Review My First IP Camera System Design - (16ch, GeoVision)

[adioking 0]

I've been lingering in this forum for awhile now, and its time I finally posted. I am installing a 16ch IP system into a convenience store and have some questions about the system design, as I've only previously done analog systems.

 

Goals

- Record 30-45 days of video

- Monitor employees remotely, via iPhone / PC*

 

*Note: The convenience store is located in the middle of the desert and the fastest Internet available is 4G LTE. The store is currently utilizing satellite Internet through Hughes Net (quite slow!)

 

Questions

1) Do I need an NVR to accomplish my goals?

2) What is the difference between a hinged server enclosure and a non-hinged server enclosure?

3) Assuming I need an NVR, what NVR should I go with? My local Fry's will custom build a PC-based NVR for me.

4) Does my NVR need special PCI cards, or can I use a single ethernet port and connect it to my PoE switch?

5) Do I need to get micro-SD cards for each of my IP cameras for any reason?

 

Current System Design

- Custom built PC-based NVR at Fry's, Intel i7 CPU.

- 1 Tripp Lite Server Enclosure (http://amzn.com/B003LD1U8Y)

- 7 GV-VD120D (1.3mp, vandal-dome) (http://amzn.com/B0058M8P2U)

- 8 GV-MFD1501-1F (1.3mp, mini-fixed-dome 4mm) (http://amzn.com/B00H2WH1K6)

- 1 GV-FE110 (1.3mp, fisheye) (http://amzn.com/B004AXLD9U)

- 1 Cisco SF300-24P 24-port 10/100 PoE Managed Switch (http://amzn.com/B0041ORNFQ)

- 3 Seagate ST4000VM000 4 TB 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (http://amzn.com/B00C46L1IS)

- CyberPower OR700LCDRM1U Smart App LCD UPS 700VA 400W SNMP/HTTP Rackmount (http://amzn.com/B000XJLLKG)

- 1000ft Aurum Cables 4 pair CAT5e - 24 AWG (http://amzn.com/B008EX2S0K)

- 50 ft 1/2" Conduit (for exterior cameras)

- 2 24" LED Monitors

 

Am I missing anything that I should have? Any suggestions on my system design? Looking forward to a successful first IP system install!

 

Thanks!

Dan

[ssnapier 0]

You have a few options. Geovision sells license keys to put their NVR software on your machine (it is a USB dongle actually) or you could buy one of their analog video cards and install that, then the analog cards allow syou to use their software and add IP cameras to the system. The card would act as your dongle in this case. I cannot recall which is cheaper right now, but it is easy enough to find out.

 

The next option would be a pre-built NVR from Geovision. Their Cube NVR supports up to 32 channels and with a 2TB HD it would cost somewhere around $1800. This seems like the easiest option to me, it is always preferred (in my opinion) to stick with one brand all the way thru if possible. Especially on smaller systems because the support will be easier and interoperability issues tend to be far less or non-existent.

 

The other option would be to look at something like Nuuo.... again, this will limit the cameras features you can use and support would be there, just not as simple as having it all from one place.

[adioking 0]

I would be interested in the GeoVision system, but I don't think 2TB is going to do as far as space.

 

I do see that some software came with the few GeoVision cameras that I've ordered. Are you saying that I would have to purchase an additional license in order to view these IP cameras on a custom built NVR, even though I have the disc that comes with each GeoVision camera?

[ssnapier 0]

I would be interested in the GeoVision system, but I don't think 2TB is going to do as far as space.

 

I do see that some software came with the few GeoVision cameras that I've ordered. Are you saying that I would have to purchase an additional license in order to view these IP cameras on a custom built NVR, even though I have the disc that comes with each GeoVision camera?

 

 

It has been a while, but last time I did it you needed licenses for each camera. The software is only half the equation.

[gb5102 0]

If you are using all Geovision IP cams, you do not need a license dongle or any PCI cards to run GV-NVR software, just download and install it. The only time you need license is if you want to use non-Geo cams with the GV-NVR.

[gb5102 0]

Questions

1) Do I need an NVR to accomplish my goals?

2) What is the difference between a hinged server enclosure and a non-hinged server enclosure?

