scorpion

LOL! You learn as you get ripped off as an installer/dealer. But then again there are customers who get ripped off, and they are hard noses the next time they deal with an installer/dealer.

I can get you a firmware update. I do not think that you will need it though.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the threads! See you on the forum!

They are the manufacture. They sell to distributors, and resellers. It is the resellars responcibilty to set up their own tech support. There is no way that they could support one million calls per day! That is the unfortunate by product of low cost sales! The cheap vendors do not make enough of a markup to pay for a staff to be on hand to answer questions, and to put up a webpage with the proper information, or they just do not care about support. The other problem with people having full access to all firmware, may cause individuals to install a firmware that they do not understand causing their system to go down. You have to know which firmware to use, and how to use it. Thank you for the appreciation of my website. I wish I could put more information on the page, but I do not have the time to do so. I wish I could do more to provide help!

Do you have it set for the option to overwrite automatically? Overwriting View If you activate overwriting mode, you will also see “-OW-â€

LOL! Sounds like an EBAY tactic!

I depend on referrals, so I have to tone down the harshness, but I have to agree with securitysys on his post. He is right about that. There is a trick that I do when I am charging by the hour. I will tell the customer that it will take about 6 hours to install the product at $XX.xx per hour. I will give them 4 hours of free labor. If I run over my time frame, and it takes me 8 hours, then the customer does not have to shell out more money. If the install runs more than 10 hours then they are charged the additional hours. This information is sent during the bid process. I then charge $100.00 for a site survey. If they hire me then I give them the $100.00 back when they purchase a system, or in the case of this post when they hire you to do the install. I like site surveys in advance. Do they have power where they are going to locate the DVR? Do they have an exposed ceiling, or is it a drop ceiling. I like to find my travel paths for my wires. Will I be drilling through 18 inches of concrete because of a poured wall? Is the building a block, or wood design. What color caulk will I need to bring? Where is the home run going? Can I get my wires there? Where are the cameras going? Where the customer wants them, and what the camera can do are always worlds apart! I have a feeling this customer is going to be very happy with your install, and he will be recommending you to others!

The DVR that you are demoing is still an AVTech manufactured DVR! If the first one is crap, then this one should be crap also? The AVC 760 is an entry level machine. I agree with everyone that it does have limitations, but for the price, and someone on a budget, or to replace a VCR, then I believe it is an excellant choice. Would I use it in my own home? Yes. Would I prefer a GE, or an other brand? Yes. My wife, and my wallet dictate what kind of machine I purchase for my house. Would I walk in to a city hall with a bid with this DVR? NO! Of course not. Then again, a back woods small town city hall may appreciate having this kind of DVR as they do not have a budget to add surveillance. If I was forced to walk, and knock door to door in a residential neighborhood to sell DVRs, then this would be the one that I would carry as I know it would be a good quick sale, and cash in my pocket. I could not go door to door with a $3000.00 DVR, and expect to come home with several sales a day. How many people a day come in to our shop, and then leave, and go buy a budget system at the "Warehouse Club Sammy"? Should I just let them go? Who wins? The Club does. They got the cash! I carry the entry level so that I get the sale, and the customer gets what he needs. Ask the Warehouse Club Sammy questions about different aspects of this DVR, and watch the clerks eyes glaze over. They will just point to the info on the box!!!! Am I offended that someone does not like the product that I sell. NO! Of course not. No offense taken. I would never recommend a VCR, and a multiplexor, but you would be surprised at how many people still buy them. (EGADS!) I am ashamed to say that I sell the multiplexor, and then I send them to Wally World, or the big red bulls eye to get their VCR. I like the machine that you recommend!!! It IS a better machine! You are right!! How can I be offended when you recommend an AVTech DVR! LOL! What is the one that you recommended? Is it an AVC 785, or a CPD 503? I guess it could be a AVC 781. I love the choices out there! I love that the "consumer" is becoming aware of these products creating demand, which in turn creates more units being manufactured, and it drives the cost down! Where will our future go as they create more technology?

