myiicu

The dome hides the camera view better, but can be more difficult to install and aim. Built in IR causes some additional image problems. So separate external IR is better to eliminate reflection, overly bright images and spider webs. Also, use motion activated lighting if possible. 4mm is ok but 2mm is best for the front door.

I have used Axis P3364-VE with Lightfinder and Avigilon 1.3L-H3-D01 with Lightcatcher with great success to identify bad dog owners and their dogs in low light. Having color in low light has helped to confirm the color of dog, collar, leash, coat, bandana, booties etc. This level of detail comes at a high price though...

Pinhole lens are much smaller than standard M12, 1/3 lens and thus will require more light as well..

Boogieman is correct. Some VMS are CPU intensive, while others are CPU lite...

If you want a reliable and robust security system, keep the PC dedicated to the task given...

Most of the times it's on the sidewalk right in front of my house.. Other times it's on the driveway so it's a bit closer to the house. You need to measure the furthest distance that you wish to identify the bad owner and dog in feet or metres. This measurement (distance to object/distance from camera to target) is entered into a lens calculator to determine your pixel count and lens size. Here are a couple of free cctv lens calculators that I use... http://www.cctvlenscalculator.com/ http://www.theiatech.com/calculator

How far is dog poop from house? This distance will determine your lens requirements...

If the camera is properly mounted to the exterior of your house, can you get a clear view of the dog pooping? Does your car or tree/bush obscure the fov? What is the night time lighting like near the dog pooping? Do you have motion activated lighting or sufficient street lighting?

Sorry this is a self serve forum...

So why are you still here?

Relax! We don't get paid to answer your questions! Before we can help. What is your total budget? 2 cameras are usually better than one...

If the infraction is happening at night, you will need a camera with very good low light capability. A camera that can display color in low light is recommended if you want to better identify the dog and bad owner. Not cheap though... TIP: dog and bad/lazy owner usually from neighborhood/nearby condo/apartment

Thanks for the suggestion! Sometimes adding exterior lighting is not possible. I will test image under low light with IR disconnected. Most commercial institutions prefer the PROFESSIONAL look of a box camera or dome camera with no built in IR. Built in IR usually looks more residential/DIY...

Covert can be just no IR. I have some low res analog box cams that produce great images under very low light with NO IR. Built in IR is inferior to external IR. I have yet to find a low cost HD camera that can provide a better image than low res analog under low light conditions with no IR. I don't think low res analog cameras are dead yet. Give me a suggestion and I will test the HD camera...

How is the image with no ir for covert applications? Also, the built in IR in most low cost HD cameras only last 1-2 years then they produce a crappy image under low light...

Analog low res cameras can produce better images in low light than most HD cameras...

Pulling new replacement wire can be expensive and labor intensive. Also, factor new replacement IP camera costs and setup...

An option to consider is a mixed analog/IP system with video encoders. http://www.axis.com/files/whitepaper/wp_encoders_57556_en_1404_lo.pdf http://www.axis.com/us/en/products/axis-m70-series http://overseas.hikvision.com/us/products_10659.html http://avigilon.com/products/video-surveillance/encoders/ This will allow you to use your existing analog cameras/wiring and slowly expand and upgrade to IP.

That ugly wiring can be covered up and protected from the elements with 3 small pieces of scrap ply or pine. Extend the pieces of wood to the top of the birdsmouth and paint same color to match...

2 years is not bad for a cheap unrated hard drive. If you want reliable, get a rated hard drive like Boogieman said... Rated hard drives cost more, have higher MTBFs and better rated components that can handle the heat and continuous operation. Also, you can try formatting that failed HD on another DVR or PC to confirm that it is NFG and not your DVR...

Your Revo R16DVR4 is a standard resolution analog DVR not capable of connecting to IP cameras with RJ45 connector. Your Revo R16DVR4 has analog video inputs with RJ12 and BNC connectors. The RJ12 connector contains analog video, audio and power (12V @310ma max).

If your cameras are standard analog with BNC connectors, you can connect directly to composite video input on monitor/TV to view and test. Many monitors/TV have RCA connection for composite video input, so you will need a BNC to RCA adaptor. http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=104&cp_id=10430&cs_id=1043002&p_id=4127&seq=1&format=2 If you want a reliable system, keep the DVR capture card and PC separate from your home server...

Some day/night IP cameras have both a RJ45 for Ethernet and a BNC connection for service. You can add a splitter to this BNC connection for multiple monitors. The video quality will be better using the digital connection...

Keep the ladder handy and close by...

Check the markings on your long cable runs to determine if you have CAT3 or CAT5 wiring. CAT3 cabling is not recommended for RJ45 connections...