iceman650

I run a small gas station/mechanic shop and we're in the market for a new Security System. I have been pondering between the old style, dual cable (power/video) system like we have now or to go IP and get the one wire for both. That's been my main difference in determining between the two but I think I'm gonna go IP. We have a Q-see 16 channel system right with a mixture of cameras bought from Monoprice and Costco and they work great but some of the cameras are showing wear and aren't producing good pictures anymore plus we want to go HD. Right now my mental debate is either going with a new brand like AvertX which I've never had before or stick to Q-see which even though must have the worst user interface, has been going strong for a few years now. I use SupercamPro on our iPhones and iPads to view all 16 cameras and it's fast and awesome! The Q-see 16 camera package is $3000 and the AvertX 8 camera package is $2200 at a cost of $1680 for an extra 8 cameras making our total $3880. I need to make this purchase soon so we can throw the expense in 2014 and start installing when the rain does down. I'd love any feedback from anyone, Thanks guys!

So if I understand correctly you can install a camera at your home but still uses the DVR at your shop (15 miles away)? If so, that's awesome and I guess that's a nice benefit of going with IP cameras

Hi everyone, just signed up and happy to be a part of this forum now. I'm sure I can learn a lot here and hear different opinions from people all over. I own and operate a gas station/mini mart/mechanic shop in the Bay Area, CA. I have always been big on having a nice security system even though we're not very prone to burglary or theft considering we're on the corner of 2 main Blvd's. Also maybe the reason I haven't had many problems is that people have seen that I have cameras all over the place! We've upgraded so many times over the years, from B/W to color to PC DVR now using a standalone 16 channel Q-See DVR. I am looking to upgrade again and go HD. Even though it is a big hassle for me to run new wires all over my property, I'm up for the task if that's what it will take. I have 16 cameras hooked up now, all different, a few dome, many bullets, inside/outside. We'd obviously like to be able to see license plates but I know those cameras cost a bundle and I don't even want to go there, HD will have to do. Even 16 cameras is too little for my preference but I think the leap from 16 to 24 or 32 camera system is a bit too much so 16 will have to do. I am debating now and educating myself on the difference between NVR and HD-SDI. I like the idea of having one Cat5e cable running from the camera to the Recorder, no power supplies to deal. I am reading that bandwith might be an issue if I go IP? We don't have the greatest internet here, but it's not bad. Plenty for what we use it for in our daily work life but I don't want it to get overloaded and drag us down. We have AT&T Business U-verse and I get about 20-22 Mbps download but only between 2-3 Mbps upload. One important thing is that remote viewing on iPhone's and iPad's is a must. We have that capability right now using our current system and the Supercam HD app and it works great. I've purchased most of the stuff we have now from either Costco or Monoprice but I'm up for other suggestions. Thank you to everyone who chimes in and offers up any suggestions.

Basically what I'm reading and understanding here is that HD-SDI would be a lot easier to handle and to manage, but IP is much better. Like I had mentioned before, running new wires is not a problem, actually pretty easy for me. Our building is four concrete walls, not much to it, no insulation and no interior walls we need to run through. I was really hoping to move away from PC management and do it off an NVR but I do see all the benefits of the PC DVR and I'm considering it. Cameras are secondary right now to me figuring out whether I want to go IP or HD-SDI, that's the first decision.

So to answer a few of your guys' questions here goes: My longest run is about 100 feet. The current cabling that I have is either RG59, RG6 and some bundled 60ft/100ft cables that came with the cameras so whatever those are. I don't mind running new cables, we have nice conduits ran already and I wouldn't mind making them nicer. My current setup works perfectly but it looks like a disaster at the DVR box, I'm not using a power box and have like 12 power adaptors hooked up with all kinds of extra wire, it looks crazy! My budget is flexible but I'd like to stay under $5,000. I'd like to stay away from using a PC as the DVR but will do it if that's my best option for what I need. I can stick with 16 channels, 32 channels is gonna get too crazy for my almost 1 acre property. Even though I'm somewhat well versed in security cameras and technology in general, IP/networking is not of my strong points. I've head of PoE but have no idea what it is and what it does. Appreciate all the help guys!