eyeinthesky221

New guy here. Not much experience to speak of. Bought a few used cameras at auction. I would like to know your thoughts about them, how much do you estimate their worth, and how I could have done better. People tend to bid up those CCCTV cameras way up there, which I don't understand sometimes... perplexes me. You get carried away too! Prices quoted here are with shipping (about 10EUR~15EUR usually). 1st camera. Edimax NC-213E 90EUR The Supplied lens is manually adjusted. http://www.edimax.com/edimax/merchandise/merchandise_detail/data/edimax/global/smb_network_cameras_box/nc-213e Where can I find a lens that will do auto focus and auto iris? How much will it cost? The manual adjusted lens looks like a big shortcoming with this camera. Who would want this? How can I see the advantage of this type of camera? It called a box camera right? 2nd camera. Foscam FI9831P V2 43.5EUR https://www.amazon.de/BESTSELLER-Foscam-FI9831P-Wireless-Storage-white/dp/B0153RSYM0 Nice camera. Works well. 3rd camera. 70EUR PIXORD PD636E http://www.dipolnet.com/panorama_ip_camera_pixord_pd636e_2mp_h_264_fish-eye__K1560.htm Waiting for this one. Still on route. 4th camera. 20 EUR Hitachi VK-S274ER American + Dynamica ADSDU822P Didn't figure out how to connect this one yet... weird connection. 5th camera. 25 EUR (this one is new) H.View 1.0MP AHD CCTV DVR Surveillance 24 IR LED En route. 6th camera. 26EUR CCD CAMERA LE-116S En route. Unimpressive analog camera. How come a seller like this one sells it for so high?! http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUPUS-DIGITAL-CCD-CAMERA-LE-116S-LE-116S-EMS-DHL-FedEx-/262148079920 I'm basically trying to learn the market so I tried to buy different types of cameras and see what I got. Did I get a good deal? Did I over payed? Couldn't I got a better value with a Chinese new camera for roughly the same price? So what say you? Thanks for the input and advice.

You saying 'crap' on everything without explaining doesn't make it so. Is hiki not considered a good company? I don't know what do you want me to buy as you don't say. Why would they not run on European NVR? How does it differ than 'China NVR'? I just need the video feed url, no? ONVIF compliant should make everything ok, right? Why do I need a NVR, btw? Would it not be better to save directly to a network path, or to a local SD card? Would it not be better than the approach of "putting all my eggs in one location", so to speak? Again you're saying something I didn't say. The nature of a question is the wanting to ascertain an answer. I don't update my router firmware, or other electronic devices that I have, frequently, or at all. Is it any different when it concerned cameras? Is there usually anything to update even? How can I know if I have no experience in the matter? I was asking you.

But it is still genuine after all. And how much is the updating feature really important? Are there frequent updates? Important updates? You usually just plug and forget, no? Maybe we should all just learned Chinese and have it the simple way. The guy also sent me a sample video. Looks amazing (there is a little reducment in quality after the site conversion). https://sendvid.com/rpk83h8z Will that be considered a non-junk type of camera? What is the average price point for a very good camera?

Seller response when asked about its genuity:

Ok. I appreciate your response. I will try next time to buy some newer toys, I tried to save money, but it was difficult to do, as people were bidding too much all the time, and it was hard to find good value deals that way. Usually I save a lot of money this way in other departments. I also require international shipping so more complications... You win some you lose some. At least, after all the auctions I looked at, I got a good feel and I am more comfortable with the market, but I will probably won't land anything much better than this as to the tough competition. Anyway it was interesting to see new and old stuff alike. A memento from the past. I'll do some more READING, such a great advice, and try to do the best with what I have. Thank you for your time to anyone who actually tried to help. I hope to show you guys a working system in the near future and give you a tour, when I've it ready and installed.

It is a stock simple lens. You're suppose to buy your own lens later on. I've a bit of an issue with this one. When I over expose the lens to outdoors light, I get spots in the image. Do you think you could tell what is causing this, if I provide a picture? Maybe I need to do a through cleaning. That is the one useful tidbit of information that I've learned here so far, and it will unfortunate if it is indeed the case, but it is hard to foresee that in advance if your not familiar with the technology. I don't need the ptz at the moment. I only want to get picture, so do I still need a controller? How do I do that? Didn't read the instruction manual yet but they seems pretty complex, and I don't have all the parts. What will be the minimum equipment that i need to make it work? Is it like analog? Is there a pc card? I mostly bought this one for the lens to tell you the truth, as it has auto iris. Figured I might be able to use it with the other box camera that I have, if it turns out to be compatible, and it might be cheaper than buying the lens alone. I don't know why the people here keep trying to look at this as a system and not as individual cameras. My intention is to maybe work someday as an installer, so it is a good start as I need to know how to handle all those systems anyway. And, yes, auctions are a bit like garage sale. You bid on what is on offer. I also bought an HP ProCurve J9086A for about 35EUR and a bunch of hidden cams. It can provide 15W per channel with 12 POE ports from a quick overview I read. Yes, READ, we heard your advice. That is some top level **** right there. Groundbreaking. You only required 10 posts for it and keep counting... Someone must be paying you TOP DOLLAR as a consultant for such revolutionaries ideas, right? Really getting is money worth.... That is not what your mother told me my impetuous love child.

