CorvairShaggy

So, would you consider Vitek to be a cheap supplier? They hold security conferences all around the country and as far as I can tell, are also based out of the U.S. I'm confused because in all your responses, you said I keep using cheap chinese crap. One of the DVRs I am using, yes, is a Chinese manufacturer. No, I have never used an Hikvision box before, but I have heard mixed reviews on those as well. Just for the hell of it, I may order one up and see if it gives the same issues. I assume that maybe the Sony TV I am using is also cheap Chinese that is causing the overscan. I already know that RCA and Dynex are cheap, so I would expect something quirky out of those.

Even the "Name Brand" Vitek DVR does the same as the China "Crap", that is what has me stumped. I expect the China DVRs to be cheap crap, but then again, is there such thing as a cheap analog stand-alone DVR that actually has a user friendly interface?? The cameras are all TVI and they work great, it's just for the customer viewing it on a 32" TV, it has to be on VGA. Problem is even at 1920x1080, the HDMI has a better/crisper/brighter picture than on the VGA at the same res. If I didn't have a picky customer, then the VGA would have been fine, but long term, I would like to hook HDMI and be done with it with all analog to HD conversion setups. So you are saying that CVI will be the better technology/format long term? From what I have read, since TVI is open source, that it will be cheaper and be more compatible long term in regards to analog/Siamese cabling. All new installs will eventually be IP since the price is finally coming down on those, but I still think IP is more expensive setup vs. CVI/TVI for a HD resolution (I might be wrong on this as I have not checked on IP prices recently).

I have been playing around with some new HD-TVI DVRs. I have a Vitek Transcendent and a Chinese Generic DVR. On both units on multiple 32"-42" TVs, it has an overscan issue where about 2-3 inches of the picture is chopped off. Basically, if the TV had an overscan adjustment, I could "pull" the image in horizontal and vertical to get it to fit into the display. I have tried changing the output resolution on the DVR, and tried changing the aspect ratio on the TVs with no luck. When I talked to Vitek about it, they said that the HDMI output on their DVRs was designed for HDMI Monitors and not TVs, but sometimes you can get lucky. They said they are using their unit on a 65" Vizio without issue, but other than that they could not give me any other suggestions. I ordered the Chinese Generic DVR from my supplier in China, and found out it does the exact same thing. It is a totally different menu system/hardware than the Vitek, so it is not a case of a rebranded DVR. I did install a Swann HD-TVI system for someone, and it worked perfect on a 50" (Can't remember brand). So, has anyone else ran into this issue, and if so how was it resolved? I am planning on switching over to TVI systems because the cost is the same as analog, but at some locations the DVR is hooked to a TV for display, and some are not. Trying to figure this out before I proceed any further with the TVI. Do the HD-CVI DVRs have the same issue? Hard to tell which format is going to take over. I did not have this issue on HD-SDI, but that technology was expensive, and seems liek it is being phased out already.

I had a Samsung SDR-5102N DVR. I emailed Samsung (Techwin), and this is what they responded with a week later. It worked perfectly. Don't know if this is specific for the SDR series or works on others. This is a common issue. Would be nice if everyone could come up with a list of Samsung (Techwin) DVR series and what procedure/codes work for which models and maybe create a sticky with this info. Good Luck! 1. Press this button sequence on your remote control while pointing at the dvr unit.(One button at a time lightly at a fast pace) FREEZE> ALARM> FREEZE> ALARM> FREEZE> RETURN 2.When prompted to load the factory settings press OK 3. After loading the factory settings you will be able to create a new password.

OK... so basically, I am looking at a min of 40% increase in file sizes then. So, I would guestimate on motion only about 3-4 weeks on 8 Ch 1TB and 16 Ch 2 TB. Still should be plenty, but I can give the customer the option on 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB depending on how long that want to keep the recordings. Thanks!

I am planning on switching over to TVI camera systems. Question I have is about Hard Drive sizing. Currently, I use a 1 TB drive for my 4/8 channel D1/960h systems. I generally set mine to record motion only, with a 5 second pre and post record, and mask the areas where traffic goes by, trees, bushes, etc. On this setup, I have been able to have an 8 channel 960h with 8 Sony SSA 700TVL cameras keep the recordings for at least 2 months in a 9-5 business environment. In switching over to TVI, how much larger are the file sizes? I use the WD Purple Surveillance hard drives, and the cost difference between a 1 TB and 2 TB is about $25. I deal with mostly cheap-ass customers, so I was wondering in the 8 Channel TVI, would the 1 TB be ok to use, or would it be better to use the 2 TB. Generally, I like to keep recordings for at least 6 weeks, just in case there are any issues that did not get noticed right away. Thanks!

I am working on a older ADT DRC4HS system. I have been able to use the iPhone "ADT Matrix" app and connect to the unit via the IP address of the site and view the cameras. If I connect on to the Wi-Fi at the site then try viewing the cameras in the app,it will not connect. Probably some kind of router (ATT NVG50 U-verse) firewall issue? Also, instead of using a standard DDNS setup, it has a DVRNS setup. According to the instruction manual from tyco-is / matrix (the actual maker of the unit), it says it will work with No-ip.com DVRNS service. I use NO-IP service for seval units I have installed, but I have never seen anything that says DVRNS. On the unit, it does not have a login name/password for the DVRNS service like a standard DDNS setup screen has. Has anyone setup one of these before and can help give me some insight? Thanks!

