rory

Another, not free though http://www.warelogic.com/ More http://visl.technion.ac.il/projects/2003w24/ http://www.platerecognition.info/1104.htm

The only free open source one I know of, no idea if it works with IP cameras http://javaanpr.sourceforge.net

New Software - Dahua PSS Full Screen Start PSS Software in Full Screen. Once again 100% Free. http://www.bahamassecurity.com/software/cctv-software/dahua-pss-fullscreen.asp

New version CenterV2 Full Screen Mode viewtopic.php?f=36&t=25232&p=152478#p152478

Here is an app that will open CenterV2 and auto hide the log .. Someone asked about that in another post before. NOTE: This will only work once the Log has been set to "Float" in the Center settings. This requires a Wide Screen Video setting as far as I know, as in 1024x768 it does not give that option. I will need to test that some more, as My native res on my LCD here is wide screen. The default settings will load "C:\CenterV2\CenterV2.exe". Optionally you can send switches to it. To add a switch, first save the file somewhere it cannot be deleted by accident, such as in its own folder. Create a shortcut of the file then open that shortcut's properties. Add one of the following switches after the "Target" path. You could then just drag that Shortcut to the Start Up section on the Programs Menu. Full Path - set a different path Example - /f:Z:\Files\Center\CenterV2.exe Drive - set a different drive location, using the default program location Example - /d:F where F is the drive and the actual path is "F:\CenterV2\CenterV2.exe" Example target with the Drive switch for Drive F: C:\HIDECV2.exe /d:F will load "F:\CenterV2\CenterV2.exe" No installation required, the program runs in the background and ends after 2-3 seconds from CenterV2's opening . As it uses a Timer API, there is an error check for 5 seconds incase it has a problem loading CenterV2, in which case it will show an error message and end. After 100 odd loading tests on my 2Ghz old PC i didnt get any such errors. [edit - see new link may 27, 2011]

What I was trying to find out, what type of camera is the first one? A bullet camera with Infrared LEDs?? The box camera is probably not a Day Night camera. You could open it up and look for the IR Cut filter, but you could end up damaging at least the IR cut filter by removing it. Some cameras will switch to BW but still have fixed IR cut filter so wont pick up any IR, those are not Day Night cameras, although they could be if they were left without an IR cut filter (washed out colors) or included the IR Cut mechanism (more expensive). Digital day night cameras have no IR Cut filter similar to a Color IR bullet/dome, they somewhat enhance the colors digitally. If its a TDN camera the mechanism will be inside the camera casing. Just because they advertise it as a TDN, doesnt mean it really is. The switch to BW is separate from the IR Cut filter BTW.

Both images look horrible. Are you sure the first one is not a Color IR camera? What type of camera is it? Neither look like they have any IR in the image anyway. 2nd one is missing part of the bush on the right that would have some light on it as in the first image.

as far as Geovision original software goes, CenterV2 will do 24/25 way (25 in 1024x768). It wont go full screen by default but you could try the full screen hack here: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=25232&p=152478#p152478 For CenterV2 though you need to setup the remote PC to accept requests for the port (default 5551) and set that IP in the DVR's centerV2 setup. In CenterV2's preferences you would check the box to close the channel manually so it always stays up.

7.5 feet from the ceiling, 2.5 x 2.5 feet? you could get either a varifocal lens like a 5-50mm to be sure (more $$), or get some fixed lenses like 8mm, 12mm, and 16mm.

I had a WD Green, spent 2 weeks trying to figure out why my DVR's recordings were jumping, skipping, while the system worked fine - changed the mobo even with no luck, ran full tests on the HDD and it was fine - in the end i connected a 5400rpm USB drive and used that instead, problem went away - so I got rid of that green drive quickly and replaced with a WD Blue drive, problem fixed. So whether the greens will work or not (i HAD to put one in a Dahua for a client as was the only 2TB I could get locally at the time and it DOES work, 7fps though so who really knows), I would not suggest it, but maybe others have more time to troubleshoot than I do.

I use motion detection recording and it DOES work for the most part, and work GREAT when you need to search video to see if anyone was there. I wouldnt have it send emails though, clouds and shade etc will set off some cameras depending on the time of the day. But I rather scroll through several false alarms than hours of nothing. BTW Video motion detection is never a replacement for a good alarm system.

the cheap 1/3" color IR cameras are also normally much better overall cameras than the cheap 1/4" color IR cameras.

In some cases though an updated firmware can fix alot of bugs. Just have to make sure one uses the correct firmware for the system.

Whatever works.

Seeing as i use all of the cameras mentioned, cant beat the BW bullet for night vision, sucks during the day though. Single CCD day night cameras still have a LONG way to go. That said, if you were to add IR then the CNBs work great. The DFL-20s is not a day night camera BTW, they do better than other cheap color domes though, but still they are mainly for indoors with alot of light - that said I put 2 outside under an eave for a client that INSISTED, from last year august, though we dont have winters like they do up north and the rainy season is about to kick in soon so will see if they last then. A friend of mine also put one outside their business and it still works, with a 2.5mm lens, but can never get the edges focused on it so best stick with the lens it comes with, and at night it doesnt see much. Besides the VFL-20s is the outdoor version of it. what I want to try next are a couple KT&C day night cameras: KPC-VDE101NUV17 KPC-EXTW670NHDC6

If there is a Protocol like Generic try that, or Pelco P or D .. When I got that error message it did not work, I think we set the last dome to Generic actually, and just changed the settings as per the com port settings.

Careful though as there is no config or any other buttons. However, if you have a list of tasks, although none of the other system tray menu items work, and will crash the program (as they dont exist in this stripped down version), the tasks part of that menu does work. So you dont even need to put it on start, can just open the tweaked version, then using that menu select the task to start, pause, or switch between them.

Sure the protocol is correct?

no prob ... updated .... added an example tweaked skin viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23702&p=155404#p155404

Here is a taste of what can be done ... http://www.bahamassecurity.com/articles/dahua-pss-skins.asp

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25477&p=155398#p155398 BTW a recent tweak I did, I now have the skin folder "safely" down to 1.97MB, from the default 55MB. When I get a chance I will post updates about that.

Edit PSS_Config.ini [Version_Info] ...... DevMaxCount=50 ......

Why?

I got rid of that crappy Arecont camera a long time ago, it was useless for my app.

not the same camera, but just an example of analog and MP night time comparison bw bullet vs Arecont AV5100M-DN (default settings) Obviously the MP camera is higher res, im just comparing light sensitivity.