athomas61

I have been researching a while and have decided I want an IP based system with 16-channel NVR and decent quality cameras. I figured I could start with 8-9 cameras and add more later since the NVR has the capacity. Q-see and Swann (from CostCo) which I know are re-branded seem to get mentioned pretty consistently. I don't know if the site allows the discussion of specific deals, but I consistently see a 16-channel NVR with 8 cameras from Swann for $1500, and 16-channel NVR with 9 cameras from Q-see for $1700. I have a few questions.... 1) I do not have a CostCo nearby or a membership so I'd have to use a friend's member number and have the item shipped. Does this still leave CostCo as the best place to purchase this system? 2) Is one of the systems significantly better than the other especially if I add a couple cameras later? 3) Do they both offer all the same general features and are they highly regarded overall? 4) Big question, since I'm not familiar with CostCo do these items go on sale often if ever and is it at a significant discount? I'd love to avoid paying full price if I can. Thanks for your help, just about ready to pull the trigger!!!

Thanks for the response. No run should be longer than the 8x100ft Cat 5e that seem to be included with the system. The only reason I bought the Cat 6 cable was that it didn't seem there was a patch cable to go from NVR to router included in the box.

Based on suggestions from this forum I purchased the 16ch 8x4MP Q-See system from Costco that is on sale for $1299 I had a few questions (and admittedly may have a few more once it arrives) 1) I saw there is a CostCo concierge service available to help with installations. Are they very knowledgeable if I have an issue or am I wasting my time? 2) What is not included in the package that I likely need? I purchased a single Cat6 cable and HDMI cable to run to my router and monitor respectively since I plan to keep the NVR in the attic. 3) I Think 8 cameras should work, but if I needed one more where is the best place to buy, single cameras seem far more expensive than the ones in the packages? 4) Is the 3TB HD likely enough if I record all 8 cameras at 1080p30 and motion activated? I don't need tons of archival storage, approximately how much will it hold? 5) Any other install tips or tricks this is my first time having or installing a home camera system. Thanks so much!!

Let me start by saying I know typically an attic may be way too hot/cold and dusty for an NVR. However, our home has foam insulation (above you in the attic) and is a sealed climate controlled environment. There is no insulation below your feet. Since all the wires would be run in the attic anyway is there any reason not to put the NVR up there with all the cords from the cameras running to it, then 1 wire running down from the NVR into the computer room and into the router? On top of simplicity this also seems like it would add a nice bit of security, since it's a heck of a lot of work to figure out the NVR might be in the attic, find the attic access, find the NVR up there, and get out!! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that would destroy my nice new system, Thanks for your help!!

Thanks for the input, I didn't realize 8 of the ports were non-POE. The $1500 system is the rebranded Hikvision like you said and comes with 8 bullet cams and an NVR with 8 POE/8 Non-POE ports. The Q-See is a rebranded Dahua system for $1700 and comes with an extra camera and all 16 ports are POE. That seems like it might be worth $200 right there? Anyone have any more insight into my first 4 questions or the above? From this forum these seem to be very popular choices, but without a CostCo nearby I am purchasing site unseen and returning wouldn't be that fun so I really need to try and get it right the first time. I know rebranded or not Hikvision and Dahua are regarded well here, but are the included cameras and NVRs good enough?

Any thoughts on the three questions above? I want to make the final decision soon and get installing!!

I know we can't mention specific deals, but I am looking to purchase an IP system from CostCo that includes a 16-channel NVR and either 8 Swann cameras or 9 Q-See cameras. These are traditional bullet cameras. I don't mind using one of these for the solution, but based on the difficulty of getting the picture I want I figure I will have to buy a 1-off solution for the front door. Seeing if there's a package at the front door, and seeing who is knocking is one of the main reasons for the system so it's important to me I don't end up getting just the top or back of someone's head and a worthless picture. I've included a picture of our entryway. It's recessed about 6ft and has brick on all sides, and behind the brick is foam insulation which is difficult, but not impossible to fish wires through. So any camera I install in this area will require drilling through masonry and then fishing an ethernet cable into the attic through foam insulation. I also am planning to pay $1500-2000 for the system all in and don't want a lot of the cost to be in this one camera. I'd like the camera to be "fairly" discrete (as in not a big bullet cam pointed right at someone's face), but it doesn't have to be 100% hidden by any means. The door is 7ft tall in the picture for reference. Please help this is the most difficult part of the project and the one that scares me from making the purchase and doing the install. Thank you in advance for any advice!!

I've read through several guides, and the stickies on the forum, and have a general idea of what I want, but the pre-made kits seem to get pretty poor reviews, and aren't customized enough necessarily for my needs, whereas a completely custom high-end kit is well beyond what I need for my fairly safe neighborhood. This system is mostly just for deterrence and piece of mind. What I want... -8 Camera System (I wouldn't mind 9, but I don't necessarily want the expense of jumping to 16 camera system) -Wired IP POE based system 720p or 1080p with decent frame rate -Motion activated -Ability to view on Computer, iPad, Phone (Texts when motion is detected on certain cameras would be great but not required) -System would be 5 outdoor cameras, one indoor camera, one garage camera, and something that would work as a doorbell camera (there's no peephole or easy way to see who is at my door without opening it). But I also don't want an obvious bullet camera staring them in the face or 5ft above their head so I don't see anything. I generally live in a friendly neighborhood, but there has been some vandalism and light crime here and there and I'd like to get a system setup and just be happy to have the piece of mind. The issue is every time i start researching it I get paralyzed by all the information out there and the dread of wiring up the whole thing and talk myself out of it. I'd really like to get a solid system together and get it installed and just enjoy. Thanks in advance for your help. I have a floor plan of my home I can upload to give a general idea of where the 8 cameras will go, but I'm keeping that private until we get a little further in the process.

I am re-posting this here as I believe I placed it in the wrong sub-forum before.... I've read through several guides, and the stickies on the forum, and have a general idea of what I want, but the pre-made kits seem to get pretty poor reviews, and aren't customized enough necessarily for my needs, whereas a completely custom high-end kit is well beyond what I need for my fairly safe neighborhood. This system is mostly just for deterrence and piece of mind. What I want... -8 Camera System (I wouldn't mind 9, but I don't necessarily want the expense of jumping to 16 camera system) -Wired IP POE based system 720p or 1080p with decent frame rate -Motion activated -Ability to view on Computer, iPad, Phone (Texts when motion is detected on certain cameras would be great but not required) -System would be 5 outdoor cameras, one indoor camera, one garage camera, and something that would work as a doorbell/front door camera (there's no peephole or easy way to see who is at my door without opening it). But I also don't want an obvious bullet camera staring them in the face or 5ft above their head so I don't see anything. I generally live in a friendly neighborhood, but there has been some vandalism and light crime here and there and I'd like to get a system setup and just be happy to have the piece of mind. The issue is every time i start researching it I get paralyzed by all the information out there and the dread of wiring up the whole thing and talk myself out of it. I'd really like to get a solid system together and get it installed and just enjoy. Thanks in advance for your help. I have a floor plan of my home I can upload to give a general idea of where the 8 cameras will go, but I'm keeping that private until we get a little further in the process.

I'll pay for quality if I need to go a little over for significant gains, but I had about $2,000 in my head all in.