skane

Luxriot has a broadcast server that can be used for browser-access (activex not required) to live views and recorded footage.

Running a PCI-E card that supports port multiplication to an external enclosure works fine. I use Addonics controllers in external boxes, I have cheap reliable working configurations that add up to 20 drives running off one PCI-E slot. Writing to the drives is never more than 3 at a time and bandwidth is not a problem. The SANS Digital enclosures work ok, but it's cheaper and better to build your own (after some experimentation). It's convenient for swinging dedicated storage around between primary and backup servers in environments without SAN. I do this for video-editing machines too, when I can't have massive amounts of data going over a network. Storage boxes are just placed next to the server in a rack, no issue with cables getting pulled.

Try Evetar. They supply Vivotek and appear to also supply Axis. http://evetar.ru/en/products/board_lens/

Probably Vivotek FD8362E with slightly different case and illuminators. http://www.vivotek.com/products/model.php?network_camera=fd8362e&tab=spe

+1.

If you need a 4:3 ratio with same/better WDR, take a look at the IP8151P. It's a WDR p-iris 1.3 MP. I extensively tested an IP8151 and IP8162P side by side for a year, and IMO, the 8151 has better image quality than the 8162P.

+1. FD8134V and FD8133V.

Evetar makes lenses that can be used for replacing lens on the IP8332. I believe they supply the stock lens for the IP8332 as well. It's not on site, but I've heard from my distributor they make a MP IR board lens with focal length less than the stock 3.6mm lens. http://evetar.ru/en/products/board_1mpix_lens/

Check out Videolarm. Pricey, built like a tank, and not ugly. Most all enclosures support industry standard 1/4x20 screw mount for attaching cams; just need to make sure the enclosure can accommodate the cam+lens+cabling size requirements. The 4" Arecont dome is well made, but it limits lens options for the standard size Arecont box cams.

+1. For this type of requirement, I would lean toward a few decent quality camcorders that have zoom, remote, and autofocus features. Maybe put them on PTZ mounts. You'll get audio and red recording lights off the camcorder. Face the camcorder screen toward the front of cam for review/aiming.

Please post purchase dates and/or MAC address ranges for problem cameras. Might help others to see some consistency/trend for bad batches.

Correct. You should also set a password for the "root" id on the cameras, and your NVR software will need that id/password info if you set a password for the "root" id.

Default network setting for the IP8332 should be to get an IP address through DHCP (if that's how your LAN is set up). Go into your router interface and check the attached devices, the cameras should be there. Then connect to each camera with IE and configure the cams for fixed ip addresses. Since there are just 6 cams, this shouldn't be too tedious. hth

The FD8134 is not sealed against moisture, dust, and small insects. Small insects, then spiders, will love using the dome as their home. For outdoors, I would use the FD8134V, IP8332, or FD8133.

If this is residential application and the punks are victimizing occupied properties, consider using outdoor motion detectors during the activity-timeframe, and catch them in the act.

Yes check the rubber guard that surrounds the lens. Must be flush to the glass plate. That halo does not look normal for an IP8332.

good to know. does it fit in the housing as well? limited space in there... Yep, all the 1MP Evetar board lenses are pretty close in size. I believe the stock lens in the IP8332 is an Evetar 3.6mm, F1.8. The IP8332 has ~ 5mm clearance between the housing glass and the stock lens face. Specs (including physical dimensions) here - http://evetar.ru/en/products/board_1mpix_lens/

Vivotek IP8332 should fit your needs for under $400. If you need a 12mm or 16mm lens, Evetar makes MP rated IR board lenses that'll work with the IP8332.

Vivotek spec for the cams you mentioned show these max. power draws IP8362 - Max. 9.6 W FD8361 - Max. 9.9 W If you don't need features of a managed switch for the install, a Trendnet TPE-S44 or Netgear FS108P should be fine. As other poster stated, just be sure total power draw of the connected PoE devices doesn't exceed rated capacity of the switch; doesn't hurt to always leave some headroom as well.

Possible reasons for the image quality issues... -- lens not good. -- iris not adjusted properly for depth of focus (dof looks pretty bad in those images) -- running Arecont on default image settings (brightness, sharpness, saturation, gamma). Arecont @ default typically looks bland, soft, and dim; need to tune and save to flash in AV100.

Run CAT5 to the cams, connect to PoE switch, connect switch to LAN behind router. If the spare PC meets requirements for NVR SW of your choice, use the spare PC and add necessary storage. If you use a Vivotek 8xxx, you can also view live feed and do recording on-demand at client level (without connecting to "server"). If you are set on running hybrid, then someone else can advise

If you launched AV100, found the cameras, and installed them correctly so they are listed in the top half panel of the install screen, then save/exit, you should be able to run the live video view. Running AV100 5.6.4.71 here with no problem...

Use schedule mode. The light sensor settings don't seem to make much difference for switching thresholds.

+1 on IP Cam Viewer. I've corresponded with the author to request several features (add camera support, add stream options, etc.). He may need access to the camera to add features for it though.

sorry, I misread the thread title and commented on the IP8162P.... post deleted.