whatchamacallit

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll investigate the backup NVR when I get a chance. Is there is system that would allow for FTP video backup upon motion? Bandwidth is not an issue, client has unlimited bandwidth. Lastly, is Option 1 or Option 2 the way to go? Would Option 2 make updating firmwares for the NVR and cameras easier?

Hello Everyone. I've been asked to design and set up a simple surveillance system for a client, and based on what I've read browsing this forum, I've decided to go with a HikVision NVR and HikVision Cameras. Can someone please help me out with the following: 1) Which of the two (2) set-ups would you recommend? Bear in mind, I am new to all of this, and therefore an easy approach is preferred. I personally was going to go with Option 1 because I can simply plug the cameras directly into the NVR and not have to manually enter in IPs of each camera. But please let me know if Option 2 is better: 2) My client would like video recording upon motion detection. He would like a copy to be saved on the NVR, as well a recording to be saved to a remote server via FTP. Would either of the options above work? My real question is, does the HikVision NVR allow for easy FTP upload of recordings as they happen? As in, can I simply enter the FTP address (ftp.website.com) and the username and password of the FTP and the folder? I've used FOSCAM before as a test, and they have an easy to use FTP upload. Does the HikVision NVR provide similar ease-of-use? Or do the cameras themselves have to be set-up for remote back-up? 3) How easy is the system configuration above? As I said, I'm pretty new to all of this, so I would like to know how much time a first-time user would take to set up the above? Thanks for the help! EDIT: Image updated.

Can any of the experts here please chime in? Thank you!

Hello all. I offer basic technological services to small businesses (usually setting up their computers, printers, websites, simple iPhone/Android apps etc.) and recently got asked to quote a simple surveillance setup. This was something I want to get into anyways, so thought this would be the perfect opportunity to learn and grow the business a little. The requirements of the client are: - 2 Cameras (mounted on poles as the landlord does not want anything mounted on the building) - 2 Spotlights - 2 Solar Panel Spotlights with motion sensor - 2 fake cameras - 1 week of recording retained The area to cover is a loading dock, lets say 20m by 15m. I'm expecting the poles to be 7m tall above ground (I have to provide them), and the cameras will be connected to a system inside. So I'd guess I can pole mount the cameras, have the cables run through the pole to the ground, and then via conduit along the ground (there is a railing foundation I can run them along) to inside the building to the area they want the system set up at. I've done a bit of researching and reading on this forum, and have come up with some ideas, but still have a lot of questions and uncertainty, and was hoping that I could get some help here. 1) In regards to the 2 cameras, I need them to be IP66 rated as the environment they will be placed in is exposed to snow and rain, and temperatures varying from -40C in the winter to +35C in the summers (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). It seems a lot of people are going with the HikVision cameras, and this one seems to meet the requirement: DS-2CD3132-I. I checked on AliExpress and its pretty reasonable, under $100 USD (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DS-2CD2132F-I-Hikvision-3-0MP-Dome-IP-Camera-DS-2CD2132F-IS-CCTV-Camera-Waterproof-Mini/32255012902.html). Is this a good camera for the purpose? $100 seems too cheap, or am I mistaken? Considering the motion sensor spotlights should come on in case of movement, I'm guessing the IR night-vision on the camera doesn't need to be amazing. What is the lens I need? 2.8mm or 4mm? 2) What sort of pole bracket do you all recommend? Is there a standard out there that everyone uses? Are there any issues running the cables within the pole and then through conduit? Yes, easily accessible on the ground and therefore potential for vandalism, but aside from that are there any issues? 3) I see the DS-2CD3132-I camera supports PoE, but the specs state "DC12V / PoE(802.3af)". Does it mean it requires both a 12V supply and PoE? Or does it mean either sources will work? Sorry, I'm a little new to PoE. Do I need a splitter and an injector at both the supply side and the camera side? Or does the camera do the splitting within itself? Also, can someone please recommend a decent PoE network switch? Expansion to 4 cameras might be required 2 years down the road, so I'd rather go with a decent switch right off the bat. 4) In regards to the software, I was planning on using iVMS-4200 if I were to go with the HikVision cameras. From my understanding, its just a software and therefore needs a computer set up for it to work. Is this correct? If yes, do I really need a surveillance grade harddrive? Can I not build a PC for the system with standard off the shelf harddrives? Also, how easy is the iVMS-4200 software to set up and use? Does the network switch simply attach to the desktop tower? Again, very new in this area, so not sure if detecting cameras is as easy as detecting printers on the network. Also, I'm assuming the software can be configured to store recordings for a week and then delete them, right? 5) Instead of using a custom PC and software, is there no off-the-shelf NVR I can use which has surveillance software preloaded and just needs a monitor, keyboard, mouse attached? Just wondering as I don't want to spend time building a custom PC and installing software etc. Does the HikVision DS-7616NI-SE/P fit the bill? Is it overkill? 6) Might seem like a dumb question, but is this something anyone here would recommend: http://www.costco.ca/Lorex-4-Channel-500GB-720p-HDDVR-with-4-HD-Cameras.product.100155304.html Its Under $400 CAD, and comes with Costcos return policy and warranty which would be great. Plus has two additional cameras which I can always use in case of a failure 6 months in. Lastly, have I missed anything? Any tips? Again, I'm very new in this field, so please talk down to me like I'm a kid. I'll try and reply promptly and will update the thread as replies come in. Thanks!

