System for a farm?

[turboturbo 0]

So... I am completely new to this whole CCTV thing but this forum provides a lot of information and valuable insights, thanks for all the contributions! They are especially useful for newbies like me.

 

Right now we are building a greenhouse (hydroponics) in some rural areas in Hong Kong. The size is around 61x44 meters (200x144ft), surround by 2 meter tall fence. Since we will be only working at the greenhouse only from 5am to 11am daily, it will empty most of the time. A reliable CCTV system is a must have for us.

 

Some facts:

- Inside the greenhouse, humidity will be over 90% through out the year

- During the summer, the temperature goes up to 97F and down to 40F in Winter

- It rains quite a lot during the summer.

 

 

Here are some ideas regarding the set up:

- 3 cameras on each side of farm, thus 12 cameras in total for outside.

- probably another 12 cameras located inside the greenhouse to monitor labours/visitors, and the growth of vegetables.

- 2 more cameras inside the container office.

- All of them must be 1080P and have good IR

 

There will be 26 cameras in total. And here are some questions...

1. PoE should be ok for powering any camera less than 100meters (330ft) from the switch, right?

 

2. Which PTZ outdoor cameras are recommended? I think I will be getting one Axis Q6035-C for the main entrance. (btw, there is only one entrance to the farm). Probably something cheaper for the rest.

 

3. Since there is a chance of water leakage from the roof, I prefer the cameras to be waterproof.

 

4. Any suggestions on PoE switches/routers?

 

Software Requirement:

1. Motion detection as usual

2. notification / alerts / Push service to cell phone and email

3. able to view the CCTVs from phone apps (either iphone or android will be fine)

 

I will be using a PC for the recording.

 

My budget is 7K USD - is it relistic? Attached is the layout of the greenhouse. There will be two 20" container office at one of the sides of the office, where the PC will be stored.

[buellwinkle 0]

I like the Axis Q60, but no IR illuminators, so will the lights be on all the time. Hikvision and Dahua make excellent 1080P speed domes with staged IR illuminators. Actually replaced a Q6035-e with a Dahua because the customer did not like the Q60.

 

If the lights are on all the time, ACTi will have an ultra wide angle lens (101 degrees) in about two weeks with 10MP of resolution for pretty cheap, the E97, I know one place that will sell them for $260 each. So put one at each corner, get simultanous coverage from 4 angles (not something you can do with PTZ) and it's cheaper than the least expensive PTZ. Keep in mind, if you put the speed dome on patrol, it stops at each presets, so the amount of time at each camera divided by the number of presets. Also, check the warranty, many speed domes limit the warranty if you have the camera on continuous patrol because it wears out the motors.

[turboturbo 0]

I read your website for a few hours, and seems Hikvisions and Dahua for indoor might be better choices considering I do have a limited budget.

 

And yes, are you going to review the ACTi any time soon? It doesn't have IR tho, which can be a major concern at night. Wish they have IR version, but can be a problem for such a wide lens.

[buellwinkle 0]

Never seen anyone produce a fisheye with IR LEDs, but that's why I asked if you had lights on all the time. It's too hard for me to review an indoor fisheye camera as it's best suited for a business like a jewelry store with some form of lights on all the time.

 

Dahua and Hikvision would be the least expensive way to go for IR bullets/domes. But what I don't understand is you mentioned an Axis camera that costs $3,500, one without IR LEDs, how did you go from that to cameras costing under $200?

[turboturbo 0]

I saw the video quality of both Hikvision and Dahua, and found the quality is actually pretty good. Furthermore, I am located in Hong Kong, it is likely I can obtain them at a decent price too.

 

I think I will getting full set of Hik/Dahua first and, if I'm not satisfy with the quality, i will move to something more expensive, such as Axis.

 

XProtect seems to be quite a decent choice to pair up with these cameras too.

[turboturbo 0]

and no, I won't keep the lights on.

[buellwinkle 0]

Since you are in that region, you should also look at the more established players from Taiwan, ACTi, Geovision, Messoa, Vivotek. Maybe not as inexpensive, but probably better service, support and many include free NVR software that may offset the price differential.

[joseph.chen0312 0]

Which type of lighting you disposed inside of gren houswe, does LED or high power tungsten lamp? Camera under those two type will rendering total different picture.

 

ACTI, Bricom, Vivotek all is fine and you better consider install industrial cable and ethernet device at aisle in farm for refrain from water immersing.

 

Does it possible to install solar pannel for supply power to those device. I assume 7000K would be ok for total equipement.

[turboturbo 0]

I have heard mixed reviews on Vivotek, still researching on ACTi and Bricom. It is much easier for me to get DaHua or Hikvision at much lower so called US distribution prices.

 

It will be using LED lights 50watts x 75pcs.

 

Skipping solar this time due to restriction on the constructions.

[MaxIcon 0]

I've had mostly good luck with my Vivoteks, but the Dahua and Hik cams give better value these days. Hiks are better overall, IMO, but Dahua has better low light images. I've never tried ACTi, but they're only a little more than Hik and Dahua, and reportedly provide better support.

[turboturbo 0]

For the reference, 2cd2032 can be purchased for 93.50USD shipped to HK, while 2cd2732f is 138USD shipped.

 

I believe Hik is a no brainer considering the quality and reputation is quite good. I will also have a bit more to spend on the PC, as well as a higher quality PoE switch.