Soundy

I'd probably go all-IP, if it was me, with the camera in building 4 connecting directly to an access point on the peak of building 4's roof... on building 2 you'd have two APs, back to back, one aimed at building 4's AP, the other at building 1... then a receiver on building 1. Inside building 2 I'd have a PoE switch to connect and power all the cameras, and plug the two APs into that. Then back at building 1, there'd be another PoE switch to connect those cameras, the AP, and the NVR.

You can, depending on the cameras' current requirements and the voltage used. If you use all three pairs, and the cameras aren't loaded up with IRs or heaters (ie. under 500mA draw), you should be fine at 12V... 24V cameras would be better, though. You won't find much good in analog wireless without spending big bucks... what you could do, though, is use IP wireless, such as Ubiquiti, to link the buildings... put one DVR in building 2 and access it via network link to building 1... or use an NVR and all IP cameras, including for #16, so you can link that one in via wireless... or a hybrid recorder, so you can use IP for just #16.

Don't forget that there is a reported issue specifically with the Monalisa cameras and Dahua DVRs - some sort of odd incompatibility that under certain conditions makes for substandard results. Rory posted about it quite a bit a few months ago. Doesn't mean either product is "bad", just because the two don't always get along...

Tell him to find out if his wireless provider offers a GSM hotspot... something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKxOIaGGecE

Depends on the DVR - does it support audio recording? What type of camera is it? Make/model of both?

Correct.

Yep but Exacq is using only Mac that why its easy to hack What do you mean by this? Exacq is multiple platform. MAC ADDRESS, not Macintosh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_address

BTW, Do YOU? Try reading the forums a bit: even for experienced techs, bandwidth and storage calculations are a black art. There are SO many things that affect it, including, but not limited to: framerate, resolution, codec, VERSION of the codec; constant vs. variable bitrates, scene complexity, scene contrast, movement in the scene, constant vs. motion vs. alarm-triggered recording... Now for you to waltz in here and proceed to criticize and belittle someone who's also new to the industry and may not have had to deal with this aspect before, for not knowing it backward and forward already, is presumptuous and arrogant in the extreme. You'd best take a step back, boy.

Did you ever think that maybe he hasn't learned this stuff is simply because it hasn't been an issue for him until now? You've been making a LOT of assumptions in ALL your posts in here, and insulting a lot of people based on those assumptions... and yet you're still asking for those same people to help you? Anyone else note the glaring irony in these two sentences?

Whether or not to try depends on how much you want to spend to make it work. You could run the camera into a $130 DVR and then use the DVR's Android app, but that would really be overkill... then again, it would allow you to record the camera and up to three more. But in short, there is no DIRECT way to get analog video into an Andoid tablet, unless you can find a plug-in video-capture device for your tablet.

No. At least, not easily. At the very least, you'll need an app like IP Cam Viewer, and then an analog-to-IP encoder that's supported by it.

The Dahuas I've looked at are pretty impressive - just about anything you can configure/adjust on the DVR, you can adjust via the web interface.

You'll have a tough time finding four IP cams for under $1000, but for a good start, you could check the banner ad to the left of this, showing a little 2MP dome... You should also consider some sort of WDR camera with a tight shot on the front door - will add a little more to the cost, but that that does is give you a detailed shot of everyone coming through the door. Alternatively, you can look at a height-strip camera to go beside the door to catch faces of people leaving. This is a good point: people mostly think about cameras to protect against theft and loss... but liability is important too. Someone slips and falls on a spill, they could sue, claiming the store should have cleaned it up... if the camera shows they spilled it their own dumb selves, then turned around and slipped on it right away, you're in the clear.

Something like this?

They're dual-voltage cameras so you're pretty flexible in terms of powering them... I'd probably go with something like this at the head end: http://www.easterncctv.com/accessories/ev04p-vps.htm Then one of these at each camera: http://www.easterncctv.com/accessories/ev01p-vp-t.htm Wire it all up with Cat5e and you're good to go.

Keep in mind there's a WIDE range in low-light capabilities among analog cameras too... but yeah, all else aside, simple physics dictates that an MP sensor can't collect as much light as a same-sized analog sensor. The CNBs' advantage with low light is in their Monalisa chip... I'd love to see them use that processing in their MP cameras. It obviously still wouldn't measure up to the analog models, but I bet it would be a lot better than most other MPs.

Sounds like a good start... the only thing to be aware of is that these cameras won't match up to the CNB's low-light capabilities, but as long as you have decent lighting, you should be fine. I haven't use the Dahua-made NVR, but if its interface and setup matches their DVRs, you should have no problem.

The Vigil software is developed in-house by Camacc Systems. Interesting... you guys worked on that in Vic? *I* don't. I don't work for Camacc/3xLogic. I work with a separate integrator; we just use and sell their systems... among others, of course, but Vigil is the platform of choice for our major customers. Now that name sounds familiar... from the old BBS days. Couldn't tell you if he works at Camacc, although I know of at least one other old-school modemmer that does.

We've been using a variety of RAID units from Enhance Tech, Promise and QNAP for the Cactus Clubs, most of them using RAID6+dedicated spare. The Vigils are set to use the RAID volume as primary storage, while the internal drive that comes with the DVR is set as an "alternative" drive that the system will use if the primary storage is unavailable. This means that if the DVR should fail and need to be replaced or rebuilt, the data all stays onsite - the new DVR can simply be plugged in, and the search database rebuilt with the existing data.

Hey thanks Soundy for the offer and information! I very much appreciate it! Vigil uses what software? The Vigil software is developed in-house by Camacc Systems.

Let me know if you want a demo of a Vigil DVR/NVR - they're locally-made as well (Victoria, actually). We have a couple hundred of them in service, between Petro Canada in BC and Alberta, most local Essos, and all but one or two Cactus Clubs. And good for you, standing up to the Avigilon evangelizing!

Well, guess what Shockwave....I contacted Defender at their support number and it turns out that cameras and DVRs purchased from Sam's Club and BJ's (an online store) have serial numbers and model numbers that are not standard for Defender products and support canot help me. This is a surprising turn of events. Not surprising at all, actually... Nailed it!

<----- click that big picture ad to the left for a good start Now as far as POS cams... have you thought of covert cameras? If the cams are obvious and the staff know the till is being watched, they may stop any skimming (ideally, although then you won't know who's been doing it), or they may simply find more creative ways to hide it. Covert cams in this case will be more effective at catching them in the act. I've done it using mini board cameras hidden in objects like smoke detectors... I've done it with a box cam and a long lens (for a tight shot on the cash drawer), hiding inside a "broken" corner of a ceiling tile, as well as behind a vent grate.

Never tried it - I do have a VMAX-16 sitting on the shelf that I removed from a site... used it long enough to make sure it worked, and that's about it.