SB_Jim

Joey, Interesting - having both versions. Maybe they're selling out the older ones?? I did send an email to Swann asking about this - just tonight. I can only hope. Would love to improve the recorded images - although for 99% of my needs, I'm satisfied w/ 2MP. Jim

Joey / Zik / Others, Is it possible that this Swann NVR actually records in 3 MP now, as opposed to 2MP for the older ones (like I own)? From Costco: •8 Channel NVR with 1080p high definition live viewing, playback & 3 megapixel recording. •4 Indoor/outdoor cameras with 3 megapixel sensors and 115' night vision •2TB hard drive •PC & Mac Remote Viewing Capability •iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry Viewing via Free App •100' CAT5E Ethernet Cables per Camera Included

the current lorex bundles also come with cameras that have a fully black front end, which i believe helps with stray IR. Do you really think that the black paint and/or plastic is "IR absorbent"? It looks cool, although I prefer my all-white bullets to the new look. The black & white are more easily seen, IMO, than the white camera bodies.

Hey, thanks for the thorough & informative reply! I kind of wanted a couple of domes for their vandal resilliance, but the full sized one are a bit too big for my interests (Swann I'm talking). I'm still very happy w/ my bullets - which are a really nice size. I can't say I have a good application for the V/F bullet vs the standard bullet - and the V/F is a bit pricey. If I needed it, I'd buy it. Ultimately I think I'll buy at least a 7th cam, which when sold in pairs, would give me one spare. If / when Swann sells a mini-dome (3 axis) I might have to break down & buy one.

Hey Buell, When you say those settings work well for you on the Hiks - is that therefore applicable to my Swanns (Hik)? I see some mention of mini-domes... but is my understanding correct that Swann just offers one dome (standard, a.k.a. large), and not a mini-dome? It's Hik that makes the mini-dome? Thx, Jim

+1. I had an absolutely terrible experience with LOREX support - or rather the lack of it - with an analog system !!

Do you have a Menu item for System Maintenance? There's a selectable item labeled Default that should prompt you "Yes" or "No" to reset the NVR to factory defaults. At least my Swann NVR does - so I'm guessing the Lorex does as well. If you were just performing a "reset", and then intending to restore to your customizations you'd made for all settings, you'd want to save your config file first - to be used in restoring your preferences. But, I'm guessing that doing that would only "restore" what you really don't want.. From the owner's manual: The Maintenance: Default menu allows you to reset the NVR and load factory default settings. The NVR will reboot after pressing the OK button. Please note, all data on the HDD will remain.

And Joey - you've already done the "factory reset" feature in the NVR??

Well, living in Norway does pose a challenge. It's too bad you don't have a connection in the US to purchase and ship to you. BTW, the return policy at Costco on these NVR / DVR / camera systems is ONE YEAR - not 90 days.

Very well - thank you.

Hello Mate, Are you suggesting that I ought to remove & replace my SwannView NVR mobile app with SwannView Plus?? Would you kindly tell me what the differences or updates are? Thanks much! Jim

http://www.ezcctv.com/product/DS-2CD2632F-IS-1150.htm DS-2CD2632F-IS Looks like a nice camera & nice features. Interesting to watch these evolve in a relatively short period of time. Wish my NVR didn't "dumb-down" to 2.1 MP - but for my use it still fine.

Buellwinkle, Thx for the great pics. I just checked two of my six bullets & they have the plastic ring on the outside of the glass - but with the older square rj45 connector. Guessing that the other 4 do as well. Maybe I happened to buy mine mid-stream in the upgrades. I believe I ordered my NVR & 4 cams around March. Still very pleased with the 2 MP daytime images, but accepting the less than stellar night time IR images. Eventually I'm looking to buy two more, one for a spare, and one for an exposed location where the better connection will be appreciated. The Vari-Focus says 30 - 90 degrees. If my existing bullets are about 4mm, what does the v-f cam spec out at in mm?