3) Assuming I need an NVR, what NVR should I go with? My local Fry's will custom build a PC-based NVR for me.

4) Does my NVR need special PCI cards, or can I use a single ethernet port and connect it to my PoE switch?

5) Do I need to get micro-SD cards for each of my IP cameras for any reason?

 

1. NVR will centralize the access to the video, so definitely much easier to manage compared to not having NVR and using local SD cards installed in each cam for recording

 

2. not sure what you mean here

 

3. I personally would use GV-NVR, it is a solid system with plenty of customization options, there may be a learning curve on your first install, but really its not too bad and you seem to be intelligent...

 

4. IP cams would connect to PoE switch, NVR would connect to the switch also. I would use a dedicated network for the cams, either VLAN or completely seperate

 

5. I have not had a real need for this feature though I have played with it and found SD card recording to be unreliable with GV cams, specifically I have seen the filesystem on the card become corrupted after a power outage, however I have not tested it on the most recent firmware so maybe its fixed.

[gb5102 0]

- 1000ft Aurum Cables 4 pair CAT5e - 24 AWG (http://amzn.com/B008EX2S0K)

 

RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS CABLE!!!!

Its copper-clad aluminum, not solid copper. Absolute garbage...and not allowed by code.

 

Get a reputable brand like commscope, belden, berk-tek, etc. I would buy the cable from an electrical/datacom supply house

[adioking 0]

- 1000ft Aurum Cables 4 pair CAT5e - 24 AWG (http://amzn.com/B008EX2S0K)

 

RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS CABLE!!!!

Its copper-clad aluminum, not solid copper. Absolute garbage...and not allowed by code.

 

Get a reputable brand like commscope, belden, berk-tek, etc. I would buy the cable from an electrical/datacom supply house

 

Ah! Glad you mentioned something! I would have dreaded double running because the first run was cheap.

 

Any use for pre-terminated cat-6 here instead, or is cat-5e just fine?

[gb5102 0]

Good quality cat5e will be fine, my cable of choice for cams is Berk-Tek LanMark-350(Made in USA!). Cat6 is definitely higher performing cable, but as long as your cable/crimps/distances/etc are within spec, you won't see any difference. If the cable is being run in a plenum space make sure you get CMP rated cable.

 

Also if you are 'green' at terminating your own cables, check out EZ-RJ45 connectors: http://www.ezrj45.com/ezrj45plugs.php

 

You need their crimper but they definitely make it easy and quick for a beginner to make a proper crimp. I learned with those, once I got the feel for it i 'graduated' to standard RJ45s. And make sure you don't cheap out on the connectors, there is some pretty bad ones out there- shatter when you crimp, contacts bend over instead of down...etc. AMP/Tyco is good...

[gb5102 0]

Forgot to add:

I would be cautious buying GV cams thru amazon, they are on the un-authorized resellers list

http://www.usavisionsys.com/?page_id=120

[adioking 0]

Thanks for the tips; I'll definitely avoid that cat5e cable. The Berk-Tek LanMark-350 you suggested seems incredibly expensive though... I'm considering just going with pre-terminated cat6 (http://amzn.com/B007NZHQDY) at lengths ranging from 25ft to 100ft. I am fine with terminated cat5e, but I've read article after article saying that cat6 termination is a real pain in the ass. I will be running this cable above my drop ceiling, but we are in the desert so I wouldn't really consider this area to be plenum since we hardly ever run any sort of heating elements.

 

As for the cameras, I haven't purchased any from Amazon, but thanks for the link regarding resellers!

 

Looking forward to facing this challenge!

[gb5102 0]

Plenum ceiling is when they use the area above the drop ceiling for the HVAC system's air return.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plenum_space

 

Make sure your cables are rated for the intended application, most patch cables aren't rated. NEC article 800 applies, also 725 since PoE is class-2 power-limited circuit.

Cable ratings reference: http://www.hca.hitachi-cable.com/products/hcm/faq/data/NEC-UL-hierarchy.pdf

[Ramellan 0]

I think the main issue you will have is remote monitoring. I doubt you will be able to see as much as you want with a slower internet connection.

 

In all honesty I would recommend a simpler system or you might as well not watch them at all.