I didn't edit anything. You're a bit confused. Maybe added more information. Isn't Hikvision a Chinese company? A china copy of a Chinese product? You decide it is a copy only by the recommendation not to upgrade? Why how much an original costs more? I feel like I'm fighting here... If you don't feel like helping me what is the point of this conversation? I'm afraid to say, but the attitude here is not good.

Where did I say that?? I only said I've the dome housing. Correcting you when you said it is just the camera module. As you don't say the definition for "junk" and just keep regurgitating that word, I don't know what do you expect. Do you have any useful suggestion? Hik is a copy of what?

I don't understand the contradiction. I wrote here what I have: And, no, I don't have a controller. Will that be a big problem for me? What about the edimax 3mp box type that I purchased? What are your thoughts about it. Yes, it does sound expensive. I agree. But people seems to, for some odd enoguh reason, being alright with this. If I a look at axis and mobotix you will even find people pay triple and more for lower specs than that. I even saw analog cameras with TVL resolution from these companies sold at those high prices with fierce bidding. WHY? So I guess dry specs are not everything. Can you recommend good cameras for me to check out under $150, preferably less than $100. Will any of these will be a good buy? Can I expect good things from them? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hikvision-DS-2CD3345-I-4MP-EXIR-Turret-IR-IP66-Outdoor-POE-Dome-Network-Camera-/131591813713?hash=item1ea37bba51:g:8S0AAOSwMmBV4ya7 http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-2-8-IMX291-2-0MP-Dome-IP-Camera-With-POE-1080P-0-0001Lux-Starlight-Low/32549774866.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.57.fwfckf&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_10,searchweb201602_3_10057_10056_10065_10055_10054_10059_10058_10032_10017_107_10060_10061_10052_414_10062_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_7&btsid=84ca7666-84e8-41cf-99a2-fddb3c984619 How about a $35 2mp cam? http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2MP-Full-HD-1080p-PoE-Camera-IP-Security-NOVIF-2-0-SONY-CMOS-IR-Night-Vision/32553616394.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.20.fwfckf&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_10,searchweb201602_3_10057_10056_10065_10055_10054_10059_10058_10032_10017_107_10060_10061_10052_414_10062_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_7&btsid=84ca7666-84e8-41cf-99a2-fddb3c984619 There is a sea of models to be frankly honest. Hard to find your legs and feet.

I get quite a good picture from the Foscam, and PTZ works great. Why are you so negative about it? It has very positive reviews at Amazon which is why I was led this direction at the first place. I said I have "Hitachi VK-S274ER + American Dynamica ADSDU822P" VK-S274ER is the camera module and ADSDU822P is the dome housing which I have. I'm not sure if this is considered only a partial housing, becouse in the pictures there is an additional part which I don't have. Is this one of the lucky exceptions? You can't even get a partial view? Why would someone want to buy it, if it will not be compatible with other brands that they have installed? Are you not a "fan" of 360 cameras for this reason? Yes, the IP cameras are onvif compliant. The fisheye maybe not. Not sure.

Where can I buy the foscam for 29EUR? I didn't find such a place. At amazon it is about 100 EUR. I can't stream the video feed of the fisheye to other software solutions? How can I integrate it with other IP cameras? Which means? How do you use it? I've also the housing for the camera. A connection with 14 pins in 2 rows. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/625599-REG/American_Dynamics_ADSDU822P_SpeedDome_Ultra_8_Dome.html 22x optical zoom sounds pretty good to me. What is the 4th format? I've counted 3. Fisheye is a lens not a format, no? As I said before, I wanted to test a wide range of cameras, and learn from that, before investing a substantial amount, or choosing a direction.

Such a warm welcoming party.... Glad I sign up. Still didn't heard one single bit of explenation though.... Nothing but childish retorts and I don't really get the joke. Am I asking the right people here? Such as? What could I've bought better at the same price point I payed? Some of these cameras are maybe a bit old but their MSRP was once very high. What is wrong with these cameras for example: PIXORD PD636E Edimax NC-213E Foscam FI9831P V2 POE, MP cameras, brand cameras, with a retail value much higher? Why junk? The people who bid on them didn't think so... And I'm sure the person who sold it payed much much more. Do I need to pay $300 or more for it not to be classified as "junk"? How can I differentiate between "junk" and "non-junk" types of cameras? Is it on the label? Is it possible to buy a used non-junk type preferably at auction? Help me save money down the road if you can. I'm all ears. At the moment I'm looking at Hikvision an Dahua offerings, which seems tempting, if it as they claim... I'm just experimenting...

Well... I'm glad we established that you are an ass. " title="Applause" /> Go away ass person. Your brand of "help" is not needed anymore.

Why? What is so bad? Educate me.

Thanks man! I thought so too. Maybe answers such as yours is why I don't bother. How much research one can do? I read enough. You learn from doing! These are not hundreds of dollars cameras.... I can afford to make "mistakes". This is the research... buying them I mean. Education by wallet. Do you suppose I'll read an entire manual if I don't have it? Expensive cameras, low cost, c-mount, analog, poe, 360, ptz - a lot of things to get myself familiar with. I just try not to pay too much on them, not too sure I succeeded, as I discover it to be a very competitive market. What will not be necessary later will be auctioned off. So no or minimal loss, hopefully.