Need advice on replacing DVRs

[MaxIcon 0]

I've got a dozen or so Sony HSR-X200 DVRs that I use to monitor equipment operation, and I need to buy a couple more DVRs. The Sonys appear to be discontinued, and I'd like something a bit more modern anyway.

 

The Sonys are single-channel MJPEG recorders (here are the specs - http://www.123securityproducts.com/newsondigrec.html), and have worked fine for a few years now, but getting video off of them is a big pain, as it needs to be copied to a flash card, which is really slow. They've got an embedded web server, but it's a bit primitive. This is the only DVR I've used, so I've only got limited experience.

 

I'd appreciate any advice on what would be a good brand/model to replace these with, as well as any vendor recommendations. I'm in Silicon Valley.

 

The budget is around $800-1200 each, and here's some detail on the application.

 

- Single channel is fine, but a 4 channel would be better if it would fit in the budget, as some of the equipment uses 2 cameras.

 

- Frame resolution needs to be 720x480, and good quality is important.

 

- 10-15 IPS is what we typically use now.

 

- 24-48 hours on the HD is good. I can add HDs later, as the budget recovers, so smaller is OK initially if there's room for a second.

 

- Networked, but only for limited use. There wouldn't be constant 'net monitoring.

 

- Plug'n'forget is critical - no PC based systems, must be very stable.

 

- Easy data copying would be nice - USB, CDR, or similar.

 

- Continuing recording while viewing/copying is critical - triplex, or whatever.

 

- They run full time, 24x7 - no alarms/motion detectors.

 

- An archive area on the HD would be very useful. The Sonys have this, but I don't know how common it is.

 

I've tried to research a bit (how I found this great site), but it's making my head spin.

 

I found a Samsung that sounded good - http://www.samsung.com/Products/DVRs/StandaloneDVR/DVRs_StandaloneDVR_SHR_2040.asp - but it's Samsung GVI, which doesn't seem too popular with the regulars here.

 

Anyhow, I really appreciate any help and advice.

 

Max

 

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[crirvine 0]

Max to each his own but we have just under 100 pc based systems that are very stable. We go to the manufactor classes weset them up and give the end user veiw search copy print rights and they run very stable if left alone (no changes to the OS no changes to the DVR software) Theys are in banks scool systems ect.

[CollinR 0]

Another vote for considering a PC based system.

 

 

Max your requirements are a walk in the park for a PC based system that fits into your budget. Plus you would have access to a world of addition goodness.

 

 

Some of your parameters that get me with "stand alone" DVRs.

 

Easy data copying would be nice - USB, CDR, or similar.

 

Continuing recording while viewing/copying is critical - triplex, or whatever.

 

An archive area on the HD would be very useful.

 

Those are basic PC DVR features but are a tall order all in the same standalone.

 

 

Also keep in mind you wouldn't be in this situation if you had a PC DVR as you could simply swap cards or upgrade CPU/memory. If you go standalone you are setting yourself up for going through this again in the future.

 

 

I'm biased, but I don't think some extra education hurts ya any.

 

Welcome to the board.

[MaxIcon 0]

Thanks for the input, but PC based systems aren't really in the cards for this, for a few reasons listed below.

 

The standalones work well in this environment, and are simple to use, so little training is needed for the techs, which is a big issue for us.

 

Really, the Sonys do the job very well, except for getting the data off and the lame network interface, and some are some still available out there, but I was hoping to test out a newer design.

 

I've found a few that look promising, but different manufacturer's specs can be difficult to compare sometimes.

 

Here are some that look like they might work for me:

 

GE/Kalatel DSR-2000E single channel

http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/site/GESecurity/menuitem.f76d98ccce4cabed5efa421766030730?selectedID=6396&seriesyn=true&seriesID=

 

Nuvico NVDV2 quad channel

http://www.nuvico.com/product.asp?strCategoryCD=DC001&strModel=DV2%20SERIES

 

What sort of plusses and minusses would I be looking at with these?

 

I'm looking at a PC based system for home use, but that's another message, with a smaller budget...

 

 

Thanks for all advice,

 

Max

 

 

Reasons I need standalone DVRs:

 

- We need extreme stability - these things will often run for months without anyone even looking at them, but when we need them, it's critical that everything be working. I walk through every now and again making sure the record light's on and the power button's not flashing on them (disk failure - just had 2 this week after 8 months of no problems). I already support a bunch of PCs, and just don't have the resources to mess around with more of them.

 

- The environment is very noisy, electrically, with lots of high voltage arcing, radio transmissions, etc. Our regular PCs get rebooted several times a week for various issues, though they're more general purpose.

 

- PCs have to be at a certain configuration before we can put them on the 'net, per corporate guidelines, and some of that contributes to the instabilities.

 

- The equipment is all spread around, so each tool would need its own PC and card, and many of them don't have room for one.

 

- There's a wide variety of technicians who use this gear, and they also contribute to PC problems. Many of them screw around with the PCs, "improving" them, and I already spend too much time un-improving them.

[CollinR 0]

Here are some that look like they might work for me:

 

GE/Kalatel DSR-2000E single channel

http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/site/GESecurity/menuitem.f76d98ccce4cabed5efa421766030730?selectedID=6396&seriesyn=true&seriesID=

 

Nuvico NVDV2 quad channel

http://www.nuvico.com/product.asp?strCategoryCD=DC001&strModel=DV2%20SERIES

 

What sort of plusses and minusses would I be looking at with these?

 

I only do PC stuff now so I can't help ya, there are plenty more here though. I also noticed that Nuvico is a PC with probably an integrated motherboard in a STB (set top box) style case.

[MaxIcon 0]

I only do PC stuff now so I can't help ya, there are plenty more here though. I also noticed that Nuvico is a PC with probably an integrated motherboard in a STB (set top box) style case.

 

What makes you think this? I'm not real experienced with these new generation DVRs, and I can't really tell from the specs. Is it the embedded Linux?

 

I'm OK with this kind of thing, as long as it'll run for months at a time with no tweaking.

 

That link isn't working right for me now - it only shows the 16 channel box, and before it had others listed as well, but I'm assuming the basic functionality is the same for all the models.

 

Thanks!

[CollinR 0]

Yup embedded linuxs are just a stripped and modified normal distribution basically it just has what it needs to function and an interface.

 

Thats most likely not the kind of PC system that has upgrade potential. If the its all one board inside you can only update the software like a normal DVR.

 

It should be stable though, probably moreso then the windows options but not by alot if you can keep the monkeys at bay.

 

 

The geovision line of PC cards have an excellent bang for the buck value, in a properly configured PC (Hard firm and software) it'll be pretty damn stable. ALSO it won't wait for you to walk by and see a light, it can notify you of problems.