oldgoat99

I'm getting ready to upgrade my current system whaich consists of an 8 channel Dahua DVR and five 700TVL dome cameras. This will be my fourth and hopefully last upgrade. I've looked at the packaged systems and found them mostly lacking for one reason or another. I'm hoping that I can accomplish a couple things by piecing a system together that the boxed systems don't provide. Goals: 1.To be able to chose different resolution and focal length cameras based on my needs. 2.To be able to add huge amounts of storage. Maybe 12TB? Though 6TB may be adequate. 3. To have complete access to all the the configurations on the NVR via the internet. And also be able to do live monitoring and the ability to transfer video to remote storage also using the internet. The reason for this is that the NVR will be in a location that is not accessible for hooking up a monitor or mouse. So, my only question right now is... Does Hikvision have an NVR that can do #3 in my list? I'm on a budget so I'd like to keep the total price of the NVR under $400 (excluding the drives) if possible. Less would be even better. And, if not Hikvision, then who? If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Cliff Notes: I need a DVR to interface with Lorex cameras that can be managed remotely over the interned with no physical access to the DVR box required. Management functions should include network file transfer and backup to a network attached server as well as the common DVR management activities. Recommendations would be appreciated. Long version: Ok, some history on my surveilance system experience. Ten years ago I installed a 4 camera Swann package system in my house. The DVR user Interface left a lot to be desired but once I learned my way around it seemed useable. I had it networked through my router and was able to do all the setups and manage everything from my PC. I was also able to set up ftp transfers of motion dectected events to my server on the web. My biggest problem with the system was the quality of the recorded video. I was basically useless for identifying anyone. Now fast foreward ten years and I guess I didn't learn my lesson. I did a lot of research before putting my system together and now I'm regretting my decision. Here's the situation. I bought 4 Lorex cameras and the resolution is much better than my previous system. The mistake was hoping the Swann DVR had made some improvements over the years. But, no, they have actually gotten worse, at least for the DVR4-4000 system which I bought. Many of the Swann DVR functions that the DVR does have simply don't work and even the ftp function has been removed. In the setup section when remote viewing I'm not able to get anything to work. e.g. alarm settings and area mapping functions for the motion detection. I have the DVR stashed away in a room and in a location which is about a secure as it gets and connecting a monitor and mouse to it to make changes and manage the systen is difficult and I would've thought Swann would've made those functions available over the network. NOT! Anyway, I would like to buy a new DVR that has the following functions that Swann doesn't provide and would connect to my existing Lorex cameras. A better user interface. For example one that allows you to resize the window when remote viewing over the ethernet. Resizable sub windows. Trying to navigate through a sea of motion deteccted files in a 2 inch window is just painful. A better search function. It's not that difficult to program a search that would allow a time period for all cameras instead of having to do a search for each camera. File management functions... Capability to delete files from a remote ethtrnet connection. Actually all management functions available through ethernet from a connected PC would be ideal. Video file backup over the Ethernet to a network server. I just can't believe the only way I can back up files is by plugging in a thumb dirve into the front of the system. Amazing in this day when everything is connected to everything. I guess that's about it. Suggestions would be appreciated. ?? One other thing. The fan! The fan! Holy cow! It sounds like a turbo fan jet. I can deal with that but there has to be better options for a somewhat stealth operation. About Me: It's not like I don't have *any* experience in setting up complex systems, although my user name can be taken literally and could be part of my problem. I was a systems programmer/analyst and designed user interfaces and databases which could be accessed through the ethernet world wide on both Windows and Unix based systems by hundreds of users. I was also a Unix systems administrator for 10 years. Now I'm just an old fart trying to set up a security systen for my home. Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

From now on you can refer to me as dumb and dumber! Will post reasons in the dvr section and hope someone can point me in the right direction.