AVCONSULTING

Watchdog is a routine in the DVR software that monitors the operation of the system and will automatically reboot the computer if it senses that the software has frozen.

They are high end pc based systems. Extremely expensive.

This DVR has it, but it will be pretty expensive. Check it out at their web site. http://www.pi-vision.com/uvms.htm

Kalatel is a great DVR, but pricey. A local distributor told me he has tested the Nuvico embedded DVRs and has found them to be an excellent value for the price. He said Nuvico is coming out with a version similar to the Kalatel Store Safe with a front loading CD/RW at a price that will blow away the Kalatel. I'm kidding about the reps. I know a couple of them since we share the same lines, but they are definitely more aggressive than reps here. Joe Troiano is the Everfocus rep in NY, and then I know Ruben Furcyg who is the Ikegami rep. I also know the owner of Royal Sales, a large distributor in the area. Regarding Everfocus, they do make a very good DVR, solid operation and they are local in the Los Angeles area. I used to sell their equipment when I ran a distribution company here. In fact all of their equipment is nice.

Oz, do you have direct contact with the people that make the GeoVision? There is a major feature that I like that they don't have. It is a visual time line of the video recorded by each camera for a day. Kodicom has it and it is a great way of looking at an entire days recording to see what happened during off hours. In fact almost all DVRs have it. DigiFlower, Kodicom, CQ Max, etc. GeoVision really needs to put this in their next revision. The other feature they don't have which is in high demand is time and event recording. Essentially this is where you tell the DVR to record at one speed continously (say 1 fps) and then when it detects motion to kick it into a higher speed (5 fps). A lot of people are demanding this feature. Another change I'd like to see is the ability to adjust each cameras picture size, not just a universal setting. So camera 1 could be at 320x240 but you might want camera 2 at 640x480. Also is there a scheduler for the email feature? It wouldn't do to have the email feature active all day long in case you have areas of high motion during the day, otherwise you could get hundreds of motion activated emails.

Has anyone tried the new GeoVision 6.0 version? I understand it has a better search capability. Also how does the POS feature work? According to the manual they refer to some exterior box that is needed. What box are they referring to? Any better cards out there for a lower price with more features?

I'm not sure how much you have available in dollars but Dedicated Micros, an English based DVR company, has a new Eco line of DVRs that is very inexpensive. You might want to check out a local distributor and ask them about it. http://www.vsscctv.com/SpecSheets/ECO4_SpecSheet.pdf

Maybe Hermin will stand on his head and eat a bug? I looked up that board he has and it actually looks interesting. Will have to see it at the ISC show in Las Vegas this March. So many DVR boards out there it gets overwhelming. Don't take it personally Hermin. NY reps are way too intense, like Joe Troiano, compared to us West Coast reps.

LOL, don't mind Hermin. He's just touchy when someone won't buy his super cool DVR. Guess its the New York way of doing business. He's not laid back like we SoCal surfer dudes.

http://www.vsscctv.com/Section.asp?CatID=1020

If you can set up a wireless LAN system covering the areas you want you can use any IP cam, but if not then you have to figure out a way to get your camera into a network, which may not be easy.

Their DVR pricing is actually pretty low. I'm surprised. Wonder whose system they use. At least they are close by for you to go over and see everything. Let everyone know how it all works out.

For a job that large you will most likely have to go with a wireless LAN system and use cameras with IP addressability. Try looking at SmartSight http://www.smartsightnetworks.com/

Hermin, do you know John Walsh from Flashback DVR? Are your cameras the same ones he is now promoting? Thought you might know him since you are in the same area and are involved in DVRS. He uses a Chance-I card loaded into Dell computers.

Actually in NTSC each processor is good for 20 fps when more than 1 camera is used. So a 120 fps rated system really is 80 fps but you will rarely find a dvr company stating this in their spec's (although there are some that tell the truth).

A portable system should use an embedded DVR for ruggedness and reliability. It will get knocked around a lot. In fact a mobile DVR would probably be the best choice.

This is one of the largest independent CCTV distributors in Calif. I believe Rocklin is a suburb of Sacramento. You might want to visit them. http://www.northernvideo.com/aboutus.asp Also Pelco in Fresno area may not be that far a trip. www.pelco.com

There is a new distributor in San Diego called Vidkom and they have a showroom. I don't know if they sell to end users or not but you can check them out at www.vidkom.com.

DM is the top seller in the DVR industry. They aren't really the best out there but they were one of the first on the market and they have established a reputation for reliability which in this segment of the industry is really important. They are also fairly easy to use, stylish, and the factory has pretty good customer service. You might want to consider the Kalatel Store Safe as an alternative in the embedded DVR since it has a built in CD/RW which is handy.

That isn't entirely true. My distributing company did that all the time from our demo stock. Don't forget we don't have to worry about bad power as much here. A lot of distributors will let you try something and return it. It is a good idea though to try and find a local distributor since it is much more convenient to drive over and pick stuff up.

They are in the Los Angeles area. Where will you be staying?

Try visiting these guys. They do a lot of Geovision stuff. http://www.dvrcards.com/geovision_dvr_cards.htm

I know a very good supplier of DVRs and related CCTV equipment in Ohio. Check him out at http://www.avalonsg.com/ The owner is Jason Szuch and he really knows his stuff when it comes to DVRs. I think he can help you out or if he doesn't have what you need can send you in the right direction. Alan Adler

There are a huge number of CCTV sites but one of the oldest and best established CCTV distributors in the counry is VSSI. They specialize in CCTV and get some killer bargains. Check them out at www.vsscctv.com You'll have to register as a dealer to see the pricing since they don't sell to end users.

Whatever brand you decide on make sure it has day/night ability so it can utilize infrared. Not all cameras can see infrared lighting. I'd look at the Extreme CCTV line of cameras since all of them are designed with infrared in mind. The website is www.extremecctv.com