Home Server + CCTV + Media Centre - is it possible?

[4Qman 0]

Hi All,

 

This is my first post

 

I need some help with selecting the correct components to ensure i can record CCTV and also use the system as a Server and Media Center.

 

SYSTEM SPEC:

i3 540- 3.06Ghz

Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H Intel H55 (Socket 1156) microATX Motherboard http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3503#sp

4GB Ram DDR3 1333mhz

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6450 1024MB GDDR3

Hard Drive Configuration

60GB SSD - OS Drive

128GB SSD - CCTV Record Drive

2TB External ESATA - CCTV Backup Drive

3x2TB Internal HDD - Media Storage

 

CCTV Hardware:

Router = Billion 7800N

Netgear GS108PE ProSafe Plus 8-port Switch

IP CAMERA 2x Dahua HDB3200C (2mb)

IP CAMERA 1x Dahua HFW3200SP (2mb)

 

Software

Operating system = Still unsure, either windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 Essential

CCTV Software = Blue Iris

 

 

I am having the odd stutter with the cameras. They are set to record on motion detection, when i play back the video it stutters for a few moments then continues.

 

Can i use an SSD to act as the drive for the CCTV recordings?

 

Do you see any weak points in the System specification and can you help improve it.

[vector18 1]

I would like to see more RAM installed. The SSD is a good choice and everything else looks good.

[jeromephone 6]

don't know if it makes a difference but we always use I5 or I7 processors also ditto on upgrading the ram

[Kawboy12R 0]

I'm wondering about your SSD drive for CCTV and the eSATA " CCTV backup" drive. Not sure how things are configured or why you'd have a 2TB backup drive for a 128gig recording drive, but what happens if you take the backup drive out of the picture? Just wondering if it is waking up and causing the stutters when things first start to record.

 

Also, an i3 isn't exactly overkill for a triple-duty server if occasional dropped frames are never allowed. And why is the operating system choice still up in the air if things are up and running and you're experiencing stuttering? Personally, I'd replace the Windows 8 option with Windows 7. CCTV stuff seems to be slow or stagnant when adopting new operating systems, so 7 might lock you out of fewer options. "Windows", "latest", and "greatest" don't always work well in a sentence together unless it is put together by Microsoft salesmen.

 

I just got an i7 3770 system for basically the same duties you've looking for and stuck Win 7 on it. No SSD but the system drives are RAID 0. I'll see how they perform before deciding if they'll be data drives with an SSD main drive or if I'll keep them and put in a third drive solely for CCTV storage.

[SectorSecurity 0]

SSD's have a read/write cycle limit on them, and degrade over time with use, so a 128GB drive acting as a recording drive will not last you very long.

 

also SSD is not written to in the same fashion as a regular hard drive, there is a complex algorithm that is used when writing to SSD, which sees data being moved around and cleaned up and such to help prolong the life of the drive.

 

I would say use SATA hard drives for your recording, possibly do a RAID configuration. You will find SSD will not give you the performance you think it will.

[4Qman 0]

I will upgrade the ram . I will also see if i can find an i5 CPU.

 

I was still unsure on windows8 as i was looking to use the Server for more application, having the option to setup more network related tasks.

 

Can anyone recommend a good RAID CARD, something thats not too expensive.

[Kawboy12R 0]

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4306/highpoint_rocketraid_2720sgl_sata_6g_raid_controller_review/index11.html

[4Qman 0]

Many thanks for the link, ive found the card at a UK retailer so ill order.

 

Do you think that 2x 10,000rpm VelociRaptors RADID 0 is overkill for CCTV record drives?

 

If it is can you recommend 2 HDD that will work RAID 0 and give the performance i need to avoid stuttering?

[Kawboy12R 0]

Two Velociraptors in RAID 0 is definitely overkill to record your three cameras. Overkill for a file server that does 3 or more cams plus other duties? Maybe, maybe not. Your current problems aren't caused by too-slow sustained drive throughput though because the stuttering cleans up after a short while. Even a single WD Red or Black data drive dedicated to CCTV recording should be fine for the cameras you're using and still have lots of extra speed for more cameras later, assuming that a single drive will store enough video for you.

 

IMHO, the best way to speed up simultateous file accessing is to separate the data onto different drives when possible so no head thrashing. That kills HD speeds. Probably one drive for CCTV (probably only one or two clients and 24/7 use) with the number of cams you have and then RAID the "extra" drives for file/video serving for when the whole family wants to watch different movies while someone else decides to do a major file backup or something. RAID 0 or similar might not be required, but like a wise man once said- There's no thrill like overkill.

[4Qman 0]

I love that saying, never hear it before. " title="Applause" />

 

I will look at the WD RED and i think ill go with the RAID CARD and do as you have said for the FILE hosting.

 

If i still get issues im going to strip my MAIN gaming PC which has an i7 3.5ghz and 16GB Ram. I think im just going to turn that into the server along with the RAID card and the SSD for the operating system.

 

I will try first with the WD red and let you know how i get on.

 

Thanks again for the advice.