kaysadeya

phochief, How did this work out for you? We both have pretty much the same needs and I'm curious what unit you picked and how it's been working so far.

"nadatel "? Please elaborate.

If there any dealers of Intellicam Systems here, please PM me your price for a DVMR/16 with 250GB drive. Thanks!

The DVR-R216 is spec'ed at "480 FPS display and up to 30 FPS record" The DVMR/16 is spec'ed at "MAX 60 FIELDS/SEC" for both record and play. I suspect the "display" speed is irrelevant, unless they mean "playback." Based on the record numbers, isn't the DVMR/16 superior?

Thanks herminshs, Can you provide a URL where I can get specs and prices?

I'm looking at the DVMR/16 unit: http://www.intellicamusa.com/dvr-series.htm Their marketing literature is a bit on the "hard sell" side, but I can't find fault with the specs or their prices. Does anyone have experience with this version?

Call me slow but I'm starting to get the idea that what appears to be an overwhelming variety of low-cost DVRs on the market are actually "repackaged" units from a handful of manufacturers. If this is not the case, then the industry would appear ripe for consolidation, likely leaving the majority of DVR owners without any support. If this is the case, then who are the manufacturers? Who is the largest? Who has the best track for quality and support? How can a customer determine the origin of a unit that has been repackaged by a VAR?

Ok, I sense this may be a sensitive topic... Let me ask a more specific question: Who is the *original* manufacturer of this unit: http://www.shscomputers.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2_34&osCsid=faa501430d4b8264f7dc11de5649c6e5

If I go the DVR card route (rather than stand-alone DVR), the entire computer would be a dedicated video server, so I wouldn't even load most of those types of apps. The only app other than the DVR app I can think I'd want to install is Firefox for downloading software updates. The more I research the DVR card vs. stand-alone DVR question, the more I like the idea of a DVR card. If something goes wrong, you only have to mail the card for service; or in the worse case, buy a new card.

Hi, just found this forum tonight, so please forgive me if this question has been asked thousands of times... I've had several security cameras around my home for years and have used a cheapie Lorex timelapse VCR as a recorder. It's since broken down and, rather than try to repair it, I'm giving serious consideration to some sort of DVR-based recording solution. (I'd love not having to worry about changing tapes every night.) I currently have 6 cameras, but would like the option to expand. So far, I've fixated on a PC-based 16-channel geovision 650 card, but I'm not sure my old AMD-based Compaq 7000 series PC is up to the task. I suspect I'd have to invest in a new PC with a big-assed HD, which brings the total DVR solution up to around the $1000 price point. Before I commit to a PC-based geovision solution, I've like to research what my options are for a dedicated DVR in the same price range. If anyone has ideas on this, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

This is a good segue to my second question: Is there a good Linux-based DVR card anywhere?

Let's take the system requirements for the Geovision GV-650 as an example: -Pentium4 1.2ghz Processor -Motherboard with an Intel845 Chipset -256mb ram -80gb Hard Drive -32mb Nvidia Graphics card -Windows XP Operating System What would I gain from using, say, a 2.80GHz CPU and 512MB RAM? Also, what about a beefier graphics card? Any practical advantages or would it be overkill?

CCTVINSTALLER, Which unit is the argus model? Is it the SCW-C16 you referred to in your previous post? If so, it appears to be a 30 fps unit, rather than 50 fps.

Thanks Roy. I don't see any prices. What did you pay?

He's my budget and list of features I'm looking for... Budget: ~ $1000 Video Channels: 16 (or 8 with an inexpensive option to expand) Audio Channel: 1 ok, 2 preferred FPS: 30 or better HD: 160 GB or better Resolution: 720 x 480 or better Sequencing: I'm not sure of this term, but I need the ability to record full-frames from each video signal in an interleaved manner and play back each signal in a separate video stream. Split-screen viewing: Ability to view multiple video signals on same screen. Motion detection: Change speed when motion is detected within pre-specified portion(s) of the frame. Backup: Ability to download video to VCR or computer. Video Output: to standard TV sets. Remote control: Ability to select individual cameras and set split screen view. Quality: Product with a good reputation and proven track record (burned once on my Lorex VCR). I don't want to have to shop for another unit in 5 years. Low maintenance: Set-it-and-forget-it Internet access: nice, but not necessary. Some of the units on: http://www.securitycameraworld.com/Video-Recorders/Digital-Video-Recorders/index.asp look interesting, but I don't know anything about their quality.

Thanks, Powertelecomm. Do you have any recommendations? The choices out there are overwhelming, and the stand-alone DVRs that are most often discussed here are of the industrial variety and out of my price range.

Ok, I finaly got a response from Geovision (below). Note the "ideal computer system" they specify. Since I would have to buy a whole new system anyway, my new question is, would there be any benefit from using a faster processor? Of course, a bigger HD would have perceivable benefits, but I'm not sure about processor speed. Email: Thank you for emailing us first before purchasing the GV650 DVR Card. Although some computers with AMD processors may work, we recommend that you use an Intel Pentium4 Processor and a motherboard with an Intel 845 Chipset. If you must use an AMD processor, then use a motherboard with an Nvidia chipset. These motherboards have been tested by Geovision to be compatible with our DVR Cards. Also, the Geovision software will only run on Windows 2000 or above. It is not compatible and will not run with Windows95/98. The following would be an ideal computer system to use with our GV650 DVR Card: -Pentium4 1.2ghz Processor -Motherboard with an Intel845 Chipset -256mb ram -80gb Hard Drive -32mb Nvidia Graphics card -Windows XP Operating System

I sent a email to Geovision with the following questions, but haven't heard back. Hopefully, I'll have better luck here.... I'm considering a GV-650, but am concerned about compatibility with my existing computer, which uses an AMD Athlon processor. Here are the specs: Compaq 7AP140 (7000 Series) * 800MHz AMD Athlon Processor * 128MB memory * 30 GB Hard Drive (will consider adding another disk) * 16MB NVIDA THT2 Graphics * Windows 98 (will consider an upgrade) Will the GV-650 card be compatible with this computer? Any possible drawbacks with performance and/or features? Should I consider a more modern PC to build my video server?

I'm new to this whole area, but, after getting no response to my questions from their sales department and reading many of the posts in this forum, beginning to come to the same conclusion about Geovision. What alternative cards do you recommend?

So there's a bear problem in Nassau?