PaulfromCT

Is it just me or does this look like an advertisement? I think HikVision (Swann/Lorex) are better cams. I still have one Dahua (q-see) in my system, keeps a watch of the basement.

The Lorex cams are pretty good IMO. I have the domes and the bullets. I second the notion of running some quality Cat-5e (easier to run without the ends, confidence of GOOD wire in your walls, etc). If you get quality wire you will have so much less headache getting the twisted pairs to stay straight going into the RJ45 plug (to terminate). I can't tell you how many RJ45 ends I have thrown away when replacing ends on already run (pre-made) cables. Let us know how the DVR works.

I had the exact same problem with my Lorex domes. I took off the dome and cleaned the inside and out and it fixed the problem. Not sure if it was a dust particle or what, but the lines were gone. While you are in there, fluff the foam pads to avoid IR leak.

Haha, what warrants the .45 over the 12 gauge or vice versa? For what you are looking to do AND if you are good with computers/networking you could pick up (2) 2 packs of the Swann Bullets at Costco ($700), Blue Iris server software ($50) and a 4/8 port POE switch ($50) and you would be good to go with a pretty good entry system for around $800 bucks. To get GOOD video this is really the starting point for DIY. Plus, Blue Iris has a great Android app and the developer is really responsive. With only 4 HD cams the BI CPU usage shouldn't be too bad (if it is an i5 or i7), but if you keep adding cameras BI might tap out your computer.

I had same issue with a Q-See (Dahua) bullet, the IR cut filter got stuck. Never had that same problem with any of my Swann/Hikvision bullets or domes. If you spent a lot of time wiring up the system, placing cameras and programming the NVR I would call Costco and see if they will replace just the one camera (so you don't have to start all over). I have had nothing but good luck with Swann cameras in the past and this bad camera was probably just a fluke. BTW, that is a great view!

Not very good advice if you want reliable detection. Once bugs are inside game over. But are the outdoor ones ok...I mean bug wise? They aren't too pricey at around $70 bucks. I am getting so many false alarms due to shadows (much more now than in the summer when the sun was higher in the sky) and headlights. I can't find a happy medium with BI. If I turn on object detect/reject it doesn't do the before/after buffer and if I turn up contrast/size I lose too many "real" events.

Thank you! I am having such issues with shadows and change of light triggering motion detection. I did not know you could wire a PIR to an IP cam's alarm input. I think it is time to upgrade the outdoor cameras (don't have same issue indoors). Any particular PIR sensors you recommend? I know where to get the Hikvisions

I had the same problem tonight with fog. Buellwinkle, do you mean to use a floodlight motion detector and a camera that can take of the quick change of contrast? Or are there IP Cameras with PIR motion detection built in?

ak_camguy where are you from? Looks like you have some decent snow already. What software are you using to capture for the Swann cams? I noticed the mailman clip did not time out even when there wasn't too much movement/contrast change. To cavcom, I have a 2 Hikvision domes and 2 Hikvision bullets. The picture quality is excellent, they have only been in use for around 8 months so I cannot say too much about durability. I was starting to get some IR bleed with one of the domes but by "fluffing" the gasket around the lens I was able to get rid of most of the bleed.

A) Would be nice, no idea how to implement. B) Easy. Install Blue Iris server and then add wireless devices (ipad, galaxy). You can add certain cams so you are notified with motion. It is not a text, but a direct message to your phone. Very cool.

Quick question: The cameras that you are installing, do they have an Optical Zoom? The examples you are showing have high powered optical zoom. You are not going to get the same result with a fixed camera trying to digital zoom. The higher the MP the better the result, but it won't compare to camera with true zoom.

There is a difference between the dome and mini dome. I had the mini dome and I had issues with low light/dark (no ir) and the daytime was so-so. I had the Q-see branded (Dahua) mini dome. I currently have the Lorex Domes (with IR) on the outside of my house (which i believe is a rebranded Hikvision). They work incredibly well for the money $350/pair, look better than the bullets and are more resistant to vandalism. From the experts on this board Acti would be a step up (in price and quality).

Not sure if it is related, but I had some similar issues with my Q-See 1080 Dome. It just couldn't handle 11AM-2:00PM (when the sun was hitting the dome). But mine was not a focus issue, just an awful picture rendition (colors washed out).

A Picture of the cam location would help greatly. Ideally, you want the pigtail and the cat-5 connector concealed to avoid the easy "unplug" by the bad guys. If that is not possible than they make this black rubber shrink wrap that constricts when heated (this could cover the Cat-5 connector). But if outdoors, I would want all this in a conduit. That being said, a picture of the location would help.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=36016 I have both and the nighttime picture is noticeably better with the Lorex Dome. I had to change the exposure time to 1/12 on the bullet to reduce the noise...but this resulted in overexposed day video. The one great thing about the bullets is the range of motion...but then you have the broomstick vandal issue with the bullet and not the dome.