mattaggie

I am commenting on your desire that the camera be discreet. I use cameras in my retail store and I use the opposite strategy. I want the cameras to be easily seen. I want people to know that big brother is watching. I am hoping that the threat of the camera will deter bad behavior. Also, even with infrared night vision, often times the picture isn't that great. Its better if you can light the area with flood lights if possible. That way the camera will stay on color mode, not go to black and white.

Do outdoor IP cameras use a single LAN cable for both power and video, with no other cables necessary? Yes, as long as the camera is POE (power over Ethernet) capable, then your cat6 cable can provide both power and video. You will however need a POE switch or an NVR that is POE. Do all outdoor IP cameras have a female connecting port? Yes, a female RJ45 port. Is the connecting port a part of the camera itself or is there a cable that extends out of the camera and the camera mount for the connection? Could be either option, just depends on the camera you buy. Will I need only male connectors at both ends of the cables connecting the cameras to the NVR? Correct

I doubt your problem has anything to do with the DVR card. Its the camera or the wiring.

I doubt power supply is the problem. Its not "overpowering" the cameras. Each connection is for the right voltage. Since you are using Cat5, its probably an electrical issue that has to do with power and video going through same cable. The power ground signal is interfering with video ground signal. Try a video ground loop isolator and see if that doesn't solve it.

when trying to view from your PC, are you going here? http://www.hubbleconnected.com/motorola/login/

biggest difference I see is that DS-2CD2132F-IS has a 2.8mm lens and DS-2CD2232-I5 has a 4mm lens. The 2.8mm is going to give you a wider angle of view. 4mm will be a bit narrower but will be better detail. Also the 4mm bullet camera has a 50meter IR range whereas 2.8mm dome camera has 30 meter range. I dont know that either cameras will have a "better" picture, its just about how the specs fit in your application.

scrap all that and get IP cameras and an NVR.

Any POE switch will do. Nothing special about IP cameras that you have to get a specific switch. I use TP Link switches, but there are other good brands out there. 10/100 MPS ports are fine. Gigabyte ports are not necessary. You do not need POE injectors. Those are used if you do not have a POE switch. I would recommend giving each camera a static IP address.

I've only used Geovision so I cant speak to other brands. Never had a camera fail, image quality is excellent. For support I can call directly to Geovision USA and a real person answers the phone. I think one drawback to Geovision has been there software. While it was reliable gets the job done, it wasn't quite as robust and easy to use as other options. Often felt clumsy to use. They are finally coming out with new software that should bridge that gap. Overall I'm very happy with Geovision.

Buy an IP camera system. Will give you a much better picture than analog.

Why is the Bosch camera so expensive? Wouldn't a $100 IP camera give a much better picture?

Yep

The #1 lesson I would take from this is never install an analog system again. Learn how to install IP cameras. POE cameras do away with all these power supply issues.

I cant image you'll be able to accomplish all this for anywhere near $100. A long distance IR is going to be around $100. Also motion detection outdoors can be really tricky because you'll get so many false alarms from trees, grass, bushes blowing in the wind and changes in light to the landscape. Its def going to cost you more than $100 but you are on the right track with your thinking on equipment.

You could hire a company do provide the cameras and installation. If you want to do it all yourself, Id just buy off Amazon and watch Youtube videos and read up on how to wire and install. There is a learning curve but its not rocket science.

A few comments: You only use DVR cards with analog cameras, not IP cameras. You mention HD and POE, so I assume you are wanting IP cameras. Most IP cameras should come with software to use. best of the best and $200 per outdoor camera with amazing IR distance is not going to happen. More like $500 and up. License plate reading is not easy, especially at night. They make cameras specifically for reading plates, but they are expensive and basically just read plates, nothing else. I personally prefer dome over bullet. I like that with a dome camera, people cant tell which way the lens is pointed. Also more vandal resistant, harder to tamper with. I have issues with spider webs with my bullet cameras. But of course dome costs more. I use Geovision brand cameras.

I don't think the TV is the issue. You are already using a full 1080 HD TV. My guess is it has more to do with your software. Often times there is a setting for what resolution the cameras display in when in a multiview environment. So even though your cameras are recording at 720, they may display at 320 when not in full screen. How does the picture look when you look at one camera full screen?

I cant really answer your question as I have no law background or knowledge. I cant imagine being held liable because no one is watching. Its not very realistic to have someone watching many cameras all day long. One reason I put a system in my retail store was to avoid liability issues. Lets say someone "slips" and falls on purpose to get money. Well I have footage of that event. Person says the floor was slippery or dirty, well I have footage of it being swept, etc. Ive had people say something was stolen out of their car while they were at my business. I check the camera footage and no one ever approached the car. Cameras aren't the definitive answer to every issue, but they sure do help in so many scenarios. I think if your client can afford them, he should definitely get cameras.

"best system out there" will get you 100 different opinions. You just want to go with a name brand with good reputation. I'd say you definitely want to go with IP POE cameras and use an NVR. Look at Acti, Avigilon, Geovision, Axis. Any of their outdoor cameras will hold up to the elements you describe. I personally use Geovision and have been very pleased. Probably see what nearby dealers sell so that they can help you along the way.

Interesting question I've never considered. I don't have experience doing this, but from looking around on the internet, it looks doable. http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/Power-Line-Ethernet-Adapters-s/762.htm

all you can do is exactly what you are doing, thinking through all the factors and scenarios. No spot will be totally perfect and capture everything you need. Id say the one thing you have to get in order to be effective in catching a criminal is a good picture of their face. In my retail store, I have a camera eye level as they walk out of the door. Its not hidden in any way. Most people look directly into the camera when they leave, just as a natural response. I want people to know they are on camera.

While I do agree you need some outside cameras, be aware that cameras only record what has already happened. Meaning, even if you had had these outside cameras during your break in, the money/merchandise is still gone. Nothing beats good physical barriers like locks, doors, bars, etc. Most criminals assume you have cameras and cover up their faces. And even if the police are able to catch the criminals, the money/merchandise is typically gone and you'll never get recompense. I catch shop lifters (a few days later) all the time using cameras but vary rarely do we get the merchandise back. They have already pawned, traded, sold it. As nicetry said, getting license plates can be really tough. Everything has to be just right, the lighting and the angles. They make cameras especially for this use, but they are going to cost way more than $175.

If you have no existing system or wiring in place, I don't understand why anyone would not pick IP.

definitely go with POE switches. From your layout, you don't really need 1GB switch, but it wouldn't hurt to have 1 or 2 ports with 1GB for connecting the switches to each other.

Currently we have no cameras in our front parking lot so I need some advice on what kind of camera to put there. My confusion is over License plate camera vs standard outdoor IP MP camera. We have a 3MP camera for our back area and while it gives a great picture, I noticed that I am unable to read any license plates. But my question is, does a license plate camera function well at showing you the scene other than the license plate? Or do I need a good IP camera plus a license plate camera? Most of our issues occur during the daytime but of course if something does happen at night, I'd like the camera to give a good image of that as well. So I guess my question is how well do license plate cameras capture events other than merely the plate itself. I use Geovision cameras.