dbooksta

Looks like Blue Iris 5 can capture and create time lapse videos from a compatible camera. Can anyone recommend either of the following (which I just spent several hours searching for to no avail!): 4k outdoor camera with a wireless data connection, compatible with Blue Iris. Device to connect wirelessly to my LAN and provide a POE jack for a POE camera.

Given that D-1 only records 480 pixels high what is the advantage (and purpose) of cameras sending a 600 or 650 TVL signal?

My site is wired with Cat6 and Gigabit switches. I brought in a $700 16-channel D-1 DVR and now I'm looking at the hassle of cutting spaces for all these baluns in exterior walls and wondering why I'm plugging in $160 analog cameras when 1080p digital sensors are available for pennies. I want a standalone NVR with mature software and remote (substream) access like the analog DVRs have, and last I checked (a year ago) that cost multiples of the analogs, and the IP cameras were also double the price. Well now it looks like maybe the IP cameras have fallen into line with the analogs? So what's the state of the art: Are there mature 16-channel NVRs around the $1000 mark I should be using? Or should I finish the site with analog and give the IP stuff another year or two to mature and reach mainstream prices?

I can't find that Dahua offered domestically. I'm tempted to just find a Cat6-to-MicroUSB adaptor and buy a bunch of $100 waterproof digicams and leave them in 720p movie mode!

Thanks for those recommendations. I agree it's stupid to be using analog D1 when I'm plugging into Cat6 cable, but it's also stupid that these IP cameras based on $10 imaging chips and firmware, LEDs, and lenses are selling for $300-800 when analog cameras with all the features except resolution (plus a DAC) are under $200. I'm in an irritating situation: Spend $1500 for a 12-camera D-1 DVR system, or spend double that for an IP/NVR system. I want the resolution of the IP cameras, but I don't like feeling like I'm getting ripped off, or getting hit with the "early-adopter" premium, which is what these IP cameras seem to be doing.

My reference point is D1 analog, so even 720p/1.3MP would be a great improvement in resolution. Of course top-of-the-line vandal-resistant, outdoor, IR-illuminated D1 cameras go for under $200, so anything much above that gives me pause given that I need at least 10 cameras. What are recommended 1.3MP IP cameras for the various niches (e.g., outdoor, IR, wide-angle, zoom)?

Actually with the exception of the IPC-HDB3200C it looks like all other IP cameras are still $300-600. (Which makes no sense to me.) I'm only interested in 1080p, but I would want other focal lengths and some with IR illumination, so unless I'm missing something maybe the IP marketplace isn't mature enough for us price-sensitive users to take the dive.

Feeding 16-channel full-D-1 system via baluns. I've got the CNB VCM-24VF on my list. (Wasn't thrilled by it -- very hard to adjust zoom and focus, had to strip balun power connector to connect to the camera's.) Any others to consider, especially in the fixed focal-length, auto-focus, and PTZ niches?

Wow: That DH-NVR3216V-P looks tempting. Are those white-labelled through anyone yet? Or where are good places to buy them? UPDATE: Found this thread listing resellers: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31620 Also found the camera you must be referring to: http://www.amazon.com/Dahua-IPC-HDB3200C-2MP-Security-Camera/dp/B008K4A6LQ/

OK, I did some details searching and found the following posts helpful: viewtopic.php?p=196971#p196971 viewtopic.php?p=172618#p172618 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27302 Conclusion: For D1 recording analog resolution above 480 lines is not a relevant spec. And for those wondering why it comes up on IP cameras: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26329

I'm looking at Full-D1 16-channel stand-alone DVRs. I'll be installing one in a utility closet, so I'm most concerned with its remote usability. I saw a recommendation for Dahua DVRs, but reading their manuals didn't get the feeling their software or support is that great. Q-See's Elite DVRs, while a few hundred dollars more, seem like they have more mature software and support. Are my impressions correct? Are there any other DVRs I should be considering given my objectives?

I'm residing my house, so taking advantage of having all the walls open to pull new cable for 10 exterior and 3 interior cameras. In order to "future-proof" myself I'm planning to pull a bundle of RG6, 18/2, and Cat6 to each camera location. Locations and numbers of cameras are based on the assumption that most will have a 55-degree field of view. Now with the cable in place what equipment should I be looking at? I want a "plug-and-play" DVR with seamless remote viewing and control from computers and smartphones that can do at least 7fps D1 on 16 cameras. And I want hardwired weatherproof cameras that give crisp day and night images -- enough to give police a good shot at catching trespassers and vandals. Not knowing any better I was going to just buy a 16-channel Q-See or Swann package from a wholesale club. But I have the budget for more if there's a better way to go.

What am I missing? http://dyn.com/dns/ shows only paid plans.

Just read through the manuals: Q-See has step-by-step print-quality instructions with copious screenshots and page references for both setup and remote viewing. There is nothing like, "If you're not setup like this call us and we'll figure something out." They provide a walkthough for every contingency I could think of in advance. Q-See includes dynamic DNS. Some suggest dyn.com if you don't have a static IP, and claims it's free (it's not). Q-See looks like they do frequent firmware and software updates. You can't even tell what versions the Dahua manuals might apply to, much less whether they provide updates. I read everything I could find on Dahua (though, again, for all I can tell a lot of the documentation may apply to entirely different product lines) and still don't know for sure where I'll get tablet/smartphone apps or how they'll work. And some retailers are very explicit that you try their DVRs at your own risk: If you can't get it working, and they don't solve your problem, you can't return it. Doesn't leave one with the impression that it's going to be a user-friendly or well-supported product.

You weren't kidding on price: I just got a quote of $5000 for a 3XLogic DVR!

While we're at it: Are there any good discreet or concealed cameras with IR illumination I could mount indoors to watch the entrances?

I was going to pull 14-gauge 120V for a bunch of motion-activated lights as well. Are there any good alternatives in that space to the Heath/Zenith line offered at big box stores? (I was hoping I could find something that would allow central control -- e.g., zoning and ability to turn zones of outside lights on or off independent of the motion relays ... without running 4-way switches all over the house. But from what I've read about home-automation gear, like Insteon, the motion sensors suck.)

Thanks again -- you are awesome!

Soundy, thanks -- that is a very elegant solution! Questions on that camera: 1. Do you recommend the IR variant of that camera? Of if I want dark coverage is a different camera, or an external IR illuminator, better? 2. The CNB camera manual says not to use unshielded twisted pair wire for power. Does the balun make that irrelevant? Or is Cat5e/6 considered "shielded"?

So what should we be looking at? I'm going to run siamese cable for 10 exterior cameras around my home. I want a "plug-and-play" DVR with seamless remote viewing and control from computers and smartphones that can do 7fps D1 on 16 cameras. And I want hardwired weatherproof cameras that give crisp day and night images. What's better than Q-See or Swann DVRs and cameras for that installation?