Soundy

I'll give you $100 to NOT send them to me...

There should be a rubber or foam gasket that fits around the end of the lens and presses against the dome to block the light from leaking in. Check that it's present and positioned properly.

Why is there so much WALL in your view in #1 and #4??

Dahua is the same thing, AFAIK - both made by Dahua. Done it many times, no problem. IP codes are explained here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code Basically the difference between IP65 and 66 is "Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects." vs. "Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects." So unless you're planning to pressure-wash your cameras, there should be no difference.

Looks a little closer to the right size if you go fullscreen... but yeah, it looks like the D1 version was intentionally made extra-$#!tty to exaggerate the differences (sure it's unedited and un-enhanced... it's just recorded extra-$#!tty to begin with).

Thanks, that's what I like to hear. Is there a generally agreed upon budget DVR (8-channel), $300 range? Dahua professional 8 channel. For your googling pleasure

Reminds me of advertisements for things like skin cremes and whatnot, where the models are frowning in the "before" pictures and smiling in the "after" pictures... which really has nothing to do with how the product works, but it makes the "after" SEEM all that much better. I notice the exposure on the analog camera is very poorly adjusted, making it dark and poorly saturated, which naturally helps make the HD video look that much better. I see there's the standard line about how easy it is to drop these things in place of analog using existing coax, too... *coff coff*

If you're looking at JUST recording resolution, then sure, they're the same spec. Doesn't mean they're anywhere near the same unit. There are some WIDE WIDE variations out there in things like interface, configuration, remote operation, etc. Things that might not seem important until you're pulling your hair out trying to configure them or make them work properly. How easy is it to search recorded video? To search events? To export video? I can't speak for the Sam's DVR *specifically* but I know on the Dahua (Dahua-made) DVRs, it's all very well managed... and this is coming from someone who much prefers PC-based systems. Hmm, I see Sam's can't even get their own listing straight... in the header of that listing, it says: "*$449.00 after $200 Instant Savings* Defender Connected 8CH Smart Security DVR with 8 Advanced Resolution Outdoor Cameras" Yet further down under System Specifications, it says: "Number of Cameras: 4 Cameras with 600 TVL". Under the specs listing for the Cameras themselves, it lists: Camera Model and Type: CMOS Hi Res Advanced Outdoor Security Camera Number of Cameras: 4 Further down still, under Package Contents, we have: - 8 Advanced Outdoor Security Cameras - 4 65ft Extension Cables - Power Adapter - Four-to-One Power Splitter So, is it eight cameras, or four? And if it's eight, why include cabling for only four? Hmm, what else? "The included 500 GB hard drive allows continuous monitoring and recording of over two years’ worth of footage!" - this is utter BS. The only way you'll get even close to that is with ONE camera, recording at the absolute lowest quality. Yay for marketing though, they kinda leave little tidbits like that out. I get a kick out of the other camera listing, too: they go on about the super-powerful IR "up to 100'!", then immediately follow that with "weather resistant and ensure optimal picture quality no matter what Mother Nature decides to throw at you, be it rain, hail or snow." Uh... yeah, optimal picture quality of the IR reflecting back off the snow and making big white blobs. Do yourself a favor: run screaming from the Sam's Club stuff. They don't even seem to know what they're selling, so how can you know what you're getting???

In the little time I have been on this forum, that camera has been recommended numerous times. Has a newer one come out yet? I haven't found anything better yet, certainly not in the price range, or even at double the price. There are a few instances where something else might be preferred for specific requirements (WDR, for example) but on the whole, you get a lot of camera for $165.

Like Mike says, you should be able to just clean up the holes with some solder wick and solder the wires directly into them.

Look up "FreeNAS"

Sounds like the DVR is on its way out - time to upgrade!! Google "edsv-proline-8" for a good option.

Don't we have a resident JVSG rep in here?

He's not using a card or RAID software; he's using QNAP arrays.

I think he's thinking of the remote (camera) end of the adapter - it would make sense to have it put PoE on the jack where you're plugging the camera in.

There is no generic URL for all "x-codec" cameras. The line you quoted above is for an IQEye, but probably won't work on any other JPEG cameras. You'd have to look up the documentation for the specific camera you're dealing with and hope they list such info (IQ is really good with documenting their cameras' capabilities and features... others, maybe not so much).

Gel-filled type, prevents moisture getting into the connection.

What make and model are the cameras? How much current do they require? Have you tried powering both cameras with the same adapter? Even the beefiest IR camera shouldn't take more that 800mA or so (until you start getting into the high-end stuff) so there should be no problem with one of the adapters being under-spec'd, unless one is faulty and not providing clean power.

I've seen a few CCTV installs done by locksmiths... they were complete messes.

Correct. But remember to use only ONE PAIR for each video run - I normally use the blue pair: solid for "+", white/blue for "-", but use whatever color you like.

I'm testing one of these, it's a pretty standard box form factor, should fit most standard environmental enclosures.

Well, if there's lots of light, you might be okay with one of the others... the Bosch SEEMS to be the closest in spec, but again, the two listings are conflicting. On the other hand, you can't really go wrong with the 24VF...

Google "ESDV-FULLD1-4". Should fit all your requirements.

Over a gigabit LAN? Shouldn't be a problem...

NONE of those you linked are "true day/night", and as such, their low-light specs are FAR below the VCM-24VF: The Cantek lists 0.3 lux color/0.03 lux B&W, vs. 0.05/0.005 for the 24VF - basically the 24VF will do as well in color as the Cantek does in B&W. The Bosch is an odd one - the PDF linked there states it has the same illumination specs as the 24VF, but the listing states "Color only". The 24VD is essentially the same camera, but without the ICR, so low-light performance will suffer (CNB lists only 0.05 lux).