Need help replacing a system

[TruckingExp 0]

The company I work for has 2 separate analog systems. One is a 16 channel un-branded DVR and the other is a Windows 7 PC using VGA capture cards, it supports 36 channels. There are a total of 56 cameras.

 

We do not have the admin passwords for either unit. (Don't ask) My boss wants me to come up with a cost effective solution to get all the cameras working; I want to replace the entire thing with IP cameras. HD is a priority to him but cost is a bigger one. I am primarily a server/networking guy so I am a little out of my element here.

 

Since we cannot access the DVRs and don't have vendor support, option one is to replace the DVRs and use the existing cameras. I have found a couple 32 channel analog DVRs online at about the $1100 mark. Add another $400 for hard drives. We won't need to buy new cameras or run new cable but won't have HD video.

 

Option 2 is to replace everything with an NVR and IP cameras. I am trying to decided the best route for the NVR. A beefed up PC with DVR software (such as Blue Iris), I don't think one can handle all 56 cameras though so we will likely need 2 pretty high spec PCs. I have been looking at the Dahua NVRs.

 

http://www.securitycameraking.com/32-channel-federal-series-2u-60110-prd1.html

This one says it supports 64 channels, but what is a channel to an NVR? Will it do 64 channels at 720 or 1080 with 15 fps? (Doesn't seem likely). So I would probably need 2 units with this option as well

 

I am thinking to get all cameras on one unit we would need something higher end, like this one - http://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/nvr60646064d6064dr-289.html

 

Of course this also means running new cable to all the cameras (which hopefully I can outsource)

 

Can anyone help?

[Don Stephens 0]

The link you provided from Security Camera King's site is for a 32 channel DVR. I know it doesn't support 64 channels and I'm not sure where you're seeing that it does.

 

The 64 channel NVR you linked to is actually a 128 channel NVR. It can do 30fps at 720p, and 15fps at 1080p. I imagine this would be more than sufficient as an upgrade to the existing system.

 

If you want to go the PC based route, I would agree with you that you'd need multiple PCs to handle the workload.

 

Dahua also manufactures 64 channel analog DVRs. You wouldn't necessarily have to use multiple 32 channels if you wanted to keep your existing cameras.

 

What can you tell us about the existing cable? Is it RG59, pre-made, old Cat5 cable, solid copper, copper clad...There might be a more economical HD option for you to consider.

[TruckingExp 0]

Sorry, I have so many tabs open trying to research this.

 

This is the 64 channel Dahua NVR I was referring to. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DAHUA-64ch-1080P-720P-D1-1-5U-network-video-recorder-onvif-support-4HDD-with-1ESATA-NVR7464/1747086995.html

Can this handle 64 cameras at 720 or 1080? Or is it only 64 at the lowest setting?

[Don Stephens 0]

My math might be off but I think the most you're going to get out of this one with 64 channels is about 15fps at 720p or about 7fps at 1080p. I'm admittedly not all that familiar with this model and the specs I can find on aren't very forthcoming.

 

I don't know that this is your best option for a complete solution depending on the resolution you want and the frame rate you're shooting for.

[TruckingExp 0]

Sounds like this is more like what we would need. Its the 64 channel version of the model I first posted. http://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/nvr60646064d6064dr-289.html

 

This would likely be cheaper than going with two computers that are able to handle 32 cameras each.

 

Now to convince management to spend the cash.

[Don Stephens 0]

Again, it really depends on what resolution and frame rate you're after, but I get the impression that the bigger unit is more along the lines of what you want.