ipProTech

State workers here in the USA seem to get away with a lot when it comes to their Union.

Been working with a State Agency (DMV) who was interested in putting cameras in lobbies to help with worker safety. When HR was contacted, and I guess even the Attorney General, they said that CCTV cameras in the work place was a negotiation piece for the State Union Workers. So, basically no CCTV until they go to the Union and "Bargain" which they don't want to do at this time Anyone having issues of putting CCTV in State office buildings where the CCTV cameras could at the same time be in view of people working? Anyone have any info on this, I would much appreciate it.

Anyone aware of any software that does real-time object tracking and control of network cameras? Something compatible with Sony SNCRZ30N?

inetcam is a webcam product. I would not classify it as a professional video surveillance and monitoring product. If you don't mind poor performance, then it may be ok. I didn't find it too appealing.

The issue with Milestone/ONSSI/Selva is that the live video feed is tied to the record framerate. Chances are the system you saw had the record frame rate set low. on the SNC, the SNCRZ30N doesn't have the same optics as the SNCZ20N. The 20N is better (newer camera) and has better night time viewing. Sony is releasing the SNCZ30N/2 which I believe upgrades the optics to the level in the SNCZ20N. 30N is the Dome, 20N is the box w/zoom. If you get a chance, check out the night vision of the 20N for comparison. On the IR, I believe in night mode the Sony cameras take away the IR filter, so you should be able to use an IR illuminator. I did test with an IR remote control, Green light was flashing and very visible.

On the Sony Night time image quality, you really do need to tweak the settings. Once you tweak the settings, the camera can be, by far, really, really good. You must change the shutter speed a little and basically do a manual setting. Once you play around with that at night I think you should see a big difference. The auto mode isn't all that impressive. One utility that will be available soon to help make Sony cameras better at night as well as add other tweaks is IP Pro Cam. www.ipprocam.com

Personally I think a complete Sony solution is your best bet. Sony IP Network Cameras are by far the best on the market offering the best video performance and image quality. Combine with RSM and you can monitor at full motion video and record at a lower rate. Nothing right now compares for the price and feature set. Milestone is also good, but you can't monitor at a high rate and record at a lower rate with Milestone. New RealShot 3.0 coming out in January, it sounds to be very nice.

Anyone used the Bosch IP Network Cameras and or network servers? Looking to see what people think of hte Bosch IP stuff.

I think people are very right in this thread that point out how many people build PC DVR's and know very little about computers. Heck even I built a desktop PC as a DVR in my day (don't tell anyone). But, if your going to use something like a geoVision (good interface, easy for users to use), use a Workstation or Server based motherboard/case. We build only with Workstation grade systems. SATA with Hardware RAID, SATA, etc. It's not the cards, its the computer builders. It was easy for us as we come from the IT world and not the security alarm world. Night and day on quality. By the way, a workstation class system is not a fast system, it is quality of the motherboard/case that makes it a Workstation or Server. The systems are made to handle longer lifecycles, heat, usage, etc. Anyone who builds desktop systems are waiting their customers money in my opinion. Think about stand alone DVR devices (many are just cheap PC's in a DVD looking case). Something to think about anyway.

They look cool, but the Shuttle is simply a pain in the butt to work with. If you ever need to get back into one, you have to basically tear it all down (no matter what you are trying to get to). I built two solutions like this in the early days and would never do it again. Use only Workstation grade systems. Too many people are still using desktop computers that are not made to be PC DVR's. Desktop systems are not designed to be on 24x7 banging away at the io subsystem. That is what Workstations and Servers are made for. Higher quality parts that last and take the abuse. Workstations are available in P4 or Xeon that give great performance and offer quality that will make the dfference when it comes to keeping or getting referrals from a customer. Here is a good article that helps people understand that a dekstop PC is not a workstation or server grade PC. http://www.intel.com/business/smallbusiness/products/server/rs_checklist.pdf

What is the best camera to use for being able to view a license plate at night. I have a client that lives out in the middl of know where with no light. The have one way in on the road they live and they want to identify license plates that come up the road. Are we talking IR or some other kind? Probably lookin to use a GeoVision card... Any help would be great.

Anyone use the license plate recogonition with GeoVision? Does it work, what is all involved, board, camera, etc.

Netcam Watcher Pro seems interesting. Only issue I see the display rate...on a 30fps camera is less then 5ofps (Sony). I wish some of these less expensive software packages could reach the performance of ONSSI/Milestone.

Anyone every do a car wash solution? I'm putting a proposal together and just wondering what others may have run accross. Probably your standard GeoVision GV800-16 with day/night low lux cameras.

Just FYI, after having used Py Software ActiveWeb Cam, I can say that the software version 5.0 is pretty buggy and the company gives no support. They don't answer questions and just say thanks for the suggestions, when in fact you ask them a question regarding a feature that doesn't work. Very disappointing