rory

yes, the one thing I agree with is when there is a problem, you have to send back the entire stand alone unit. But 60pps is normal in security recording, for now, but as they try to compete with the cheaper units they will get higher such as 100+. If it were slow, then so many banks, and other high end applications would not be using it. I wouldnt say people that are into stand alones, you have to look at it from the security side of it, a stand alone DVR, that can be placed in a DVR lockbox, no PC, no monitor, no windows OS, and the speed is not so much an issue as is stability and security of the DVR. PC systems were primarily used by computer companies that got into the business using PCI capture cards. See a stand alone DVR is generally a multiplexer, which is needed in CCTV, Local quality video (not via a network or PC, direct to CCTV monitor), and security, come first in my applications, remote video is 2nd, and if it has it, then I want it plain and simple to use, just want to play back or view live, that makes everyones life easier. Sure I can set up a highly secure PC system, with all kinds of fault proof stuff and watch dog this and that, but for the price and work involved, its not worth it. For that I might as well just go into the computer industry. At the end of the day, I like the professional looking product of the brand name stand alone I bought, the stability of a machine like DVR versus PC, and the long warranty I get with a name brand, and guarantee they will still be around in 5-10 years. I also like the fact that the OS is in non volitile Eprom, rather than on a hard disk and running on a PC. Besides the Kodicom Units, I havent seen any other professional looking DVRs from Asia to date, they all look like cheap PCs or Cheap quads/switchers. Different regions of the world, different styles/colors. So either Stand Alone or PC bases, Im buying from the USA for now. By the way, you can very easily upgrade the firmware and remote software for the stand alones, only drawback is the hardware updates, and hardware repairs. Though the firmware is updated more than the hardware. Anyway, after saying all of that, we have a StoreSafe we have to send back now, they moved (dropped it) and or fried it!! Basically they had some electricians move it without calling us. Compression board is shot so it wont record, I imagine it was dropped as all the cables were loose also and the record button is not working (flashing red light)! Ill have a replacement in a couple days, which really isnt any different of time than if I used a PC based here in the Bahamas, we still have to wait, as there is not always stock locally. Eventually though it would be nice to have one of each on hand for warranty purposes. It wasnt one of my jobs, I sell them with Lockboxes in businesses at least so this wouldnt have happened. Hey, ill be testing that Provideo Linus standalone in few days, will let you know, cost us $1200 first cost, 16 channel, 120GB. Also, the new DVR from Kalatel will have 120pps and a CDRW and be much the same as the DVMRe in features and the StoreSafe in shape. What I dont understand is if they can get Nucleus to do 60 or 120pps, why cant they get it to do 480pps?? OR why not just switch the StoreSafe to a linux RTOS?

Stand Alones have acceptable speeds for secuity recording, with old VCRs having approx. 3.2 fps total speeds, and stand alones with either 30-60pps. These are not slow in security standards, maybe in PC video processing but then what are you using the DVR for? 60pps is a standard in high end stand alones, while cheaper Linux Stand Alones can range to 120 or more fps, and alot of cheap PC cards have come out with low cost 480pps cards, claiming they are better because of the recording speed, while they are much less stable, more confusing remote / local software, harder to set up, crash, and alot more cons than pros, especially in a security application where stability is one of the main requirements. If i was to go cheap, id buy a linux stand alone over a PC card any day though. Standalones (most, at least the more expensive ones) also have CCTV multiplexers and full high quality local video monitoring, which PCs cannot match. If you want a PC, then buy one, then again you can get 30fps from a quickCam also You will have to pay for greater stability, and or greater application features. In other words, the cheaper it is, no matter whether it is PC or Stand Alone, will not be as good as the more expensive ones.

what is your budget, and do you mean using your existing PC DVR cards? Or any other way .. for digital, you only have the choice of automatic to tape or RAID. But tape is not much so you still manually have to replace them. 4GB SanDisk USB Flash also, but not that big. If you are using PC DVR card, you can always use scheduled tasks to auto run a back up program every day. If you were using a device such as what I sell, Kalatel, they also have a digital video storage (DVSe) add on, specifically for archiving via SCSI, cheaper than RAID, but in all more expensive than PC DVR card. The DVSe holds up to 2000GB (2TB) and can be rackmounted with additional ones to give you as long a reecording as you require.

this is an interesting company I found, their products are used world wide. they also provide the DLL file so you can make your own custom application. http://www.htsol.com/ They have a product called C3 that is a stand alone system which stores up to 500 authorised plate numbers, when the car pulls up, it checks to see if it is authorised, if so it opens the gate. Data can be remotely viewed or downloaded. Anyone heard of this company, they are basedout of israel, but have majpr installations all over the world. Im thinking i could push that C3 product down here with all the gated comminuties, and the fact that I know most of the people in charge of them, directly or indirectly.

thats true, I never though of that, different colors. Our licence plates are blue.

from what I could tell, that thing you just bought is for a dome.

what are you going to do with that thing??

