watchtower

We have an installation that is about 10 years old; 12 analog eline 540 TVL DSP CCD cameras (model EL-MC54/922X), with a Geovision GV650/800(s) v3.52 card running in an older XP PC. We lost all video signal from all the cameras at once. After troubleshooting the system, we have concluded that the capture card has finally died. With the system being as old as it is, the owner would like to upgrade to a newer IP system but due to the nature of the business (self storage), swapping out Coax and running CAT cable is almost impossible. We were in the beginnings of designing an IP system with new cameras, NVR, and Nitek's Etherstretch product to take advantage of the existing coax, when the owner had some major health issues and the project was literally put on hold for months as he went through surgery. Since there's been so much time pass without his input, he is now well enough to get back on the project and is VERY anxious to get an interim fix in place, while not be rushed into spending thousands on a new IP system at this particular point in time, but we need something to get us by until he can be satisfied that the new replacement IP system for the long run is the right one. We'd like to have this interim fix in place by...well...two months ago. So, we still have all good cameras, PC, and coax cabling in place. Some of our runs are upwards of 900'. The old system worked well for what was available in it's day. In contacting Geovision directly, they have referred us to a dealer that is looking at either a new card which would require upgrading the PC and possibly the cameras (he's still looking at specs and options), or a new old-stock card, or a good used card similar to what we have that he knows works. We have looked closely at buying a used card from ebay, etc... but that's not a good option as per Geovision's recommendations. The existing card has been out of production for more than two years at this point, so finding a new replacement card through proper channels is both a challenge and could end up being very time consuming (in just finding and getting that card), but would be ideal when it came to a VERY quick installation time and taking advantage of all their existing remote viewing capabilities without having to reconfigure each of these devices. We're looking for a quick fix to get SOMETHING up and running quickly using what existing equipment we already have so we can buy time to put a quality IP system in place for the long haul. Does anyone have any suggestions, besides the route we are already taking with the Geovision dealer, that could quickly get us up and running for the short term and at the same time ensure that we are staying within Geovision's authorized channels? If we could find the right product, we would even consider moving to a different platform (away from GV) altogether for this quick fix if it wasn't too expensive and where we could use most of our existing equipment--at least the cameras and cabling? We have considered just picking up a new, analog DVR (we intend on moving away from the PC-based system anyway), but don't want to end up spending a several hundred $$ or even over a thousand $$ for something that's only going to be replaced in a short time anyway. I'm open to any suggestions. I can't over-emphasize how important time and $$ are for this interim fix!!! Thx in advance.

Wow!!! Awesome fast response...thx. I'll check these links out right away! Some of the IP camera's we've been potentially looking at for the new system are Hikvision. I notice that they aren't specifically listed as supported IP cameras in the specs for the Dahua NVR you are suggesting, however regarding cameras supported it lists about a dozen brands and then says, "and, etc." . Has anyone had any experience with this NVR and Hikvision IP cameras?