used box or new bullet cameras?

[jack in oz 0]

I’m slowly collecting the bits for a CCTV system for my home. All cameras will be externally mounted. I’ve got one Samsung Day/Night camera with a Pentax varifocal lens I bought on eBay. It will be used to monitor the swimming pool by day only. I’ve got my eye on an 8 channel 4CIF analogue DVR. However I’m not sure what the best way to go with cameras is.

 

There seems to be two main groups of cameras for sale on eBay. Namely used box cameras with known brand names like Bosch, Panasonic, Samsung, etc. and new Chinese made bullet cameras of unknown name and quality.

 

As I see it, the upside of the used box cameras is quality and the ability to fit a wide variety of lenses to suit your needs. The downside is that they have to be mounted in a large and fairly ugly weatherproof box. They are also relatively expensive, even though they are used. I guess being a few years old they are also “yesterday’s technology”.

 

The advantages of the bullet cameras seems to be smaller size, lower cost and latest technology. The problem is, they have names I’ve never heard of before and I’m always wary about specs provided by Chinese manufacturers. They do tend to exaggerate!

 

I’m interested to hear what people’s philosophy on this is.

 

One specific question: I occasionally find a ½’’ CCD camera for sale (usually camera only- no lens). Are these better than 1/3’’ cameras? I understand the lenses are more expensive, but I did find one brand of ½’’ zoom lens for around $120. What’s the advantage of 1/2'' cameras?

 

Cheers,

Jack

[nortsyl85 0]

I did like you, slowly gathered the pieces of my system as I could find good deals on new/used equipment.

 

Almost all the no-name Chinese bullet cams are fixed iris lenses, not auto-iris. These usually do not work too well outside I have found, they rely entirely on electronic shutter and AGC for exposure control and become saturated and washed out in bright sunlight applications. If they are overexposed there is no control to adjust to fix the problem. The no-name cams can work quite well in indoor applications but you always take your chances when you buy, some are good, some not. I have one in my garage that works great, another one has noticeable astigmatism in the verifocal lens. In any case, these days I would not buy anything less than 540 lines rated and anything smaller than 1/3" sensor.

 

I would stick to true auto-iris lenses for outdoors if possible. This does not mean you are stuck with box cams, I bought some used American Dynamics outdoor rated domes with auto-iris verifocal lenses that work great. I also have a couple of Korean domes with auto-iris lenses and a Samsung IR cam that is auto-iris. A big advantage with auto-iris is there is an iris setup adjustment that allows you to set the proper exposure for your installation if the image is too dim or bright. Auto-iris comes in 2 variants, DC auto iris and video auto iris. The video driven iris is a bit more sophisticated but both work fine.

 

----Residential DIY User

[SEANHAWG 1]

You would be better off buying used name brand equipment that you know something about as opposed to buying new no-name equipment that you no nothing about.

 

As far as putting them inside housings, sure they not as aesthetic as bullets but your main goal should be quality of camera image,not aesthetics of what the cameras look like. Besides, they make some pretty slick looking housings nowadays.

[Soundy 1]

^What Sean said. Brand-name vs. no-name is your main factor if image quality is your concern; used vs. new comes a distant second (as used cameras can degrade over time, but with quality brands, will probably still be better than the cheap no-name junk).

 

If aesthetics are your main concern, go for domes. Should be plenty of those on fleaBay as well.

[jack in oz 0]

Thanks for the responses- very much appreciated.

 

I will keep an eye out for domes too.

 

I haven't seen any used 540 line cameras yet. Most seem to be 420-480 lines. I'll just have to be more patient. I'm only looking for cameras in Australia because postage can be a killer, so that limits the selection a bit.

 

Would anyone care to comment on any of these box cameras?

 

Panasonic WV-CLR924E. 1/2'' CCD, 480 lines/0.3 lux color. 570 lines/0.02 lux B&W.

Panasonic WV-BP554E. 1/3'', 570 lines, 0.06 lux (F1.2)

Sony SSC-DC30P

 

Regards,

Jack