Soundy

^Hahahaah that's awesome.

Most DVRs of this type use a proprietary file type for internal storage - likely the only thing that will play recovered files, IF they're intact, will be the DVR's own player/remote utility. Some also use proprietary disk formats, so it may not be possible to properly "read" the disk on a PC, even with data recovery software - it may "think" it's finding SWF files, but it may just be fooled by certain data patterns it's finding. Something that MIGHT work is to use a disk-imaging utility that can do a sector-by-sector copy to a new drive, then see if the DVR recognizes that. When you plugged the drive into the PC, did it ask to initialize the disk first, or write a signature to it? If you did that, it's probably affected the MBR, which could why the DVR can't see it anymore - the data is still there, the DVR just doesn't recognize that this is its own drive.

Fail bot has failed again.

ESC = Electronic Shutter Control: camera controls exposure by varying the "shutter"; in effect, limiting the sample time of the chip. If this is enabled, it may be blocking your ability to set the shutter manually (dunno how CNB handles this, I haven't played with the setting). DC = Direct Current, meaning DC-drive auto iris: the camera controls the iris opening of the lens by varying the voltage sent to it. This should have no effect on your ability to set the shutter speed.

You could get a good 8-channel DVR for $600... not so much an entire system.

*mod hat on* Now now, children, calm down. It appears (at least to me) from Rory's post that tom and torb are talking about two different versions of machines... possibly two different versions of the manuals and two different specs of both the Aver *and* the Monacor systems. This petty bickering is pointless - how about we just agree to disagree? torb, I'm closing your report, but your complaint is noted. tom, please try to be a little gentler on the noobs *mod hat off* *ahem* "Could you please continue your petty bickering? I find it most intriguing." - Lt. Cmdr. Data Just kidding

Of course, you could always power your cameras with PoE...

Does that camera have an ESC setting? Try toggling that...

^What Sean said. Brand-name vs. no-name is your main factor if image quality is your concern; used vs. new comes a distant second (as used cameras can degrade over time, but with quality brands, will probably still be better than the cheap no-name junk). If aesthetics are your main concern, go for domes. Should be plenty of those on fleaBay as well.

What model is the Mobotix? What brand and model is the analog camera? There a few ways to do it: the most common would be a "hybrid" DVR (one that can record both IP and analog). Next would be to feed the analog camera into an "IP video encoder", which effectively turns it into a network camera like the Mobotix, so you can record and view both on an NVR.

Well if you are viewing the cameras already, thats just the stream, next you have to record it, so if all you want to do is record the stream you are viewing remotely, that wont effect the bandwidth anymore than it is already Except, Rory, I doubt they're viewing ALL the cameras remotely, ALL the time. He's already stated that they have multiple different brands and models of DVRs, so it's unlikely ALL of them would support it... and they'd still have to run several different remote clients to get it done.

Personally, I'd suggest identifying one or two "critical areas" of each store that you want "backed-up" coverage of, then either use designated IP cameras to cover those areas, or use video-to-IP encoders to digitize the existing analog cameras on those areas... then connect each store to your head office via VPN, and have those cameras each record to an NVR at head office. Realize that, even at this, the NVR is NOT going to be inexpensive - even at one camera per site, you're still looking at 47 channel licenses for whatever NVR you use (might even require two machines). This will, however, cut down your bandwidth needs substantially, and eliminate the issue of getting different DVR brands and models to all talk to one remote recorder. The other thing you could do is take a "spot" output from each site's DVR, feed that into a video encoder, and then record that output back at head office. The downside to this is that you'll be have to find a trade-off between the number of cameras you record vs. the resolution - look at DVR's screen, whether a single camera, or a split-screen of multiple cameras... and then imagine recording that display. And again, the NVR would be the significant cost, as you're still looking at 47 channels. One other thought would be to use some form out outboard storage (network, USB, or other type of external drive) that you can hide away on each site... then if someone steals the DVR, you still have the footage tucked away, where not even the employees need to know about it. Catch here is, you'll probably have to replace a good number, if not all, of the the DVRs with models that support external storage.

I'm a fan of Milwaukee from way back - I got one of these when I started in car audio in 1990, and still have it today: For a 2.4V NiCad battery, it has a surprising amount of torque... the first battery lasted 8 years before it wouldn't take a charge anymore; the second another three years after that. Best $200 I ever spent on a tool. I have a second one now, to keep at home - got the complete kit again, and they still sell for around $180. I also have a Milwaukee 14.4V drill that's seen six about years of heavy service so far. The other favorite is a Makita impact screwdriver that's pretty much an identical form factor to the Milwaukee: The Makita uses a 7.2V lithium battery; kit with carry case, fast-charger and two batteries lists around $150, and we got them on sale for $60 I really like the folding/straight design and the thumb-operated control on these tools - I've used power screwdrivers with all manner of variations of controls and none of them have ever felt comfortable. My co-worker has a 6-tool Ryobi kit (drill, impact driver, circular saw, vacuum, flashlight and radio, with two NiMH batteries) that cost him something like $280 on-sale and has served him quite well (although the drill can't even hope to keep up to my big Milwaukee). The neat thing with the Ryobi "One+" system is that they have a set of lithium batteries that are fully compatible with the entire tool line... including the charger (I think he just got the batteries and uses his original charger, then added a quick-charger later). He also picked up the matching angle grinder, and the hammer drill, which while it's no substitute for the big Hilti TE-15 when drilling a 1/2" hole through 8" cast concrete, is much more convenient for Tapcon screws and nylon anchors

