Recommendations for an IP Cam in a small server room

[Metro 0]

Hello All,

 

I'm wanting to install a IP Cam in a remote server room that I support. The room is quite small and should be well lit (more on that in a minute) by overhead florescent lighting.

 

I'd like to mount an IP Cam that would allow me to keep an eye on things in the room and, if needed, zoom in on some component (e.g. a network patch panel) to help troubleshoot remotely.

 

I suspect I'll need a PTZ camera with 3-5 megapixel resolution (open to advice on that front). I have experience with Foscams, Trendnet Cams, and my new Hikvision ds-2cd2132-i cam that I like. I also use BlueIris at home, but haven't decided yet if that's the system I'll employ at this office.

 

The rooms dimensions are 8 by 9 feet. The main server rack is directly across from the door to the room, 8 feet away (though about 6 feet from the front of the rack), and is what I will want to concentrate on. I had planned to mount a cam directly above the door to look at the rack and the surrounding room, but am also open to location suggestions.

 

Lastly, regarding the light in the room. The room is still under construction, so the lighting is still malleable. Ideally, for energy reasons, I'd like to keep that light off most of the time, but if at night I need to turn on the camera, I'd like to also be able to turn on that light. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Anyways, thanks for any help you can provide. I understand I asked a handful of questions, so if you're willing to help and only want to bite off part of this, I'm still greatly appreciative.

 

Thanks!

[buellwinkle 0]

PTZ can be expensive and the only 3MP I know if Dahua and it's about $1,500. I would recommend an ACTi E96 for that room. It's 5MP fisheye that gives you a 360 degree view of the room and the images are corrected to look like you have 4 cameras. Costs about $260 shipped for short time while they have a promotion. PM me if you are interested. The best value at the moment for a PTZ, is the 1080P Dahua mini PTZ, has 3X optical zoom and runs $599.

[Metro 0]

PTZ can be expensive and the only 3MP I know if Dahua and it's about $1,500. I would recommend an ACTi E96 for that room. It's 5MP fisheye that gives you a 360 degree view of the room and the images are corrected to look like you have 4 cameras. Costs about $260 shipped for short time while they have a promotion. PM me if you are interested. The best value at the moment for a PTZ, is the 1080P Dahua mini PTZ, has 3X optical zoom and runs $599.

 

 

Wow, thank you for your help. I appreciate the advice and am shocked that there's such a jump from a static 3MP camera to a PTZ. I wonder how much detail I could get at 6-8 feet with the 1080p Dahua. I'll have to look at some reviews of that camera.

 

Thank you for your help again.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Guest

[Metro 0]

I wonder if I need PTZ if my main area of focus is straight in front of the camera with peripherals no wider than about 45 degrees each direction from center. Is there a good value 3MP with optical zoom?

 

Thanks again all!

Edited November 7, 2013 by Guest

[Metro 0]

This must be the Dahua 1080P cam you mentioned. I wonder how much detail I could pull from 6 feet on a 1080P.

http://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/sd3282d-gn-288.html

 

Looks good, though.

 

Thanks again!

[luckyfella 0]

I have one extra of that Dahua PTZ. Instead of 599, I could let it for for 550.00. It's brand new. I bought a bunch of them and never

had a place for this one. I also have a video sample of one that I am using or I can let you log into it and try it out if you want. Do not PM

me, cause I'm not allowed to reply.

[luckyfella 0]

I have that dahua ptz if you want one. I can let you have it for 550. It's brand new.

[buellwinkle 0]

Yes, that's it. I like the Dahua PTZ and have used a few of it's bigger brother with 18x zoom. I can send you a link to those. How much detail do you need at 6-8 feet? With the 3X PTZ and 1080P, I would imagine you can read newsprint.

[Metro 0]

Yes, that's it. I like the Dahua PTZ and have used a few of it's bigger brother with 18x zoom. I can send you a link to those. How much detail do you need at 6-8 feet? With the 3X PTZ and 1080P, I would imagine you can read newsprint.

 

Hello and thanks again. I just noticed your NetworkCameraCritic.com signature. I've been there quite a few times and found it very helpful, keep up the good work!

 

This may be a pipe dream, but it'd be great to see the labels on the patch panel across the room and be able to double-check the local employees' work and verify certain connections or even, heaven forbid, read the text on the 19" screen in case of a lock up or something like that. Anyways, was trying to kill as many birds with one stone as is possible with just one camera.

 

Okay, then even though it was a bit more than I wanted to spend, I think I'll advocate for that Dahua 1080P PTZ.

 

Thanks so much!

Edited November 8, 2013 by Guest

[Metro 0]

I have one extra of that Dahua PTZ. Instead of 599, I could let it for for 550.00. It's brand new. I bought a bunch of them and never

had a place for this one. I also have a video sample of one that I am using or I can let you log into it and try it out if you want. Do not PM

me, cause I'm not allowed to reply.

 

Hi Luckyfella, thanks for the offer! If you have a video sample or, even better, a login for one, I'd love to take a look.

[Thsoer 0]

Hellow Metro, are you sure you need a 3-5 megapixel camera? I sell home IP camera, I think 1.0 Megapixel is enough for a room monitoring, really. See if this can help you: http://www.ipcamprice.com/megapixel-ip-cameras-c-41.html

 

If you locate in US, I can give you a 20% discount and free shipping. My email: vigossjame@gmail.com