thetester

As the title says I need help understanding how to turn a PC into a nvr. How the cams are connected and how triggers of alarms are managed. I have used every term I know in google but I can't find hardly any info on this subject.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Those posts have been extremely helpful. Not only for myself, I'm sure for a lot of visitors as well. I have not had the time to work with these cams yet but I have ordered some of the 820 version swann cams( supposedly hikvision) I will post up the comparison pics of the internals. I will post up my experiences with this model 815 compared to the 820 as well IF I can get them to working. I am assuming it has been factually proven these 815's are not a rebrand of any kind and def not hikvision?? I will also post screenshots for quality comparison if any onlookers may be interested. Hopefully we can turn this thread into an even more useful thread that may help a lot of others. Thanks a ton guys!!

Thank you for the instructions. I do not have a poe switch so I'm not sure how or if I can connect the cams to pc until I purchase a switch?? I looked up the 815-- 820---825 models. It seems the 815 is the better model. The 815 and 820 are the same except the 815 has audio mic. I'm assuming I'm correct?? Also the front glass lens cover has a spanner ring for removal of the glass where as the other two models do not. I would like to take these apart and compare internals as well. If only I was more educated in testing cams LOL. I guess it all boils down to software, support and compatibility which is depend on components.

Does anyone know more about these 815 cams????

Thank you guys for the prompt replies. I have been reading now for a few weeks. There isn't enough precise information on any one subject. I guess different quality and price ranges. Short of living on the net this was one step forward or so I thought. Now I'm almost sure I know how a pc based system operates, it's down to cameras. Yes my cams are the 815 but i live in the US not canada. They were originally purchased at SAMS club. I can not return these cams as I bought the system cheap from a friend. The NVR is inoperable thus I wanted to use the cams with a PC. I will however look at costco for the 820 versions. Not to figure out how to make sure they are US for upgrades.

Ok but instead of buying hikvision or dahua straight out. Which units are rebrands at Costco or amazon etc or how can I look them up myself. . If I decide to go pc route it be better to have the true rebrands to avoid complication. As I can tell it is much cheaper buying these bundles. If they are the same units no need to pay more just because. Even if I go stand alone nvr if they are not rebrands I'm locked to that brand so to say.

The pc I have home built pc. AMD 4.0 ghz 8 core. 8 gig ram GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Video Card I use this PC for solid works at home. Surely this will do??? Edit*** Sorry I plan on using 8 cams and later possibly 2 more inside the home. So safely say 12 cams. I know I'm gonna need a raid array of hard drives for storage but motion detection should knock down a little or running the not so critical cams at lower res and frame rates.

Ok before I go off half ****ed and buy more cams. Which models at Costco or such ARE rebrands. I know I can get the bundles cheaper than simply buying a bunch of cameras. So what do I need to look for before I buy??

What do you mean return them?? Wait wait wait. You mean these can not be used as they are with PC software ?? I have no need for the rstp stream as where these will be so far back in the woods there is no internet and no possibility to stream. I just need to access all the features in the cams via software for full functionality. Still no go with these cams??

Here is a pic of the cam itself. If it helps

The cams are swann srnhd-815cam I did a few searches and still could not find whether or not they are hikvision rebrand cams. I did read that if they were not rebrands it would be trouble with software and possibly impossible to use with other nvr's or PC.

Thank you for your reply. They are swann HD 1080p 3MP bullet cams with cat 5 style connectors not BNC. The exact model I would have to really look. I'm trying to figure out what hardware to add to my PC in order to run the system. I'm pretty good at learning and figuring stuff out for myself but this has posed to be one of the most difficult as it don't seem to be a lot of info about it on the net. Either that or my terminology isn't correct. Any help what so ever would be GREATLY appreciated.

Hey guys, I finally got a few cams. I purchased 8 swann 3MP HD1080p bullet cams in which the stand alone NVR no long operates properly . The cams are however flawless. Where I need help is I want to build a PC based nvr but I have NO idea where to start. What is the hardware needed to connect the cams to PC. I am aware of the different softwares and the pros and cons thanks to this forum. What about triggers alarms and even ptz. How do I get this with a PC. If there is any post or article explaining how to do this and hardware needed please let me know.

