OS9Barry 0 Posted November 12, 2012 Greetings! My question concerns possibly getting an 8-channel DVR, and I want a rather high-quality one, even if it "slightly?" more expensive. I have a 4-channel GadSpot DVR and a 4-channel Swann DVR. The "live view" of both are about the same, and pretty good. I actually prefer the Swann DVR, because it uses javascript and will therefore allow camera view/playback in my Firefox web browser on my Linux system. The GadSpot DVR uses vbscript and is only viewable in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. (I'm a Linux/Unix person.) However, while the "live view" is similar, the PLAYBACK seems better on the GadSpot DVR when compared to the Swann, so I use the GadSpot one. Since the "bottom-line reason" I have the cameras is so I'll be able to provide some evidence to the police if a third thing is done to my mother's pickup truck in the driveway, quality of playback is important to me. I put up 4 still cameras in January of 2009. In late 2010, I put up one PTZ camera, so I really have 5 cameras, now. (I have a video switch that allows me to place the still camera for the front door "in place", for camera #1 on the DVR, for overnight or when I leave for work. The PTZ camera is also mounted where it can see the front door, as well as nearly everything else visible from the front of my house. However, I do have the PTZ camera switching between setpoints a lot when I'm home and currently doing something where I can view the cameras while doing other things. The primary reason is the flat glass of the still cameras don't provide nearly the same number of "reflection points", whereas the dome/bowl-shaped glass of the PTZ camera, if the sun is shining close to directly into the lens, it manifests even dozens of "reflection points". The "reflection points" could potentially make something I wanted to really see as clearly as possible less visible/clear.) It's fine, as I have the Swann for a backup. These were not expensive DVRs, and I like having a backup if the GadSpot one breaks. Since the GadSpot DVR is now just beginning to every once in a while show "little somethings" that make me suspect it is wearing, though still working okay, I am just beginning to consider whether I want to get an 8-channel DVR (since I now have 5 cameras, all 5 and up to 3 more if I grow some more could be recorded). Again, highest quality playback is among my highest concerns. I recall something along the lines of some cheaper DVRs couldn't really record all 4 at the same number of frames or something that would result in a less-full-quality playback or something like that. I post this question here, as it seems to be a forum where people who know DVRs visit and could possibly help me. If you know of a/some web site(s) that provides good "lay person" information to help me understand what makes some DVRs better quality or information on where I might purchase a high-quality 8-channel DVR, I would appreciate it. Thank you! Barry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vector18 1 Posted November 12, 2012 Since your cameras are analog, your highest recording quality is D1. I recommend you getting a Dahua 8 channel Full D1. They are reasonably priced and good quality. You'll probably even find them priced around the same as you paid for your previous DVR's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OS9Barry 0 Posted November 17, 2012 vector18, I want to thank you so very much for your suggestion! I'll keep it in mind! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
