Comparing Mux/DVR's

[Jay Jay 0]

I know you guys must have answered this a 100 times but asking is a lot easier than trying to read every past thread, so I hope you'll excuse me.

 

I don't do video very often and when I do, I like to make a lot of money on it so I'd like to get the most out of the equipment that I choose. The big money item is the MUX/DVR so this is where I am right now. I'm looking for the unit that will do the following at the lowest price and I'm hoping that those here with experience have done some comparison shopping. If one or another of the features I call our are not available on a unit you have in mind, let me know. The client may be willing to forego it if the price is right.

 

I'd like to have at least 9 camera capability, (there will actually be 8 cameras) color, remote monitoring but not via PC. Be able to record and playback at the same time, be able to record on movement (but not with a global setting) to cut down on the record time. System will be watching warehouse activity, 5/6 days a week aprox 9 hours a day. Looking to have about 3 to 4 weeks of storage. If it varies, that's ok. Remote viewing software included with the ability to change paramiters remotely.

 

I'm getting prices of over $3K which seems to me, to be overly inflated. Anyone got any suggestions for product and sources?

 

Thank you

Jay Jay

[AVCONSULTING 0]

I'm not sure how you would remotely view the DVR and control it without using a computer. If you are looking for a pretty good deal on a nice DVR then contact Fairfax. They have a very good deal on the 3R system. Here is a link to that unit.

 

http://www.at-fairfax.com/DVR/3R.htm

 

Talk to Paul Ramos about the unit and its capabilities. He should be able to answer all of your questions.

[Jay Jay 0]

I'm not sure how you would remotely view the DVR and control it without using a computer. If you are looking for a pretty good deal on a nice DVR then contact Fairfax. They have a very good deal on the 3R system. Here is a link to that unit.

 

I meant that I didn't want the system to require a computer on the sending end. I figure it would be pretty hard to see what's going on from a remote location, without a computer there.

 

 

http://www.at-fairfax.com/DVR/3R.htm

 

Talk to Paul Ramos about the unit and its capabilities. He should be able to answer all of your questions.

 

Thanks

 

Jay Jay

[AVCONSULTING 0]

If you want the DVR not to be based on a computer then you should consider the Kalatel DVR. It is an embedded system. Here is a link for that company.

 

http://www.geindustrial.com/ge-interlogix/kalatel/prd_digital_rec.html

[cctv_down_under 0]

Its not a bad peice of kiat hay Alan... BTW that trade show is in Taiwan, just as well I checked LOL

[AVCONSULTING 0]

When exactly is the trade show? Good thing you checked your ticket. I like Chinese food better than Korean food anyway. Guess you'll be seeing the Geovision guys. Tell them I evaluated their system at the Geovision Irivine location and I hate the GUI. We decided not to use them in our OEM project because the GUI sucked.

[cctv_down_under 0]

Already did that, (told Geo), they just said " not that Alan guy again " I am very tired up with some big projects so it will be someone else that will have to go.. any input you have on what t o look for would be invaluable, the show is on or around the 23rd I think.. Hay Alan can I call you to get some advice on a tender, it is a big scope job, maybe...GULP.... even too big for me, could use some advice can you email me any tender answers you have sent that I may use as a template guide!

[cctv_down_under 0]

By the way I will not want anyone to see geo, just walk by them with big bags of competitors brochures and see how they like it!

 

I hate Geos marketing but their product sure does rock!

[qman 0]

I think that if someone outhere decides to make a clone of the Geo's Hardware, and put in a better gui and compression techniques, then they'll be number one, the problem with geo is that they want way too much money for their products, expecially if anyone can download their software.

[Jay Jay 0]

If you want the DVR not to be based on a computer then you should consider the Kalatel DVR. It is an embedded system. Here is a link for that company.

 

http://www.geindustrial.com/ge-interlogix/kalatel/prd_digital_rec.html

 

 

 

Thanks for the lead. I should have mentioned that I've looked at the Dedicated Micr and the Kalatel Triplex devices. Both will certainly do the job, but I see that the price of both units exceeds $3,000.00. I posted my question to see if someone knew of a 9 camera, color, Triplex, with imbeded internet capability for less than $3K.

