Hi I'm looking at the following components for a sub-1000 (CDN dollars) build for my home. I'm not too informed about the current tech in the CCTV world but I was going to grab the Qsee 528dvr and 4 x 1/3' ccd sony camers for ~700 (CDN dollars) at my local costco. So after spending some time on this forum, I've determined that putting in an extra 300 would be worth my while to build my own system. I just need something that works during the day and night (with IR) with image quality on par or better than that boxed set. I would go for the Qsee if the quality of the cameras were better. Here's my list of parts from (I hope shipping to Toronto, Canada isn't too expensive):

1 x CNB VCM-24VF
3 x Qvis eye-n35
1 x qvis appollo 8 channel dvr
1 x 500' spool RG59
1 x twist BNC male (lot of 5)

Am I missing anything? I know I've left out some detail so I will post a layout and where I plan to set the cameras up. I using the camera for theft deterrent/property protection purposes. Any suggestions or comments are much appreciated.

Again, this is a great community. Thanks!

Phil

Hi phil. just a few things missing. .... power supply and you will need twp packs of BNC connectors (2 for each cable)

Thanks for the reply Tom. I did forget the power supply and bnc for the other end.

Do you have any experience with the 2 cameras ive listed above? For the price, are they decent in low light situations and when on IR? I'm trying to get the system and setup as soon as i can and dont have much time to research alternatives so i'm relying on this forum to help me out with product selections. If someone could suggest a better camera for around the same price, i will certainly consider those.

Btw the eye-n is the 3.5mm version?. I hope this combination of cameras and dvr are as easy to setup as those boxed sets.

Thanks,
Phil

hi yes a big user of all CNBs and qvis . both are well priced.

I've just installed a pair of the CNB's and they're really nice in low-light situations if you're supplementing ambient lighting with IR. For us, I've not gotten any IR setup yet but even with ambient night lighting the images are way better than I would have expected -- that's with no backyard lights on. If I turn on a pair of lights on the back of the house (~75Watts each -- NOT floods) I can see all the way back to the rear of the yard -- a distance of about 60+ feet. You won't go wrong with the CNB's.. I've not had any experience with the other camera but have heard good things about them.

Glad to hear the CNB VCMs are good . Thanks camera-newbie. They're 3 times the price of Qvis Eye-E35-FW-N so my budget only allows me to have one - which will be place on the front of the house overlooking my drive way and front property.

On a side note, the Dahua esceb650-1 650TVL (pretty much the equivalent of the Qvis), description says "Can be used in outdoors in certain scenario's only. Cannot be exposed to direct rain. Is okay to put under eaves or porches out of direct rain." These are rated IP66 whereas the CNB VCMs are IP65. It seems like the dome covering the lens for the CNB makes it more weatherproof than the Qvis even though it is rated lower on the IP scale for water. I've read that many people have successfully wall mounted them where it will be exposed to direct rain and other weather elements.

Is there anyway to add some sort of lens or cover for the Qvis Eye-E35-FW-N so that I could mount them on the walls of my house (brick) where it will be exposed to direct rain? The eaves around my house are way too high to mount them there. I want to avoid retrofitting a shield on top my the cameras (I'll need to make 3 of these since I'll be installing 3 Qvis)

Thanks for the thread, I am looking to build a similar system at a summer house, with similar price point.

The CNB VCM-24VF is overwhelmingly suggested on this site, which I will use a couple for priority locations.

Qvis eye-n35 for other spots. Any other suggestions for budget cameras?

Dahua is the same thing, AFAIK - both made by Dahua.


Done it many times, no problem.

IP codes are explained here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code
Basically the difference between IP65 and 66 is "Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects." vs. "Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects." So unless you're planning to pressure-wash your cameras, there should be no difference.