VST_Man

what? someone recommends a product based on "saving" and "quality" without any incentive? How dare you................. come on CM...............if we can't recommend why even ask......... belive when I say this. there are LOTS of customer out there..........go get yours! this forum is NOT your back yard.

it's al about listening and then you offer the options. offering him one option/system is allowing him no options to select from but one. and be prepared to offer up detailing "yours" against "others" so that you can CLEARLY explain that yours is just as good and cheaper on the install price, ect. as a salesman, you sell

a 256mb will hold 256 mb.........................time is not a factor, the video file size is. you'll fill that in a NY minute!

buy a lcd with a RCA video input and then buy a BNC to RCA connector. BUT, check your LCD resolutions as compared to the "tube" becasue if you buy cheap LCD's it will show up when you swap them out.

eclipse............

pm me and i'll give you access to both cams......................and you can be the judge.

got lots of rec's on the Toshiba IK-11BA and have one ordered for a client. also seen one one-line that worked and was clear.

rory, we ain't got your power station over here maan.

how many cam's? the APC 1000 series can do a 16 cam, power supply, pc based dvr/monitor with 15 min to spare..........1500 will get you more time. the smaller units are for basic power missing and sgut down services. siustainewd services require more.......................and I forgot to add in the dsl modem & router.........it all adds up. my apc's have been good. belkin also.....and I do use the smaller ones for remoting the power on systems with multiple buildings. like I stated, get a 1000kva and be happy. in this case, bigger is better.

if it's in the operator manual/book and they don't know how to read, or care not to read, then I charge them for the visit. Just be upfront BEFORE they ask, and don't surprise them via a bill. They can always say no thanks. I also charge them for any visits to court to explain the system, ect. The customer obviously hired you for a service and will try to get as much from that for free. If your talking a larger profit vice a smaller one I'd sometimes overlook the charges and suck it up to that trip to hawaii I got from it. Cheapsters?.....I got bills too

DVR......AND camera power supply........AND monitor. all you need to do is figure out the total watts used and then you buy a UPS/APC that will sustain your watt needs for the time requirement you need. ie. I have a PC based system that uses 381 watts and the APC I have can sustain it for just over 1hour. site to determine watts available..... http://homerepair.about.com/od/electrical/ht/determinepower.htm apc site that helps you figure out which one to buy http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm?lid=Go%20to%20the%20UPS%20Selector

the dvr manual/specs will tell you the speed/size required. ie. upto a 5400/300Gb. not any ole hard drive will work.........and after that the dvr will "initialize" the hard drive.

problem is that some get too big and they forget who writes the checks.......all they want is profit. smaller companies do well with one line becasue they can focus on selling and supporting. once a company starts to get bigger they all seem to slip on support and that eventually is the begining of the end.

internet will be slooooooooooooooooooow as it is only a 10 mbit connection and it is also a Java based interface which will require plugins. fan is also noisy. other than is works good if you don't need the internet connection. I'd go buy a Nubix 16 or something else compareable. call jaun at cctvoutlet for a budget dvr that is more uptodate.....1888-422-8826

build a lock box inside a insulated box and then try using that "pipe freeze tape" they use up there to keep the lockbox/DVR warm? most tape comes with thermostats. and, if you build the monitor into the insulated box you most likely can capture that heat also.

just to clear up terms......PC based is a computer/server built from the ground up with common PC parts that does video recording and is easily upgraded. a "standalone DVR" is manufactured from unique/prioritory pc parts specifically for video recording and is not easy to upgrade. and by the sounds of it if you cannot install a card I'd stick to Disney land for fun......

If you don't have a "static" ip address from your internet provider you can goto http://www.no-ip.com to set up an account which will update your dynamic ip address for you and also will allow you to name your ip. setting up the router; what make/model is it? your DVR sends the video to the router on a "port" and your router need to be set to tell that port to be opened or closed to the internet so you can view it from the internet. examples; a ip of 192.168.0.6 is assigned to the DVR by the router and you use this ip address INSIDE your LAN (local area network) to view the DVR. OUTSIDE your LAN it is called the WAN (wide area network) and the IP address you get assigned is from your internet provider. that number will be different, ie. 45.56.223.156. you would need to use this number inside your LAN to force the viewing of your DVR as if you were viewing it from the internet. ports are "slots" on the router that information can be directed in (LAN) and out (WAN). port 80 is one common port which is used by ALL internet browsers, Servers, ect. FTP, file transfer protocol is on port 21. there are over 65,000 ports you can assign via your router. you can if you want, block port 80 (internet) to all users in your LAN and allow only one computer access via the IP/port forwarding. you need to do some web searching for port forwarding to learn more as I have touched on the basics only.

Rory, your "no connector" story reminds me of a job I did where the previous "professional" actually installed camera's with no connectors and the ones he did came apart when the camera case was opened. and there is another story when I first started I often followed a recent install by a competetor and I asked if I could look. Another well known installer actually placed a 14" "box" monitor and the DVR on the floor under the owners desk where his feet went because there was no where else to put them. when i looked at it the dvr already (2 days old) had several buttons kicked off. i told the owner what to do and he got it all corrected but I was amazed at how tacky it can get out there, and how gullable some are.

I almost asked you to take the lense cover off obviously it don't work in that position/state. when you had it on the floor did you position it to the mounting position or just giggle wires? try this; the camera housing should easily pop out when you twist it slightly. not knowing your model, find out how to pop it out and then remove the camera from the housing. there is a connectoion point in the ptz housing that you need to look at to make sure it all looks fine. camera housing just may need to be reseated/reconected? and while you have it out take a good look at everything to make sure all wires are connected. but i'd still be motivated to send it back.........once a pain always a pain...kinda like marriage

1 - buy a decent router (linksys) 2 - install router into current system. you will need to call tech support for your internet provider. if you have dial-up internet, stop. you need more than just a router. 3 - oncer you have the router working with your current sys. config router to interface with your DVR. you must know the limits of your dvr in terms of network capabilities. 4 - connect dvr to the router 5 - try the dvr's client software first. if you can view it, your good. 6 - view it via the internet. if you can't, you need to open the specific port of the router so that is allows the dvr to pass video via that opn port. if you have any other questions please provide make, model and type of internet service. more info......

Con; upfront cash out to buy it as one unit vice a card; better than basic knowledge of Server's and networks required; hardware/software build burn-in time; ability to performance tune system as a whole is not a basic function and there is no "CCTV for Dummies" yet; Pro; warranty/support covers the whole box (as long as that warranty/support is worth anything); more time to drink beer because it works the first time; more time for the gfriend/wife because it works more than 3 days; lastly, you can blame someone else. bottom line: if you paid yourself minium wage you'd have saved money by purchasing a Server/PC. It all comes down to how much time you enjoy playing with the Server.

i would not be so quick to be so "discreet" in the installation of your cams. most "problems" go sown the street if they see cams.....i'd show them off and then some.

ILC-400 may be the camera your looking for? seen it on this web site...... http://www.polarisusa.com/cgi-bin/view_product_detail.pl?product_category_id=61&template_id=18 never tried it but at this price you can afford to buy several and do replacement repair? anyway, take a look and let us know what you buy, and/or post a pic of the results.even if they are fishy.

i have the 7706 & the 9100.......9100 is much better than, especially at night.

and....http://www.epanorama.net/links/videocircuits.html