Greetings all! I have tried like 3 different package systems, all crappy! I have just now tried a
Vitek
VT-E4
E-Series 4 Channel Digital Video Recorder

* 4 Video Inputs with 1 Main and 1 Spot Monitor Output
* Supports both Dynamic and Static IP Addresses
* 4 Alarm Inputs / 1 Relay Out
* Up to 120 IPS Recording / Live Display
* MPEG-4 Compression
* Remote Viewing over the Internet, LAN, or Windows Mobile based PDA
* Supports two internal Hard Drives
* 250GB to 1.5TB Internal Storage Options
* “Quick Searchâ€

It sounds like you are having lighting issues more than camera issues.

Are you using IR illuminators?

http://scorpiontheater.com/irlab.aspx

[quote="scorpion"]It sounds like you are having lighting issues more than camera issues.



Negative, there are street lights and I have motion lights. I dont use stand-alone illuminators, the cameras have the built-in illumination.

with the dvr and two cams, i have like 875 in this pos system already

hmm. if i am correct, your DVR records in D1, so even if you were watching recorded video and getting crappy quality, im guessing that its not the DVR. perhaps the cameras you are using are the weakest link here?

to be sure, check your setting on the DVR and make sure that you are recording (and previewing) in the highest quality available on the DVR. if so, then it looks like the image quality problem is coming from the cameras.

Yes quality was rough with both sets of cameras. I thought if i spent an extra 100 per camera to get a name brand, it would be a noticeable difference! Also i have tried the sam's club and home depot-type sets, they suck too. Now next question, the 'dealer' i went to said i could use the RCA/BNC 'siamese' cables for all their cameras. Now i find out others use coax. So does that mean all their cameras are crap? Maybe this type is in between the RJ-looking connectors on the Sams cameras and the coax?
Im soo mad

Siamese cable = RG-59 plus a 2 conductor for power.... professional

Coax can work but it not recomended unless it's all copper plus you have to run a separate power wire for the cameras.

The RJ- connectors that Sams club uses 22 gage wire for video and power.... Junk

My advice for you is let the professional do the job correctly.

What do you expect out of this system? does you image look anything like this?



or are you expecting this

more like the first one! i will try and attach a pic---nope wont let me even tho i shrank it to 143 kb

I think I could do the work as long as some one tells me what to use and where to get it. I used to install voice and data cabling, so Ive been crawling in attics and cellars, and this is about the 4th set of cams Ive put in, and I dont have 3k to pay someone...sooo,,,

use http://imageshack.us/ to host pics

Well, im signing out for now-i will check back tomorrow to see if any additional info/suggestions are up---thanks for help do far---i HATE returning things!

2nd pic is great tho, what cam is that and $$$?
i will try imageshack tmrw-gota go!

ACTI-7411

http://www.acti.com/product/detail/Mega ... a/ACM-7411

Both cameras are IP cameras and they are about the same price. One is analog resolution the other is 1.3 megapixel

Great picture there wireguys. I cant wait to upgrade to IP and use megapixel cams in a few years

How does the night-time image look on that megapixel? Is it decent?

STOP IT! haha. You are really tempting me to buy one of these just to mess around with, but I'm too afraid, though... because I know I'll end up liking it and then buying like 5 more!

must... resist... for... a... little... bit... longer...