Video to USB device with 3rd party software

Hello,

This is my first post so hope someone can help.

I currently have a CCTV setup but im really not happy with my DVR box. My plan is to install software onto my existing server and have that act as my DVR. I've been looking at PCIE cards and video to USB devices and feel the video to USB is the most cost effective for me.

What i am worried about is whether i will be able to use this device with free software such a iSpy or similar. Will it show up as 8 cameras, one camera, no camera??

The device i am thinking about is one like this;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8CH-Channel-240FPS-For-CCTV-IP-Camera-Usb-DVR-Video-Capture-Card-Audio-Real-Time/131290783236?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D01eb2f8e936045ef84a9ae12547bc56a%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20131003132420%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D221019336512&rt=nc

Any input would be appreciated muchly. Thank you

If you are not happy with a DVR, you will think a USB capture device is crap. I would tell you to avoid them completely...

USB-DVR has a very limited bandwidth, 27 MBytes out of Max 480 Mbits.

Only 1 channel of D1 sized at 30FPS video can go through the USB port.

The product that you linked carries a false statement in that 8 Ch X 30 FPS.

Only 4 Ch of CIF can go through.

That means 8 Ch of CIF at 15 FPS rate.

Actually USB-DVR targets the market where Desktop PC are

not widely deployed, notebooks relatively dominant.

These days the quality of camera has improved.

So you would not like CIF sized video, quite being disappointed.

Buy a new DVR that can record D1 size or above, if your DVR box is for CIF.

Or buy a PC capture card that offers 4 Ch D1 sized or above at 30FPS.

How do I know?

We supply our chip sets and boards for USB DVR and PC Cards.

If you think you are good at software and willingly to suit your own system,

you may let me know. We can provide you the device drivers.

buy a PC capture card that offers 4 Ch D1 sized or above at 30FPS.

Thats for your advice, so you've convinced me not to get the usb converter. In regards to the cards, do these also have to be used with the software they come with or can they be used with any software and just show up as separate cameras.

Im assuming this is the type of card you are speaking of

http://www.ebay.com/itm/H-264-8-CH-Video-4-CH-Audio-PCI-E-D1-DVR-Card-Capture-Card-3G-mobile-Security-/271438204399?pt=US_Surveillance_Digital_Video_Recorders_Cards&hash=item3f32fa4def

The PCI_E card that you link is not our card.

But it would work with their own CD ROM software.

The PCI_E card that you link is not our card.

But it would work with their own CD ROM software.

Ok is it normal for cards like this to only work with there own software. Are you able to buy cards that are independent and can used with any software?

Thanks for you help so far...

The card would work only with their own software.

Ours, the same.

No card suppliers are not kind enough to provide the document or APIs

for the standard interface required for any public software.

Buy the one and try it.

If you do not like the quality, please let me know.