PokerMunkee

Funny you should ask! The owner's nephew installed them at his home (outside on driveway), charged him over $300 a cam and told him they were 2MP (when they are 1MP). They were WORTHLESS at night, only 9 IRs. Very grainy and dark. So I installed the Hikvisions at his house and it's a night/day difference at night and even the day. I'd never buy a Vivotek cam after using them. They work fine at the office since they are dome, so at least he got to use them.

Here are some pics of the 13 cameras at a body shop I recently did. We haven't had time to adjust the cameras yet, so there is some tweaking to be done. Two inside office cams are Vivotek 1MP domes and the rest are Hikvision rebranded 3MP bullets (CMIP8232). Recording all cameras at 18FPS. This is on a custom built Win7 computer with 6TB of space, using 3XLOGIC's Vigil v7 NVR software. Did this job for under $3.5K in parts/software. They ran all CAT and installed cameras, I just donated my time to get the NVR up and for them to view cameras from home/mobile. They've been plowing my driveway for the last 4 years, so I figured I owed them a bit. They also bought me two of the 3MP cameras for my home install! I'll post some night shots later. They place is lit up pretty good with flood lights but the IR does come on a few of the outside cams.

I have 17 of these cameras (CMIP8232). Got them off an online auction site for $220, have firmware v5.0.0.130412. I think the Chinese ones are selling for quite a bit less. Is there a newer firmware for this camera? Where would I download it? I don't see firmware on ltsecurityinc.com Work fine for me and I'm still happy with the cost!

I'm happy using 3XLOGIC's Vigil system in our 9 casinos. I have it running on Dell PowerEdge systems but you can buy a 3u or 4u system with 32 channels (hybrid) for around $5K. You'll be able to use the 8 analog cameras and then add 24 IP megapixel cameras.

Ignore the WDR part, probably won't find that on non-IP cameras. The camera you posted 4mm-9mm, so that should be plenty if you mount it in the correct place. Get the N68GR kit it recommends and you will be almost there. Watch this video on how to connect to your TV: This tells you exactly what you need and how to do it. Very simple once you get the parts ordered! Post some pics when you get it working!

Sounds like you need to hire someone experienced to help you out with this to get some experience under your belt. In the spirit of being helpful, here is what I would do: 1. Get some Hikvision 3MP PoE IR cameras. You can find them for about $220 a piece or less. 2. Get some Netgear POE switches for each building. Depending on how many cameras you need for each building, you will need a 4, 12, or 24 port PoE switch. 4 ports run around $150. 12 ports run $250. And 24 ports run $350. 3. All of the switches will need to connect back to the main office where the NVR is stored. The NVR records all of your cameras to hard drives. Hardest part will be running the CAT5/6 cables to the IDF rooms in each building.

Easiest way is to get the best analog camera you can (non IP) and connect it directly to the the TV. That camera you posted looks pretty good. You probably need a lens than go from 3-12mm. The IR might help if the bar is dark, also make sure it has WDR. If the TV has an a/v input (yellow, red, and white RCA jacks), you can use a BNC-to-RCA adapter to connect to the camera to the yellow video-in jack. The camera will need to plug into a wall outlet to get power.

My NVR (3XLOGIC's Vigil) at home is running on a custom built mini atx box with Windows 7. I put my cameras in a grid and have the NVR software on full screen mode. The computer has a HDMI video port. I have this HDMI port going into a HDMI splitter. From there, I have a HDMI cable going to two of my LCD TVs in the house. If I want to bring up cameras, I just select HDMI2 on either TV. HDMI cable to my bedroom from splitter is 25'. The one going to my main TV in living room is 75' (has some special thing in it, got it off amazon). Works great. I also can use it for HTPC functions (mainly music). I have a wireless keyboard/mouse combo that I can use anywhere to do PC functions. If I want my NVR on a computer, I just install the Vigil client. Here is a picture of my 32" LCD in the bedroom with two of my cameras showing (other 2 cams are down due to needing the switch elsewhere): Hopefully this helps.

I will get some sample videos and pics later. Sorry, been really busy. Loving this forum and want to contribute whatever I can! Here are some snapshots of two of my cams. Porch: Hikvision 1.3MP 6MM Driveway: Hikvision 3MP 4MM

I ordered some 1.3MP PTZs from my rep (3XLOGIC) but they don't have smoked domes, which is a requirement for casinos in the state of Nevada. My rep says they don't offer a smoked dome because it doesn't work well with the megapixel lens. I'm having an issue finding any megapixel PTZ that offers a smoked dome. Does anyone know if this is the case with all manufactures? If it is, I'm going to try to get a variance from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. This is the PTZ we have: http://www.3xlogic.com/prod/1758/18x-optical-zoom-ptz-ip-camera-vsx-ptz13-int-vsx-ptz13-ext-vsx-ptz13-ints We have tried getting a local window tinter to tint it, but he said it isn't possible without having lines/creases. I tried some nightshades tint that you can use on car tail lights, but that was a disaster. Any other ideas to smoke the clear bubble/dome? Thanks for any input. PM

The Hikvision 3MP bullet cams are great. Just installed 13 of them at a body shop. I have 4 around my home. $220 a piece, can't go wrong IMO.

Found a "smoked" dome on ebay for an Axis P55: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Axis-P55-PTZ-Cameras-Series-Dome-Kit-5700-631-Smoke-Dome-Replacement-/121153742129?pt=BI_Security_Fire_Protection&hash=item1c35536531 Might see if we can retrofit this dome onto ours, worth a shot for $40. Thanks.

Thanks. Is it a PTZ? Not sure why a PTZ would be different than a fixed camera, but this is what I'm being told. I checked Pelco and couldn't find a megapixel PTZ with a smoke dome. Everything I find is clear.