Newbie Questions

[gswahhab 0]

Hello Everyone,

I just discovered the baord and find it great. I am a computer guy crossing over into the camera world since dvr's and cameras are becoming so computer based its right up my alley. i have been installling some systems and i have some questions. I did a search for some of them but could find much. If some of you experts could help me out.

 

1.) AC24 vs 12V DC - what is the big difference? Is one better than the other and why?

 

2.) Bullet Camera vs a standard camera. It seems the standard cameras (the kind you need to put in housing to be outdoors) have a little better quality but seem to be much more expensive. Are they worth the extra money and why.

 

3.) Standalone dvr vs pc. currently i have been using standalone dvr and like the stability of them. I understand that the pc dvr's have greater frame rates and can be more flexible. My standalone dvr NEVER crashes. How is the stability of the PC DVR's.

 

4.) Distributor's - currently i am using ADI is there a certain distributor that anyone finds awesome. Also is there somewhere that is easy to find information about bringing in cameras from overseas and organizations that are reliable in providing them.

 

5.) Reflection ring on 14led ir bullet camera. what usuallly causes these rings and how can they be fixed.

 

6.) Stable routers - does anyone know of a good business class router at a good price that they like to set there dvr's on. I am trying to fins a middle ground router for a bout $150, i would like to stay away from netgear, dlink, and linksys since they typically have restart and jamming problems. But dont think that a dvr constitutes the need for a cisco or zyxel router that starts at $400.

 

i really would appreciate anyone who can help me out on these issues and i lok forward to learning more about the security industry.

 

thanks

gabe

[SteveSurf 0]

1.) AC24 vs 12V DC

 

2.) Bullet Camera vs a standard camera

 

3.) How is the stability of the PC DVR's.

 

4.) Distributor's

 

5.) Reflection ring on 14led ir bullet camera. what usuallly causes these rings and how can they be fixed.

 

6.) Stable routers - I am trying to find a middle ground router for a bout $150

[VST_Man 1]

1>AC travels further than DC with less loss. You can't power a 1000ft. run with DC but can with AC. note:AC comes in both 24 &28 vac. Guess which one you use for the 1000 ft. run? 28vac because you anticipate line loss that will be "forgiven" by the 4vac plus up. Use 24vac for runs shorter than 500ft. DC for 200ft or less.

2>difference is what requirement you have to fill. I use bullets in specific places I woud not use a "standard" based on need.

3>I disagree with......PC based vs. standalone; they are both made from the same "parts". Both are stable in terms of hardware. PC Based is "prone" to all of the PC type issues (virus, spyware, the "know it all operator") satndalone's can't be messed up in terms of software. BUT, PC Based systems have ALL the bells and whistles, are easily upgraded when better software hits the streets, and are well suited to be configured to the operators needs. The secret is to use a PC Based system for ONLY video security. I have clients ALWAYS trying to surf the net on them, watch DVD movies, play music, ect. Once they start using them as personal PC's they gat all screwed up. Best way is to lock out the operator as much as possible, ie.....disable everything you can, limit access, and put a camera on the server to keep an eye on the "geeks". Like I stated, both are very stable......and I have the data to prove it. Problem is the operators out there mess with them and then they become junk quick.

4> shop til you drop.......

5>agree..............but you can clean the lenses to reduce the halo effect. Plus, some bullets come with plastic lense covers.............hard to reduce the ring.

6>I've been using Linksys and have had no problems with lock-up or reboot issues...............as long as I keep it updated with the latest firmware. I'm currently testing a "gaming" Gigabite router by Dlink which has been, so far, solid and fast. The gamer is nice because I can assign priority to bandwidth to the Video Server. $120

 

The CCTV world is full of tools (equipment). You have to know which one to use on the right project to get the results you want for the cash you have. Keep reading, asking, and then buy. If you don't have the time, hire a pro to consult and install.

[SeanMort 0]

1.) AC24 vs 12V DC - what is the big difference? Is one better than the other and why?

