mgb

You can do without a managed switch but would typically want to use a Poe switch unless you plan on powering the cameras through power supplies. They're may be Linux based solutions but I'm not in the know on that as I typically install commercial pc based servers with Windows Server or 7 installed. I'd say your best bet would be to look at hikvision and Dahua as they both have many choices for nvrs and cameras. Some of their nvrs have built in Poe switches just be ware that some may be 8 ports with only 4 of them having Poe.

Sounds good. I've git to check with my supplier and see if he's got anything coming diwn the pipe on this. I'd loveto see it fir myself

That's good to know on the noise issue. As far as using baluns, its my understanding that hd-cvi doesn't have the issues that hd-sdi has so they may be fine. Winnic does just sell through suppliers. I'm not an end user. The thing with winnic also is that the way it was explained to me, they are oem'd by both dahua and hikvision. There are also 1080p cvi systems which seem like they'd be more worth it as long as there's not a huge price difference

That's what I'm thinking

Well, I see the first response was of no help to the matter. You will definitely benefit from dropping ADT. They charge premium rates for garbage. If there is a serious problem with bad resolution on the existing cameras, I would try and go for better than 700tvl. Are you looking to keep the dvr? If you do use 700tvl cameras, you will need a 960h dvr to benefit from all the extra tvl. Best bang for your buck in your case may be an hd-cvi setup. You can get high def on the existing lines (provided they're not hacked by a botched install) Are your existing cameras run with coax cable. For remote viewing your cameras, there is no need to have to pay extra money for anything. Ddns allows you to not have to pay for a static ip and most remote view apps are free.

Oh I understand all about baluns. I've used both passive and active. My confusion was in that the op's question seemed to involve soldering the cat5 to the balun.

In many ways I'd say go with an embedded nvr. To build a decent pc based nvr will definitely cost more. A pc based nvr doesn't have any special capture card like dvrs do but you'd want to build it to a decent spec. You'd also want a decent size hard drive for file storage (but that's kinda obvious) And then there's setup of the needed software whether it be blueiris or one of the many others. The nvr software will allow you to set up framerate and all that. There's always some limit, whether its a pc based or embedded nvr. Embedded nvrs just pretty much work from the get go. One of the main limits is that they are limited ti a certain number of cameras like a dvr. So if you're planning 4 cameras, you may wanna get an 8 input. Another limit is that all camera brands and models may not play nice with it so you may wanna pick an nvr by a company whose cameras you plan on using. If you go with a 4 channel embedded nvr and decide you'd lime to add more, adding another nvr is not the most eligant way.

I'm always all for soldering when needed but I'm a little confused here. What type of connections are used at the baluns for attaching the cat 5? I'm used to seeing small screw terminals and push in connectors so I'm a little lost on where you'd be soldering

On the power wires, you can test it with a multimeter but it will be the uninsulated wire will be negative and the insulated wire will be positive.

I'm interested in seeing how you make out. I really haven't been keeping up with the hd-sdi stuff and I've been mildly entertained by the thought of using 960H but in my full time job, its mostly MP IP. On my side residential stuff, I'd love to push ip but its hard even with Dahua & Hikvision pricing so I typically go analog. I was just talking to a sales rep for Winic (Dahua rebranded) the other day and he was chatting up hd-cvi. Now today I get an email from my Dahua supplier pushing hd-cvi kits for $299. They've got 4 720p fixed bullets & a 4 channel hd-cvi dvr. It doesn't mention hard drive so I'm thinking its not included. Now I probably won't go with the package deal because I don't trust them. The cameras and dvr look different than any devices on Dahuas site but if the per piece price is right on hd-cvi (or hd-tvi) I'd be happy to just be done with analog all together.

Does your dvr have a mic input? If so the mic terminates there. So is it just the white cable unknown now? Your facts are still a little vague here. What do you mean by used cables. Can you shiw pics of the other ends of these cables?

If you're using it for ip cameras, then the terminations have to match. Here's a little tutorial on that http://www.lanshack.com/make-cat5E.aspx If you're using it for analog cameras with baluns, then no there's not really a proper convention for it. I just stick to the standard pairs so I remember what order things are in. The pairs are Pair 1- Blue Pair 2- orange Pair 3- green Pair 4- brown I always use the blue for video

It's hard to say just looking at the wires. Usually if something is powered backward, it just won't work. But first off, about your mic cable I'm assuming that's the bare copper and white one. That looks like it would be the audio line that would not go to a power supply. How many wires are at your microphone? How many cameras? 2? Does the white cable go to one camera and the black (middle cable) go to another camera and the end black cable to the mic? If I had to guess on the power, at least for the red and black cable, I'd say its typical to assume the black is negative and the red is positive

Maybe to a small amount but I'm not sure it'd be much better

So, you're gonna swap the two? Also make sure you upgrade that power supply to a 4amp

Security camera king sells a lot of it

Anybody? I'd say you've already got your answer from the above responses. No matter what, you're best off having the camera outside if its viewing the outside. If the window material is blocking ir light from the 10meter light source, I don't see how the 45meter source is gonna be better. Further distance from the light source will be illuminated but the window will still block the same amount of ir light.

I am no port expert and may be wrong here but why port 8081? The only reason I ask is because I thought there were other sources that used port 8081. I always change the web port from port 80 to 85.

It's possible that the front camera is just bad out of the box. But you still should bring the power supply as close to it as possible in order to eliminate cable as problem.

Kinda hard to say. its a little vague but off the top of my head, I'd say possibly a weak connection in the cabling. could be a less than perfect contact between the crimp connection and the copper braid or possibly just not very good cable. maybe you got pre-made cables with a kit? those cables tend to be pretty cheap.

By regular poe switch, I mean one that doesn't say 24 volt. here is a poe switch that has 8 ports with 4 of them providing poe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156229&cm_re=poe_switch-_-33-156-229-_-Product Even if your camera doesn't truly support poe, you can use poe with a splitter and use the poe power converted to 12 volt (or a couple of other selectable voltages if needed) and jacked into your cameras power jack http://www.neweggbusiness.com/product/product.aspx?item=9b-33-980-028 I use one of these for powering a small wireless switch when setting up cameras. it works great

The biggest problem I see in your pic is that you've got it aimed so you're seeing a whole bunch of trees and sky. The image looks clear but I'd say you have the wrong camera for the job. for getting plate numbers, you don't normally use 2.8mm or 3.7mm lens canmeras which is what often comes in those package deals. you should have a verifocal lens, maybe something like a 2.8-12mm so you can tighten in the shot to where you're seeing a tight area around the plate. If you know you're being served papers, does it really matter what the plate number is? as far as choppy video, what is your recording frame rate? it's hard to tell what some people mean by choppy because I get the feeling some people expect movie quality film from their security cameras.

Welcome Daniel, I hope you get your questions answered

I'm not surprised that it didn't turn on. I would try a regular poe switch or injector. I find it a little odd that GW Security doesn't mention much about the poe other than in the description. Even on the ethernet jack thats shown in the pic, just states "Ethernet" where often but probably not always, they will state something about poe. I would still think that the piece you found about 12 volts was probably referring to the regular power jack.

Ok Does any camera fully light if its the only one on the power supply. You also should show some detailed pics of those ones that appear to have reflection.