sp700pol 0 Posted July 1, 2008 Hi all, I am glad that I found this forum. My friend wants me to help him install a CCTV system for his business. I am looking for advice before we buy anything. It is a two story building with parking lots on all sides. We are looking for a 16 channel system DVR with DVD backup and with remote view. We need six indoor dome cameras and ten outdoor cameras. Lighting is not an issue outside since there are several street lights. One of the outdoor cameras I would like to have the ability to zoom in on the main car entrance that is about 35-40 yards away. I found a system on ebay: Sorry cannot post links yet. The item number is 140244382685 I know I would need to buy a power distribution box and few other things but is this setup worth the money? If not is there any system that you can recommend for around $2500-$3000 US? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alanjh1965 0 Posted July 1, 2008 My friend wants me to help him install a CCTV system for his business. I am looking for advice before we buy anything. I found a system on ebay: Sorry cannot post links yet. The item number is 140244382685 If you want him to remain your friend Don't buy from Ebay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sp700pol 0 Posted July 1, 2008 My friend wants me to help him install a CCTV system for his business. I am looking for advice before we buy anything. I found a system on ebay: Sorry cannot post links yet. The item number is 140244382685 If you want him to remain your friend Don't buy from Ebay Would you care to recommend a setup? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alanjh1965 0 Posted July 1, 2008 Sorry didn't mean to sound rude. These type of Kits are not very flexiable - you get a standard camera, One size doesn't always fit all, and the DVR worries me... 720X240 resolution. scorpion posted a very, very good message with good advice....... A world renowned billiards player can beat you at a game of billiards using nothing more than a sawed off broom stick. It is in knowing how to use an item that makes or breaks it success. How much do you know about how lens selection will effect your video? How much do you know about matching the camera to your environment? A year down the road a crime against you is committed. The intruder walks away a free man as the video was not enough to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that he was the intruder. How much can you afford to lose? You have to set a threshhold of security. If you are only protecting simple home electronics, and such then this would be a perfect system. I did not say this product was a perfect system, I am saying that based on a low threat level, and the budget that you have posted then you have made a selection that suits you personally. I am a low budget expert. The other "commercial installers" would laugh me off this forum if they have seen some of the installs that I have done. A couple of years ago I was installing in neighborhoods where the income level was $10,000, to 15,000 a year. As you can see there is not much room for high end products. I avoid packaged deals because of many, many reasons. I would prefer to mix, and match cameras to get the effect that I need. Let use a bar as an example. I get a price budget that leaves all of the other companies just dropping off a business card, and saying "call me when you get serious", and then they exit stage left. I will put an expensive camera at the front door, and I will use one at the back door, and one at the register. To watch pool tables, dart boards, and the table areas, then I will use a one inch by one inch mini camera. Is this a "video surveillance" camera? No, not really, but it suits the needs, and the budget. If there is an event then we can look at the video, and then we can go to the front door camera to get the facial shot of the guy in the video. See how I am mixing and matching, but staying within a budget? _____________________________________________________________ Here is what you need to know about wide angle camera lenses. They are only good for close range viewing, and nothing else. They are designed to pull in the left peripheral, and the right peripheral area to create a wide viewing area. Anything that is 20 feet or farther will actually appear even farther away in the video. To avoid this lens distortion then you need a 6mm lens. This prevents the distortion, but you lose the extra left, and right peripheral vision! IR, and night vision is your next hurdle. Unless your house is lit up like a WalMart Parking lot then none of these cameras are going to give you the view when you realize that someone is actually standing in your yard! You really need to hire a CCTV company in your area, and have them design a low budget system for you, and have them install it. You may spend more, but it will be worth it in the long run! You are buying the equipment at the same price as what a dealer would be paying at so you are saving a lot of money on the "mark up". You have now become your own CCTV "company". You will have to provide your own tech support. If something goes wrong then you have to fix it! You have to provide the system design. Are you prepared for this? If you are then go ahead, and protect yourself. Something is better than nothing. You will find that this is going to be an on going CCTV lesson. As your learning curve grows, then your expectations are going to grow as well. I hope you enjoy your system! Have you visited the ARTICLES SECTION? There are some good articles that will get you started! How to mount inexpensive bullet cameras! http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=54 How to run wires from an attic with drywall walls. http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=48 Here is how to fix your video source problems! http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=41 How to trouble shoot camera problems! http://www.cctvforum.com/cms_articles.php?cid=2 Happy Reading!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sp700pol 0 Posted July 1, 2008 That is okay, I didn't take it as being rude. With so many online sites that sell this type of equipment could you recommend a good one to order from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted July 2, 2008 That is okay, I didn't take it as being rude.With so many online sites that sell this type of equipment could you recommend a good one to order from? Hi, the advertiser banners at the top of the site is your best place to start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