I found this one, not bad: http://www.security2020.com/sec2020_sc2040od.htm or this cheaper one, but doesnt look as much like a normal outdoor camera as the above one. http://www.spytechs.com/equipment_other/dummy_p3.htm that other link you posted only has a telephone number, no pricing or email. Rory

yep, ive looked around at PT scanners, they run from $700 and up, Ill just put up more cameras. thanks, ill check the link. Rory

If you dont want to spend 'that much', Provideo has a 16 channel 120GB with IP, 60pps, that is much cheaper. Its a stand alone linux embedded, CDRW, and removable standard HDD. Howver their remote software is not great, but it works and is not a PC card There are also a number of online CCTV stores that can sell you kalatel, Provideo, or others, just do a search, or email me. Rory

Check out these guys. You can just set up an account without credit terms. http://www.sdepot.com/about/branches/nc.html Get a price on a Kalatel DVMRe-CT Digital Video Recorder, they come in 10 and 16 channels, 60pps, simple setup, you can add archiving to it when you want from their DVSe Digital Storage Rackmountable Devices, which come in 40-2000GB storage each unit. You can also use Raid for archiving, or DAT. The remote software is simple to use. Here is the link to a spec sheet. http://www.geindustrial.com/products/specs/dvmre_triplex_2hdd_prd.pdf And the manual: http://www.geindustrial.com/products/manuals/dvmre_triplex_man.pdf You can install one of these in just a few minutes, fully programmed, as there is really no programming to do other than basic stuff like camera titles, record speeds, etc. They have other features you can use if you want to, but most times you wont need to, though they are there if you want it. The DVMRe-CT is the high end Kalatel Unit, they also have a cheaper one, less features, 30pps, called the StoreSafe. If you want to put the recorded in a lock box, then you will need the StoreSafe, size of a regular VCR. There is a new DVMRe PRO coming out probably in the Summer, 120pps, built in CDRW, and similar size to the StoreSafe, but features of the DVMRe-CT and then some, not until the summer though probably. Rory

geo doesnt have automatic archiving...hmmm.

no, actually good video. They are pink florsecent lights. Just posting them for grin and giggles

xview cameras in top right and bottom left

DVR, maybe its just me an you, in the sunny regions ofthe world, having issues with exview during the day? I know we have too much sun here, I think you are in the tropical area of australia? Maybe in areas up north where the sun does not shine as mucg or as strong, maybe they are better there? Where they were made.. Just wondering. Rory

noone shut me down but yes, Pelco is a good camera, that will work great, make sure its a good lens also. Rory

Well, hmm, if you make CMOS cameras then that should narrow it down, I dont think Kalatel has any Cmos cameras (could be wrong), and since you use such a wide range of camera technologies, maybe Sanyo USA? How about Provideo? Or is it a smaller manufacturer? Maybe you can slip in the dealer section and let us know, just for grins and giggles No seriously, I guess we are just curious .. Question, to anyone actually, ever see color parts coming through on a B/W camera!! I have a couple of them doing this. the color keys of a cash register, showing up as a form of color, on the B/W micro camera!! Sunlight coming through as yellow in the corner of another, all being Provideo cameras. I dont get it :-0

Yep, even using the standalone DVR we have to make standard tapes using a TV with VCR for the courts here, as they dont have computers nor know what one even looks like!

also found this wide dynamic mini dome, anyone used this yet, any good? Any other wide dynamic mini domes on the market? http://www.silentwitness.com/products/wide_dynamic.php

DVR here is the PDF for the new GE's Wide Dynamic, let me know what you think of the specs, may get one to test when it comes out, depends on price. http://www.bahamassecurity.com/ms/pdf/MS-TXP1.pdf that is acutally the brochure, below is the data sheet http://www.bahamassecurity.com/ms/pdf/20040312_ktc_xp1_ultraview_prd.pdf

DVRaustralia should be able to help you more in this area, he deals with GEO vision cards. The DVRs I use are different and have archiving options like Digital Archiving add ons, SCSI, RAID, TAPE, etc. selected by menu in the DVR's Eprom programming. GEO should have an archiving feature, to select where you want the data to archive to. You could use a USB2 External Hard Drive Bay and put in your own hard drive. Select that drive as the archive location, sometimes it will be something like drive F, depends on the device you will use.

only if the lens is an auto iris lens. There should be instructions with the camera. Basically you just adjust the iris pot (normally a small screw) adjusting the brightness of the image. You dont always have to touch it though, as from factory it should already be adjusted. Depends on your application. I normally adjust it during the day if it needs to be adjusted.

I have 2 exviews in the field right now, and they are great at night in a car park, with lighting, though pixelize alot when it gets dimmer, but the day time is not a good image at all, compared to regular lux cameras (0.5). The best day image I have is coming from the extreme CCTV EX82 camera, which has built in seperate (non low light) color and seperate BW cameras. Even under extreme sunlight and glare coming off blinding white walls, where i cant myself keep my eyes open, it is great. That client is buying a DVR and we should have them all hooked up over the next few weeks when they arrive, so ill post some images of the EX82 Infrared once its online.

see this post, may help: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=2289&highlight=backup#2289

yes, color i mean, yes, monchrome is good, exview in color is good also, if you absolutely need color at night, as I had to use in a nightclub car park, but the BW, exview or regular, will give a better image. Alot of the traditional cameras in monochrome are exview now anyway. And yes, it is a leading chip. Question, what IS the difference between super had and exview, from what I could tell, exview is more expensive, and gives lower lighting. I havent really used and Super HAD myself. Rory