Need advice for a new 4-Cam DVR System

[tprekas 0]

Hi,

 

I am looking for a 4-camera DVR system. It will be used at a 2-family house and I am looking to spend under $2k for the entire system if possible. I am having a professional install it (charging me $1k for installation - seem fair?)

 

Anyhow, I will be monitoring a 50ft driveway, front door, backyard deck, and side yard with the 4 cameras. I am looking for decent quality and decent low light coverage. I have found one camera that I like so far from KT&C KPC-N600H for 3 of the locations. I am not sure if I want to use this for the front door as I think a dome camera would look better, any suggestions? I was considering the Speco CVC-648IRVFHQ??

 

As for the DVR, I am still not sure. I was looking at several different kinds: Pelco DX4000, not sure of the brand: G4-4XLA and G4-4M-DVD. I would like a DVR that gives me room to add more HD space if needed. I dont care if it comes with an HD or not, as long as I can add my own. I also want to be able to monitor from the internet which most seem to do. I would like 30 fps on each camera and be able to adjust the compression. I am shooting for some quality picture and a DVR that will let me record for atleast 30 days in the highest quality.

 

Anyone have any suggestions??

[tprekas 0]

Oh, one more thing I forgot to add. I would like to add audio to one or two of the camera. What are my options with this?

[securitymonster 0]

Do you have a costco in your area? You can but a 4 channel system for around $1000. I wouldn't recommend it but this is your best bet to meet your budget. Keep in mind you will probably be replacing this unit in less than 2 years due to cheap electronic equipment.

 

Otherwise your looking at about an equipment price of $3500 or so to do this right, with installation on top of that!

[tprekas 0]

Do you have a costco in your area? You can but a 4 channel system for around $1000. I wouldn't recommend it but this is your best bet to meet your budget. Keep in mind you will probably be replacing this unit in less than 2 years due to cheap electronic equipment.

 

Otherwise your looking at about an equipment price of $3500 or so to do this right, with installation on top of that!

 

Wow, so your telling me I cant find a decent 4-camera dvr system for under $2k that will last more then 2 years?? That doesnt sound logical. I installed a $100 IR bullet cam with a cheap in-line audio cable at my parents house 5yrs ago and its still working fine. I know that better equipment will last longer and give me better video quality, but do you really feel a $2k system would break down in 2yrs?

 

If I did spend $3,500 on a system, how long would that last in your opinion?? Maybe I can add another $500 to my budget and go up to $2,500. Would that make a difference at all?

[securitymonster 0]

Here is the breakdown:

 

Low Resolution DVR @ $1200

High Resolution DVR @ $2000

 

Bullet Cameras @ $200/each

Dome Cameras @ $350/each

 

Power Supply @ $150

Cable @ $200

Misc Cable/Connectors @ $30

 

Install @ $1000

 

Total of $3,530 to $4,330

 

So yes, around $2500 or so you could make it happen and I would estimate the system to last 3-5 years. But keep in mind most of the cameras used will have 1 to 2 year warranty at the most.

 

Also note, we would install 4 exterior cameras on a typical home for around $850.

[tprekas 0]

Here is the breakdown:

 

Low Resolution DVR @ $1200

High Resolution DVR @ $2000

 

Bullet Cameras @ $200/each

Dome Cameras @ $350/each

 

Power Supply @ $150

Cable @ $200

Misc Cable/Connectors @ $30

 

Install @ $1000

 

Total of $3,530 to $4,330

 

So yes, around $2500 or so you could make it happen and I would estimate the system to last 3-5 years. But keep in mind most of the cameras used will have 1 to 2 year warranty at the most.

 

Also note, we would install 4 exterior cameras on a typical home for around $850.

 

Thanks for breaking it down for me Securitymonster. One question though, are the equipment prices you are quoting retail prices?? Reason I am asking is because I know there are some wholesale sellers online where you can get decent cams/dvr for less then what you quoted.

 

Anyhow, if the whole package is goig to cost me $3,500 for "good" equipment, I am ready to do it. Now I just need to find the right stuff and the right installer. Have any suggestions?? I live in NJ.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[rory 0]

That would be retail.

 

Also it would be OEM cameras.

Higher quality cameras could cost more (3-5 year warranties, $500-2000).

