SMzoo16

Hey thanks a lot for that link, Securame! EDIT: So what I would HOPE is it's safe to say that many(?) "tier 1" manufacturers do not use a Hikvision-influenced/affiliated/partial OS on their DVRs. However: viewtopic.php?p=289562#p289562 basically I think what SunnyKim is saying, as a learner of English, is that TVI tech is principally funneled through Hikvision, but perhaps not exclusively... I'm going to contact Techpoint locally (in California, 408) tomorrow to see if they'll send me a short-list of such manufacturers that I can share with the community here. I guess there's no fast and hard way to tell if someone is using hikvision sw in their DVR os, other than contacting them, or having a user reported list. I'm just a little burnt on calling direct to get the "yup, we use hikvision based OS! yippie! That's all you wanted to know? WTF? what kind of question is that?" or the also popular "I don't know what you mean, this isn't the phone number for hikvision..." If anyone has a short-list of the type of looking in their reference library (i.e. bookmarks, etc.) that would be super sweet. For now, I'll check out IDIS, TVT, and AVTech (doing that last one as we speak since I recognize the name).

I've grown a lot with my knowledge and experience in the last 6 months since joining, reading a lot more, contacting several manufacturers directly, installing my first IP camera, etc. I am at the point, still, to swap out an aging analog 8ch "D1" DVR. I like the 8-channel +1 or 2 IP channel style of DVR. I prefer bringing my own HD, as that keeps the cost down, and I already have a nice one (I upgraded from factory) on the old guy. Question: Are there any Manufacturers that use wholly separate software from anything Hikvision for their HD-TVI capable systems? DVR manufacturers / designers / rebranders that have up to 1080p hd-tvi inputs with no Hikvision whatsoever, except maybe the license for the HD-TVI codec, with US based OS software? I'm interested in probably mid-low end pricing, but I'm happy just to learn who is doing this! Now I've tried to figure it out, and I think I understand that Hikvsion is also a "licensee" of the HD-TVI standard? So it's possible that a DVR that uses an HD-TVI license has zip/zero/zilch to do with Hikvsion. That's great! If the product I'm looking for only has --passive-- parts of the software (sub?)licensed from Hikvsion (i.e. the "codec"/non-network-driver) that would be fine too. I believe the product I'm looking for exists, I just haven't found it yet. I'm getting burnt out searching for it too... that's why the post. I believe the following manufacturers have a codebase that's borrowed from Hikvision for the whole OS, which is NOT what I want: Alibi (somewhat customized, but base is still Hik..) (this is the IP cam I bought that also uses Hikv as base software) LTS KT&C DVS and a couple others I checked out but can't remember off the top atm... and of course many others mentioned on this forum is various places, and probably dozens more that aren't... I don't want to get political, because that's not the discussion I'm interested in as the OP, so I won't be discussing "why" I want this type of DVR. Thanks!

Daryl, Thank you for humoring the haterz. Your implications were perfectly clear to me from your very first post, but your continued and evolving articulation of the problem you were proposing was admirable, especially considering you did not use language similar to the inflammatory remarks of those same haterz you so nicely humored in your responses. It's like they said in Battlestar Galactica: the only way to be 100% secure from network based attacks is not to be networked at all! Therefore, it would follow that multiplying the number of network devices (vulnerabilities) would make your network that much more vulnerable. Even if we say being locally attacked is ridiculous, which i don't think it is, however unlikely for most people, it's still a real vulnerability, and for some fraction of some fraction of some percentage of security systems it's probably been exploited. Why not discuss it? The OP may like "tinfoil hats" more than Daryl. We don't know. Like Daryl said, some people aren't even securing wifi with passwords... is there someone on this forum that says pointing that problem out is no more than the raving of a lunatic, and no one ever used someone else's private wifi that was unsecured? to torrent, to download files violating the DMCA and causing an ISP to send an inquiry to its unknowing customer? Smile, S

Updated post with new info. Replacing Q-See DVR analog camera system. Requirements of New 'VR & Cams: 1) re-use still functioning old cameras (3x Q-Sees remain out of 6) 2) compatible with better cams (1080p/720p) than I will get now 3) re-use currently running BNC cable 4) 8 channel 5) iOS accessible (proprietary or not) app compatible with iOS 5.x.x! 6) outdoor rated cameras, like actually, not like the Q-See 7) good (~90'+) Nightvision Budget = low 9) Re-use upgraded HD (2TB) from Q-See (just did that last year) I WAS looking at FLIR M3100E Series (M3108E1) The last # stands for 1 TB HD .but the iOS App only goes to down to 7.0... So, then I started looking at 123securityproducts based on another persons question, and saw the KT&C EZHD-TVL8 8Ch HD-TVI + 2 OMNI IP Hybrid DVR, No HDD! Looks pretty good... but then ios7 or later only again.... maybe that requirement is too limiting... Last thing I'm worried about is the security of the DVR, whoever I go with, I remember there being big problems with tons of branded stuff a few years ago, and then I came across a blog from just a couple years ago or mb 2011? possibly? regarding a MAJOR hikvision security flaw... I can probably look it up again. BUt I've noticed that name being suggested to a lot of us low-end folks, but that blog turned me off quite a bit. Haven't been able to find a solid list of vulns/ confirmed secure embedded linux based DVR systems on here lately. Anyway, already got some cheapo "EWETON 1200TVL" coming from zon with "1280x960p", and was gonna add an Everfocus EMC700 720TVL "effective picture elements" 976(H) x 494(V). Discontinued product. The Flir records at resolutions: NTSC: 1080p (1920x1080), 720p (1280x720), 960x480, 704x480, 352X480, 704x240, 352x240, 176x120 so I'll end up with 3 still working Q-See cams at 400/420 TVL using the ~352x240 res, then the other two cameras would use the DVR resolution that is just below their resolution, I think. I'm not sure where the crop or adjustment will be? Anyone? The everfocus and Flir I was gonna get used rated 9-10 (i.e. near open-box) from an online vendor I trust that sells lots of electronics, limits the amount of garbage they stock. Thanks for looking. p.s. hope this is the correct forum, tried to do it based on descriptions.

720p (1280pxls wide) should be a lot better than 700TVL (~900pxls wide) I think? "960H is 960x480 resolution, but 720P is 1280x720" from : hkvstar.com/technology-news/960h-surveillance-increased-30-resolution-than-d1.html Big Difference? I think so.

Hi Brian, just joined myself. That sounds pretty fun! Especially the pre-recorded audio. I imagine something like a gentle (air quotes) sounding semi-computerized voice giving instructions or warnings like in so many sci-fi movies. My next project isn't going to be half as interesting (DVR swap only). Have fun!

Hello CCTV folks! Lurker on and off for quite some time now, but finally had to join cuz I couldn't find my answer here or elsewhere on the net... It’s time to upgrade my friends' Q-See system… wait, don’t say anything. I said it’s time, NOW! So, reason to celebrate! I’ll post my remaining questions (two of them) that are keeping me from pulling the trigger right now on a FLIR DVR. See you in the other forums!

That’s the idea right! I was a lurker at least one site rev ago, and I’m finding this one harder to use now, but I’ve changed the layout “to full” and I think it’s easier now… Anyway, WELCOME! Fellow joinling!