I currently have 16 cameras and a 16 channel dvr in my commercial location, and want to expand to another 16 cameras which I have bought already, but am looking for a better DVR then my first to use for it. My current DVR is a basic china imported generic (with no brand name or number on it) run of the mill $200 dvr. Having some problems with it but thats another story for another thread. The thing is it offers D1 as a recording option in the settings, which I use, but am not sure exactly how it works. I know it isn't a real time D1 recorder, but I see some dvr's that decrease the frame rate depending on how many cameras are recording, and some that record say 2 cameras at D1 and the rest at CIF. All my files appear to be D1 in size, I'm guessing at a limited frame rate, but again my DVR wasn't very clear on how it worked.
I'm looking for something that, at a minimum offers 16 channel D1 recording at a limited frame rate, has a HDMI video output, and uses SATA hard drives. I would like to be able to have 2 or more hard drives, but this isn't a deal breaker.
Would like to keep the price around the $400 mark if possible. I see some Q-See systems that fit the bill for $350 with the exception of multiple hard drive options. I'm also looking to possibly replace my current DVR with a matching unit, as I'm having some troubles with it.