Soundy

Define "affordable"? http://www.cnbusa.com/en/html/product/product.php?seqx_prod=1073

It does not. I direct you to my standard setup for the client using these systems: The RAID in this case (Promise and Enhance units) has separate iSCSI data ports and management port - you can't access the management console from the iSCSI interface - but others (QNAP, Synology) do both iSCSI data and management through the same port. The reason given to me for Vigil not working with SMB shares is that they're not reliable enough in reconnecting after a system restart... which in my experience, is certainly possible - I've had more than a few instances of network drive shares not reconnecting properly after a reboot. But your explanation makes sense too

It probably won't use SMB-attached drives, even if it's mapped to a drive letter - Vigil is like this, as well. You may need to use iSCSI to attach the NAS (providing your NAS supports it).

I've got plenty of VCM-24VFs mounted to walls in direct weather - never a problem with leakage.

The VCM-24VF does fit all your requirements nicely, although the VBM-24VF would be a little lower profile. Both are IP-66 rated so they're fine in direct weather. Specs-wise, the XCM-24VF (http://www.cnbusa.com/en/html/product/product.php?seqx_prod=1231) appears to be the same innards in a bullet format... with IRs, but don't let that throw you off - you say you "don't like picture quality during the day on IR cams," but that's nothing to do with the IRs and entirely to do with the fact most cheap IR color cameras have no IR-cut filter, which causes the poor picture during the day. The CNB models we're talking about are "true-day/night", meaning they have a movable IR cut filter - in place during the day, for proper filtering, and flipping out of the way at night for better light gathering. Personally, I'd recommend sticking with the dome - a bullet can be too easily pointed in another direction with a well-aimed rock or long stick. Also, are you sure you need *SIXTEEN* cameras for this parking lot? How big is the thing???

Nope, not watertight, but they will provide pretty good protection from the elements as long as they're not in direct rain. Actually, depending on the style you get, many types are "hinged" and putting the hinged edge up on a horizontal run should keep rainwater from getting in.

^TECH PORN!

Welcome aboard!

Electrical... or building supply. Got a Home Depot nearby? Lowe's? Even some plumbing shops may carry it. This is the stuff:

Take a browse through this thread, should be examples of both Aver and Geo: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9891

The last completed system was 31 channels (on a 32-channel hybrid)... three of them 2MP IP cams, the rest analog. When I first set it up, I left all analog channels recording D1@30fps (default for the 960fps H.264 hardware compression card)... the NAS handled it all no problem. Had to dial it all WAY down when we found we were only getting 20 days' retention out of 9.8TB (client wants 90 days ) BTW, just pulled a network graph of that system... it's an upscale restaurant, Saturday night, pretty busy right now, so there's plenty of movement and probably the max you'll see in network traffic... The site we're finishing up now is 30 cameras, one of them 2MP... same setup.

I've been doing something along these lines with Vigil hybrids: the base model comes with a 1TB internal data drive in addition to a 250GB system/exports/backup drive... there's an option in the software to define one or more "alternate" storage locations, so if the primary storage goes offline (failed disk, for example), it will use the alternate location(s). So on one client's sites, we've been using multi-TB RAIDs (typically right now, 8x2TB, configured RAID6+hotspare), connecting it via iSCSI, then using that as the ONLY primary data destination. The internal data drive is then switched to an "alternate" target. This way, data is normally recorded ONLY to the array, and if the array goes down, or is disconnected, or the network goes down, the system will record internally until the array returns. Something like this might be suitable for your needs, all sites having one or more DVRs/NVRs as required, all writing primarily to the remote mass storage via network, but all with the capability to record internally should the connection fail.

Geo and Aver both come with their own software, no additional licensing required - the USB key you're thinking of for GV is probably for IP camera licenses. Never heard of the Sharx system...

That picture looks like either the glass in front of the lens is fogged, or the lens itself is fogged, or the gasket around the lens is out of place and allowing IR light directly into the lens.

Should be easy to find info - it's covered regularly, and there are a lot of wire calculators linked to from here. According to this one, and assuming a 500mA draw over three pairs: http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=84.22&voltage=24&phase=ac&noofconductor=3&distance=900&distanceunit=feet&amperes=.5&x=34&y=18 ...you'll see a 7.7V drop, for 16.3V at the camera. Depending on the camera, this may not be an issue (many dual-voltage cameras will work with anything from 10-30V, AC or DC). Obviously the drop is greater if you only use two wires, or if the camera draws more current (built-in IR, for example).

WAT?

This thread may be of use as well: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12801

That's *A* reason... certainly not the only one.

Why not just add some weight? 8x8x16", 28-30lbs., $1.25 at Home Depot... put two or three of these in the bottom of the kiosk and it's unlikely to walk off OR tip over. Add a tracker in the off chance someone decides to bring a hand truck...

I dont think that is the case. Have you inserted that flash drive into the laptop to see what the video looks like. If it looks good, then what is happening is you are recording on your main stream but you are probably viewing on your sub-stream over the network which is a lesser video quality than your main stream. Perhaps your main stream is at D1 and your substream is at CIF. ...and/or higher compression.

Probably because they're crap cameras with lousy low-light response and the CFLs just weren't bright enough. They're probably also color cameras with no IR cut filter, to provide "day/night" capacity... thus they get some benefit from the substantial infrared component of the halogen lights, while the CFLs have nothing in the infrared spectrum.

I've used straight wire on short runs before, too - just station wire straight into BNC connectors. Sometimes it works fine, but again, any sort of source of interference and it's just NASTY.

What camera is this?

Seems to me we've already been through that on another thread... and the "is this a balun" issue was first addressed there. Doesn't matter how many different times you ask the same questions, the answers will not change. Screenshots or video clips would help... 120VAC anywhere near unshielded, unbalanced wire will easily produce noise in the line. A proper balanced line would probably eliminate that interference. I already offered to send you a pair to try out: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=28766&start=47