We have not heard from you since Dec 30th of 07, and I assumed that you had rectified your problems. You stated that you were computer savy, and the post that Rory, and Kiwi posted should have more than resolved your problems. If you were poking around with the DVR, and having problems, then I am confused as you have not posted any problems on Dec 31, or Jan 1st. I am sorry to hear that you have problems, and you had to return it. For a budget priced product it is my opinion that it is a terrific device. The manufacture is AVTech. Please feel free to go to my website to see if you can find the information that you need and to repurchase the system, and get that system up, and going. http://scorpiontheater.com/cpcamtechsupport.aspx I do not work for AVTech, Swann, or Costco so my opinion is not tainted (except that I am an AVTech product nutcase)! I am not an AVTech expert, but you can look at the posts in the DVR section to see that I am somewhat knowledgeable on the product. I would be more than glad to give you my email address in a PM if this will help you out.

The fact that he bought the camera system on his own indicates several things: 1 He is looking for the cheapest all the way around. This is the same kind of customer that when things go wrong (no matter who is a fault) he will blame you, and he will not pay you until things are rectified to the way he says that they are supposed to be. He will blame you to hell, and back, and he will bad mouth you to everyone even if it has nothing to do with you for his camera system woes. This is the customer that you want to have everything in writing prior to touching the equipment. A Who is responcible for the equipment should it not work at the time of install. You are just an installer, you did not sell him the equipment, and you cannot replace it, and you do not provide a warranty. (if he is that much of a spend thrift then he will threaten to sue you for the product replacement.... blah blah you will hear from my attorney.....blah blah). B This is the same kind of customer who learns as he goes, and changes specs in mid flight, and then demands/expects you to do it the new way. His argument is: that is why he bought the system in the first place was to perform ______(fill in the blank)(ie provide color video in pitchdark of a license plate at one mile {yes, it is an exaggeration, but close to the truth}). This is where the paper works saves your day. The specs say that you will install a 30 foot IR camera to watch an area aprox from 15 from the area where the camera is mounted. Then when the customer wants to see in complete darkness at 60 feet then you can show him the contract, and that the cameras are an upgrade at $XXX.XX, and Installation is extra, plus milelage to come back as the new camera is not on site, and has to be ordered, (or he is stuck with the equipment that he bought, and it is to be mounted as per contract). Now you just have to figure how to get your money paid to you, and do not hold any of his equipment for "ransom" as you are stealing, and he has a receipt to prove it. If he locks you out, and you have tools, or other items then you cannot break in to the building to get your stuff back, as that is breaking, and entering. One way around this situation is to have a key issued to you in writing. As a key holder you have the right to enter a building, and the police cannot arrest you. Yes! Paper work will save your day! 2 He is an idiot, and anything that anyone tells him he will believe. This is the kind of customer that always answers back "that sounds like a good idea"! He has no clue, and can be snowballed by another "dealer" about specs on products that may all be hype, and not perform as stated, and you will be blamed for the equipment not doing what it is supposed to do, such as seeing in color, in complete darkness at one mile, and give you a license plate number. Check the specs on the equipment. Put the IR cameras to the test at night before you do the install!!!!! What you see is what you get! 3 This is a knowledgeable customer who likes a good value just like anybody else. They may feel bad because they did not buy from you, but they saved 75% off of MSRP!! They appreciate a good installer, and they are willing to pay for it. They will expect you to be very knowledgeable, and to be able to spot product specs that may not stack up, or you will know how to overcome these limitations. They will expect you to come back, and tweak the system in a week, or two to make sure everything is up to par. They will expect you to come out immeaditly should something go wrong that was part of your installation process. If it is a warranty issue then he will pay you for your time to help take down the equipment, and repackage it, and contact the vendor to get an RMA, and reinstall it when it comes back. He will refer other customers to you. Get as much in writing up front as possible!! Things to watch out for. This is a quotation on the goods named, subject to the conditions noted below: (Describe any conditions pertaining to these prices and any additional terms of the agreement. You may want to include contingencies that will affect the quotation.) The project must be paid in full at the time of completion regardless of the following: 1. Power is available for the equipment 2. Internet is available for networked equipment 3. Status of customer-owned equipment (IE VCR's) If wires cannot be run through attic space then wires will be wrapped around the outside of the house and labor charges will apply. Wires run through conduit and/or buried underground will be an additional charge. To accept this quotation, sign here and return: _____________________________________ They do not pay you as the system is not operational. They put the DVR in a spot where there is no electricity, and they are waiting for an electrician to show up, and install a socket at the DVR. This is not your problem, and they need to pay up, and you need to have this in writing to protect you. They want networked equipment, and they are holding the check. You do not have control over ATT, or Bright house, or who ever. If the customer does not have an internet for networking this is not your responcibility. If the customer does not have an object that would make the system operational, but they do not have the device, then they need to pay up as you are not the vendor, and they need to get it prior to the installation. You will be more than glad to come back (for a price) to make sure everything is working when they buy said device. Customers think that wiring is wiring, and they payed you to wire it. Now you have to do something unaccounted for such as trench, and bury, or enclose it in conduit ect. Some customers demand that they see no wiring then they forget to tell you this is a two story building with no way to run wires. If you can tear up a rug, and cut in to the floor then you are good to go. Do not do it without writing in advance, and who will fix the holes, and redo the rug to tighten it to the wall. If you have ran wiring for a while then you may be able to run wires where no one else would be able to. Look for AC duct work that goes from a HVAC closet on the second story that goes to the vent in the ceiling of the first floor. You can get wiring up the HVAC closet in to the attic of the second story. You can hide wiring behind crown moulding. Now who is responcible to rehang the crown moulding? I am not a wood worker, and I will not do it. They are much better off hiring a pro to do it, or to be prepared to do it themselves. Some customers take pride in the fact that they were the ones who installed it in the first place. (I love these customers)!! You can hide wiring behind floor moulding. You might get lucky by removing can lights from a ceiling to run rods, and pull wire through the ceiling! I am sorry to ramble on, and on. I have more to tell, but I think you get the point. Good luck! I hope this job gives you many referals!!

