harminator

Installing an IP camera system for a large, outdoor storage unit facility. The storage unit buildings are unheated enclosures in a cold climate. Looking at using some outdoor rated gigabit PoE switches to build an outdoor network between the buildings, plugging IP cameras into these switches. Found one from InscapeData - LPS2000-T1 switch that looks like it would fit the situation. Has anyone used this outdoor rated switch? Does anyone have any other suggestions for an outdoor rated PoE Gigabit switch? Thanks in advance!

What climate are you in? There are some extreme temp versions of the Trendnet switches we normally use. That could work with a NEMA box and a DIN power supply. Do you normally install the DIN power supply in the same NEMA box as the switch? With 220VAC coming in, I'm wondering if it would be wise to have the power supply in it's own separate box...

Yes, I suppose that is an option as well. But then I would still need a switch that is rated for sub zero temperatures, or some sort of small heating element in the enclosure. The other nice thing about those LinkPower switches is that they look like it can be powered by 220VAC, which is what the storage units use for their outdoor lighting.

Great, thanks for the info. I'll convince them there is no need to worry about bandwith issues. I would much rather do it this way.

Here is the layout: Office environment, I want to put a camera at the front door to view the person when they push the door buzzer. Multiple people in different offices will need to view this camera depending on who is working that day. No need to record video, so no DVR. Thinking of a way to use existing computer monitors instead of separate video monitors. Do not want to use IP camera on the LAN. Here is the setup so far: 1 - analog camera at front door 1 - 1x4 video distribution amplifier to split the signal to 4 offices. 4 - bnc to vga convertors to convert the signal at each computer monitor 4 - vga switches to switch input view from computer to camera So have I missed anything? Any alternative setup that would work better? Thanks.

Their concern with the IP camera is having 3-4 people who leave the application open on their computer all day & having that eat up bandwidth. It is a 100Mb network, so you are saying that is something we shouldn't be worried about? I agree an IP solution would be much simpler. It's a pretty basic view, indoor hallway, so I don't see much need for low light or back light compensation. Any recommendations for a decent IP camera?

Anyone have any experience with this camera?

Thanks for the info. Hopefully you get a chance to put up some shots. Geovision seems to be about 1/2 the price point of other systems I've been recommended. It is always good to get some real life feedback.

What's your opinion of it?

I've designed an analog system for a parking lot application & want to look at a megapixel solution as an alternative. Here's the layout: 2 parking lots outside of a gymnasium. One on the south side & one on the east side. 2 rows of 16 parking slots approximately 40 feet from the building. Low light, 2 light poles at night. Cold winters & warm summers, anything from -20 to 100 degrees. Analog system design consists of 8 cameras (CNB-VCM24VFH), 4 on each side & a 16-ch/2TB DVR. Features needed: - expandability. If this goes well, there are 3 other building to tie together. - ability to view recorded & live footage via LAN - ability to view recorded & live footage remotely - 2 week minimum record time, 30 days better - PoE (not a deal breaker, but would be easier) - Main server area is in a separate building, there is a network cable available between buildings Been looking at some 2MP cameras from Ganz & Vivotek based on a distributor recommendation. Seen Exacq mentioned a lot here & checked out their website a little. Was thinking a 4 camera setup with NVR might be a comparable alternative. What would be some recommendations for a comparable coverage megapixel setup? Under $9k for budget. Thanks!

So... Any recommendations on the original post? Thanks guys.

Evidence quality video with no guard on duty, so #2.

What cameras are those?

The goals are to deter burglary/vandalism and/or evidence for prosecution. Cars are occasionally parked there overnight.

Can you guys recommend good places to learn about network CCTV systems, megapixel cameras, PoE. I've been reading the forum for awhile & have got some good info here so far. I'm familiar with analog camera systems, DVRs, power supplies, etc. Work for a small company & have done some basic installs. We don't have any reps come to our area & no chance for training classes near by. Looking to learn more about PoE cameras, what all is involved with creating a camera network? Can you use IP megapixel cameras on an existing network infrastructure? Won't that significantly slow down & possibly crash the network? Trying to look at megapixel options for people instead of multiple analog cameras. Sometimes I feel like my head is spinning. Thanks in advance.

Thanks Soundy for all the info. I'm sure I'll be around with other questions once I do some more reading.

The diagram helps me wrap my head around it more, thanks. So it looks like having a good switch is a key feature. You still need to run your own cable for the cameras right? So in this layout, the NVR handles the user interface, the GUI, while the NAS handles all the storage?

Agreed, this is the best place to start, especially IP addressing. If you understand how addressing and routing working (address/netmask/gateway being the three main components), you're 80% of the way there. From there, the basics of DHCP will help a lot. Things like PoE are handy, but not really necessary, as from your perspective, they're generally just plug-and-go. I'm a little familiar with IP addressing. I've done some work with various routers, port forwarding & static IP addressing when we set up DVRs to view off-site. Don't know much about DHCP, so I will definitely look into that. I like the idea of PoE, your transmission & power are one cable (I guess technically Siamese is one cable also.), your power source & routing are one device.

So for small jobs; couple cameras, lower fps, lower resolution, you could tap into an existing network - route the camera IP's to the recording device & probably be ok? Middle to large jobs, you'd want to build a separate network. Route your own cables, have your own PoE switch & hook into your recording device - be it NVR or a computer with video capture. Then use their network to also tie into the recording device to view footage. So the recording device would have to have 2 network cards? 1 for all the incoming cameras & 1 for outgoing viewing?

Yes I have learned quite a bit from reading this forum & a couple others. Can you recommend some good manufacturer sites that have online training?

I do love MT, beautiful country. BC is nice too, was there about 10-12 years ago.

Hello everyone, ran into this forum after searching for info on CNB equipment. Up in Montana.

Does anyone use the CNB DVR's & can you view them over a smart phone (Droid, Blackberry)?