General Digital Discussion

pc based vs dvr machines

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frosted - 09 May 2005, 10:14 am

right, im new to this so i will apoligise in advance if i make mistakes in refernce to slang info e.t.c.

i have a number of business crying out for cctv based security systems. i am currently trying to decide abotu using a dvr box or using something like the geovision card/software in a pc.

simply put what are the real advantages to the customer of using a pc based system for cctv security?

there seems to be a cost saving to the clients using a dvr box (again im really sorry about my terminology!!!!). however, remote viewing and remote camera control is also very usefull.

HELP! :lol:

frosted

scottj - 09 May 2005, 10:22 am

PC based systems are typically packaged with more features and add-ons. An embedded (DVR box as you say) is what it is. Depending on what your customers needs and specifications are will determine which scenerio to use. I personalll like both types. The one thing to really watch out for is the cheap embedded and PC versions. If the price appears to good to be true, then it most likely is.

scottj

frosted - 09 May 2005, 10:29 am

well let me give you some more information (and i prob should have done this first! :oops: )

5 cameras system for a body shop which has had cars trashed and vandalised.

24 recording

deterrant factor
.

now all the features and addons may well be nice. but im deciding which is best for the customer. it seams that the dvd box will save him money and reduce the costs of the install for him.

and reduce the time for support and potential problems. im figuring that unless remote viewing is a nessesity and the ability to remotely control cameras then the pc based system is overkill?

regards,
frosted

scottj - 09 May 2005, 10:50 am

You listed a perfect example for an embedded system. Minimal features, less costs...More profit for you.

AVCONSULTING - 09 May 2005, 10:54 am

I agree with Scott. An embedded system will work best for you. First they are much more rugged and in a body shop atmosphere with tons of dust and dirt you would be better off with an embedded system. Also you don't need the ultra sophisticated features of a PC based system and the need for a keyboard and mouse. There are tons of threads here on various embedded systems so you might want to look at them for some ideas.

frosted - 09 May 2005, 11:05 am

thankyou for the quick and excellent advice.

damn its what i thought. simple install. was hoping for a fun technical pc install as im a pc monkey by 1st trade :lol:

oh well have to wait for another exmaple. could not quite justify the extra cost for the client. plus as said more profit for me ! :)

thank for the help,

another quickie

what setups have you done that did require a pc system. what are the main points you look for to decide between the 2 options.?

thankyou very much

frosted

Thomas - 09 May 2005, 11:12 am

One thing to point out....CCTV is a piss poor deterant. The only people who notice the cameras are people in the industry and then it's more of "who are they using?" kinda of notice.

baywatch - 09 May 2005, 11:18 am

PC systems are useful where the management wish to use the cameras as a management tool as well as a security device.
The flexibility of the extra features come into some use then.

frosted - 09 May 2005, 11:23 am

management tool as in for watching your staff? ;)

i can see the use for remote viewing of sites and the like would be usefull.

Thomas - 09 May 2005, 01:28 pm

I have a strange view point on this, but I work in an office full of cameras. Some are just for internal viewing, some just external. It takes about a week to forget about them.

rory - 09 May 2005, 01:53 pm

Well like they said, PC is when you want features, and you have to understand the possible maintenance and set up that will come with it.

Stand Alone is when you want plug, play, and forget. There are many stand alones, and the more you pay for one, normally the more featurers you will get in it. Though this has been going up and down lately with certain new stand alones breaking into the market.

PC Card Systems can be just as cheap as your cheapest stand alone with LAN. But you get just a less features with some of them.

Rory

CSG - 09 May 2005, 07:51 pm

I have to disagree. In many instances i've installed cctc systems where companies were having problems, and afterwards the nonsense came to an end. Usually after a few weeks i'll go back to a job to say hi, and find out 2-3 employees were fired. The vandalism comes to an end, the fingerpointing stops. After that they rarely have any more problems because the rest are on notice.

rory - 09 May 2005, 07:53 pm

in a night club down here, they fired some 50 employees in the first 2 years, for skimming or stealing.

G22 - 09 May 2005, 07:59 pm

Is this trashing and vandalizing of vehicles happening 'inside' or 'outside' the body shop? I am assuming outside of course but it not mentioned.

DataAve - 09 May 2005, 08:26 pm

QUOTE:
I have to disagree. In many instances i've installed cctc systems where companies were having problems, and afterwards the nonsense came to an end. Usually after a few weeks i'll go back to a job to say hi, and find out 2-3 employees were fired. The vandalism comes to an end, the fingerpointing stops. After that they rarely have any more problems because the rest are on notice.

Thieves, for the most part, are stupid. When one gets caught via surveillance equipment, word will get out. I have even done repairs on spray painted cameras (domes) and the idiots missed one-the one that got them caught. If somebody wants something bad enough, they will take it. As far as employees, cameras in plain site will keep them honest, the trick is to do it in a covert manner, along with overt.

Thomas - 09 May 2005, 09:23 pm

Except the CCTV wasn't the deterant. The firing of those who got caught was.

rory - 09 May 2005, 09:25 pm

nah, theyre still teifing .. and theyre still getting fired :lol: :lol:

kaysadeya - 10 May 2005, 01:35 am

QUOTE:
the trick is to do it in a covert manner, along with overt.

Exactly. If you�re really serious about catching someone �in the act.� the only way to go is covert.

rory - 10 May 2005, 01:57 am

[quote:2fe92f5431="kaysadeya"]

QUOTE:
the trick is to do it in a covert manner, along with overt.

Exactly. If you�re really serious about catching someone �in the act.� the only way to go is covert.

yep, i sell at least 1 hidden camera per job, mostly the GE smoke Detector camera (Value Line - 350TVL), which is housed in a real smoke detector housing. Ive also installed a bunch of GE Working Motion Detector Cameras at another job. The Smokes are used for the cashiers generally, the staff!

But even at a clients location here, and using BW IR Bullets, the staff that were fired there also got caught in the act. One even knew the camera was there and moved it upward to try to "hide" himself, then in full view on another camera he forgot to move, stole something, then after crossing 7 other cameras hid the item in the bush, in full view of 2 other cameras!!! Needless to say he was "let go"!