hindolio 0 Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) Hello all. I am a business owner and am having issues with a security camera installer that I hope to resolve with your help. Below is what the installer states is a $800 standalone DVR. I do not believe him, but how would I dispute his claim? Is anyone able to identify the above pictured 4/8/16-channel, generic DVR? I do know that the installer placed a 2 TB hard drive inside. Also, there is a sticker that has "DH1-631D" on it as well as a "Made in Taiwan" sticker on it. Due to the situation, I have learned a bit I would never have (I guess a silver lining). It seems this DVR is able to record only about 7 FPS on 12 cameras (that I believe are all 720 x 480 resolution), for a total of 480 FPS. I'm not sure how to do the math, but I am guessing this DVR records up 480 FPS at 360 x 240 resolution - CIF, rather than D1 resolution. Please correct me if I err. Imho, that is unacceptable since I am considering adding at least two more cameras in the near future. Research here and there has led me to believe that what I want (and should have received) is a DVR that is actually priced about $800, but also able to record 480 FPS at 720 x 480 resolution. Then it should have no problems recording at least 15 FPS on each of 16 cameras. Am I talking crazy talk here? Is my understanding wacky? Or am I getting screwed? Thanks EDIT: a few pics of software Edited September 20, 2012 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakesoundels 0 Posted September 19, 2012 Maybe, maybe not. Is he including installation in that price or is installation on a separate line? My bet is the unit records at 7 FPS at D1 for all 16 channels and higher frame rates at lower resolutions. DVRs with those specs are ROUGHLY in that price range especially if handling/installation/set-up is included. Not that I want to take away from your price concern but unless you are recording activity from superman 7 FPS is plenty; I've handed lots of 3 and 7 FPS footage over to the police which had resulted in arrests. Can you take any screen shots of the DVR's software and live view screens so we can get a better idea what type it is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hindolio 0 Posted September 19, 2012 ...Is he including installation in that price or is installation on a separate line?... Installation is separate. And the 2 TB HDD is separate as well. He claims the DVR unit itself is $800 (USD, that is). ...My bet is the unit records at 7 FPS at D1 for all 16 channels and higher frame rates at lower resolutions. DVRs with those specs are ROUGHLY in that price range especially if handling/installation/set-up is included... Perhaps I don't understand how these things work lol, but I am able to record about 7 FPS on each of 12 cameras now. If I add two more cameras, won't the recording ability decrease to something like 5 FPS then? ...Can you take any screen shots of the DVR's software and live view screens so we can get a better idea what type it is? Will do. Thanks again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hindolio 0 Posted September 20, 2012 Added a few pictures of the software to OP. Also, The FPS is currently set at 10 FPS and is adjustable. Each camera can be wet lower or higher, but the total must be equal or less than 480 FPS. At least it seems this way. Currently recording, I have 12 cameras set at 720 x 480 resolution. The maximum the DVR will allow is 10 FPS. 10 FPS x 12 cameras = 120 FPS D1 recording capability Then, if I had 16 cameras running, I would be able to record at 7 or 8 FPS, right? Am I doing anything wrong? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakesoundels 0 Posted September 20, 2012 Seems that way to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites