I need to understand the basics of CCTV

[gunit00 0]

Hey Guys,

I have an small liquor store (approx 900square ft).I currently have the a DigiVue-425 with 3 cameras. I have been happy with the remote viewing feature. But I am disappointed with the resolution of the footage. I am running it on an old P4 IBM. I would like to know more about my card. The pro's (if any) and con's. I would also like to setup a camera outside in the back. I need all the advice I can get! A list of reputable dvr and camera retailers would be great !

 

Thanks

 

Here are the DigiVue Stats-

• Inpute Signal - 4 Video, 1 audio input (with Sound Card)

• Display fps - 60fps/NTSC per card

• Record fps 60 fps/NTSC per card

• Display Screen 1 / 4 / 6 / 9 / 10 / 16 / 25 / 33 / Full Screen

• Audio Input 1 Synchronized Mono (from Sound Card)

• Color Adjust - Adjustable Light, Contrast, Hue, Saturation by Individual Camera

• Resolution - 160X120 / 240X180 / 320X240 / 352X288

• Record Mode Event - Continuous / Schedule Recording

• Compression - Special MPEG4 Format, Frame Size: .1K~2.5K, 1200hr~4000hr / 80GB

• Audio - One Channel using Sound Card

• Multi-task - Monitoring / Recording / PTZ Control / Remote / Backup

• Motion Detection - 16 Zone X Multi Area for each camera

• Storage - HDD / VDRAM / CD-RW / DAT / MO / ZIP / RAID. Up to 24 drives

• PTZ - RS422 / RS485 Controlled PTZ & Light / Power / Wiper

• Playback Speed - Forward / Back / Step / Fast / Slow

• Schedule - Forward / Back / Step / Fast / Slow

• Password - System / Playback / Remote Users

• O.S. - Windows 2000/XP

• Water Mark - Water Marking by Date & Time, Not Editable & Not Replaceable

• Watchdog - Software & Hardware Watchdog

• Network - PSTN / ISDN / LAN / ADSL / Internet

• Remote - LAN & ADSL: Real Time In 320X240, PSTN: 5-25fps In QCIF

• Remote Control - Full Function Remote Control & Remote Audio Transmission

• Remote Recording - Remote Playback, Remote Recording, & Emergency Recording

[gunit00 0]

I think i was unclear with my first post. The digivue stats are just for the card. Aren't the following stats mights low ? "• Display fps - 60fps/NTSC per card • Record fps 60 fps/NTSC per card"

 

I didn't give you guys my camera stats.. so here they are.."4-9mm varifocal lens and 420 lines of resolution . 22 built-in IR LEDs and a special shielding eliminates IR reflections . 0 lux minimum illumination when IR is on . Includes 12V DC adapter . Indoor Wired: Observation & Security: Cameras - Color CCTV".I thought my cameras were decent.

 

Should I get a better DVR CARD? If so, What makes a better card? Do I need a better graphics card? I am using the built-in Intel Video Card? Is my computer the problem (Pentium 4 Xp 500 mb RAM, 3 ghz)? Should I try a standalone DVR?? Ideally I would like to use my current cameras.

 

Sorry for the barrage of question. I am just lost and desperate for better video quality.

 

Thanks

[gunit00 0]

Anybody out there?

[suky 0]

Hey Guys,

I have an small liquor store (approx 900square ft).I currently have the a DigiVue-425 with 3 cameras. I have been happy with the remote viewing feature. But I am disappointed with the resolution of the footage. I am running it on an old P4 IBM. I would like to know more about my card. The pro's (if any) and con's. I would also like to setup a camera outside in the back. I need all the advice I can get! A list of reputable dvr and camera retailers would be great !

 

Thanks

 

Here are the DigiVue Stats-

• Inpute Signal - 4 Video, 1 audio input (with Sound Card)

• Display fps - 60fps/NTSC per card

• Record fps 60 fps/NTSC per card

• Display Screen 1 / 4 / 6 / 9 / 10 / 16 / 25 / 33 / Full Screen

• Audio Input 1 Synchronized Mono (from Sound Card)

• Color Adjust - Adjustable Light, Contrast, Hue, Saturation by Individual Camera

• Resolution - 160X120 / 240X180 / 320X240 / 352X288

• Record Mode Event - Continuous / Schedule Recording

• Compression - Special MPEG4 Format, Frame Size: .1K~2.5K, 1200hr~4000hr / 80GB

• Audio - One Channel using Sound Card

• Multi-task - Monitoring / Recording / PTZ Control / Remote / Backup

• Motion Detection - 16 Zone X Multi Area for each camera

• Storage - HDD / VDRAM / CD-RW / DAT / MO / ZIP / RAID. Up to 24 drives

• PTZ - RS422 / RS485 Controlled PTZ & Light / Power / Wiper

• Playback Speed - Forward / Back / Step / Fast / Slow

• Schedule - Forward / Back / Step / Fast / Slow

• Password - System / Playback / Remote Users

• O.S. - Windows 2000/XP

• Water Mark - Water Marking by Date & Time, Not Editable & Not Replaceable

• Watchdog - Software & Hardware Watchdog

• Network - PSTN / ISDN / LAN / ADSL / Internet

• Remote - LAN & ADSL: Real Time In 320X240, PSTN: 5-25fps In QCIF

• Remote Control - Full Function Remote Control & Remote Audio Transmission

• Remote Recording - Remote Playback, Remote Recording, & Emergency Recording

 

There are many choices listed on the leard board rotating banners, such as CCTVimports, CCTVHotDeals, ApexCCTV, DWG, Nuuo & eSentia.

[Soundy 1]

I think i was unclear with my first post. The digivue stats are just for the card. Aren't the following stats mights low ? "• Display fps - 60fps/NTSC per card • Record fps 60 fps/NTSC per card"

 

Nothing wrong with those stats, especially for a four-input card.

 

I didn't give you guys my camera stats.. so here they are.."4-9mm varifocal lens and 420 lines of resolution . 22 built-in IR LEDs and a special shielding eliminates IR reflections . 0 lux minimum illumination when IR is on . Includes 12V DC adapter . Indoor Wired: Observation & Security: Cameras - Color CCTV".I thought my cameras were decent.

 

"Decent" may be pushing it... from the description they sound like pretty generic mediocre offshore stuff. That may be part of your problem.

 

Should I get a better DVR CARD? If so, What makes a better card?

Higher resolution. Yours only does up to 352x288, according to the specs you listed. Maximum for analog video is 740x480, so you're only getting about 1/4 the resolution you should be able to.

 

Do I need a better graphics card? I am using the built-in Intel Video Card?

 

No, that should be fine.

 

Is my computer the problem (Pentium 4 Xp 500 mb RAM, 3 ghz)? Should I try a standalone DVR?? Ideally I would like to use my current cameras.

 

Your existing PC should be fine. You can go to a standalone, or a better card - just make sure it's spec'd for 640x480 or higher resolution, or 4CIF or D1. I suspect you'll find the cameras are half the problem as well, though.

[gunit00 0]

Thanks a bunch. Happy Holidays!!