Hey! I have a customer that is wanting 2 cameras installed in his house. I already have the 700TVL Sony cameras outdoors. I ordered 2 of the PIR Motion Detect 700TVL cameras, but they do not have any night vision, which is what the customer is mainly wanting them for. Also, they say they are Sony 700TVL, but sure don't look it. Is there such a camera like a Motion Sensor or smoke detector that will be 650-700 TVLs with about 12 or so LEDs in them? The two cameras are going in the basement den/play room, so they don't have to be long range IRs. 2.8-3.6 would be best. Anything over 3.6 just isn't going to get the wide coverage. If not, is there any other type of camera that I can use that will tie into the analog box? I already ran the wires which was a pain in a split level house with the add on den/playroom, so if they can run over RG59 Siamese that would be great. Thanks!

Hello. I got a call today and went to check out a new customer's system. I mostly support/install analog systems, and a few Geovisions. The person said that they had a guy that supposedly installs camera systems put in a AirCam system for him. The original installer after getting everything installed walked off the job. The customer has had 2 other people come out and look at the system, and have had no luck, so I decided to take a stab at it. First thing I found was the AirCam software (NVR and Viewer) were corrupted, on a new Dell i5 system. I restored the system to factory, and loaded the 1.1.3 software from the website. I was able to get the NVR back up and going, but the cameras say unmanaged. There are 6 Wired IP cameras connected to the system, but the NVR software will keep dropping/adding cameras. If I try to log directly into the camera, it will timeout. If I tell it to manage and put in the username/password, it will try to connect for about 30 seconds, then it will say it cannot find camera. The customer said that this was part of his problem. He said that he did see it work originally, but he was not happy with the coverage, then the original installer had a crazy setup going to his TV and the customer was not happy with that, then he said it started dropping/adding cameras and that is when the original installer quit. The customer also said when it did work the Night vision was terrible, but I have yet to see it working so I can't comment either way on that. From what I have read so far, this system does not get stellar reviews. Problem is the customer has invested $2,000 in just the hardware, not including the labor he paid to install plus to have 2 other techs come and look at it. I tried reading around here on the forums and it seems the NVR software is buggy, but I am not a Unix/Linux guy, and the customer is not very computer savvy at all, so I would like to stick to something easy to use. Is this an issue with the AirCAM NVR software or a configuration issue? Would it be best to so with another NVR software like Blue Iris, or is there any other Windows based software that would work for standard motion record/WEbview/I-phone view, etc.? Or, after doing some more reading, should I hand the customer a box of Kleenex, Prep. H to soothe his past problems, and give him a quote for a new system? Thanks for any input!

Already tired going into the motion detect via the OSD menu. Made changes there, but did not see any difference at all in the motion. I did not reboot the camera after I changed, but did save the settings and exit. I would assume the changes are made on the fly.

So, I like to set the system up to record Motion only to save disk space and to make playback alot easier. Plus, some people who have a seperate monitor like to have it set where when it detects motion, it jumps full screen to the camera that detects the motion. Good idea on the recording low quality all the time, and higher quality on motion records. I'll keep that in mind. I have setup units with NO-IP before because it is free, but DYNDNS has swithed to pay only. Thanks again everyone for the responses. To get this setup like I woudl ideally want, looks liek I need to spend a few more $$ and keep searching until I find a DVR that suits my requirements. Gracias

hi. what you have to remember is motion on a camera does nothing at all and has nothing to do with dvr. OK. So the OSD cameras are really only good for fine-tuning picture quality and that is it. Kinda what I figured, but just have not had enough experience with them yet. Thanks!

I'm in the same boat. Most people want "cheap" for their residences, but want Casino quality. Guess they need to wait a few more years for that one. Thanks for the input. Basically, I just need to keep playing around with the cheap equipment until I find the right combination that works best for general applications and that I am most comfortable with. So far I have learned it is a give and take relationship with these cheap units. Good to know that this is kinda the norm for these units. I thought that I just had really bad luck or was a complete idiot. Good info to know. Thanks again!

What standalone DVRs do you generally use?

Yeah, I've used zmodo and q-see before. Pretty cheap, but they are retail boxes so that is why they are popular. Samsung has decent software, but the support is horrendous. (based out of China. No email response, took them 8 months to fix the iPhone App). I am going this weekend to another site where I installed a nicer D1 box with the Sony cams. Going to play with it and see if I can recreate the problem on their system. I would use that style of DVR for all my installs, but the company (ShoppingCCTV) kept sending me faulty equipment, and sometimes I would have to send the same item back 2-3 times before they would send one that worked. Also, their DVR box had an issue with the Motion Detect recording time and they never would respond. Maybe it is the Sony cameras? Don't know. I'll post back with an update. Thanks again for the responses!