bel, your idea to catch plates on the access road is a good start... but as others have noted, you might want a second camera with wide coverage to show what those cars (or their occupants) are actually doing... otherwise you have no legal connection between the vehicles and the thefts. A second camera with onboard recording would suffice for this.

What you're not getting is that viewing and recording cameras over the internet are two very different things. Almost all DVRs have software that will do the former (whether in a client app or through a browser); very few will do the latter. And as others have noted, you have a problem when you introduce different brands and models, because you'll probably end up with numerous different client apps just to view them... nevermind one central app to record them. And as others have stated, bandwidth will still be the killer - 47 sites, even if each is only sending a total of half a megabit, you're going to need a *23.5 megabit* pipe at the office end.

Agreed on the need for a wider camera to catch general activities... but you have to match the WHOLE solution to the circumstances, and it doesn't sound like this whole proactive-IQ concept is very well-suited to a site this remote... and may not even be possible, if there's no wireless coverage.

Soundy Some one walks on the property and a alert is sent to the monitoring station. Monitoring station uses 2-way audio to say " hey you!! your trespassing the police are on there way. Everything you do is on video leave immediately" Person looks at speaker and then runs away with no damage done or property stolen. If the person stays the police are dispatched with the whole thing recorded. Here is a demo clip without using 2-way audio. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=VideoIQ#p/u/33/iO_znZ2dikY Still doesn't sound practical for this application. OP wants a tight shot on the approaching road. Someone in a car isn't going to hear the speaker. Using a wider view to capture a larger area won't yield the level of detail needed, so if the person ignores the voice and keeps going, you don't get usable video. I'm sure it's a very wonderful and powerful system, but having grown up in an an area and layout very similar to what the OP describes, I don't believe it's a suitable solution for this application. (And BTW, where I grew up, there was no cell service 25 years ago, and there's not now... if the site in question is the same, you'd need a satellite system to get any kind of voice or data connection).

That still doesn't address the "isolated" part... until Scotty comes back from the future and brings us the matter/energy transporter, police response still takes time. By the time they get there, the crooks are gone, and all you have left is the recorded video... so you're paying the extra for the analytics, wireless connection, etc. etc. just so you don't have to wait until the next morning? Again, I still don't get how this STOPS the theft. The theft is still going to happen... and depending on how remote the site, is probably still going to be completed before anyone gets there.

Yeah, I'd suspect the only real difference is licensing. Again, remember that this unit is designed to be an all-around NAS and do a lot of different things, so IP cameras aren't its primary function. This unit appears to be very similar (looks identical on the front panel, in fact) but supports recording up to 12 cameras: http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_software.asp?p_id=123 Note that it has a LOT more surveillance-related functionality, including support for many, many more cameras, and very little related to home/media/web/etc. server functions - similar products, two different markets. No idea how the prices compare; I would suspect that the VS units do have some sort of per-camera licensing.

Making a camera weatherproof is a more expensive proposition.

So I watched the video and I still don't get how this is going to prevent the theft in this instance... There's no internet connectivity to send an alarm or signal. It's an "isolated" site (per the subject line) so I'm assuming anyone who IS dispatched is going to take time to get there. We're not told HOW isolated, but it sounds like it's a ways out there. The video poses the example of someone with multiple sites to cover with little manpower - in this case, there's ONE site, so if you're going to have on-staff security, you don't have to worry about them having other sites to patrol; you might as well just do away with the camera and have a full-time security guard. I don't care how smart the analytics are, unless the camera turns into Optimus Prime, it's not going to STOP the theft.

Excellent point of course! Well, people steal so many things, some of them can't be put under lock. You dig up a hole, people will come to steal excellent garden soil and replace it with garbage from another construction site. This happens all the time. When you have to change windows, for some time anybody can enter the site. So there is, unfortunately, a limit to preventing the theft. But we suspect these sorts of thieves are not the the brighest LEDs on the panel, and would probably use their own cars which they would drive up to the house. So if it happens and we can get a readable license plate, the cops should bag them easy. hahahaha, haven't heard that one before, I like it

Is that that setup where the camera controls the paintball gun, then?

How you gonna do that then? You know, without erecting a massive wall around the place, taking more time and money than the actual construction job itself?