TidalWaveOne

Why is my Lorex 1080P (from Costco) so noisy at night? Is this normal? The night samples here don't seem to be this noisy: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1444 Sample: http://www.wiersch.com/jpg/driveway.20130520_005602_1.jpg "Digital Noise Reduction" is set to "Normal Mode" and "Noise Reduction Level" is set to 50.

I received my Zyxel PoE switch much faster than expected since they shipped it locally (seems like a nice switch, BTW - just wish it had 2 more PoE ports). My first test with the Lorex 1080P bullet and Blue Iris was successful but I am concerned about CPU usage... just displaying the video of one of these HD cams seems pretty CPU intensive even when motion sensing and recording is off. I wonder how I'm going to manage at least 4 of them? What is using up all the CPU power? Is it the video decoding? If so, then can't that be unloaded onto a video card (hope so)? If so, which video card should I upgrade to? Can anyone point me to a good resource for CPU load issues? Thanks again.

Thanks! That's what I wanted to know... but I already ordered some 50 foot cables from Amazon. When you consider shipping, it was comparable to monoprice, or actually much cheaper if you compare with monoprice 2nd day shipping vs Amazon prime. Even those 50 footers should be plenty more than I need. The 100 foot cables that come with the camera might be useful later or for something else so I'll certainly keep them. I'm glad to hear I don't need any special cabling.

I just ordered 4 Lorex 1080P IP PoE cameras from Costco because I read that they would work with Blue Iris... so I hope that is the case or they will have to go back. Now.... cabling question... The cameras come with 100 foot cables, but if I use the cables and the camera breaks, then technically I'd have to return the cables to Costco too in order to get a refund, right? But I certainly wouldn't want to have to remove the cables after they're installed. Should I buy and use other cables? And if so, then what is a good cable for attic insulation in Texas where it can get over 130 degrees? Or should anything that's well-rated on Amazon work? Also... 100 feet cables are probably more than twice the length I really need. Should I buy shorter cables for this reason? I would think sending power and data over a shorter cable would be better than a longer cable anyway. Questions, questions... And another question! What is the Costco return policy on these? I know Costco limits "cameras" to 90 days, but is this a "camera" in the sense that they're talking about (like your typical Canon, Nikon camera)?

6 watts max. That's nice... I thought it would have been higher given the capabilities and all those LEDs. I guess the TRENDnet should work fine then.

I went with the Zyxel due to having more power. Did you check the TRENDnet switch using all 4 cameras at night/in the dark when the IR LEDs are on? Does anyone know what the power rating is on the cameras and the Lorex 1080P cams?

Another point to consider is that CPUs use a lot more power (and generate more heat) when processing, so your power bill might be a bit higher if your CPU is constantly chugging along doing MD... but it probably only adds up to no more than a few bucks a month... and of course the newer processors are faster and more power efficient which will bring the cost down.

No, it has motion detection using the CPU... at least that's how I understand it.

Thanks. I'd get the Cisco if it wasn't so big and loud. I'll pass on the gigabit for now and get a cheapie 8 porter with 4 ports PoE and see how that works out. It stinks that the cheapo TRENDnet is rated only 30 watts for 4 ports though, or I'd just get that one.

Thanks all! I'm playing with Blue Iris now and will try out the Lorex cameras as soon as I get the PoE injector. Which bring up a PoE question. What's a good PoE switch? I can't decide. I see the cheap 8-port TRENDnet one but am concerned about the power as it says only 30 watts for all four PoE ports. I'm guessing that's not enough for 4 of these hi-def Lorex cameras. Perhaps the TP-LINK is better? It has more power but it has a lower rating on Amazon. Or should I get a gigabit PoE switch, because I will want to link all these cameras to an 'uplink switch' with one cable (with a gigabit connection) and don't want to worry about bandwidth problems if I add more cameras... how many 1080P cameras can 100 Mbit support anyway?

And so begins the spending. And a lot of time figuring out all this stuff... all because they put loud little fans in their DVR. But, in many ways, I hope it will be "fun". I have not returned the DVR system yet. I think I will see if I can get the cameras to work with Blue Iris, but first need my PoE power injector to arrive from Amazon.

Hello, I'm new here and would like some help with a new video surveillance system for my home. I bought this Costco system: http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-Full-HD-PoE-NVR-Security-System-with-2TB-Hard-Drive-and-4-HD-1080p-Cameras.product.100035609.html#BVRRWidgetID I really wanted it to work but they put very noisy fans in the DVR so I am returning it. It looks like my best option might be a "do it yourself" system using a Windows 7 computer I already use as a media PC. Will these Lorex 1080P cameras work with Blue Iris software? http://www.costco.com/Lorex-HD-1080p-IndoorOutdoor-Night-Vision-2-Pack-IP-Bullet-Cameras.product.100043751.html They say it will only work with a Lorex NVR... but the discussion here seems to indicate that that's not necessarily the case. If they will work, are they a good buy for the money? Thanks!