Daryl733

Not really. The DVR will just reformat it. Actually quite dangerous... the DVR doesn't prompt to reformat the disk. So if you unplug the hdd to try to view from another DVR, and somehow it doesn't recognise it, it'll reformat the hdd, poof.... all your recorded data gone.

Yes, some routers required hard reboot after reconfiguring. We encounter a couple of linksys that doesn't work after configuration, but once after power off/on, it works.

So far we never encounter prob in this way. Check if your hitachi harddisk jumper is it set to limit to 32GB. Hitachi ship their harddisk jamper default to using cable select. We normally recommend switching it to master ensure compatibility with DVRs. What you had most likely did was instead of changing the jumper to the master, you had put in the jumper at the "LIMIT DRIVE CAPICITY TO 32 GBYTES" position instead. Reconfirm that position and you'll get 80GB back again.

Ya, that's CPCam or AVTech whichever way you want to call it. IMHO, i'm staying way away from PC Based DVR now. I'll go for standalone anytime. Too much time wasted on maintening and troubleshooting pc based system.

Most DVR that can do real time recording doesn't do it at full resolution. I've encounter and read a lot of specs of different dvr. normally the brochure stated REAL TIME RECORDING, on reading it closer, or actually testing it, you'll realise that real time recording is only on the lowest resolution. Those that can, are normally higher end models. Also, points to take into consideration when wanting live recording. It'll consume lots of harddisk space. So make sure it support enought drive and capacitity for you to obtain the required number of days of recording. As for CPCam or AVTech, you can change the mode to GROUP instead of FIX. The dvr will then analyses the video stream coming in, and determining which camera have more motion, and allocate more frame rate to that camera as well. So in effective, you'll get a smoother playback. e.g for CPD-570. Frame recording is only 100FPS (PAL). let's say u put 16 cameras on it at 100FPS. so each cam is only 6.25FPS at FIX mode. But if u put it to Group Mode, It'll allocate more frame to the cam with more changes, so if lets say only 3 cameras got movement, you'll end up recording close to live for that 3 cameras.

Nope. From what you describe, using dvr to store images and then use ur box to pull them out won't be a good solution imho. You'll be better off implementing some frame capturing hardware. IF you use DVR, it'll be hard to determine which frame has the license plate on it. You'll have to determine which frames contain the car license plates, and the best frame to recognised the plate from. Hard to retreive that from the DVR unless you'r able to program that into the dvr as well. Most low end dvr doesn't have that capability except video motion detection, sensor triggering. Might not be enough. And using higher end dvr to do that might not justify the cost.

Nope. From what you describe, using dvr to store images and then use ur box to pull them out won't be a good solution imho. You'll be better off implementing some frame capturing hardware. IF you use DVR, it'll be hard to determine which frame has the license plate on it. You'll have to determine which frames contain the car license plates, and the best frame to recognised the plate from. Hard to retreive that from the DVR unless you'r able to program that into the dvr as well. Most low end dvr doesn't have that capability except video motion detection, sensor triggering. Might not be enough. And using higher end dvr to do that might not justify the cost.

As scorpion said, the basic to all troubleshooting. Either you remove components 1 by 1 till it works, or your add components 1 by 1 till it doesn't. From there, you'll be able to pinpoint the problem. It's either, 1. Cable Problem. 2. Monitor Problem. 3. Video Signal issues .3 monitor normally i would recommend pumping the signal through a distributor or daisy chain it through the monitor (those with loopout)

Check with your ISP. some ISP do port blocking on certain ports. Some does it on all ports (which basically make it impossible get around using their service unless u are willing to explore vpn tunnling, etc).

Why not install it in the later afternoon or evening, and it'll be just in time when you are commissoining it.