 

You could go even more budget but many installers dont like to install them, plus they dont make much money on the parts. Budget would be something like the AvTech or CPCam DVR (same thing), and cheaper bullet cameras (less features).

 

With bullet cameras look at it this way, there are basically 3 types of cameras with color; Color only bullet, Color/IR bullet, True Day Night Bullet camera. The prices are different. There are also varying types of each inbetween and they can differ in minor features, and looks, from price and from one OEM to the next. Best low light without IR will be BW cameras though.

 

Retail pricing, decent True Day Night domes can run you over $500, while True Day Night bullets will run around $350. With box cameras running over $600+ with housing, lens etc, and giving the best image. Then there are the Extreme cameras running over $1000+.

 

Anyway, not sure on the Pelco, dont know anyone that uses it., but they are a good name. You might want to look at PC cards also, if you are PC literate capable of some building, you could make yourself a decent PC based DVR loaded with features, at the same time being able to maintain it yourself.

 

There are many online stores that spec dealer pricing, but we dont discuss them here

[6pac 0]

I was in the same boat at you-- this cctv equipment is getting very expensive.

 

Here is what I bought for $2700 (not including a 19" lcd I had to borrow from my other computer) and I did the install myself which was very hard, frustrating, especially since one cable and one cable came doa and it was making me crazy. It's working alright now but its only been 1 month.

 

Some things I learned:

 

1. This is a lot more expensive than my xcam.

2. 12mm cameras are good for facial recognition

3. Test the equipment before you install the camera on the roof.

4. Focus the cameras at night.

 

 

 

$800 16ch dvr 240fps live /240fps record pc based with dvr burner. 720x480 (ebay)

$170 KT&C B&W bullet varifocal

$137 6mm super had ir bullet 480 lines

$168 12mm 200 ir camera 480 lines

$600 for 3 seperate 12mm color bullet cameras 420 lines exview 0.05 lux

$80 12mm color bullet 420 lines 0.05 lux sony ex view (from craigslist)

$120 3.6mm color ir

80 4 black enclosures

58.96 power supplies 12v dc

20 signs

34.55 keyboard mouse

25 radioshack

37.97 cables 200'ft x2

58.96 cables 150ft x 3

40.00 cables 100ft x2

34 home depot

40 hd

28 hd screws

13 more signs

[scorpion 0]

Knowing that you are secure....

 

PRICELESS!

[securitymonster 0]

The prices I quoted were mostly prices you would find online. So the prices I quoted are pretty realistic!

[tprekas 0]

I was in the same boat at you-- this cctv equipment is getting very expensive.

 

Here is what I bought for $2700 (not including a 19" lcd I had to borrow from my other computer) and I did the install myself which was very hard, frustrating, especially since one cable and one cable came doa and it was making me crazy. It's working alright now but its only been 1 month.

 

Some things I learned:

 

1. This is a lot more expensive than my xcam.

2. 12mm cameras are good for facial recognition

3. Test the equipment before you install the camera on the roof.

4. Focus the cameras at night.

 

 

 

$800 16ch dvr 240fps live /240fps record pc based with dvr burner. 720x480 (ebay)

$170 KT&C B&W bullet varifocal

$137 6mm super had ir bullet 480 lines

$168 12mm 200 ir camera 480 lines

$600 for 3 seperate 12mm color bullet cameras 420 lines exview 0.05 lux

$80 12mm color bullet 420 lines 0.05 lux sony ex view (from craigslist)

$120 3.6mm color ir

80 4 black enclosures

58.96 power supplies 12v dc

20 signs

34.55 keyboard mouse

25 radioshack

37.97 cables 200'ft x2

58.96 cables 150ft x 3

40.00 cables 100ft x2

34 home depot

40 hd

28 hd screws

13 more signs

 

 

Thanks for the info. I was looking at the G4-RTA Series DVR which states its "the most powerful standalone dvr on the market". Does anyone have any experience or opinions on this DVR?? As for the cameras, I am still up in the air with which ones I will go with. I noticed you had a KT&C cam, how do you like it? I was considering getting the KPC-N600H? Any opinions on this cam?? I will need 2 dome cameras, but I am not sure which ones to go with yet. I would like atleast 480 res and about 50 feet of IR for both, but dont need PTZ functions. Any suggestions??