kragle

Hi all, I have had a run in with some bad NVR units bought on Amazon, FLOUREON to be presice, which both died shortly (1yr) after setting it up. I was just wondering if you could shed some light on a way of setting up either a Linux based system or Windows 7 PC for use with a DVR H.264 set of cameras already located in the shop. I want reliablity over anything, and I know that an actual PC is reliable and if it does go wrong, I can replace the parts very easily! Where as these cheap china knockoffs on Amazon are full of cheap parts which tend to go wrong, I'm even cautious of the better brands now, so PC alternative would be ideal. I already have the machine, and I already have 2 hard drives. One for the OS and one for storage. I already have the software from the previous CCTV system that was on Windows which fed from the original CCTV NRV box... But I am doubtful if this would work at all without the main NVR box it just viewed/played and recorded the video. Any ideas on how I go about it? In short: Windows or Linux? Which software - free if possible. Which Capture card? - under £50 if possible but over is fine? And has to be mini PCI-E or USB based. The right cables, convert from Coaxial to VGA? Is it possible? Thanks, Kragle