Ha! Ha! Ha! You should become a reserve sherrif's deputy then you can pull him over, and ticket him!!

Nice! Where is the source for the overlay product? If store weblink then please PM. Thanks!

I can relate to those days!!!!!! Congradulations!

NONE! In that price range it would be a "hobby" setup, and not for security is of the essence!

Will this help? http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=16

Welcome to the threads! See you on the forum!

I would be interested in your experiment! http://scorpiontheater.com/cpcamtechsupport.aspx The AVTech AVC 760, CPCam 560, and the Nubix 4BC is a model 3. This is the only one that cannot be backed up with a USB, it has to be backed up by the remote software. Model 3 does not have the USB feature. Models 1,2, 4, and 5 do. http://211.75.84.102/web/manu/760.pdf AVC 761, and the CPD 561 is a model 4 MJPEG at frame, MPEG4 at CIF, 1 audio in, with IR. http://211.75.84.102/web/manu/761.pdf AVC 781, and CPD 501 is a model 2 MPEG4 at frame, MPEG4 at CIF, 2 audio in, no IR. http://211.75.84.102/web/manu/781.pdf AVC 782A, and CPD 502 is a model 1 MPEG4 at frame. Model 1 is the only one with the CD back up, and it has 2 audio inputs. Model 5 does not have the power/data bus, but it has 2 audio inputs, CD back up, and it has IR. http://211.75.84.102/web/manu/782.pdf Thanks for keeping me posted!

There are too many variables to answer your question. Will this be a "budget" project, or would this project be considered "Security is of the Essence! Do you have a Million dollars cash under your mattress, or are you just protecting your home entertainment equipment? Why do you want to hook everything up to a computer? For an alternative would a stand alone DVR be an option? What are the specs on the computer, and what size hard drive does it have. Do you want inexpensive bullet cameras that use Infra red, or would prefer expensive true day/night cameras? Here are some articles: How to run wires from an attic with drywall walls. http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=48 How to trouble shoot camera problems! http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=42 Here is how to fix your video source problems! http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=41 More info: http://scorpiontheater.com/cpcamtechsupport.aspx http://scorpiontheater.com/videonetworkingwithavtech.aspx Info about cameras by Rory: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6122 How can I assist you?

I would buy it for $2000.00 I bet you would never have problems with tailgaters again!!

Hello! Welcome to the threads! See you on the forum!

Good Job Loop finding the manufacture!

Welcome to the threads! See you on the forum!

This is one of my favorite cameras that has varifocal. http://avssys.net/?s=product&sub=camera&cat=ir&p=vnd49ir

You would be surprised to see how many people ask for them, and then I have to educate them about the pros, and the cons, and try to steer them in to the right direction. The cheaper someone's budget is the more they seem to ask for them.