iggy

I too would like a unix based system to handle my setup. http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/02/27/2045203 iggy

My preference would be freebsd. I see many vendors in other areas creating with linux in mind which if fine. I have found pretty much anything pushed to a linux environment can be setup on Freebsd etc. Which unix based system doesn't really matter, just one anyone any flavor. iggy

I have the virus stuff under control. I just want to get rid of this windows box on my network. If geovision or one of the other vendors would support a unix based system, I would be the first to jump on that. iggy

Okay, like many, I have spent quite a bit of time lurking on this forum before making my purchases. I believe I will be buying the following: geovision GV-800-4 geovision real time display card 2 bullet cameras (exterior) 2 dome cameras (exteriro) I'm not sure of the cameras but I'm thinking I can get by with less than $200 each for the domes and $100 each for the bullets. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I wasn't sure what the difference was between the GV-650-4 and GV-800-4 cards. It is my understanding it is only the FPS. I will only have 4 cameras, what should be the one for me? I'm also not certain of the cables and power supply's I need. I took a look at cctvspecialty's kits and apparently one should get a multiple outlet power supply. I'm not sure what that is. I would imagine it is a box I run all my power cables to and then plug in from there. Is this correct? Do I go with the siamese cables and what power supply (box) and connectors should I order? In short what should be my shopping list additions if I am going with the 2 cards and 4 cameras listed above?

So I finally have the system up and Rory (and the forum in general) was/are right, cheap cams give cheap pics. I ended switching out cameras 3 or 4 times before settling on what I have.(but now I know what I need to get that perfect picture) The geovision card works great. The DSP card addition is just as impressive. However, when I split the output so I can see it on 2 different TVs I start getting some horizontal line distortions. Perhaps I need a special splitter or somthing. Overall, the geovision card is working quite nicely. All the different configs allow for a very personalized setup. The email and web server are very nice as well. Real easy to get working...this is coming from a first timer.

Here is a list of items cctvspecialty.com's support sent me. Heere is what you need: GV-800-4 SPE-70 bullet camera SPE-3203Cexterior dome 500' RG59 or 100ft plug and play bnc converters dc9 powerbox If I don't need the DSP card to view the images on the T.V.'s video in/out then I could go with a little better cameras. I believe the DSP card was $300

I was under the impression the DSP (real-time) card is what allowed you to view the images to the T.V.s video in/out. Can I hook up the GV-800-4 to the T.V.s video in/out without the DSP card? As for cameras, everytime I think I have the selection down I get side tracked. I'm just not sure anymore. I know I need 2 dome cameras and 2 bullet cameras. Both for the exterior. There is a street light directly over my building so at night there is some light. (it's a street light so it's not great light but it does offer some light) Any suggestions on the cameras? I would like to stay as close to my budget as possible. Perhaps upgrade cameras as needed. I was looking at $100 each for the bullet cameras and $150 each for the Dome cameras. Is this possible?

I am new to cctv but have been lurking this forum for some time. I am finally ready to try and build my own system. I am looking to setup outdoor cameras (3) It is fairly well lit. PC based to record. Here is the list I have put together but I am not sure if it meets the things I want to do: -color/IR bullet cameras -PC based software GV604 - 4 Port Card and Software GeoVision seems to be popular here. I wanted to make sure to use a PCI board that would also allow me to hookup one of my regular TVs to view as well. - I already have an extra system - Asus p4800, 1 gig mem, large HD etc. Is there anything I am missing? does the geovision allow me to not only use my PC but to use the TV for monitoring as well?

perfect. I'm going to try and get things going on this and hope to have the system in place in the next 3 weeks. I'm going to buy one camera and see how it does then buy the other 3 based on its performance.

Are there any cards which use Linus or Unix based o/s'?

hrrmm...where are peeps like Rory when you need `em?