Howdy, Is there any compelling reason that I should consider in purchasing a monitor for home use? It appears I could buy a dummy HD monitor for about the same price as an equivalent sized (21.5") name brand TV that happens to have more HDMI & input options than the monitor. Here's the TV options: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+22%22+Class+(21-1/2%22+Diag.)+-+LED+-+1080p+-+60Hz+-+HDTV/7979341.p?id=1218863185005&skuId=7979341 Thanks, Jim

I've been using the Samsung HD tv for 2 mo at 1080p and am very pleased.

V-18, Great job on that combination of router / wifi extender & PTZ. Really great quality pics, and an equally clean install. Now I'm envious

Well, I'm happy to say that I've leaned the answer to that question for my Swann NVR w/ 6 bullet cams each on motion (30 fps). I was a bit concerned about the many false motion events that are recorded. Many shadows from moving plants & trees during the day, and flying bugs & "stuff" during the night. By tomorrow I should have "consumed" my 2 TB drive after 5 weeks and a couple of days. I'm very pleased with that. During the next month or so I plan to pursue looking into a PIR to control a couple of my cams - so that events are really "motion" events that I'd actualy interested in viewing. What's your experience?

I'm presuming this is so because there are some kind & generous souls on this forum (that's a given) who will generously share with many of us who are very interested in installing cams & nvr's at our own homes. We're not trying to make a business of it, we ask honest questions, are willing to be corrected for our mistakes, and most of the time make an effort to thank and show honest appreciation to the "givers of knowledge and experience". To me, that's what makes this forum a success. Clearly there are many talented folks who contribute here, and there are many more of us who are very appreciative of the vast amount of information that is shared - some of it a bit over our heads

Yes. That is my chosen default view since I have 6 cams.

I use an HDMI cable from NVR to a 22" Samsung TV / monitor and it works well.

Can you display all the channels in the web browser? I can, but only when it is on 1 at a time or 3x3. Basically, it does the same thing on the web as it does when your at nvr. 1x5 or 1x7 it still says no resource. And whenever I plug that cam into another port on nvr it acts as if the picture is going to come up, then just goes to no resource. But again, the only way I can get 6th cam to work is have 1x1 or one at a time on the screen or 3x3. thmaxxer - there may be an obscure setting to display the camera.. not that this will allow you to save multiple configs of screen layouts. But, when setting-up the layouts, you should at least be able to place any cam in any "window". When I'm home again I'll take a look & maybe send a screen shot if it looks like a good bet. I think I may have had the same problem. I'm sure I can see any camera on any layout, but saving them all and having them "stick" is another issue. As mentioned previously, I chose to live with my first choice layout, and then use the others - knowing that the camera selection may not include one that I would have preferred in that layout. C/S (level 2) said that there wasn't a known "fix".

It may not be a bug or faulty camera. I have the Swann equivalent NVR to your Lorex. The issue is that the various screens can't all be saved in the layout that you select. For instance, I most often use the 1 + 5 layout - and it's always in the configuration that I've selected. However, when I independently set-up a config (mapping of cameras to screen position) for the others, one or the other will change. My suggestion is that you choose a layout that you desire for your primary view, and then live with that one - knowing that the others won't stay in the exact config that you'd have preferred. It's bugged me that I couldn't have both the 1 + 5 and the 2 X 2 saved in the specific config of preference, but it's easy to live with. Good luck. If you find something different, please share as I may benefit as well.

Thx Buell.. - for the explanation. Guess the Lorex / Swann mini-dome won't be an alternative for my bullets - which I can live with.

Bump...

Thx Buell.. I was hoping to replace a small bullet near my front door w/a mini dome. Like someone else said recently, adding the extra mounting adapters kind of spoils the otherwise clean look of the dome. At least I could use one indoors, but was hoping to buy in the "pair" scenario and use one in each location. Would you kindly explain why a two axix dome won't work on a vertical surface? In my still learning mind I envisioned that the cam would look outward, and being quite wide angle, could still be adjusted to look in a general direction of preference. Thx.