First time build could use some input

[elrad59 0]

We have decided we want to put in a new camera system at our warehouse and think that a pc build will probably be most effective cost wise and be more upgradable for the future. However, we don't have a lot of experience with ip cameras and nvrs. Our old system was a no name analog system that came with the building. We plan on putting in 16 cameras two of which will be license plate readers and would like some input on if what I've picked out is adequate or overbuilt and if there's anything I might be forgetting that is essential to setting up a new system.

 

1. First is the pc obviously link to build.

 

link to build- https://pcpartpicker.com/user/elrad59/saved/#view=JN7qqs

 

2. I'm looking at 14 or 1080p cameras at preferably cheap but decent a night. So far the Dahua IPC-HFW4300S looks good but I'm still looking.

 

3. I plan to buy a POE switch to power the cameras.

 

4. I could use some suggestions for software. This is something I'm very unfamiliar with.

 

Lastly, the only internet service in my area is 10 Mbps max which we use for business. Would this be adequate if shared within the business or should we consider getting another 10 Mbps service dedicated to the system for remote viewing?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

[MaxIcon 0]

I prefer Hikvision to Dahua, but it's a bit of a coin toss; the differences aren't huge and they both offer similar cams.

 

For the PC, a lot depends on the software you end up running, but it's always a good idea to overbuild for future flexibility.

 

Two popular programs:

 

Blue Iris: Inexpensive, powerful, great support, needs a powerful CPU (like in your build) to run a lot of MP cams.

Milestone Xprotect: Per-cam license when you go beyond the limited free version (Go), doesn't need so much PC power.

 

Both are available in free or demo versions, so it's not a bad idea to install them and try them out.

 

Avigilon is also popular for corporate use and is fast and powerful, but is fairly expensive. You'd need to get a quote from one of the Avigilon reps, as they don't have pricing listed online.

 

For POE switches, you can run them all from a 24 port switch, but these tend to be pretty expensive and are noisy. Depending on how spread out your cams are, you might want to look at running multiple 4 or 8 port switches instead, and connecting them back to the main switch/router.

[elrad59 0]

As far as cameras go I think I'll lean more towards better night vision but I plan on using the resources on this site to see whats out there.

 

I've seen some recommendations for blue iris and and plan to give it and some others a try. I think cheaper is going to be better as we don't have much of a theft problem. We only have one door and three windows so most of the time the cameras are serving as glorified windows.

 

The whole warehouse is only 5000 square feet and the room with the equipment is in the middle so the cameras won't be terribly spread out. Noise isn't really an issue since we have a shop that's always making noise. As far as a switch goes should I look for a managed or unmanaged switch?

[SunnyKim 2]

MaxIcon,

As for the PC software, say Blue Iris, Milestone, etc, how much they charge per each camera as a license fee (yearly???)?

[MaxIcon 0]

Unmanaged switches are cheaper, simpler, and supply no user data; managed switches are more expensive and typically more robust (being corporate grade), and allow you to see things like power usage per camera, as well as allowing you to power cycle individual cameras remotely, but require more setup.

 

 

Blue Iris will run as many cams as your CPU can support (64 max, I think). The main increase in CPU load is caused by resolution and frame rate, but a modern i7 can support 12-15 cams running 1080p at 10 fps without much trouble, and probably more.

 

Milestone's license fee is $50/cam, I believe. I don't think it's a yearly fee (probably have to re-license on major software revisions), but I've never run it except in the limited free mode, so someone with more experience would have to answer that.

 

So, for 10 cams, you can run Milestone on an inexpensive PC for $500 in licenses, or you could put the same money towards a better PC and buy Blue Iris for $60.

 

I may be off on the numbers, but the principles are good.