CCTV Novice

[videoteks 0]

Hi

 

I am going to attempt a CCTV installation for a friend who has a landscape nursery. Initially I would like to install 4 cameras with the option to grow the system to up to 16 cameras. There will be one camera installed in the business office (dome) , and 3 cameras installed in the nursery (outdoors). The outdoor cameras maybe up to 500 ft from the office. I would like to put in a system that records the highest quality image, and a system that allows remote monitoring from smart phone, or home pc. The DVR/NVR needs to provide plenty of storage, and would like the option for remote storage (back up).

 

I am quite tech savvy with a good knowledge of computers and electronics, but I am a complete novice in CCTV. I have done some research, but I am a bit overwhelmed by the vast amount of equipment and systems available. I am looking for some guidance, and I am hoping you good folks will be able to provide it.

 

I know that is a pretty broad question so please forgive my ignorance in this field, and if there are some obvious ommissions please let me know so that I can provide more information. I am trying to decide on a wired/wireless system, DVR vs. NVR, and perhaps get some feedback regarding reliable suppliers of CCTV equipement, budget is not necessicarily the most important factor. I am looking for quality and equipment that won't obsolete in 3 years.

[shockwave199 0]

I am looking for quality and equipment that won't obsolete in 3 years.

Don't hold your breath on that one. Higher and higher resolution keeps coming to the consumer market. You have IP/MP, HD-SDI, and soon HDCVI will be easily available and somewhat the rage, I figure. If it were just for YOU personally, you could build a system that is as future proof as you can make it at the moment- a marvel of power and resolution. But for a friend who has a landscape nursery, to me the goal is to satisfy them and make it easy for them to keep their arms around long term without the need to drag you back into it for every little thing. It's amazing how it happens when you put a system in for a friend or family that YOU become the person who is called on to do the backing up, the exporting of events, the library of storage, and all manner of tweaks! So put in a decent system, but one they can actually manage themselves.

 

First things first- what really is the need? Has there been theft? Is it likely there will be because of a bad or notorious area? What's the facility like? Is it well lighted all night or does it go dark? How many entrances are there? How well is the whole facility fenced in? How many long runs of cable do you foresee, really? Anything off of the office building will need to be trenched. Is 16 channels really anticipated, or is it more or less? On what will the cameras be mounted away from the office building? What really is the overall entire budget, including the installation costs- not just the cctv equipment? Is high def mega pixel an absolute want for them, or will analog suffice?

 

Those answers will help define more the system you consider.

[videoteks 0]

Thanks shockwave199 for your reply. Ok there has been a theft in the past, but probably an inside job. The nursery is in a good area but not sucured by a fence. The goal is to be able to identify clearly any theft from outside or from employees. At night there is minimal lighting. One entrance. Could be as many as 5 long runs, but we have equipment to bury cables where ever necessary. I think 8 cameras would probably be enough, but just wanted to make sure he has room for expansion. Cameras will be mounted on wooden poles (like telephone poles) or on outbuildings. The labor I am providing Free/Trade. Equipment / supplies $2000 - $2500. High Def is not a must, but identification is the key, for the sake of a few hundred bucks I think they would prefer a higher res image.

[shockwave199 0]

Well depending, the office building alone could take 4 or more cameras. Is there a warehouse or anything like that too? In any case, as far as vendors I've bought from and have done well for me, they are mentioned in my videos in my signature link. Outside of Q-see and Openeye, which I wouldn't recommend in your case, there are three other vendors that I certainly would. Among the three you'll find everything you'll need- two of them carrying everything you'd need. Costco is another way to go, although I don't favor that personally. Wherever you buy, you might as well get a high def system. But within that is whole range of choices. There's hardware NVR's, software and computer NVR's, cameras ranging from 1-3 mega pixel, different brands, on and on. You know, a good place to read for a bit is here-

 

http://www.networkcameracritic.com/

 

Once you're set on high def, that blog can help you fine tune what will be right for you. Personally, I favor dahua and hardware dvr's/nvr's rather than a computer for the task. But that's me. Hope some of this helps you get a grip a little bit.