DigitalMayhem

This is my first post, and I apologize in advance I need to setup a system for my father-in-laws company. He need 4 cameras now, up to 8 later. It's very dark at night, I already have a pc ready for a card. I need to decide on a card and cameras for my application. The system will be monitored by an idiot, so the interface needs to be easy to use. The feeds will also need to be viewed on other pc's on the LAN. I was about to buy a geovision card when I read that the remote interface requires lots of resources. I was considering e-bay but don't think I should roll the dice and get a DOA card.

Thanks alot rory, the whole camera thing blows my mind. I have seen the same camera from $300-$500, that's the biggest range on an apparently identical product, ummm, ever. I build alot of pc's, and a seagate HD costs the same everywhere, or close. I also buy and sell on ebay, and have bought lots of computer parts, from ram to lcd monitors, and never had a problem. So why is the ebay CCTV market so shady? I understand that support is important, or lack thereof, but beyond that, what's the problem?

bump?

I see there is software to help with the remote viewing issue. Now I have to figure out how to spend the money. I have a budget of $2000 for cameras, a DVR card, cable, housings, lenses, an IR illuminator? is it possible?