JoeC

Pulled the trigger today and ordered all the equipment. Hopefully I can get it configured and setup when it arrives. Thank you guys so much for your help. I'll keep posting about the install.

Hello, I'm a n00b here so please be gentle My wife works for a small business that runs gas stations/convenience stores. I do their IT work for the most part, so at a few locations I've set up simple video security systems. In the past, I've just bought an out of the box system from Sams or Best Buy, etc. However, there is a location they have that is a little bigger and right off the interstate and they want to have a better system. So, I've been looking at doing an analog system with at least 6 cameras to a DVR. I've thought about building a PC based DVR but the more I look at it, a pre-configured one is probably the way I'll go. We need 3 outdoor vandal/weatherproof cameras (night IR is not needed but might be handy for some instances). No need for PTZ as this won't be monitored all the time, but a little fixed zoom may be nice since the cameras will be on the building watching the pumps. The indoor cameras we would like to have audio if available since they will be watching the cash registers and in the office. I will be doing the install myself. I have experience running CAT5, etc but not coax/BNC. We probably have a budget of around $2000 at this point since they just got taken for a ton of cash from a Manager and then a break in a day later. So, I'd like to get this put together while the feeling is fresh in their minds. Any help would be appreciated!

Due to the orientation of the pumps and not mounting them to the canopy, license plates would not be able to be video taped. Possibly one of the cameras on the corner of the building will have a good angle, but I will have to check that when I'm back at the site. That one would probably need some extra zoom.

Ok, here is a list of things I've come up with so far: 1 Samsung SRD-850DC DVR 3 VCM-24VF camera 3 DBM-24VF camera 6 mounting brackets 1 EV08P-VPS power supply 6 EV01P-VP-T baluns Cat5 cable, ends, etc Wall mount rack enclosure Is there anything else you guys can point out that I would be missing?

I don't believe license plates will be captured.

3 cameras will be outside. 3 or 4 will be inside. Also, does the DVR power the cameras or do I have to get an external power supply?

No cameras on the canopy, they will be all either on or in the building.

I'm not sure I could swing the extra cost of a higher end DVR to the owner...

Ok, so I'm leaning towards the Samsung SRD-830 DVR and 6 VCM-24VF cameras. I have 1000' of CAT5 already, so that shouldn't be an issue. Can you guys point me into the right direction for the baluns and anything else that would be needed for installation? Any ideas for running mic's?

Yes, light shouldn't be a factor. They are open 24 hours now, but that is subject to change. So be prepared for low light probably wouldn't be a bad idea.