From what we tested last time on a 300m Coaxial and 300m Active Balun. W/o comparing side by side, you can't tell the difference between coaxial and cat 5. If you put them side by side and compare, coaxial seems to have better images. Normally, we use coaxial for all installation. Balun only use when distance is great. 1 x Cat 5 can put 4 cameras. We are also exploring channel multiplexer/demultiplexer at the moment. Can use 1 coaxial cable to send mutiple video channels. Great if you are adding cameras in places already wired up with coaxial. Cut down on the amount of cabling. My conclusion ? Small installation, don't bother with balun. Only for very long distance installatoin then consider them. As i always think, the more piece of electronic equipment you put into the equation, the higher the chances one of them break down.

AVTech/CPCam. AVC-760/CPD-560.

Yes you are correct, but to a point are we talking ccd or cmos with the smeary objects... 600 lines is possible, are you viewing on a monitor that does 600+ lines with a 600 line camera direct feed video? Prob is most dvrs dont do LIVE view- Prob is its like everything everyone jumps on the bandwagon to make a buck... TEST + TRY for yourself, buy a few dif models. this will help you make the most informed decision, When my new office is built ill setup some testingareas and will post back, *when is the only prob* Click here for 2006 review Actually, is TVL really that IMPORTANT ? IMHO, The system is only as good as the lousiest part. If your monitor can't display high TVL, what's the use of getting high TVL Camera ? If your DVR can't record that high TVL, what's the use of getting high TVL cameras ? If you want to save space and recording longer period, and end up choosing lousier compression on your DVR, what's the use of higher TVL camera ? It's basically all sales pitch for TVL. Lots of factors comes into play rather than just the TVL. After using and selling so many cameras, I think the most important thing abt it is reliability. There are lots of cheap china products ard, gave up using them for projects. Just sell them as retail, low price. The QC for them is bad. Every batch's different quality. And spoilage is high. And guess what, the specs say 420/480TVL, but compare to one 350TVL cam that we have, the pictures seems to turn out not as clear. haa.. Well.. to each their own. For me, currently, reliability trumps at the moment. Too much service calls for using those cheapo china cam.

Yup. Think this's the way to go for the newer model. Hrdwired a timer that's hook up to close loop every 1 mins, then connect to the I/O for the DVR. You'll force it to upload a image. But then again, if you sent the video motion detection properly, there's no reason for you to force an update coz the picture of what you are uploading will be the same as the one already on your ftp.

Does anyone has any problem setting up DDNS with the AVTech newer DVR ? Namely, CPD-503/505/507, AVC781/AVC783/785/787. I've experience setting up DDNS services with various networks, routers, pc, etc. But just can't figure out how to get the DDNS services of AVtech to work. Keying in the host, login name/password, etc. Check the server log on the DVR, it just say DDNS failed to update. The DVR is connected to a adsl modem/router. DVR's set with a static ip address. Portforwarding's done, there's no problem accessing the dvr over the internet. The problem is that the modem doesn't have ddns function build in, and there is NO COMPUTER connected to the LAN, just this DVR and this DVR alone, so you can't use the download client to do the updating. Chose AVC781 because it stated it support DDNS. But the problem now is that the DDNS does not seems to update the DDNS server, dyndns. Anyone know where might had gone wrong ? Someone further up the tech support locally tell me that it only support ddns when the DVR's set to dhcp/poe mode, and not in static mode. From what i understand, it shouldn't matter. If it's set to that mode and doesn't update, i shouldn't even be seeing the "DDNS failed to update" message in the server log of the DVR. Can anyone help ?

Do you have any pricing on these machines? And do you know if there is any european distributers that have them? Drop me a PM, and i'll send you the pricelist. Can't post it on here, forum rule.

Depends on the DVR he use. Some dvr support remote uploading of images to email/ftp upon alarm/trigger. Alternatively, construct a strongbox and put it in. OR, construct a fireproof strongbox and put it in. No point being that paraniod, nothing's foolproof. It's just how much effort is needed. You can use remote sending of images, but what if he cut the power ? So u'll need UPS. So wat if he cut phoneline (assuming u using dsl), so u'll need alternative internet connection on maybe cable ? So what if he cut cable ? Use GPRS/3G/WIFI/WIMAX ? He use jammer ? Most simply, he can just put on a mask/disguise, and you won't be able to make out who the person is. There's always ways to get ard. How easy/how hard, depends on what's your budget.