 

Just as a point of interest, when I called Kalatel for information, the only response I could get, was to leave a message on voice mail. I couldn't believe that they didn't have a telephone system that would allow them to put me on hold, in a cue, so I could wait and talk to someone. By the time they get around to calling me back, I'm usually back on the road again. With Dedicated Micro, I was on hold for about 5 minutes and spoke to someone and got what I needed in 5 minutes.

 

I think someone over at GE ought to put a halogen light bulb under whoever was in charge of purchasing their in-house telephone system. I had to call the Rep in Oregon, who fortunately has some technical experience. That's not an impressive way to entice a potential customer, That's fer sure.

[AVCONSULTING 0]

ATV has a very nice line of embedded DVRs. Here is one site to check on prices

 

http://www.at-fairfax.com/DVR/ATV.htm#9Channel

 

Nuvico also has an 8 or a 16 that has promising capabilities

 

http://www.spytown.com/nunv4divire.html

[cctv_down_under 0]

I ahd a good look at nuvico it seems ok but the remote demo was very slow and seems to be using very heavy wavelet compression, but If it is cheaper than the Kalatel I would be keen to have a closer look, does anyone know if they wil be at the Taiwan show?

[cctv_down_under 0]

Alan, whats this National Elite DVR Fairfax has something to do with you doesnt it?

[AVCONSULTING 0]

I used to represent the line under the Perpetual name. Then the company made a deal with Richardson to only sell them the DVR so there was no longer a need for an independent rep to handle the line and our contract was terminated. It isn't a bad machine. I like the GUI for its crisp look and ease of use. If you want to investigate the company here is the site. You could probably buy the board and build your own if you wished since you wouldn't be interfering with the U.S. operation.

 

http://www.digi-it.co.kr/index.htm

[cctv_down_under 0]

Have you seen a better system than Geo yet? what were the win4tech cards like?

[Joebo 0]

Jay Jay - American Dynamics has a new embedded system called DigiMux that has all of the bells and whistles at a very low cost. You could probably contact ADI to get pricing (www.adi-dist.com)

[Jay Jay 0]

Jay Jay - American Dynamics has a new embedded system called DigiMux that has all of the bells and whistles at a very low cost. You could probably contact ADI to get pricing (www.adi-dist.com)

 

 

Thanks, that's the kind of lead I was looking for.

 

Anyone else have any possibilities I can research?

 

By the way, that Fairfax unit looks HUGE as compared to some of the others I've seen. Anyone got any knowledge of why it's in such a big package?

 

 

Jay Jay

[AVCONSULTING 0]

The Fairfax unit is in an industrial case for rack mounting. A lot of DVRs go into racks. It also has several cooling fans and plenty of room for more hard drives since people request as much as 1 terabyte of onboard storage.

[rory 0]

Thanks for the lead. I should have mentioned that I've looked at the Dedicated Micr and the Kalatel Triplex devices. Both will certainly do the job, but I see that the price of both units exceeds $3,000.00. I posted my question to see if someone knew of a 9 camera, color, Triplex, with imbeded internet capability for less than $3K.

 

Just as a point of interest, when I called Kalatel for information, the only response I could get, was to leave a message on voice mail. I couldn't believe that they didn't have a telephone system that would allow them to put me on hold, in a cue, so I could wait and talk to someone. By the time they get around to calling me back, I'm usually back on the road again. With Dedicated Micro, I was on hold for about 5 minutes and spoke to someone and got what I needed in 5 minutes.

 

I think someone over at GE ought to put a halogen light bulb under whoever was in charge of purchasing their in-house telephone system. I had to call the Rep in Oregon, who fortunately has some technical experience. That's not an impressive way to entice a potential customer, That's fer sure.

 

they normally answer email very quick, so then they will set up an appointment via telephone. They actually have the best suport I have seen yet. You can also contact tech support direct from their web site. Normally they will point end users in the direction of a sales rep in their area for sales questions.

 

Any questions let me know.

 

 

Rory

[rory 0]

I'd like to have at least 9 camera capability, (there will actually be 8 cameras) color, remote monitoring but not via PC. Be able to record and playback at the same time, be able to record on movement (but not with a global setting) to cut down on the record time. System will be watching warehouse activity, 5/6 days a week aprox 9 hours a day. Looking to have about 3 to 4 weeks of storage. If it varies, that's ok. Remote viewing software included with the ability to change paramiters remotely.

 

I'm getting prices of over $3K which seems to me, to be overly inflated. Anyone got any suggestions for product and sources?