 

Apart from the distance advantage mentioned by other replies, the 24V AC power supply over the 12VDC unit doesn't contain much electronics (regulators, rectifiers caps etc) that makes it prone to running hotter, getting damaged by surges easier (a simple fuse on the 24V supply takes care of that) and results in a physically larger power supply running less cameras on it than a 24V unit would. Ground return problems (inteference on some DC Systems due to DC minus and co-ax screen being different lengths on multi camera hookups) are also largely minimised. Most seasoned installers in this country use 24VAC over a 12VDC system due to these reasons. This country also experiences a lot of lightning and transients and we have found that a 24VAC camera survives these hands-down over 12V models. If 12VDC is required somewhere along the line in a 24VAC system then we simply use a "down-converter" to do the job. 12VDC cameras, though, are a little cheaper, and this will suffice for smaller installations if cost is an issue.

 

2.) Bullet Camera vs a standard camera. It seems the standard cameras (the kind you need to put in housing to be outdoors) have a little better quality but seem to be much more expensive. Are they worth the extra money and why.

 

The Bullet Camera has it's place in the market. But all too often it seems to have become the "one-size-fits-all-and-it's-cheaper" (*OSFI) approach to system design. It's a great and sensible camera choice for most indoor/semi-outdoor closer object surveillance situations, but when you're faced with a customer who wants to watch his 50' long warehouse, or the perimeter of his large premises, then be sensible and choose at least a standard camera/lens/housing combo. The reason is this: the average Bullet Camera, for the most part, does not have a decent lens & iris combination (let alone imaging chip). The Lens is a simple design, because it's job of close surveillance doesn't require anything more. The Iris (light intake control) is done electronically (AGC) to keep size down but the circuitry to do this has limited dynamic range. So all told, it mostly battles with bright outdoor lighting and/or low light sensitivity and/or depth-of-field (goes out of focus at low light), and for longer distance use the lens choices are hard to come by. There are bullet cameras that have decent lenses etc that can go the mile but the prices of these units are pretty much the same as a standard camera combo. When it comes to making camera choices do some homework because if you use the *OSFI approach the school fees will hurt, and you may lose a customer.

 

3.) Standalone dvr vs pc. currently i have been using standalone dvr and like the stability of them. I understand that the pc dvr's have greater frame rates and can be more flexible. My standalone dvr NEVER crashes. How is the stability of the PC DVR's.

 

Subject of much hot debate .... it's down to choice/preference borne out by homework and asking questions. My approach to this subject has always been to ask myself at least this;

 

1. Will it last and perform well for at least 4 years, and without too much tinkering ?

2. If tinkering is required during and after this period, will the expertise/company/parts etc still be around, and is it easy to achieve ?

3. Does it work for the customers needs/budget, and the installers peace of mind ?

 

There are many reputable brands of both "species", and of course those that also don't make the grade. It pays to do some serious homework in this field.

 

4.) Distributor's - currently i am using ADI is there a certain distributor that anyone finds awesome. Also is there somewhere that is easy to find information about bringing in cameras from overseas and organizations that are reliable in providing them.

 

Unless you're experienced in this field I would stick to the local distributors as a person new in this game. When something goes wrong with the equipment (and it will) it's easier and cheaper to deal with someone on your doorstep than it is elsewhere in the world (language/culture/time-zone/money). The warranty you pass on to your customer is important to them, and your reputation is at stake. There are loads of CCTV manufacturers/distributors out there. Just beware - "In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king !!"

 

5.) Reflection ring on 14led ir bullet camera. what usuallly causes these rings and how can they be fixed.

 

The usual causes of this problem is the internal reflection and refraction of the IR light back into the camera lens via the porthole glass or the outer rim around it. Bullet cameras of this type usually have a black plastic or foam ring around the front of lens that butts up to the small glass porthole to separate it's light collection input from the LEDs light output. We have found that in some of these bullet cameras types the plastic/foam ring either doesn't fit flush against the porthole glass or is non-existant (!). We have also found that the IR light, being a long penetrative wavelength, penetrates the black plastic ring allowing light in, or it refracts (travels through at an angle) on the porthole glass back into the lens. Most of these problems are not easily fixed. The use of an external IR Light cannot be beaten for performance.

 

Good luck. As a newbie to the game you need info the most. There are a few decent courses and handbooks available in this game. Check out:

 

http://www.tavcom.com

 

or

 

http://www.ltctrainingcntr.com

[gswahhab 0]

you guys are great i really appreciate all your help. it really has helped out a lot.

 

gabe

[spytown 0]

gabe..

I may be able to assist you with pricing and can beat ADI'S pricing. I am a member of this forum as well. you can PM me for any quotes you may need. I can also suggest different equipment for you for different applications.

Thank you.

Howard

SpyTown.com