Security System Help (Need to sift through the BS)

[juniorlxa 0]

Hello all,

 

Complete newbie here and I've done more research about home surveillance systems over the last few days than I ever care to again. I was relieved to see this forum existed and hope to take advantage of some real experts who can help me sift through all the information out there and some of the BS I may be getting fed by some of the contractors giving me quotes.

 

Quick background, I'm looking for a residential surveillance system. I prefer all digital but am not opposed to an analog system. My home is about 4,000 sq ft and I want a combination of indoor and outdoor cameras capturing all critical access points and an overall view of each side of my house. Basically, I think I need between 10-12 cameras (ideally, 2 front, 2 on each side, 3 in the back and 3 inside).

 

So here's the questions:

 

1) What is the highest TVL I should bother with?

 

2) If digital cameras are my solution, what is the highest MP I should go with for home use?

 

3) What type DVR, NVR or hybrid system should I use? How many TBs for a 12 camera system if I want to continuously record?

 

4) Should I be concerned with all the other features out there, like types of chipsets, etc etc or just buy a high TVL or Digital camera and the rest will take care of itself?

 

I received a quote from a guy who he keeps pushing a 1000TVL camera system on me and wants to pair it with a 960H/WD1 DVR @ 1 TB. The quote looked like this:

 

12 - 1000TVL 1/2.8" CCTV Sony 2.8~12mm Varifocal Lens ($205 for each camera -- so $2,460)

1 - Genesis Hybrid DVR 16 channel full 960H/WD1 480fps, HDMI output and Smartphone compatible ($450)

Labor - 16 hours @ $65/hr ($1,040)

Free DDNS setup and 2 year warranty for a total price of $3,950.

 

First off, does that seem like a reasonable price for that type of equipment and the amount being installed?

 

Secondly, are the cameras overkill for the type DVR I'm getting?

 

And lastly, I'm worried about the product itself. He wrote Sony in the description, but when I asked about it more the product isn't made by Sony but he said the EFFIO chip inside is a Sony product. When I asked what the brand of the camera was he didn't have a specific name, which makes me think it's some Chinese knockoff product. I was able to look the box up online for the DVR (see attached pic) and it didn't even have a brand name. Couldn't find it anywhere online by the model number he provided, so I'm concerned it they're going to be cheap knockoffs that fail shortly after install.

 

One final question, are there certain brands I should gravitate towards and ones I should avoid like the plague? More vendors coming this week and 1 said they use Guardaplex and the other said they use LTS.

 

Thanks again and any help insight you can provide is greatly appreciated!!

[the toss 0]

So much to say about this, I'll do it in point form -

* most cctv stuff is from China so don't let that be a factor. The effio chipset is quality.

* 1000 tvl is sales bull, max useable is 580 ntsc , 620 pal & 750 @ 960H. Don't let the 1000 tvl claim be a factor in your decision.

* one of the main differences with entry level DVRs is the ease of use , espescially image retrieval. Smartphone compatible is standard nowdays.

* the price seems reasonable & you get a 2yr warranty which is a good start.

* since it appears to be a "kit" it will come with miniture coax which is nothing more than shielded audio cable and is the cause of much grief with these types of installations. I'd try to talk him into swapping it out for real (copper) RG59 coax.

* rather than worry too nuch about tvl or chipsets have a closer look at other camera features like wide dynamic response , backlight compensation , smart IP etc

Hope this helps you out.

[juniorlxa 0]

Thank you for the information, especially the TVL/DVR clarification. I know it was a lengthy email and a lot to address.

 

My point about the knockoff products from overseas wasn't to sound naive that the reality is many of these products are made over there, but was more so to ask if I should be worried about these no name brands?

 

Because they probably lack good quality control like a name brand, have zero customer support in the event of tech questions or repair support, etc etc. Granted my installer has given a 2 year warranty, but that's his own personal warranty then after that time period I'm stuck with a product that may not last the duration I need it to.

 

Either way, thank you again, especially for the TVL/DVR clarification.

[milkisbad 0]

Generally, the larger your coverage area, the higher the megapixel you should go.

 

Most affordable now are 1.3mp and 3mp fixed lens IP cameras, in 2.8mm and 4mm

 

You don't really need varifocal lens unless you have a far away target area.

 

Warranty shouldn't cost you too much extra, because it doesn't cost the installers too much extra.

 

Camera and DVR and hard drives usually have different warranty periods, DVR are 2 years and cameras are 1 year. Ask him if he also covers the cameras for two years.

 

Go with the LTS installer haha but their company tech support is a hit or miss, usually you have to call your installer then they call LTS for support, end user have to wait if its really busy. Warranty/repair they are good they won't give you BS reasons on why you can't return something as long as its under warranty, just don't cut the video/power cables (it voids the warranty), and no repair/labor/replacement fee if under warranty (don't know if the vendor will charge you though).

 

Actually for warranty the installer must ask the supplier for replacement, you as the end user cannot do it. Because the supplier doesn't have the end user's information (can't just give out replacement to anyone that said they bought from them right?). SO, if your installer goes out of business or disappears a month after your job, then you are pretty much on your own for the warranty period.

[juniorlxa 0]

Anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with SnapAV Wirepath line of cameras/DVRs?

 

Also, trying to understand these different image sensors and which ones I should be trying to get in my cameras. I've seen Sony Effio and Sony Super HAD II. Any insight into the two?

 

Thank you...