 

Thank you

Jay Jay

 

Are you buying from a distributor as a CCTV business, or retail?

 

As far as the Kalatel all in ones,

at 5pps, 8 cameras, 160GB DVR, High Res, you can get approx 14 days, this is based on a 24/7 gas station. You can drop it to 2.5pps and still get a good video, not much different, and still plenty, then you will get 28 days, give or take. Less motion, more time. There is no exact time put on DVRs with motion detection recording.

 

Check with your distributor/dealer for:

DVMRe-10eZT-160 (60pps)

SDVR-10-160 (30pps, built in CD-RW)

 

If you are buying direct then it is under $3000, and non PC/non Linux based.

 

Rory

[Jay Jay 0]

Are you buying from a distributor as a CCTV business, or retail?

 

 

I'm an installing dealer. I buy from ADI or whoever carries the product that I ultimately choose.

 

As far as the Kalatel all in ones,

at 5pps, 8 cameras, 160GB DVR, High Res, you can get approx 14 days, this is based on a 24/7 gas station. You can drop it to 2.5pps and still get a good video, not much different, and still plenty, then you will get 28 days, give or take. Less motion, more time. There is no exact time put on DVRs with motion detection recording.

 

Check with your distributor/dealer for:

DVMRe-10eZT-160 (60pps)

SDVR-10-160 (30pps, built in CD-RW)

 

If you are buying direct then it is under $3000, and non PC/non Linux based.

 

 

Rory

 

Thanks Rory. I'll check out those units.

 

I was just trying to cut down on the research time by asking for some recomendations from people who do CCTV all the time. I only do it when asked, so I don't have much on-going experience with various product lines.

Also, the technology and new products are coming out at such a rate I would imagine it's hard to keep up, even if you're installing CCTV on a full time basis

 

Thanks again and if anyone has any other possible souces for a Mux/DVR, please let me know.

 

Jay Jay

[rory 0]

i stick to kalatel, makes it all simple and works well.

 

one thing too, with the Kalatel DVRs, you can always add more storage if you want longer recordings, by adding a device called a DVSe, which is digital storage devices. If you only buy a DVSe with a 40GB, then want more, you can add more hard drives, up to 8 total, then you can rack mount as many more of them as you want, each can total 2000GB of storage.

 

Also, the DVMRe (not EZ version) is their top of the line model, and doesnt cost too much more than the EZ, so read up on the specs of both at their web site to make sure which one has the features you will want.

 

The storesafe is just like a mixture of both, in a compact unit, with a built in CD-RW, designed for businesses without computers or networks. But it only has 1 multiple view monitor out, whereas the DVMRe's have 2, and the DVMRe goes up to 1000GB.

 

Check these facts also for more info:

 

http://www.geindustrial.com/ge-interlogix/support/technical/faq/digital_rec.html

[cctv_down_under 0]

It only does 25FPS which is pretty poor over 16 cameras, a bit overpriced considering, My new guy found out soem interesting stuff that I have yet to test but he found that downloading remote files had to be like 2mb for 5mins, when on the highest setting... I do not know if this is right but that semms an awefull lot, byt he way Rory, your Kalatel is ACTUALLY A PC!! Has ram sticks proccessor and everything, thats why it can run a CD drive, it must run an embedded Linux or something but it is still a PC!

[rory 0]

no, non pc and no linux, and its a proprietry embedded os, i visited the os site before, just cant remember where it is right now.

 

30pps is standard on DVRs (name brand high quality embedded DVRs at least), such as Ultrack, Dedicated, etc.

 

Their higher end unit, the DVMRe has 60pps which is more than other brands. Or you can use a 60pps single channel DSR-2000e, for each camera

 

Kalatel actually has a PC product, aimed at casinos, airports, etc, but it costs a fortune, can handle thousands of cameras, rack mounted stuff, Its in a PDF i downloaded of some of their new stuff.

 

but yes, it would be nice if they got it faster. The embedded software must have its limitations as others are using the same OS with same speeds. For 16 cameras you can go with the DVMRe, with 60pps, which is great, but then the StoreSafe is nicer as it has a CDRW, and is small enough for standard sized lock boxes (i know most people who use PCs dont care about this, but in the high security world, it must be locked up)

 

Also, it is cheaper than any other brand of embedded OS, and Im talking about the good brand names, not the cheapos.

[cctv_down_under 0]

Yep she sure is a PC just checked it out again, well designed though!