Birdman Adam

Certainly remote (outside the LAN) viewing will never be close to 30FPS unless you have an awesome internet connection on both ends. Over the LAN I'd expect 15FPS per channel viewing. The SRD-1670DC can record 480FPS total @ D1, so that is a full 30FPS on all channels at once.

I guess what I'm wondering is do I get to choose what I put out on the spot? Like can I choose just camera 3, or preferably do a grid of all 8?

14+2+2 = 18, right? Well my more full-price go-to DVR for this would be the Samsung SRD-1670DC. Capable of 30FPS @D1 on all channels. I played with 30FPS on a channel on my friends SRD-870DC, it is literally no different than viewing live. Set the recording quality (bitrate) to max and it is beautiful. Supports many internal HDDs (5 I think). Plus 3 USB ports for external HDDs. I have not tested this, but it is smartphone capable, android & iphone. The browser-based remote viewing works great, and the viewing program (Smartviewer) is even better. My budget-choice would be a Dahua rebrand from Qvis - like the Apollo HD Pro 16. Supports multiple HDDs, smartphone support. haven;t used this brand, but many here have...

If you are really cheap, you can use most VCRs as modulators. Plug your composite source into the a/v input on the VCR, and connect the RF coax output to your TV. Also, the cable/antenna signal goes to the RF input on the VCR. Set VCR to show the a/v input, and tune your TV to channel 3 or 4!

So can the spot be set to just show a grid of all the cameras?

Yes, it should be easy enough for the website guy to put an iframe with the DVR's viewing page into the website. Your programmer could even copy the viewing code from the page the DVR serves up and host it on the website. Should still work with a bit of tweaking. Most DVRs will only be viewable from IE browsers (if they use Active-X). Rory if you are quick with the Stop button in your browser you can view the cameras past the viewing hours.

Well on the circuit board inside there may be two pins that can be connected while the machine is off, and then turned on and left there for a while to reset. Then the connection can be removed and the machine rebooted.

Yep, I am doing this all the freaking time. It is like compulsive... I didn't know McDonalds used CNB. Haven't noticed at the one around here... I will be checking them out next time I go! I always have a good laugh at the hack installs or the 30+ year old cameras.

Any camera will need some sort of light to see, be it visible or IR light. (Heat cameras excluded...) That camera should operate good at low-light levels. The WDR better be pretty darn good for that price though! Here is a video I made of a VCM-24VF from CNB: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi4zLasNu-w

I would have to disagree that all built in IR is a joke. Many cameras use it well.

Between the three, I'd go with the AVRCD-5351. Its TDN, with the lowest realistic Lux rating (no Sense-up used). It also has the biggest range with the varifocal lens. It is overpriced for its capabilities though. If I had my choice of anything, maybe a Monalisa from CNB.

Sounds like a no-name DVR. I'd bet you can open it up (take case off) and there will be a jumper to connect to reset it.

Yes, certainly it would be illegal to do this in many areas. Just imagine 120V going into the inputs on a DVR!! That would be one good fireworks show for sure!!!

If the Q-see cable is what I'm thinking it is, it really is not good for longer distances. They don't use actual coax, it is actually a really cheap version of it, with an inner conductor, a bit of insulation, and an outer conductor that does not fully shield it. When I first cut into something similar, I thought it was just like 20ga wire...

Rory you ought to check out cameras with the Effio E or P chip. Maybe test one from Sean. These are great for budget installs. Like literally sub-$130 per camera, with decent WDR & good low-light response, good BLC & eclipse/HLC features.

I can definitely attest to wireguy's point as well. Just the bit of IT & CCTV work I've done has amounted to all sorts of people asking for my help (and a good chunk of money). Word of mouth really does work well!!

Haha! Looks like you got him! What an idiot.... " title="Applause" /> Yea, was the PTZ motion-tracking? I'm hoping you get the stroller back! And that he gets in trouble. I just don't understand people like this. This is exactly why I love CCTV!

I really would not do this. There are simply no guarantees - it may work fine, or you may get interference. I would probably run the mains power in another piece of conduit, preferably metal so that it can be grounded.

They certainly do record in D1 (actually 4CIF): http://www.samsung-security.com/en/products/video-recording-and-management.aspx They have real-time 4CIF recorders in 4, 8, and 16-ch versions, with less expensive models that can do 15~5FPS as well. These DVRs are very good quality, and also rather expensive (compared to Dahua at least).

So Apollo HD = 1 SATA connection. Apollo HD PRO (and Apollo HD PRO LITE?) has more than one connection? Do they made an Apollo HD PRO LITE with 8-ch, with more than one SATA connection? What is the frame-rate like?

Does anyone have some video showing these DVRs interfaces, browser interface, etc? I am thinking about getting one too, finally a proper DVR for the home. I would be getting the Samsung SRD-850DC, since I know the quality will be rock-solid. But the Qvis Apollo HD 8 (Dahua rebrand?) is literally half the price, with many (like all) of the same features, and the same framerate capabilities. Oh, wow. Sean - just looked at your website! You've just answered everything... I may be ordering soon. I guess one thing I wonder - is there any one thing that is particularly annoying about this DVR? Oh, and how many hard drive connections are there inside? I have another 1TB drive to add...

Yea, I don't think they'd work. Although their means of communicating is surely very similar - serial on Y & G, power from R & B. What panel did you get? I have worked on Power 832 & installed the newer Power 1832 for a friend (the cabin job). This just reminded me of how much of that 4-conductor alarm wire I have...

One thing I would NOT use is any sort of "Green" drive. Use a proper, 7200RPM SATA drive. If you want to go the most hard-core route, get enterprise-level drives. Otherwise simply getting a middle-of-the-road drive (like WD's blue or Black) will serve you well.

How do you "cert" a run? I really do think cat5 is the way to go now, its definitely cheaper and easier to work with.

I'd much rather hide the DVR somewhere better. What if they cut the phone/cable to stop internet, or the internet simply goes down? When you just record on the DVR, as long as you have a UPS you are good to go...