Hi zr1. Firstly, thanks for the detailed reply. I should have been more detailed in my original post. I do not have to physically supply the poles itself. I just have to specify the height and type of pole needed, and the clients contractor will supply and install it on site. 1) Weather and IP66 cameras: for a pole mounted operation, would you recommend a bullet style camera, or a dome type? Either way I'm thinking of custom building some sort of weather protection for the camera, but not quite sure how. Hopefully there is some off-the-shelf product I can use. I do find it suspect that a $100 camera can be weatherproof - especially since AXIS cameras are $1000+ with the same rating. Since this is my first time for such an application I'm a little nervous. Don't want to spend a weekend each month for the next 12 months replacing the cameras for free under warranty.... 2) What sort of bracket would you recommend. I see this pole bracket (http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/Products_show.asp?id=4206), but the pictures are very strange looking and I can't seem to figure out how it works. 3) Thanks. Good to know its as simple as running a Cat5E or Cat6 cable. Is there a maximum length? I'll be quite honest, for this first install I'm going to use store bought Ethernet cable - 50m/100m in length as needed. Perhaps I'll look into custom making mine down the road, but I envision enough of other problems with this first install than to deal with cable splicing too. 3a) "this will mean you can't have a pre-made plug but instead thread the cover on" - what do you mean by this? I thought I can just plug the cable into the camera? I was planning on attaching the cable to the camera, then feeding the entire length of cable into the pole (through a hole), then feed the plug into the pole as well and then seal the hole with some sort of a sealant. Is this not recommended? Actually, I guess it makes sense to have the plug stay in the base itself as it makes warranty replacements a lot easier. Clarification would be appreciated. 4) Thanks. Will go with NVR instead. 5) I think I'll go with the NVR instead - seems easier and simpler. I was planning on running an Ethernet cable from each camera all the way to the NVR. Is this not recommended? Just wondering. Is there a better way to do this? 6) Ah. Didn't even think about that. Just saw 720p and thought it would be good enough. Thanks, will look into some YouTube videos. 6b) Hmm. Good point. Yes, don't want to have to replace the whole system over a failed NVR. Additionally, I guess by just buying the items separately I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm assuming I can buy the NVR from AliExpress too? I'll buy the harddrive locally thought, don't know how it will hold up being mailed from China. 7) For such a set up, how many hours would you recommend? I was going to estimate 10 hours for the entire set up? Is that too much or too little? Will look into the numbers. 9) Hmm. I guess I only really need to make sure the fake camera looks similar in appearance to the real one. Just gotta be good enough to fool a thief. Right? 10) Yes, I think thats the industry standard. But the client wants 24/7 monitoring to also go back and look at employee actions. I did a quick calc, and it seems like a 1TB harddrive would be more than sufficient for 24/7 recording for a week for two 3MP cameras. I'm assuming the NVR software is powerful enough to re-write over a harddrive? 11) I guess I should have mentioned this earlier, but forgot since its a nice-to-have but not required. Is there a NVR that can allow me to access the feeds remotely if needed. The client does not need this, but it would allow me to remote in and see the feeds in case of an issue, such as "The nightvision isn't good, can you come have a look"? Having the ability to remote in can let me figure out the problem before even going to site. Thanks again for the detailed responses. Much appreciated. Seldom do people go out of their way and provide in-depth replies.