I know, but that still haven't answer my question. The product claim that it support DDNS services, the service is there, but just can't get it to work. Reason's some of the customer already have adsl modem cum router. Their existing router doesn't support DDNS. Proposing changing their ADSL modem cum router would mean increasing cost for them, and then also having to reconfigure their internet access for them. That would mean libility on our part as we had change the internet gateway for them. If the DDNS on the DVR doesn't work, shouldn't it be removed from the product brochure/specs ? The avtech support had given me instruction to set it up, but guess wat, the instruction stated configure the DDNS services on the modem/router. In this case/defination, all network dvr in the market can put themselves as supporting DDNS services. Had asked for further clarification, but since april till now had not receive any other replies. Had tried enabling/disabling it quite a number of times already, no use. Don't really dare to sell this feature to customer coz i don't have any confident of making it work.

The router that the isp gave, for free, is a damm lousy prolink 9000C adsl modem. Doesn't have DDNS service in it. Doesn't even have DMZ as well. Am trying to avoid changing the adsl modem as that means $$, but seems like got no choice.

Yes, that's what i did. The serverlog in the ap shows "DDNS FAILED TO UPDATE", and i check the ddns services, it doesn't reflect the new ip as well.

Thanks. Quoted customer using the everfocus. Will be having some discussion with them and we'll see what's best suit.

Check out http://www.sleek.com.sg In a way scalable as the softeware management client allows for multiple dvr connection, and also creating of virture dvr groups that allows u to mix and match cameras from various dvr connected vie network. Up to 300 DVR can be connected to the client, and if you are using all 16 channels dvr, that'll mean a whopping 4800 cameras. Up to 64 cameras can be view on a single screen. Time synchronisation between different dvr's avaiable, so that means all your dvr will be on the same time.

well.. get the avtech ! u already said it. http://www.avtech.com.tw/english/product_13_785d.htm or CPCAM CPD505D http://www.cpcamcctv.com/50xd.htm Basically the same model, same manufacturer, different branding. It'll fit nicely within ur budget. But just note one thing... "And most importantly be able to be networkable - ie I want to be able to view from anywhere by being able to log onto a website(without instlling any software on the computer used). " Most dvr doesn't enable you to do this. When you view through browser, you are actually still installing a piece of software, be it JAVA based, or ActiveX base. Cept that you never physically install it, cept clicking on the "ACCEPT" button when the first time you run it. It's technically still installing the software on the computer use. When you uses public access terminal that has the security setting set up to prohibits user from running activex or java applets, you'll still not be able to view the dvr.

Finally someone appriciate the AVTech/CPCam features. All AVTech/CPCams DVR has this feature build in. From the remote client side, whatever you click there will be translated to button pressed on the physical dvr. What you see on the client, will be what the monitor will be showing, including menus, search, etc.

Well.. I've done it using multiple 4-16 channels DVR. The software client that comes together with it enables you to do multiple dvr mangement, creating virtual dvrs as well. Can connect up to 300 DVR at one time, viewing up to 64 cameras in a single screen at one time. You'll be able to mix and match cameras from various dvr to form a virtual DVR. Cameras and dvr can be swap, added in using drag and drop method. Check out the dvr here.. http://www.sleek.com.sg For the mpeg4 models, you'll be able to do do dvr time synchronisation from a single master dvr, enabling you to have synchronised timing across various dvr. For pricing, email me. Prices range between ard USD$500 to USD$2000. 10 different models. From MJPEG to MPEG4. Frame rate up to full 400/480(PAL/NTSC) recording. Display refresh all live.