doug b

Rory, The quality of the camera output is very good. I'm in the process of remodeling the foyer and kitchen (the walls are down to the studs). But in a month or so, I'll get a digital image from the SpecCo. The Optiview LCD worked out real well. It's about an 1" deep. It can be mounted by itself, or with a 'frame' that comes with it. I'm going to use the frame - the edge of the frame covers the 'cutout' in the wall. It will be to mounted in the kitchen wall near the door to the foyer. I also installed a door intercom, with a camera, that interfaces to my home phones. The Optiview has two video inputs, so it works out really great. The last thing I'm looking for is a normally open realy, than when hit with 12 to 24 volts - will stay closed for say 60 to 120 seconds. The output of the relay could be used to switch the Optiview to the 2nd video input (the door cam).

Rory, I have installed the SpecCo camera, and it works swell. Thanks for the advice. Also, if anyone is looking for a compact LCD monitor, try Optiview - I got a 7" made for automobile DVD. All you need is a 12vdc power adapter.

Yes, you didn't. I don't want to sound critical, or ungrateful, but if you haven't checked out the situation - your comments are 'alarmist' and not very helpful.

DVR Expert, Well it's a bullet cam with a range from -20 - 120F. It's going to be mounted under the eave of my home. I realized that if you buy the 'regular' camera you need to buy a housing - and these things are huge. I thought it would draw attention to my house.

Rory, The monitor can switch between two NTSC inputs. So it should work just fine with the camera. I'm gonna go wit the Spec CCV-7705DNV. Thanks for the help. I may be back when I get all this gear delivered.

Dear Rory, Here's two cameras that look good: The $350 (with lens) Speco CCV7000DNV, seems very nice, and I like the wiring is concealed in the bracket. If the life of the IR leds is 6000 hrs, it's a little troubling. The $175 Speco CVC-637EX seems like it would work well also. My driveway (30' x 75') is not completely dark. There is a street light 125' away, and I have carraiage lights on my garrage. Do you think the 637EX would render an image under this lighting condition? I can see to the end of the drive at night. As a homeowner, I want to do it right, then again, I don't want overkill. Lastly, I'm looking for a small LCD screen, cause this is going to go in our new kitchen, and I want it to take up as little space as possible. I found a 7" LCD screen for mobile applications (like a car DVD). http://store.eenid.us/ov-7100.html What do you think about something like this? Thanks for all your input!

Rory, I'm getting the idea that there are night cameras (IR leds) and low light cameras. Is this correct?? The Speco CVC-637EX - does that render a image at night/low light? Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I'm a novice when it comes to cameras like these (althought I use an SLR), so please bear with me. I read the specs on the Vitek. It says the led life is approx 6000 hrs. Does this mean the camera would need maintenance after 3 yrs? My other awareness is that these cameras run 24/7. What's the life of one on these cameras?

I'm in the midst of remodeling the foyer and kitchen. It's a good time for me to install some survailence hardware. We cannot see our driveway or street from inside our home. I would like to mount a camera under the eave so that we would get a view of the drive (about 75' long, and a little ways into the street). Additionally, I have been looking at a PhoneBell system with a small camera concealed in the door phone. I've looked online - and I'm throughly confused. I need the under eave camera (day/night preferable), with an lens angle that one can see the drive and the street. Color by day, and BW by night would be fine. I also need some sort of switch or sequencer so that one can view the drive or the door camera. I would also like a small flat panel monitor (say 8x8) that I could mount in the kitchen. I was figuring on spending $300 - $400 for the camera, and $150 for the switch? I'd appreciate any specific product recommendations.