Confussed02

I've searched you site but maybe wasn't putting in the right 'words' to find it, If this has already been answered before, plz link me to the thred. Thanks Anyways, im looking into buying my 1st video surveillance system My question is; where can i buy a system that's NOT an ALL In ONE system? Meaning i can buy 1 or 2 parts at a time, and slowly build my system as funds become available. I've looked at many different brands/manufactures websites; Lorex, Swann, Amcrest, Q See, X10, LaView, Sharx, Dahua, Foscam....... But it usually seems that they push for a FULL system in one purchase, I know i can buy the components individually, however it's not easy know what's compatible with what unless you get the 'All in One'. For example, I'd like a system that all feeds go to a central location (DVR/NVR). It can be viewed/controlled at this central location & remotely accessed via Phone/tablet. 1 High End camera, (Like a High Resolution PTV Camera w/ maybe 2 way audio) & several 'lesser' camera's focusing in different area's around my house. So we're talking 4 - 6 camera's total. Then any extra's that can be tied into this system or are separate BUT work in conjunction with this video system (Motion activated Flood lights, alarms, etc... Am i asking too much? Is there a website that'll tell list each component's specs in a clear way so i can piece my own system together? My starting budget is $400 Thanks in advance.

TO 'tomcctv' when you say Standalone Hybrid, are u referring to a Camera or a DVR/NVR? & what does this mean? Storage is build into the camera? or... TO 'jrmymllr' Thank you for all the info. Hopefully in the next week or two I can start pricing out parts for the server & Camera's and build the initial set up. So I may have a few more questions once im actually putting it together. TO 'nigeltsui' I thought about using Cloud storage, however, i seem to remember alot of poor review on the 'free' storage based Camera's. & to pay for storage (or get the features to make it worth a damn) wasn't cheep. Maybe not per month a large number, but over time....it adds up. If you recommend cloud storage, what/who do you use? Costs? Thoughts on 'quality' and 'reliability'? Thanks again to everyone for you input.

Wow cool. Never thought of building my own server for a surveillance system. I'll continue to do research & search around the web some more... If you don't mind, could i 'pick' your brain about this set up? (Was this your write up OR just one you emulated for your own set up?) 1, for the server's OS, you used Linux correct? I've always used Micro**** in my PC's so i know nothing about Linux. I have full copies of XP, & WIn 8 but idk if those OS's will work for server applications. IF not, is Linux '1st time user friendly' enough for a 'semi savvy' pc user to figure out? 2, will having multiple 2MP - 4MP IP camera's choke my router? Meaning, will my internet download/upload speed be affected? I play PC games form time to time, & these rely heavily on internet speed. OR are the camera's & server connected to a separate router all together? IF so, how is remote viewing possible? 3, It makes sense to separate the OS from the video feed. But i don't understand the function of the 'network drive' and why it is a 512GB drive, where as the video feed SSD is a smaller 240GB drive. I guess what im asking is, what is a network drive? 4, you used SSD's in you build over mechanical HDDs. Makes sense... Are these SSD's 'surveillance grade hard drive'? Thank's for the input