bestfootforward

I really would welcome your view on whether I need to replace my current CCTV system. The current system is a 6 camera system using Vivotek IP 7160 2mp cameras connected to a Windows 7 machine. The software used to record and playback on the PC is Milestone Essentials. My dilemma is this - the current system works ok but it can be unreliable in certain situations. Specifically, after a power cut, not all of the cameras always connect back to the recording PC. There appears to be no way to create a warning email in the software to alert the fact that one of the cameras isn't recording. I've logged on a couple of times, and not being able to get the footage I needed because one of the cameras has disconnected for some reason or another. We pay a contractor to maintain the system, and they logon every month, check the cameras are working, check the cameras are recording. However, they really dislike the current setup (mainly because I don't think they are very familar with Milestone software), and their advice is to junk it and replace. We now need to extend the CCTV system by a further 3 cameras as we are expanding our office space. This require 3 new IP cameras, and an additional Milestone license. The CCTV contractor has quoted me almost the same to install three new IP cameras and setup, as the cost of replacing the entire system. They would like to replace the PC with a dedicated 16 Channel 4TB HD DVR with 9 Mini Eyeball Dome Cameras which give an image similar to a 2mp camera. The cameras I believe are not IP cameras and use a different technology. I'd be really interested to hear the views of the people on this forum as to what I should do. On the one hand, I think installing three cameras powered by POE is pretty straight forward. Updating the milestone software also shouldn't be a big deal. On the other hand, the current system has proved mildly irritating at times. If we implemented the new system the contractor is saying he will configure it so that he gets an alert straight away if there is any issue with a camera. All views, ideas and comments welcome

Just been playing around a bit more, and I think I have a problem with one of the cameras. It doesn't always respond promptly via the IP interface, it is very laggy. I have tried a external network scan and there doesn't appear to be an issue with IP address conflict, so might be an issue with the ethernet cable or the camera. This particular one is the camera which doesn't always connect back to the milestone server, so I think this could be the issue.

Just decided to go into the office and have a play around with various tests to see if I can replicate the problem about the recording PC losing connection. Firstly I powered off then on the PC. The PC reboots, milestone opens fine, and it connected back to all 6 cameras no problem Then I removed the power to one of the cameras, waiting a minute, reconnected it, and again, connection retrieved fine. Firmware on the camera was slightly old, so I have updated them all to the latest version 105a. Not sure what to do next. There is certainly occasionally when there is a power outage a problem an odd problem with a camera not reconnecting. Perhaps this could be an IP conflict? All of the cameras on set to a fixed IP address rather than getting a dynamic IP from the router each time. I'm wondering if this might be the cause of the issue. On the otherhand, if to connect back to the rouge camera, it just requires a restart of the milestone server, perhaps the issue is with the server?

That's a neat idea... will give that a try on Monday.

That's a good question. I don't know if I can access the camera directly via the IP address, as I didn't think to check it the last time it wasn't working. I've emailed Vivotek to check if they have any views, and I will email Milestone to get their ideas. In terms of the version, I think we are using the latest version.

Interesting points. He has quoted a 16 Channel 4TB networkable HD DVR and 9 Mini Eyeball Dome Cameras, installed for £2,630 + VAT. The cost quoted to add three new cameras and upgrade the license on milestone is £2,495 + VAT. I know the cost of the IP cameras is about £200 + VAT each. Power is from existing POE switch. Ethernet cable runs are straight forward. I'm not sure of the milestone license cost to upgrade from 6 to 9 cameras but I would guess it would be around £120. Hence why I thought the quote to upgrade the existing system with 3 more IP cameras was a bit padded. But we still have the issue with the current recording system that if we have a power cut, not every camera always reconnects to the network. Its different cameras each time and isn't consistant - sometime it is fine, sometimes not. Perhaps removing the PC and replacing with dedicated DVR might be a good step forward. What do you think?