Soundy

This might suit your needs: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=25176

Common DVR configuration are 4, 8, 9, and 16 channels... I'd give about one chance in 50,000 that you'd find something off-the-shelf that fell anywhere in between those numbers.

Yes, it's called a network switch Instead of a decoder at the other end, how about an NVR, and record the IP cams (or encoder) directly? Or if you have analog cams as well, a hybrid DVR?

^But of course, the VMS option depends entirely on the DVRs and whether the software supports them, or whether they even support remote access... I doubt he could resell the two for enough to get a 32-channel - remember you're selling two used units, which you can't get full price for, to buy one new one, so it would probably require a little extra to make up the difference... but most of the other options would require extra cash as well.

Oh... the other option: sell the two separate machines off and put the proceeds toward a 32-channel unit. That's the best solution BY FAR. Anything else is just a hack.

It can't, really. There are some work-around solutions, depending on the DVRs and what type of connections they provide. If they use BNC-only outputs, you could run them both into a quad or multiplexer and display them both in a 2x2 grid. Or you could get a monitor that does picture-in-picture and then display the 8-channel machine as a small window in the 16-channel display. Or feed the output of the 8-channel unit into an unused input on the 16-channel, so it will display your 8-channel machine as one of the "cameras" on the other. Or if they're networkable, you may be able to view them in two separate client or browser windows side-by-side on a separate PC. Or if they're the same brand and the client software supports it, you may be able to display both in a single client window. That's all I've got at the moment... hard to think of anything else without at least make and model info on the DVRs.

Put the camera outside. Even without the IR, you'll still get reflections from any other light in the room.

It's a locking screw, not a needle valve... and it's a part of the lens, not the camera. Other than taking one off another lens or ordering one from the lens manufacturer, your best option would be to simply replace the lens... IF it's actually a problem. It's not something that will normally go out of adjustment on its own, and frankly, you'll probably be fine without it.

Hmmm... have you tried a different cable between the DVR and the router? Sounds like it's not getting a proper connection when plugged into the router, and since it does work with a different cable (the crossover cable), that would seem to narrow it down to either the particular port on the router, or that specific cable.

Ping should work with that setup, assuming you're pinging the DVR's IP. I would expect both to use the same DNS server settings (would normally point to the router's IP, if it does DNS forwarding), but that shouldn't affect the ping routing.

According to the website, these are (some of) the capture cards that will work with iCatcher: http://www.icode.co.uk/icatcher/cctvshop/capture-cards-c-8.html They also list a range of IP cameras that will work with the software, no additional hardware required: http://www.icode.co.uk/icatcher/cctvshop/ip-cameras-c-3_1.html

I haven't... but from what I've read here, it doesn't sound like they even come close.

As long as it's not commercial sales, sure.

If you're going to send video via the internet connection, you'd be better off using a hybrid DVR that can simply record the IP stream, rather than trying to convert it back to analog. Be aware that streaming video this way can be data-intensive and may not work smoothly if the remote location doesn't have sufficient upstream bandwidth, or may cause over-usage charges if the ISP has them. Hmm, Nova Scotia, you're about as far away from me as one can get in Canada (I'm in the Vancouver area)... pity, I'd come take a look at your set if you were on the other coast

Where in Canada are you? There are RF systems for analog video that will do the job for you, but I don't think you even want to know what they cost. You'd be better off using an IP encoder at the remote end, and using some long-range WiFi products like Ubiquiti (much cheaper).

IF you could get a stable link, it would work... although probably very slowly. A "wireless bridge", speaking generically, is what you're attempting to do. To do it properly, you'd need to look at something like Ubiquiti products, which are designed for directional, long-range WiFi.

Frankly, I prefer to just go 24VAC even for smaller jobs - the power supplies are cheaper, and there's just less trouble overall. We use mainly CNB VCM-24VF cameras, which are dual-voltage, so there's no problem using 24VAC, no problem with balun-related ground loops, and no concern with voltage loss over longer runs. Cat5 is cheaper and easier to work with than coax as well, so it's just more convenient all-around to go that way. Depends a bit on the type of coax. I believe 500' is about the max for RG59, 800'-1000' for RG6 (lower impedance). That will depend a bit on the quality of coax as well, and the quality of the camera to push a signal into a given load, and the DVR's ability to reject noise. Well again, with baluns, it's not the length of the run - the wire in the balun windings increases the total length by several times, so the run itself is largely irrelevant. You don't gain anything with a regulated power supply, either - it's having a regulator IN the camera that avoids the problem. Well, sticking with a color-only camera will help... from my experience, H.264 seems to handle this particular artifact problem better than MJPEG.

"Preferred system" almost always comes down to budget, like Tom says. To generalize: we use 3xLogic Vigil PC-based hybrid systems almost exclusively, working largely with retail and food services (gas stations, C-stores, restaurants and pubs). MSRP on these is in the $3500-$4500 range depending on form factor, channels and extended features selected. For analog cameras, we usually use the CNB VCM-24VF unless the client specifies otherwise (one fuel chain is fixated on Pelco) - they're extremely versatile, with excellent low-light support, true-day/night function, 2.8-10.5mm lens, flexible mounting options (flush or surface mounting), IP66-rated so they're good for outdoor, dual-voltage so they can be used with 12VDC or 24VAC, and are easy to aim almost any way you can imagine with a solid three-axis gimbal. Not sure what MSRP is, I think it's around $300, although you can find them online for about half that (beware buying from unauthorized resellers though). For harsh backlighting, we use the Panasonic SuperDynamic cameras - WV-CW484 (SDIII) or WV-CW504 (SD5). Expect these to retail in the $800-$1000 range. For IP cameras, we've used IQEye and Arecont cameras in the past, and are currently using (and really liking) the 3xLogic Visix line of box and dome cameras. Prices range across the $500-$1000 spectrum. For IP installs, I like the Cisco/Linksys SFE-1000P switch - eight 10/100 PoE ports and two GbE/miniGBIC combo gigabit ports, half-width 1U, fanless, and been solid handling some pretty hefty traffic. They retail for about $300. These are by no means definitive choices - everyone has their own preferences for brands and models - but this is what we use most of the time. You can see how the budget can become a concern for some, as you can very quickly reach the $10,000+ region once you add in installation costs. That more helpful?

Did you manually configure that IP info, or did the DVR pull it through DHCP? What's the IP/gateway/etc. for your PC?

"The best" will depend on a lot of factors - layout, lighting, construction, obstructions, etc. It's impossible to give any *useful* advice without at least a floor plan.

Oh good job, Tailbone, you've scared him off now

Sorry, rather than "cheap meter", I should have specified, "a meter that doesn't read true RMS". In any case, you also need to measure the voltage at the camera - even under full load, you'll still read full power AT the power supply.

The IR doesn't attract spiders... the IR and the heat attract flying bugs, and flying bugs attract spiders... and more specifically, spider webs. Roaches like things like food scraps and garbage... I don't think they'll care about IR.

Well, 24VAC RMS will read as ~28V P-P on a cheap meter... and that's probably without the IR running - assuming the camera runs about 300mA draw without IR, you're looking at only about 2.5V loss.

That wire is really too small for the load you're putting on it. Assuming a maximum 1A current draw, you're losing over 8.5V: