kindofsudden

One camera came in (D42) and another is backordered (E42). All lines are run. Have it hooked up like this: camera -> PoE switch -> router Also have PoE switch -> laptop (NVR) Can see the camera view on the laptop, no problem. Using the ACTi software, how do I set everything up so that I can see via Android device, and have notifications sent? I'm seeing the need for IP addresses, DNS numbers, etc. The included manual with the ACTi camera is NOT informative. I am computer savvy but not network savvy. Thanks ahead of time, I am almost there!

Sorry for the delayed response. Pneumonia nearly killed me. Now that I'm back up, I need to get this done! Before the plague besieged me, I downloaded NVR 3 which gave me Workstation and also Administrator Tool. I'm having problems with Server IP and Server Port settings. Not sure what goes where. I got the ACTi app and I CAN see both cameras at this point when on the WiFi. Just seem stuck trying to get beyond that point. I feel like I need to get the NVR software going locally before I venture out onto the WAN. Let me know if I'm thinking about all this correctly.

I am new to this subject and need some quick advice. I need a system of outdoor cameras (need 6 to 8 cameras total) that are PoE, have a good range of day and night vision, live viewing, and will be able to send me an immediate email when they detect motion. NOT as important are resolution and color/B&W. On a side note, I build my own computers, so if a PC is the best way to deliver the content via a wired internet connection, that would be preferable to a proprietary system. So what I need to know is A) what cameras (and where can I get them) are best for this application, and B) what else do I need in terms of router/PC/other equipment? Thanks ahead of time!

I am NOT using that. Do I install the Server software on my laptop and then the Workstation software on any remote computers I want to use? Is that how that works?

Opened up a part 2 on this subject to solicit a little more help. Almost done with putting together this system, thanks for the help from everyone! viewtopic.php?f=19&t=39053

I'm on it. Thanks!

A new rub in this project... the cable guy just told me that I will only have one IP address in the building with the security, so I will need a router in order to use more than one device. Do you concur? If so, how does this get set up? Internet line -> router -> switch -> cameras?

Thanks for the help. I didn't get nearly this much information on the other sites I tried. It looks like I need to go with ACTi cameras. I went to the Wrightwood site mentioned, but which ACTi cameras should I be looking at? I will have 2 mounted on the exterior of a building and 4 mounted on trees (don't ask). Does this sound like a bullet camera situation? StanLee2066: I was trenching for water line and decided to lay a trench for security cameras, and it is in an area where I may want to plant a garden later on, so I went deep. voip-ninja: It looks like I need to purchase the cameras/software/switch and then circle back around here for setup. It looks like you guys certainly know the subject, and I'm sure I'll be lost when I finally have everything plugged in. grege: Newegg is out of that one, but I will look elsewhere for that model. And I am only about 2 hours from L-ville. I go down there often for bourbon! I have beer on tap at the casa if you want to road trip!

I was thinking of bringing in professional help, but time and budget will likely not allow it. I have already trenched and purchased the data cable and will lay it this week. I went with direct-bury 23AWG CAT5e. The trenches are almost 3 feet deep. I considered running conduit as bonus protection, but I am out of time! So I see I need a PoE switch. I will look around for one. I can build a small, dedicated PC to handle this application. It looks like that is all the hardware I need unless I want to utilize exterior IR illuminators. Would those boost the IR performance of a less expensive camera in my price range? How do they need to be placed exactly? Once I set up cameras -> switch -> PC, do I just dial up the software and it locates the cameras and gives me surveillance options? FYI I am in central Indiana location-wise.

Excellent information, this is a good starting point. I need to be alerted when there is activity in the area, but I see there are instances when false alerts could cause headaches. Do these cameras have any sort of sensitivity adjustments? I suppose I could take false alerts into consideration during the placement of the cameras to try to mitigate that problem. As far as budget, I am looking at the $150-$300 per camera. I want to be able to monitor all this from afar, so I wouldn't use the SD card function. Beyond all this, how does it all connect? Do I need 8 network cards in my PC? Or do I use a router as a go-between?