Help: Need an NVR for my Avtech IP Cam

[joms 0]

I have recently installed three 1.3MP IP Cam (AVTECH 328A). I have looked at the NVR of AVTECH and it doesnt look that impressive.

 

Can I just use any NVR with my IP Cam? I want an NVR with at least 1 audio in. My camera has an Audio In plug (like that of a headphone jack) but I can't figure out why there's no sound when I hook up my external mic (which isnt from AVTECH since they don't sell any mic but it is a CCTV mic). I tried the mic on a self powered speaker and it works. I just can't get it to work when plugged to my IP cam. (Note: the mic has an external power source 12V 100ma)

 

In any case, am I stuck with Avtech NVR only? Or can I use any other NVR? I can't really test and return items since I live in the Philippines so I must blindly ship the item here from abroad so I need to be certain that this NVR would work with my IP Cam.

 

Note: It says in my IP Cam manual that it is ONVIF Compatible which indicates that it will connect with other NVRs. Is this true ?

 

So basically, why I don't want the Avtech NVR is because:

 

1) It doesn't have an audio Input

2) It only works with Microsoft Windows (Internet Explorer). I need it to work with my Macbook Pro

 

 

Avtech AVM328A

 

 

 

URL of my Camera

http://www.avtech.com.tw/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=63

[buellwinkle 0]

There's different level of ONVIF support and some NVR's support it but may not record. The only NVR (Windows based) software I've used that works with AVTech is NVR+ from Linovision.com. And I agree, the NVR software from AVTech is not very good.

 

The problem with NVRs is you are locked in, if it supports it great, if not, what do you do. This is the problem people are having with another brand, Dahua. They make great cameras, but not that many NVRs other than their own or 3rd party software products support them.

 

I have a Macbook Air, I have no problems running IE. Just have to install VMWare Fusion or Parallels with Windows and setup IE to run in it's own window. On my toolbar, I have an IE blue E logo, when I click on it it boots up Windows (if it's not already running) and brings up IE in it's own window. Since I rarely reboot my Mac, Windows is always running in the background, so IE starts up pretty quick.

 

Post some day and night images from the camera when it's all working. I like my AVTech indoor cameras, never tried their higher end PoE cameras.

 

As for audio in/out, typically, most cameras require a microphone with a pre-amp. The 12V can typically come from the camera to power the microphone. Ask AVTech what the specs are for the microphone. Usually if it says audio in, that requires a mic with a pre-amp, if it says MIC then a regular mic should work. Online search for CCTV mic, there lots of choices in all price ranges from a cheap $15 one to decent ones above $50 USD. The AVTechs I have have built-in mic and they work well.