ICRealtime?

[redneck6497 0]

Hi all,

 

I am new to this board. I am working with a local security vendor who has recommended the ICRealtime Max 16 channel DVR, and 7 ICR300 cameras (for outside).

 

What is everyone's impression of the hardware? I don't know a lot about CCTV, and want to make sure I don't make a mistake. Futhermore, am I making a mistake not going with a hybrid IP/Analog camera DVR?

 

Thanks for your help.

[blake 0]

Where are you located?

[scorpion 0]

I highly recommend ICRealtime.

 

The system design, and the budget would answer the question in regards to the IP/analog DVR.

 

If you are running RG59 then an analog would be the way to go, and if you are running Cat 5 then I can see where you would start with a dual DVR, and add IP cams at a later date.

 

If the transistion is not for another couple of years then I would wait to see what kind of equipment they come out with at the time.

 

If one is putting equipment in to a finance package such as a business loan then get everything you need now.

[redneck6497 0]

I'm in South Carolina.

 

I think that as far as the cabling its pretty much whatever I want to put in at this point. The ethernet cable would probably be a little less expensive, no?

 

This is for my residence.

 

One of the downsides for the ICRealtime DVR (for me at least) is the fact it doesn't work with anything but IE (remote view). I use macs mostly.

[thewireguys 3]

If you use Mac you should look into Exacq.

 

http://www.exacq.com/products/nvrsoftware.html

[redneck6497 0]

If you use Mac you should look into Exacq.

 

 

 

Do you have to use their cameras? How expensive is the software?

[thewireguys 3]

If you use Mac you should look into Exacq.

 

 

 

Do you have to use their cameras? How expensive is the software?

 

Exacq does not make cameras they are a NVR software company. You can buy there software on a per-camera license to install on your own machine, you can get one of there turn key hybrid solutions or NVR solutions.

 

If you are using analog cameras you have 2 options.

 

1) their hybrid servers

 

http://www.exacq.com/products/hybridservers.html

 

or

 

http://www.exacq.com/products/exacqvisionEL.html

 

 

2) Build or buy your own machine and install there software. You can use video encodes for analog cameras.

 

 

There software is a per camera license of $150.

 

I have there software running on affordable and low power machines. You could have a 4 camera license system for $1000 + cameras .

[redneck6497 0]

I guess one thing that's sort of prohibitive is the extra cost of IP cameras in that solution.

[thewireguys 3]

I guess one thing that's sort of prohibitive is the extra cost of IP cameras in that solution.

 

You can use encoders and analog cameras

[rory 0]

I'm in South Carolina.

 

I think that as far as the cabling its pretty much whatever I want to put in at this point. The ethernet cable would probably be a little less expensive, no?

 

This is for my residence.

 

One of the downsides for the ICRealtime DVR (for me at least) is the fact it doesn't work with anything but IE (remote view). I use macs mostly.

 

Theres a few DVRs out there which have remote video browser apps that work on Macs, using java or maybe quicktime (? not sure about that 100% though) and even Jpeg push. Take a look at these guys for example: http://www.video-insight.com. Though thats a PC DVR and looks like you want a Standalone.

 

But you know the others will still work on a mac, just install Fusion and XP inside that then put the DVR app on start up .. if its a webpage, save the loading page as a .HTA and add that to the start up .. make it load in full screen also. Shortcut to that Virtual PC and call it DVR or whatever you want to name it. Just an example, I use Virtual Box but for Mac seems Fusion is better.

[redneck6497 0]

I guess one thing that's sort of prohibitive is the extra cost of IP cameras in that solution.

 

You can use encoders and analog cameras

 

That's true. What kind of card do you have to get if you want to do a 16 channel?

[redneck6497 0]

I'm in South Carolina.

 

I think that as far as the cabling its pretty much whatever I want to put in at this point. The ethernet cable would probably be a little less expensive, no?

 

This is for my residence.

 

One of the downsides for the ICRealtime DVR (for me at least) is the fact it doesn't work with anything but IE (remote view). I use macs mostly.

 

Theres a few DVRs out there which have remote video browser apps that work on Macs, using java or maybe quicktime (? not sure about that 100% though) and even Jpeg push. Take a look at these guys for example: Though thats a PC DVR and looks like you want a Standalone.

 

But you know the others will still work on a mac, just install Fusion and XP inside that then put the DVR app on start up .. if its a webpage, save the loading page as a .HTA and add that to the start up .. make it load in full screen also. Shortcut to that Virtual PC and call it DVR or whatever you want to name it. Just an example, I use Virtual Box but for Mac seems Fusion is better.

 

This is true. I use Fusion and bootcamp. If wouldn't be any issue, just more of an inconvenience. Also, I spoke to the folks at ICRealtime, and maybe at some point in the future they will be working on some Mac stuff.

 

The thing I am more concerned with than anything else is the quality of the security solution. I want the best hardware (cameras and DVR) for the money (who doesn't ) . I am trying to stay within about 6000.00 for a 10 camera system.

 

I also want the ability to send motion based alarms to an FTP site just in case the physical security of the DVR is compromised. Interestingly enough, it sounds like you can put off site another computer with the ICRealtime stuff and remotely stream ALL video in order to have a second copy of everything.

[thewireguys 3]

I guess one thing that's sort of prohibitive is the extra cost of IP cameras in that solution.

 

You can use encoders and analog cameras

 

That's true. What kind of card do you have to get if you want to do a 16 channel?

 

http://www.acti.com/product/detail/Video_Server/ACD-2400

[hardwired 0]

I guess one thing that's sort of prohibitive is the extra cost of IP cameras in that solution.

 

You can use encoders and analog cameras

 

That's true. What kind of card do you have to get if you want to do a 16 channel?

 

http://www.acti.com/product/detail/Video_Server/ACD-2400

 

I just quoted out a system that way.. Building your own NVR and adding the encoder is cheaper than the Exacq hybrid box, especially when they get really big (my quote was for a 12TB, RAID6 system), Also, with Exacq, you only need one license for a 16 channel encoder, as compared to others that require a license per channel.

[securitymonster 0]

You will LOVE the quality and reliability from the ICRealtime. We run their DVR's all the darn time and they are a good solid product.

 

I would suggest you heavily rely on your security integrator that is supplying/installing your system as it he/she knows what they are doing, especially if they are using ICRealtime.

 

If your on a mac, just run parallels and you can run XP, thats what my clients do. You don't want to sacrifice your surveillance system just because your on a mac.

[jebler 0]

I'm in South Carolina.

 

....

 

One of the downsides for the ICRealtime DVR (for me at least) is the fact it doesn't work with anything but IE (remote view). I use macs mostly.

 

about the browser comment, thats not true. you CAN use Firefox and Google Chrome just need to install IE tabs/extensions. check out the support page and then How to Notes for a step by step walk through. hope thats cleared up. as far as MACgoes. yea if you do use MAC then you will need to install bootcamp and then run Windows OS to view your cams.