FuriousGeorge

My instinct is always to go digital, and I like these IP cameras, but (please correct me if I'm wrong) the price performance ratio is not there for a purely digital system. That leaves CCTV... I know that a lot of these DVR + Software bundled are closed proprietary systems that don't work with other DVRs and Software. I don't want this. Can someone recommend a good DVR card and good software that are open, to the extent that I do not marry a particular piece of software or hardware? If such a thing doesn't exist, can someone recommend a solution that doesn't suck as much as the ones I've come across thus far.

I notice both Geovision and Avermedia have sub-topics, but only the latter has been recommended to me thus far. Does anyone have anything to say about Geovision, nice or otherwise.

It's like you already know me. I do have some experience with Digital IP Broadcasting in Linux. Nonetheless, your point about K.I.S.S. is well taken, hence my parenthetical statement about (some day). Given the right hardware I was assuming whatever analog -> digital networked devices were out there (haven't done much research) are nominally more expensive, but significantly more flexible than what I could do, but still... Your point about K.I.S.S. is well taken [quote[ I'd bet Avermedia has something that will do everything you want or think you need and then some... Avermedia, aye? I'll give them a call right now. I'm in some queue at 3xLogix.

This got me thinking... cheap cctv cams + a "client video server" to convert the streams to IP, interfaced with a server running a real and standards based IP Based software solution sounds so dope. I don't think I really parsed and comprehended your response until now. It would be even doper if I could build some soekris or micro-atx boxen to act as the "client video servers." This way I wouldn't even have to rely on some proprietary devices and their craptacular-web-interfaced firware. This sounds like a job for Linux (if not now, some day)... I'm gonna follow up on all these leads right now, and report back when I have a comprehensive update. I can't thank you guys and these forums enough.

This is a great forum. Thanks again to everyone for responding to my post... I have yet to call anyone. I'm just too busy lately. As soon as I do reach out to these companies I will let you guys know. If licensing is an issue perhaps I can work something out with these guys in my capacity as a reseller. Thanks again for all the responses.

This has not been asked. To give a concise answer, I'm more concerned with price v performance than overall budget. This means I have to define "performance": -Reliable -Simple remote administration, even for the laity -Reliable It's not about freeware or open source software. I'm not an ideologue. I've used FOSS CCTV software and hated it. I just would like to see Open STANDARDS. For example, this DVR card works with any software. After all they are all based on the same 3 or 4 chipsets, right? As I've said before, I think my tech politics are getting in the way, here. In my idealistic mind there will be a FOSS solution down the road that will be feature-comparable and possibly integrate with current FOSS solutions in production (e.g. from existing production Asterisk PBX the CEO can page an "IP Cam" on-site and (because it supports SIP) tell people to "get back to work"... I'm pretty sure I can do this anyway with Asterisk 1.6.1, but I have to ask Google). In order for a FOSS solution to even be possible, there must at least be open STANDARDS. Forget about all that, I just want to know what you guys think... After a cursory glance, that sounds about right. The homepage says all the right things. If I can't have FOSS, and I can't have Open Standards, at least I can "roll my own" I have to look into this more... F**k! That doesn't sound very "roll my own". What if I want to buy 2 DVR Cards or Software Licenses and 8 Cameras? I guess I'd have to ask their sales department, but to deny me that would be like saying "Sure, you can roll your own, but for every paper you need 16 grams of rolling media" That sounds cool... NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Good thinking. Also, PoE is pretty dope. As far as wireless, I like it NOT, but your point is well taken. I'll give this potential solution serious consideration. Thanks so much for your suggestion and thorough response to my posts, Soundy! I'll call the Sales department ASAP, but any other suggestions are appreciated in advance.

You guys are right, in that I need to be more specific. I need a few cameras (3-5) for a construction company. They need to be: -Outdoor -Tamper Proof / Resistant -Infrared capability (low light conditions) During the construction of the project the cameras will be on site. Then they will be moved to the next project. I guess my Free and Open Source / Platform politics is getting in the way here. I also have an aversion to anything analog, being digitally biased. I don't want to list the handful of different proprietary / bundle solutions that I've been dissatisfied with, as I don't like to talk smack (plus I still have to call them). In fairness, there has also been an FOSS / Linux Based solution which I've tried and was just as bad if not worse... actually it was worse... Forget all my posts to this point. He who knows not, and knows he knows not, is a student... teach him... Please guys, teach me. What do you recommend for the application I just described above. Thanks so much in advance.

I find the software awkward and buggy. I find they crash often. E-mail notifications are bad or don't work at all. For instance a wireless camera that flickers will generate a video loss e-mail every time it flickers. It should have a threshold whereby I can tell it to generate a notice email only once every X hours. It sounds like you are saying to go with IP cameras and some software. What software? What cameras do you recommend? My problem is that I don't want to marry any particular software or hardware solution. There is a Free and Open Source Software solution called Zoneminder, but it is not so great. Alternatively, if you recommend I get one of these bundles, can you recommend a good one for me? I've used a couple, and I liked them not.