cope

I just got one off apples app store called cctv tools. Haven't played with it much but it looks interesting.

Thanks tomcctv.

If I use a hybrid DVR and split 50/50 on the analog digital camers that won't be that bad. I don't need all of them to be HD. I would like to have some of them to be HD for the picture quality for safety as well as to see the beauty of the surroundings to the home. Some of the interior cameras cane be analog. If I use a Hybrid DVR when it records motion on one or more cameras I want it to DVR record as well as send over the internet to a drive I have set up in my home automaticlly. If the drive is found there I would like to have it backed up in another location. My son is IT and he said if it sends we will record here with a back up.

I want a non computer based control unit for reliability. Re-booting or a system that I have to maintain on premises will not work due to my distance from the system. If that means a hybrid unit so be it. Would that be my only option. Assuming IP cameras are to be used.

Thank you !! thewireguys for the breakdown on the difference between DVR NVR etc. that is very helpfull !!

I'm kind of late on the posts but as dahomes555 stated a hybrid sounds right. Can these DVRs go 100% digital or can they only go like 4 qnalog and 4 digital on an 8 camera unit?

As it was explained to me was. If a DVR can go from analog to digital with just a click of the mouse, cameras can be changed over to digital one at a time. When the analog camera either dies or you just want to change over certain cameras. This way should make it easier to make the change over to digital. The market is so deep into analog it is way too costly to change all at once. This is how it was explined to me. Some people have told me to start out with analog due to the cheeper cost of the cameras and add on digital down the road when digital camera costs come down. I am from the generation that saw calculatos the size of and cost of cars. The more that were sold the $ and size were dropped. This market will see the same thing happen. Look at the cost of TVs. They need to be purchased and $ will drop.

HIK Vision makes a DVR that works on both analog and digital. I saw it at an ADI show last week. You only have to set it's software up to make the transition. One click. I don't want to use a PC. My son works in IT fixing computers for a major defense contractor all day and he wouldn't own one except for a door stop. He has worked for Apple and owns only Apple. He is extremly familiar with both platforms. He has been doing it for 22 years. If I have to switch my Mac to configure the DVR as a PC I will. I will go all analog before going PC. I have read some articles on the web where people say don't go PC because not being a solid platform. Their are times when i will not have easy access to the system to fix it. This will be in a summer place. So traveling many miles to fix it because of a PC bug is not an option. I know there is software out there to view my cameras on an Ipod/Mac. I would just like to access it and set it up using one if possible. A 400 mile trip to fix a problem won't happen. Digital is going to take over just like it did in TVs so something is out there or will be. I would like to be ahead of the curve. Change is good!

Dome cameras with heaters is exactly what I want. Any good ones out there. As you can tell I am new to this and I want to do this right the first time. Everyones help has been great! I would rather stay away from a PC based install. PC's have to many bugs and problems, thats Y I like Macs. I think using a DVR (Linux) is more stable for the base recording of the system. I'll use a large hard drive for storage in the DVR. My son is IT and I'm an electrican of 40 years so we have those 2 bases covered. We just need to know what is the right equiptment to use and in what order. Trial by error is not an option. If I have to set it up using a computer I would rather use a Mac. I can set it up using the MAC as a PC and flip to Mac for access. Not ideal, I would rather stay with a DVR that is set up and MAC access, go with POE due to the difficulty of running the wire and getting power at the camera locations. I don't know if there is a DVR out there that will do what I want and if their is, would anyone know a good one. So what I think I need in the correct order is Modem, DVR, something to power POE, like a ethernet switch for 8 cameras, Cat5e or 6, to an IP camera or if using analog a balun to analog camera. Will I need anything between the Cat5 and an IP camera to make the transition, or is it just a hard connection. (wirenuts) I thank everyone for this help. The use of analog cameras on Cat5e at first then switch over one at a time to HD is a good idea due to the cost of the new technology and my limited funds. I have at least one location HD would be nice. So their might be a mix at first.

This installation will be in a post and beam house. The install is not easy since the wall panels can't be snaked. This is Y POE should be much easier and less noticable. The equiptment will subjected to very cold temps. I will have to keep the equiptment worm somehow. In somesort of heated box ( locked box ) and above freezing! Thanks for all the good info. It will greatly help me with this install!

Thank you dahomes555 for the wireing color code.

Thank you. I have been told that digital is the way to go. That analog is old tech. Digital using cat5 to baluns? I hope I have that right, And an 8 port POE switch.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a MAC DVR for 8 cameras.

Is it better to just use baluns for powering up the IP cameras?

I have been a MAC guy for a long time. Making this system working on a MAC is very important to me also. I would like to go POE for it's ease.