Help with camera selection

[Jim R 0]

I am new to this forum and also to this field. This question has probably been asked and answered but please indulge me and answer it again.

I own a small bar in Puerto Penasco Mexico (Camel Toe Cantina) and have put in a DVR and a few cameras. I am very disappointed in the quality of the image provided by the cameras. They are fairly blurry and get even more blurry when the IR kicks in. I have seen surveillance videos where everything was very clear and that is what I would like to see. If there was a fight or crime I wouldn't even be able make out who the person was. What do I need to look for as far as specs on the cameras? I have 3 that say they are 1/4 and one that is 1/3. The 1/4 ones seem to have less wide angle effect and are a little clearer but not much. The 1/3 is a Sony so I assumed that it was good quality but I am very disappointed. Is the 1/4 vs. 1/3 difference the wide angle difference, or is it something else? If you can, please give me the best option (at the best price). Thanks.

 

--

Jim Ringquist

Puerto Penasco, MX

Office: 520-464-5189

MX Cell: 638-105-9357

[Soundy 1]

1/4" vs. 1/3" refers to the size of the CCD sensor - a larger sensor will cover more of the image projected by the lens, which is why you see a wider angle.

 

It's hard to tell much more about your problem without more information, especially on the cameras. Do they have any brand or model numbers on them (other than "Sony", which more likely refers to the sensor used rather than the make of camera; a LOT of cameras, including the very cheapest ones, use the same Sony sensors)? Are they dome style, bullet style, box style? What type/brand/length of lenses are on them? Fixed focal length, zoom, auto-iris?

[Jim R 0]

Thanks for the response. I have a LTS DVR MOdel LTD411M6 4 channel unit. The 1/3 camera I bought on ebay. The 1/4 cameras have no markings denoting make or model. They look very similar to the 1/3 one but are a bit smaller. The specs on the 1/3 (the more blurry one) are:

 

Model: B8104

Image Sensor: 1/3" SONY Color CCD

TV System: PAL/NTSC

Validity pixel: PAL:500*582, NTSC:510*492

Horizontal definition: 420 TV Lines

Infrared Leds: 36 Leds

Lens: 3.6mm

Waterproof: Yes

Scan frequency: PAL/NTSC: 50Hz/60Hz

Minimum illumination: 0 Lux with IR LED ON

Video Connector: 1.0Vp-p,75O BNC Connector

S/N Ratio: >48db

Operation Temperature:-10°C - +50°C RH95% Max

Storage Temperature:-20°C - +60°C RH95% Max

Power Supply: 12V DC (Included in purchase)

 

Dimensions: 135x75x65mm

 

I just want some cameras that show a clear image, both day and night. Hopefully they aren't too expensive. If necessary, I'll buy them one at a time as I can afford them. I just bought a 9 channel Dedicated Micros DVR and am awaiting its arrival. I like the 9 camera option, and as I understand it, I'll have more control from a remote computer. Any help or advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Jim

[Soundy 1]

Take a look at CNB's lineup (www.cnbtec.com). The VCM/VBM-24vf model is proving to be very popular on this forum for their excellent low-light capabilities. They won't see in complete darkness, but they do produce very good pictures with very little light, no need for IR.

 

CNB also has some IR bullets that Rory seems impressed with, so you could look at those when you need to see in near-complete darkness.

 

They do cost more than your eBay specials, but at this moment, they're far above most anything else in their price range, and measure up to many cameras that run two to three times the price.

[Jim R 0]

Thank you. I'll order one to see what the difference is before changing out the rest.