drocer

Not doubting usefulness, just the presentation that certain terrible security practices can be okay. There's no way anyone was suggesting using admin...

I did comprehend it. When is putting the user/pass in an public facing HTML file good? You are aware idiots/morons won't heed your tiny warning at the bottom. They will put this right on the internet. Yes, it's just an example of how to do it with no security but its absolutely irresponsible to even show that at all IMHO. IP cameras are borderline linux boxes and should be treated as such at all times. The only problem is these linux boxes have security exploits waiting to be found and you're telling people how broadcast ROOT to the world. http://myusername:mypass@123.123.123.123/web/docs/badsecurity.jpg Here's how to embedded an image from a protected storage. Oh btw, that's not secure.

It's impossible to know what you consider "unacceptable" without a baseline. What FPS is not acceptable? What cameras were you using? Distance the IR had to go? External IR used also? You could have 640x480 crap at your work or 20MP Axis cameras. You can get 2.1MP/3MP IP cameras that can do 30/15fps respectively. As long as it isn't pitch black you can get 30M IR distance. Bullets, domes, and turrets for ~$120-$200.

It's best not to mix brands. It will pull the video as you set it. Nothing should change. That is for video setting changes e.g. white balance, exposure, contrast, etc. More advanced features like motion recording, alarms, triggers, storage, recording schedules, etc may not work though even if you set it correcting. Of course it could work too. Won't know unless you try it.

"Here is how to point a loaded gun at your head. BTW don't do that." Reported. I hope you get banned.

100% yes. I see a street light there too. 20M IR 1.3MP bullet 720p Dahua IPC-HFW2100 $89 30M IR 2.1/3MP bullet 1080p Dahua IPC-HFW4300S $125 shipped from CCTV CAMERA CHINA @ aliexpress With that street light, you will be able to get very close to the reported distance. Personal testing I can see 20M in pitch black with a 30M rated IP camera. Neither of those cameras are expensive. Sounds like that person only sells analog.

PC NVR -uses slightly more power +expandable +upgradable +choice of software NVR kit +"just works" You're better off with the PC unless you don't want to screw with this. ________ Cameras: Dahua or Hikvision; prefer the latter myself. $100-$175 USD for the "good ones" + gigabit PoE Switch $100; choose fanless and you can thank me later. + Software is free with Dahua (PSS) or Hikvision (ivms-4200); prefer the latter, this will run on server. _________ HP ProLiant G7 N54L MicroServer Server System AMD Turion II Model Neo?? You don't need much but if you are doing other things on this like you want, it may be too much. Recent Celeron/Pentium is fine; an Intel i3 is the max I would use for your situation. Cat6 is a waste. IMHO, I would opt for cheaper Cat5e. Does gigabit and will carry power over ethernet the same.

There's no warranty with the amazon sold units. You have to go through authorized dealers for a warranty. Amazon and all the security sites spammed here aren't authorized. No warranty. No support. Most are just the same chinese imports you could order yourself form aliexpress. I like hikvision cameras better. I like dahua's NVR/PC software UI better. I didn't bother mixing them because I wanted to avoid all problems.

viewtopic.php?p=242611#p242611 You can check out power usage for an i7 that I use above. I compared it to an ARM powered dedicated NVR system. A fully loaded "power efficient" NAS would use the same or more power. The PC isn't really doing anything beyond idling so there is no real strain. i3/i5

There are two feeds coming for each camera. The full resolution main-stream and the lower CIF/MJPEG lower resolution sub-stream. You are likely trying to view 16 main streams on the live view. That isn't happening and even the best CPU will choke on that. You have to either switch to the sub-stream or find the setting to "auto-switch" between them on the live view (double click to enlarge--switches to main stream; the reverse shrinks back to 4x4). You should have no problem viewing 16 substreams with your setup. It will still record at full resolution. The only taxing thing is viewing the full main stream. Force highest resolution sub-stream (near D1 quality) or change to "auto-switch." The same exact thing applies when viewing playback video.

You can buy Q-see which are rebadges or buy from aliexpress (Ebay for china). Hikvision are much easier to find and what most people buy (including myself). Costco carries Swann which are hikvision rebadges. You're going to get tons of posts/PM's about where to buy cameras. Most of those will be gray-market and have no USA warranty. IMHO, just cut out the middle man and buy where they buy from--aliexpress.

Sadly, you're likely going to have to buy another unit. That extra bandwidth is for 8 cameras running at 3MP @ highest bitrate. If you could easily flash the 8 channel to a 16 channel, I think everyone would be doing it. NVR8-7200 NVR16-7200 = 16 channel.

No, but not all features may work be compatible if you don't match brands. There is a chance it could work 100%. IMHO, I would stick with the same brand if using a dedicated NVR. FOV, megapixel, and IR/night vision reach. Do you want a tight shot 60ft away or a wider overview? That is FOV. You can pay more for varia-focal (adjustable zoom) vs fixed focus. Megapixel is up to you. The higher the number, the better detail and ability to zoom in. 2.1MP = 1080p and should be fine for most people today. SD card would be an advanced feature where brand matching can decide whether it works or not. Most camera's allow you to log-in to the camera directly, but sounds like you want it to work with the NVR. FTP means FTP. Can be for video, stills, or both. Depends on model. Off-site cloud backup of video is going to be a lot of data/bandwidth! ___________ You can also skip the dedicated NVR device and use an i3/i5 Windows PC. Dauhua and Hikvision both offer great free software (only that respective brand works). There's other software but it's $200-$600 for it as their "Free" versions will likely be restrictive to your backup needs. Axxon Next, Xprotect Go

That's a choice you will have to make. Or if you buy that hardware, your decision will be made by the limits of that hardware. I use hikvision cameras + hikvision's free iVMS-4200 software running on a PC.

You know how when you watch streaming video it starts kind of "blocky" and then gets clear after a bit? That is the bitrate changing. Higher the number (to a point) the better the video will look. The absolute highest bitrate my 3MP hikvision bullet can send, at least according to specs, is 16Mbps. That's one camera. I don't run them that high because higher bitrates eat storage like crazy so I keep it lower (4-8Mpbs). If you used the same bitrate as I do for your 3 cameras that's 12Mbps-24Mbps; that's over what you're NVR can do.