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dahomes555

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Posts posted by dahomes555

  1. Posted

     

    Most of the demo videos I've seen are not at all realistic. The HD-SDI DVR's are going to compress the video before recording it, using h.264. The live stream might or might not look better when compared to some IP cameras and VMS systems. But you can't record an uncompressed 1080p video stream without having literally hundreds of terabytes of storage. So, the recorded video (eg: what the customer will actually end up dealing with 99% of the time) will look exactly the same as video from a quality IP camera.

     

    Yeah, I'm sure you wouldn't ever be recording video in full 1080p, as it would consume HDD space very quickly. But if the compressed video looks as good as a quality IP recording, isn't the installation/setup/maintenance easier on a coax system than an NVR?

     

    As far as network saturation goes, I've experienced it on the few large (15+ camera) IP systems that I've installed. The bandwidth started to drop off pretty substantially. One customer that we did 25 cameras for anticipated the bandwidth issues and actually installed a completely separate network just for the camera system. Maybe we're all doing something wrong?

     

    Thanks for the reply.

  2. Posted

    I've been reading a lot lately about HD-SDI being able to transmit full 1080P resolution video using existing RG59 coax cable, so long as the cameras and DVRs are HD-SDI. The demos that I've seen appear to be stellar in quality.

     

    Having mainly installed NTSC DVRs that are limited to D1 resolution, I've been looking on how to break into the HD market. IP has seemed like the way to go, but there is just so much upkeep and configuring that goes on with IP. You also run into bandwidth issues where having a decent sized system (8-10+ cameras) will basically require it's own network, otherwise it will just kill the bandwidth for the rest of the building.

     

    What are the pros and cons of HD-SDI, in comparison to IP? In my opinion, IP has always given more flexibility and higher quality images, but with lower reliability (network dependent) and more maintenance. If HD-SDI can offer the great image quality, with most of the flexibility (DVRS are basically network appliances these days), then why would I use IP over it?

     

    Thanks

  3. Posted

    Common mistake. When I first started installing, I would load the settings into my iPhone and so long as it was working on there, I figured it had to be working on the web port too.

     

    After having to roll a truck twice, I got wise and realized the same thing that you did with ISPs blocking port 80. Now we are smart enough to always someone from the local office pull up the DVR before the technician leaves to make sure it is working on all ports.

  4. Posted

    Set up a free DDNS server acct at www.dyndns.org. You create a host name (i.e. bigjimmysdvr.dyndns.org) and then you add those settings onto a device on your network (DVR, some routers, computer, etc.) that has DDNS support. Then when your IP address changes, the device will update dyndns.org with the new IP address. This allows you to always access the DVR using one "static" address (bigjimmysdvr.dyndns.org) even when your ISP changes the IP address.

  5. Posted

    Which DVR?

     

    The basics are this:

    1) Assign an IP address to the DVR. This will be a local IP address (most likely something like 192.168.0.25)

    2) Enable port forwarding. Your DVR will most likely use port 80 and another port. You will need to go into your router and forward the specified ports to the IP address you set up above. If you need assistance, you can use a site like www.portforward.com for assistance.

    3) Verify that your ports are in fact open (some ISPs block certain ports, like port 80.) You can verify this using a site like www.yougetsignal.com, then click on the Port Forwarding Tester. Enter in the ports you have opened on your router and the tester will tell you whether they are opened or not.

    4) Create a DDNS account using www.dyndns.org. The Dyndns service will update your IP address every time your ISP changes it. (NOTE: you will need to have a device on your network that has DDNS support on it. Some routers have it. Many DVRs have it. Once your dyndns account is set up, you can put those settings into the router, DVR, or even a computer on the network. Then when the IP address changes you can still access the DVR.)

    5) Access the DVR through your web browser by typing in the dyndns account that you created. If you've done everything correctly, it will open your DVR web interface page.

  7. Posted

    I switched my DVRs from Zmodo to QVIS (Dahua) earlier this year and could not have been happier. I have installed about 50 of them since March and have not had a single issue with the DVRs. In fact, I've returned to several of my Zmodo DVR customers and upgraded them to QVIS.

     

    As has been mentioned, they are very easy to use, have a lot of features, and have a much more contemporary interface than I got with my Zmodos (same interface that you see on the Qsee DVRs from Costco or Fry's.)

     

    QVIS has been a good partner to be with as far as DVRs go. Their cameras are good quality for the price as well, but they have issues keeping them in stock and since they all come from China, it takes them 6-12 weeks to get them in stock again. That has made it hard to maintain consistent price sheets and product lists for my salesmen.

     

    Having only worked with off-the-shelf brands from ADI and Tri-ED (GE, Honeywell, Digital Watchdog, Clinton, etc.) and Zmodo, I really feel I will be sticking with QVIS/Dahua DVRs for a long time.

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