thmaxxer

It sure would be, but I already have about 20 power supply's all 12V 2 amp laying around, and last time I looked at a 16 port POE switch, it wasn't cheap. I'm just disappointed that the Hikvision PS already dumped. I went to Hikvision from Swann for flexibility and compatibility, but it can't be at the cost of reliability. Maybe I just got a bad one.

I have a re-branded Hikvision 16ch 4K NVR comparible to the DS-7608/7616NI-K2/8P. So far I like it coming from a Swann system, but my issue is the units internal power supply quit on me already. (4 months of 24/7 use) Typical ebay seller is beginning to give me the run around about the issues, etc. My plan is, once I get a new power supply for the NVR, I'm going to power as many cameras as I can with an AC adapter to ease the load on the internal PS of the NVR. I have a strange feeling that had something to do with the failure. (even though it shouldn't) I have mostly Swann and Hik domes, some with audio, and 4 mini PTZ's that get moderate use during night. Nonetheless, I do have 16 cams powered at all times, and almost all 16 have the IR on when it's dark. My question is about redundancy. My NVR is on an UPS, if I power cams externally (using AC adapter) unless I tie them all into the UPS as well, they will go dark if external power is lost. Obviously this is an issue. If I have the POE enabled in the NVR itself for those specific cams AND have them plugged into an external power supply which one would they pull power from when everything is normal? (POE and external power is present) Is there any way to know? Also if power was lost, would it switch over the the POE to stay on? TIA

So I got everything working together finally! I had to use the back door HIK password reset tool built by a user on here (Thank you!!!!) and was able to reset the Swann cams back to a default state, but they still had the HIK system in them, because the SADP tool completely controlled them. Very strange. Nonetheless, It is all working well now and I am a happy camper with my 4K 16 ch HIK NVR and 14 Swann turret cams and 2 HIK mini PTZ's.

I did, and I can see the cams IP now through that tool. The HIK NVR must have done something to the Swann cams because when the cams were hooked up to the Swann NVR they wouldn't show up in that tool. Now my issue is figuring out how to get around the password issue on the affected swann cams. When I set the NVR to match the ip of the camera, it connects, but no stream because the cam needs a password.

Man did I get myself in deep. Let me start off by saying I know just enough to get myself in big trouble. So I got my 4K HIK NVR today and decided to see if the Swann cams were compatible. Plugged them all in and I was good to go! Super happy about that. I then proceeded to change the password on the NVR to something a little more difficult, and it asked me if I wanted to apply the password to all connected cameras, so I did. BIG mistake. Then I hooked up my PTZ mini Hik. It didn't come up so I rebooted. Long story short all my new Swann turrets are now locked. I try and log in using the IP that shows up under camera config, no luck. Once I was able get to the login screen on one of them, I tried the passcode I set and the default - didn't work. So not only do I not know the IP anymore of these newer cams, I don't know the passcode. Not to fear, I still have my 4K Swann NVR. I thought, Ill just plug them back into the Swann and they will all be happy again and work. Nope, not one works. My only conclusion that I have come to is to re-flash the firmware, but I can't do that if I have no idea what the ip is or the password to log into it to get to the firmware page. Any other suggestions?

Yes, that is what it does.

Thank you for your informative reply. Do you have any issues at all with your SDI cam setup? Pro's/Cons? I'm trying to talk myself into returning my IP system and get this SDI, because I REALLY want that PTZ cam, and they don't have one comparable at that price point. Not looking forward to re-running 8 100" cables either.

I currently have an IP Swann system, but my desire is growing for the smooth looking, non bandwidth hogging feed on SDI systems. I have a question though. Will this http://www.costco.com/Swann-1080p-SDI-PTZ-%2820x%29-Camera.product.100082844.html PTZ cam work with this http://www.costco.com/Swann-8-Channel-HD-SDI-Security-System-with-2TB-Hard-Drive-and-8-High-Resolution-Cameras.product.100037977.html NVR?

Costco has the 16 ch Swann http://www.costco.com/Swann-16-Channel-HD-NVR-Security-System-with-3TB-HDD-and-8-1080p-Cameras.product.100070310.html

Keep in mind the range of light emitted by these emitters. Most cams are happiest around 850nm wave length.

Does anyone know if these can be flashed with a different firmware version, Swann or Hik to enable 3MP viewing? Would the NVR need to be flashed as well? The firmware on NVR is: V2.3.2 build 130502 The firmware on my bullet is: V4.0.9 build 130419 The firmware on my vari-focal is: V5.0.0 build 130528 Thanks

You need to realize I was starting at about 84 degrees. "In the sun" temp was about 96. I think I am going to return the bullet and get a pair of the fixed lens bullets.

Roughly 18 degrees.

This is the screenshots from my vari-focal Swann bullet. The first shot is in the afternoon, second is in the morning. You can see there is a bit of fuzziness and minor blur on the cars across the street in the afternoon shot, not terrible, but I just wanted to show an example. The regular bullets are razor sharp day and night, again, this is my swann vari-focal bullet. I don't have any experience with the vf dome as it is inside.

So I guess the advantage of using 3 MP over 2.1 is better clarity? I guess better zoom capabilities? Not sure if I should pull the trigger and return my 2 week old swann system for the new one.