Greetings!
My question concerns possibly getting an 8-channel DVR, and I want a
rather high-quality one, even if it "slightly?" more expensive.
I have a 4-channel GadSpot DVR and a 4-channel Swann DVR.
The "live view" of both are about the same, and pretty good. I
actually prefer the Swann DVR, because it uses javascript and will
therefore allow camera view/playback in my Firefox web browser on my Linux
system. The GadSpot DVR uses vbscript and is only viewable in Microsoft's
Internet Explorer. (I'm a Linux/Unix person.)
However, while the "live view" is similar, the PLAYBACK seems better
on the GadSpot DVR when compared to the Swann, so I use the GadSpot one.
Since the "bottom-line reason" I have the cameras is so I'll be able
to provide some evidence to the police if a third thing is done to my
mother's pickup truck in the driveway, quality of playback is important to
me.
I put up 4 still cameras in January of 2009. In late 2010, I put up
one PTZ camera, so I really have 5 cameras, now. (I have a video switch
that allows me to place the still camera for the front door "in place",
for camera #1 on the DVR, for overnight or when I leave for work. The PTZ
camera is also mounted where it can see the front door, as well as nearly
everything else visible from the front of my house. However, I do have
the PTZ camera switching between setpoints a lot when I'm home and
currently doing something where I can view the cameras while doing other
things. The primary reason is the flat glass of the still cameras don't
provide nearly the same number of "reflection points", whereas the
dome/bowl-shaped glass of the PTZ camera, if the sun is shining close to
directly into the lens, it manifests even dozens of "reflection points".
The "reflection points" could potentially make something I wanted to
really see as clearly as possible less visible/clear.)
It's fine, as I have the Swann for a backup. These were not
expensive DVRs, and I like having a backup if the GadSpot one breaks.
Since the GadSpot DVR is now just beginning to every once in a while
show "little somethings" that make me suspect it is wearing, though still
working okay, I am just beginning to consider whether I want to get an
8-channel DVR (since I now have 5 cameras, all 5 and up to 3 more if I
grow some more could be recorded).
Again, highest quality playback is among my highest concerns.
I recall something along the lines of some cheaper DVRs couldn't
really record all 4 at the same number of frames or something that would
result in a less-full-quality playback or something like that.
I post this question here, as it seems to be a forum where people who
know DVRs visit and could possibly help me. If you know of a/some web
site(s) that provides good "lay person" information to help me understand
what makes some DVRs better quality or information on where I might
purchase a high-quality 8-channel DVR, I would appreciate it.
Thank you!
Barry