at. Of the vendors mentioned, I have not found one that has a DVR that looks like the one Tom mentioned-any idea who might have one of them for sale?

Interesting software-the PCC software runs under X11 (an X Windows environment), so it's not technically Mac native, but it seems to work okay on my Macbook Pro (of course, I don't have anything setup to test it yet). The app seems to be pretty capable, from looking at the options and settings buttons, so if I can get remote viewing using a Firefox plugin for my remote Macs, I think the Dahua is a very viable option for me.

Tomcctv, I don't disagree with your assessment-I am open to switching to something else as soon as I am satisfied that it will be at least as good as what I now have (and will give me the compatibility I desire). The Dahua DVRs sound promising-now I need to find a US source and pricing for their line, since they don't appear to be sold under their manufacturer's name in the US.

Rory, thanks for the info-are all Dahua DVRs Mac-compatible, or only certain models, and if so, which ones? The PSS software at the link in your sig looks similar to a PSS package link sent to me by the Q-See TS folks-are they the same software? I think I read here (probably one of your postings) that Q-See DVRs are rebadged Dahua, but that they only sell the entry level models. If that is true, are there US vendors that sell other Dahua models (rebadged or otherwise)? I'm downloading the PSS 4.04 software and will play with it a bit to see how it looks and feels-thanks for the link.

This system is for my personal use at my residence-I'm not in the surveillance systems business, so you have probably forgotten more than I currently know about surveillance systems. I have an all-Mac LAN and have been a Mac user for some time now (since the Mac Plus of the 80s), so I'd like to keep it in the family, so to speak. My office computer is also a Mac, so if I want to monitor the cameras remotely, I need a Mac-compatible setup. It may not be achievable with a DVR, but my neighbor currently is using the 241q and 4 Sony analog cameras with his Mac Pro (with Security Spy-he is where I heard about the software some time ago), so I know that it is feasible-I can even see my own house with his cameras using a web link he sent me that I view on my Macs at home and at work. The one "must have" is for remote viewing with a Mac browser-I might be able to live with a PC-based DVR (using Bootcamp or VMWare to manage it), but a system without Mac-compatible browser capability is a non-starter for me. I think I read that Dahua is the OEM manufacturer for Q-See and a few others-is that correct? There is a Q-see DVR bundle I saw on the Costco website (has the QT528 DVR, which is apparently Mac compatible with a WINE-based app they recently developed), but I have read mixed things about the DVR and Q-See in general and would like a few more options before I make a decision. The current resale value of the Mini and the Axis (which are both brand new) gives me about $1000 to play with relative to a DVR option-I just need to find the right DVR that has the features I need. The cameras are not MP resolution but seem to be well regarded for their reliability, plus I got a great deal on them (much less than retail), so right now it is not cost effective for me to switch to a network camera approach from scratch-I will probably consider network cameras for the future, which makes your hybrid suggestion all the more relevant.

Thanks for the quick reply, tomcctv. Actually, the Axis IS supported by Security Spy-it is called out specifically in their compatible hardware list (see link below): http://www.bensoftware.com/securityspy/installationmanual/networkvideoservers.html The resale value of these items versus what I might be able to get (especially for the DVR/server portion) is what motivated me to take a harder look at standalone DVRs-a computer-based system offers more flexibility, but I don't see myself taking full advantage of that flexibility for my use (residential surveillance of a house on a small city lot). Can you elaborate on the Mac control aspect of the Dahua hybrid DVR, including any specific model numbers I should consider?