Thanks for the input, but PC based systems aren't really in the cards for this, for a few reasons listed below.
The standalones work well in this environment, and are simple to use, so little training is needed for the techs, which is a big issue for us.
Really, the Sonys do the job very well, except for getting the data off and the lame network interface, and some are some still available out there, but I was hoping to test out a newer design.
I've found a few that look promising, but different manufacturer's specs can be difficult to compare sometimes.
Here are some that look like they might work for me:
GE/Kalatel DSR-2000E single channel
http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/site/GESecurity/menuitem.f76d98ccce4cabed5efa421766030730?selectedID=6396&seriesyn=true&seriesID=
Nuvico NVDV2 quad channel
http://www.nuvico.com/product.asp?strCategoryCD=DC001&strModel=DV2%20SERIES
What sort of plusses and minusses would I be looking at with these?
I'm looking at a PC based system for home use, but that's another message, with a smaller budget...
Thanks for all advice,
Max
Reasons I need standalone DVRs:
- We need extreme stability - these things will often run for months without anyone even looking at them, but when we need them, it's critical that everything be working. I walk through every now and again making sure the record light's on and the power button's not flashing on them (disk failure - just had 2 this week after 8 months of no problems). I already support a bunch of PCs, and just don't have the resources to mess around with more of them.
- The environment is very noisy, electrically, with lots of high voltage arcing, radio transmissions, etc. Our regular PCs get rebooted several times a week for various issues, though they're more general purpose.
- PCs have to be at a certain configuration before we can put them on the 'net, per corporate guidelines, and some of that contributes to the instabilities.
- The equipment is all spread around, so each tool would need its own PC and card, and many of them don't have room for one.
- There's a wide variety of technicians who use this gear, and they also contribute to PC problems. Many of them screw around with the PCs, "improving" them, and I already spend too much time un-improving them.
