noname

it will not support 3rd party cameras, since it is free. you will need to use third party software to use multiple brands like Exacq.

naw, I am just familiar with the manufacturers from oversea. Hikvision actually has a lot of SKUs, thousands, just that they choose the most common ones to sell in the American market.

Okay, I'm pretty convinced but I have one big issue and I hope I can pick your brain for a bit... Hikvision seems to have such a lack of documentation its rather frustrating. For example, acti has a product selector where I put in all the things I need and it spits out the exact model of camera that I need. (http://www2.acti.com/corpweb/Tools/ProductSelector/index.aspx?spec=Cameras). Does Hikvision have such a feature? For example, how would I find the following camera. 3MP Dome with Either built audio line in or Mic in, PoE, that can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, indoor/outdoor, Fixed Lens, Day/night adaptive IR LED, with a Wide Angle Lens and perhaps WDR... Also, how is the mobile app and browser interface for live view and playback? Thanks for all your help. DS-2CD2732F-IS varifocal DS-2CD2532F-IS fixed lens with IR and audio, but IR range is limited. 2.8mm lens available. most fixed lens don't have audio in. 2532 is a rare case Mobile app, download iVMS4500 from app store or iVMS4500 HD from app store for your tablet. And try it for yourself. Browser Interface. Buy a few samples and try it out? or call Hikvision number on their website to get public demo unit's IP address to play around with.

8PoE, if you want 16PoE, buy DS-7716NI-SP

you cant control the advanced features from NVR. Though the newer version of the firmware for Hikvision PoE NVR will allow you to access the camera directly as well. ACTi cameras are ok, but NVR solution is weak. Software is weak compare to Hikvision. And their camera line lack cost effective models ($100-$200) Cost and performance wise, ACTi is just not there.

yah, just about anybody can open an account with ADI. Though it might be easier for you to just purchase from some of Hikvision OEM like LTS. http://www.ltsecurityinc.com/ currently they carry the most models

That will be the cheapest bundle you can find. If you buy these parts separately, it will be more expensive. Since you get 2TB HDD, all the cables included as well. HDD itself is like $100 for surveillance graded. You can purchase the Hikvision system from ADI, can choose 2.8mm lens option. But you would have to pay more.

Thanks that is good to know and seems kind of obvious now lol. If anyone wants to weigh in on which of these you would run if you were stuck in that range or recommend one a bit more that would be a better value. Like maybe a pieced together setup? I would be very grateful. http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-Stratus-HD-NVR-Security-System-with-2TB-HDD-and-4-1080p-Cameras.product.100087431.html you get a 2TB HDD too.

http://www.hikvision.com/UploadFile/image/2013101614595424780.pdf pretty sure it is stated in the spec above. DS-7604HI-ST would be ok for you it has 4 analog input. And for IP, it can record up to 5MP. Incoming bandwidth is 20mbps, should that should be more than enough for one 3MP camera. you need a bandwidth calculator to calculate how many IP camera at what resolution you can connect. Most embedded NVR states 4 ch, 8ch, 16ch, you cant go by that, that is just the limit of maximum IP camera you can connect at even the lowest resolution. Incoming Bandwidth is the number to go by. As FPS, resolution, quality, compression all affect the bandwidth consumption of a IP camera.

Thanks for the reply ! I live in Italy and hikvision products are very expensive here. For 1 ds-2cd2032-i the reseller is asking 530$...I'll buy everything through aliexpress and others online sites. I think i'll have to buy at least one poe switch because 8 cams will be installed from 60 to 100 m away from the nvr. Using hikvision bandwidth calculator i get this results: I don't know the differences between main stream live view and main stream playback. I think i'll need a nvr with at least 100 Mbps of managable bandwidth A new firmware will be released for that NVR to upgrade it to 100mbps. So you still will be fine. There is another version with 200mbps DS-7732NI-SP. Embedded NVR is just easy to use for small applications, plug and play, and most cheap PC are not built to last.

http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/Products_show.asp?id=9267 no need for PoE switch 80mbps throughput should be enough for 2mp 15fps 16 camera. if you are too lazy to walk to ADI store, can also concern another version of this online http://www.supercircuits.com/network-video-recorders/16-channel-switchbox-nvr-ali-nvr5016p PC NVR are more expensive, and not built to record 24/7

I actually registered on this forum today to ask for help with purchasing a second 'HikVision' PTZ camera, but as I scanned through this form, I noticed that one of my own questions might be indirectly applicable to your comments. I have a 720p PTZ camera that has a Hikvision 20x camera module and a v5.02 firmware that looks identical to the v5.02 firmware found on genuine Hikvision PTZ cameras (with exception of the missing logo). It's compatible with HikVision's IVMS-4200 Client software and it worked with other mobile applications that I tested as a Hikvision device... However, when I contacted the supplier to ask if I could download and flash Hikvision's latest 5.1.x PTZ firmware, they responded very quickly with "NO!". The explanation was that while the Camera module/firmware was from HikVision, the PTZ component of the camera was not compatible with the Firmware offered on the HikVision site. This left me with three thoughts: 1) Maybe it's an OEM camera with subtle changes that require a custom Firmware 2) Perhaps they are obliged to hide the fact that the original Hikvision firmware would in fact work 3) I just have a chinese camera with a Hikvision camera module (in which case I'm probably wasting your time) Needless to say, I haven't tried installing Hikvision's own firmware for fear of "bricking" my camera. . very good chance you will brick the camera if you purchased it recently. Which OEM vendor did you purchase the PTZ from.

what type of application are you using it for? what is your system like? how many cameras, NVR, storage, etc is needed? Aventura is a specialized VMS company mainly provide solution for government, military and enterprise(big big projects) They do offer end to end solution, as they sell their own cameras and NVR. Maybe it is only license free if you buy their whole solution, software +NVR +camera. you can look into on their website: http://www.aventuracctv.com/about/aboutus.asp

For the Swann cameras you bought, even though you know it is OEMed from Hikvision. You must contact Swann for support. Though just letting you know, the lens on those camera are glued on. Technically you can change it, I have seen people did it before. But it will be hard for you to get the right focus back. Officially you cant do it, and it will void the warranty as well You can purchase these cameras with different lens options from Hikvision official distributor (ADI, Tri-ed, CSC) For the bracket recommendation, you can contact their office in California to talk to either tech support or sales assistant(both would be able to help you to choose a bracket, though if you have more technical questions, better to talk to tech support). The contact is on their website http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/contactHikvision.asp Tel: +1 909-895-0400 Toll Free: +1 866-200-6690 (U.S. only) Just don't mention SWANN.