Help me Camera Selection

[Redemption 0]

There has been a slew of break in's in my neighborhood and I am in need of assistance. Currently I have 4 speco cameras and some cheapos that came in with my dvr "do not laugh" Defender sentinel 3.

 

At this time I am looking for someone to point me on the right direction, I am looking to replace el cheapo cameras. I want some cameras with great night vision, my house is on 1/4 of an acre so range should not be that much of an issue, with the exception of the back yard and the front of the house. Although price is not an issue, I rather buy a good re-branded camera at a lower price. I know there is not such thing as the king of all cameras, but I want a recommendation at least of what manufacturers i should be looking at. I will need dome or compact cameras on the front door and back doors and maybe even by the garage door, the rest can be bullet type cameras. I am thinking about sticking to analog cameras as opposed to the ip cameras.

 

Please help me narrow down the search for the perfect cameras.

 

 

Thanks

[Soundy 1]

From what I can find on this system, it appears to use proprietary all-in-one video/power wires with mini-DIN connectors... if so, it's unlikely you will be able to connect "real" cameras to your existing DVR.

[Redemption 0]

I already connected 3 Speco cameras to the DVR using rg59 cable! It has proprietary cable to the little cameras that routes power and video, however on the dvr end the cable splits in two one bnc tot he dvr and one to the power outlet. I am also planing on upgrading my dvr but that will be another thread at another time. For time being the one I have is enough for my needs. With that said, what cameras or manufacturers would you recommend?

[Soundy 1]

With that said, what cameras or manufacturers would you recommend?

 

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[Redemption 0]

thanks for the assistance. let me read the suggested threads and then post any questions i may have!!!

[Redemption 0]

Again thank you for the links, you seem to favor the DBM-24VF. It looks like a really good camera that is reasonable priced! Now price not being an issue, would you still prefer this camera over others? In other words, do you like these because they are the best bang for the buck "great camera, decent price" or if you had an option and paying an extra couple hundred bucks for another camera that gave you an even better picture, what camera would you select?

 

By the way do you have any picture by any chance of your installs with this camera and the external infrared? I'm just curious about how it would look once installed.

 

 

Thanks

[Soundy 1]

Well, if you actually read through the threads, you'll see pretty much everyone here likes them (Rory also likes his KT&C cameras, but I've never seen one, so I can't comment). CNB's whole Mona Lisa line and particular the xxx-24VF models do provide excellent picture and outstanding low-light performance. The DBM version is the standard surface-mount indoor dome; we use the VCM models, which are the flush-mountable vandal-resistant dome, but the guts are the same.

 

Price-wise, you'd have a hard time finding something that compares for even three times the price (depending on what price you find it for, of course). Personally, if I was paying that much more, I'd be getting into megapixel.

 

There are lots of pictures in the above linked threads of the cameras in action (the DBM looks similar to the VBM, the only difference is a plastic vs. aluminum construction), as well as screen captures under various lighting conditions. I think Rory's tested one with external infrared, but really, they do so well with very little lighting, it's not normally necessary.

[Redemption 0]

Well, if you actually read through the threads, you'll see pretty much everyone here likes them (Rory also likes his KT&C cameras, but I've never seen one, so I can't comment). CNB's whole Mona Lisa line and particular the xxx-24VF models do provide excellent picture and outstanding low-light performance. The DBM version is the standard surface-mount indoor dome; we use the VCM models, which are the flush-mountable vandal-resistant dome, but the guts are the same.

 

Price-wise, you'd have a hard time finding something that compares for even three times the price (depending on what price you find it for, of course). Personally, if I was paying that much more, I'd be getting into megapixel.

 

There are lots of pictures in the above linked threads of the cameras in action (the DBM looks similar to the VBM, the only difference is a plastic vs. aluminum construction), as well as screen captures under various lighting conditions. I think Rory's tested one with external infrared, but really, they do so well with very little lighting, it's not normally necessary.

 

 

Ok after more reading, I am now debating over the mega pixel cameras, which of them do you prefer? I noticed the panasonic seems to be favored by some. I do have a server now that I use for home automation that would work to record video since I already run it 24/7. Bottom line is I want a camera that will provide a good enough picture to see a face. The VCM-24VF right now is on top my list due to its price, but the ip cameras are kind a calling me, the only problem is that I need about another 6 cameras and I am not sure I can justify 600 plus per camera, I already have a gig network with cat 6, so bandwidth would not be a problem.

[SEANHAWG 1]

From what I have seen, a good brand name IP megapixel camera goes higher than $600.

[Soundy 1]

MP cameras IN GENERAL do not have the same low-light performance as standard models, either, until you get into SUBSTANTIALLY more expensive models. You'd be better off with a lower-resolution camera that will give you a clear picture in low light, than something that will give you high-resolution darkness.

[Redemption 0]

MP cameras IN GENERAL do not have the same low-light performance as standard models, either, until you get into SUBSTANTIALLY more expensive models. You'd be better off with a lower-resolution camera that will give you a clear picture in low light, than something that will give you high-resolution darkness.

 

 

That is some sound advice!!! I was starting to fantasize about retiring my crapo dvr and using my server. Maybe I can go with the VCM-24VF and buy a decent video card for the dvr that will handle analog and ip cameras "so that I can phase the cameras out for better ip cameras as needed over time. CAn I get a recomendation on a good video card.

 

 

Thanks

[Soundy 1]

If you're planning to migrate to IP over time and eventually eliminate the analog video, instead of saddling yourself with a legacy capture card, consider some NVR software (Exacq, NUUO, etc.), and some "video server" units to "convert" your analog cameras to IP.