Hello guys, I am new to your forums so please be kind if I say something that doesn't exactly pass muster with a lot of you seasoned guys in your field. First off I have almost no experience with surveillance systems or their components.. I have however done a lot of reading and learning.. After all this reading I still find myself overwhelmed on choices that I may could make choosing a system.. I don't think it would be possible for me or anyone for a matter of fact to read enough or learn what is needed to wade through all the options, gimicks, trickery and terminology the vendors are advertising to sale their cameras.. Please could you guys weigh in and steer me in the right direction on what to look at in order to get the best QUALITY and BANG for my buck so to say.. The environment.. I live in VERY rural country located in "AL U.S." in which I need to monitor.. The area to monitor is about 40 yards from my home to the wood line all around the home.. The cameras will be placed under the sofit of the roof.. I could care less but should I care about being covert???.. I have done some homework on types of cameras so I can say that I FEEL like we should go with a FULL HD 1080p bullet or dome cameras to be able to zoom in the long distances and acquire clear face images or item images that thieves may have in their hands.. We do not have high speed internet where we live and probably will not over the next five years or more.. That said the internet viewing would be all but useless to me.. What we need is quality video that can be zoomed with clear indisputable precise images.. For the NVR unit Motion triggering and alarms we think important since we are away a lot.. PTZ capable for later is a must.. 16 channels for later expanding is a must.. We need about 4 cameras to start.. Should we look at NVR bundles that is ready to go or should we be better off piecing the system together to get better cameras for the money spent?? We have looked at Qsee and Lorex bundles and course the china route.. I have just recently seen dahua and another but I can't say I know anything of them... Actually we know nothing of what is actually good or trusted in the camera surveillance world.. We just want to make sure we get a quality camera that will not fail us after a month or two or even a year of use.. Here comes the dreaded whats your pocket like.... Well we can spend up to 1K U.S. dollars on the system.. I know its awesome to have an endless budget so we can say OH you need this or that to get GREAT cameras but simply put most of us don't.. Thanks for ANY help and advice you guys will have to steer me in the right direction or information I may can use to help us achieve the surveillance we need.. TheTester....

Thank you very much for your reply.. I don't have to make it the 40 yards.. I am more worried on clear precise images at any range.. My home has backhoes, atv's and other implements that sit close to the home but not all the way to those wood lines.. I was merely stating how far it is from my home to the woodline that will be monitored but not necessarily expect to zoom all the way to the extent of the property.. What I really am asking for is information on reasonable equipment I may obtain in my price range and where and what should I start looking for.. If that means I have to settle for this equipment or that I will have to do so and place my items within monitoring distance.. Again here is what I am looking for but would like help on choosing best possible feature rich 16 channel NVR unit with alarms and ptz option 2-3 MP cams with IR night ablility over CAT5 1080P Full HD Im not sure what name or features/options to look for in these items.. IS it cheaper and do I get more buying a bundle?? Do I get more features and quality building a system for the same money?? What names to look for and stay away from??

Im not exactly sure how that question is relevant but I have no problem answering it.. We own a lot of machinery and tools that do set out from time to time.. In our area we have had a rash of theft whether it is tractor implements, tools, atv's, you name it if it isn't bolted down it has been taken.. I have lived here all my life and just recently have we had this issue.. We are worried of an eventual break in or an outright theft of our expensive items such and jet skis or atv's, or even a backhoe.. These hoodlums like to ride atv's up and down the roads and drives late at night or like 3 in the morning.. They case out items they think they will make a go for and then BAM... Most of times than not they case at night and come back in the broad daylight while folks are at work and just get what they want!!! We want indisputable proof of who these individuals are and what they take.. We will also try and monitor the drive and road in hopes to catch the atv's they ride and maybe a face..