3rd Party IP Cameras with NVR Possible?

[deuce_71 0]

Hi all,

 

I'm new to this forum and I've been searching the internet for info that will help me in my possible surveillance system purchase.

 

I am looking at buying the new Night Owl system (see link below). It is exactly what I need for my little home. I don't need anything fancy and expensive. All I want is to be able to place 4 cameras around my house with HD picture and be able to see it through my smart phone, PC and TV, depending where I am.

 

http://nightowlsp.com/products/complete-security-systems/hd-security-systems/4-channel/nvr10-441.html

 

I would like to add one dome IP camera to this system, thus eliminating one of these cameras. My questions are:

 

1. Since the cameras in this package are IP cameras and they are all powered by PoE, can I use any dome camera that is an IP camera and PoE to work with this system?

2. What do I have to look for when buying one that is compatible with this system?

 

Or am I just stuck with using the cameras included with this package, thus not allowing me to add a 3rd party IP camera.

 

Any help is much appreciated.

[zr1 0]

First, I want to make sure I understand.

You're looking at buying a 4 channel system with 4 cameras included. It appears that system maxes out at 4 cameras with no room to upgrade.

Which is fine if that's what you want, but then the idea of buying more cameras means disconnecting one of the existing 4 cameras.

But if you think you may need to go to 5+ cameras, then you'd need to purchase a system with 8 channels (or 16 or whatever) for future expansion.

 

Brand-mixing

Possible with IP...yes

Brand mixing compatible......either mostly or not at all

 

In the IP world, there is a "standard" (ok, it's for-profit companies trying to create a common language so they can make ca$h...but it also makes life a little easier for us...a little...it's not perfect). It's called ONVIF and there's a couple versions of it.

 

ONVIF has a short list of functions that are supposed to work between two ONVIF devices of any brand. But there's always newer/cooler functions coming out that aren't within the ONVIF specification so if you want the outside-the-ONVIF-spec function...I say to stay with the same brand.

 

Also, I've seen a few cases in which two ONVIF devices of different brands didn't do the listed ONVIF function. Calling support from each company results in them blaming each other.

So if I can (such as a brand new install), I simply avoid multi-branding and go with a single brand.

 

For the system you linked, I don't see anything suggesting that this system is ONVIF compliant or that it would work with other system.