scuba-junky

I've got the Vivotek IP8362 and I have to admit, I wish I had never bought it. The image is blurry and I just can't get it focused in. I have an old webcam that produces a much better picture than this thing. The other thing I don't like about it is the limitations on in-camera video and snapshot capturing. You can't get the camera to record UNINTERRUPTED video or snapshots to the internal storage or NAS. There are large gaps between video files and the snapshot sequences. Unless someone can tell me how to solve this, I wouldn't recommend any of the Vivotek cameras. I like not having to have a NVR but instead have my cameras record directly to internal storage, the NAS and email. The Vivotek just doesn't cut it in this regard.

There is quite a bit of light there and you still can't read the sign on the wall.

The diagram is fine but you really need to do more than just draw a few switches with lines between them. There isn't enough detail in the drawing to really make it very useful. If you feel you really need that many switches (maybe they are separated by great distances) you should indicate so. It looks like you are going to have multiple subnets - you would improve the diagram if you included complete network addressing information such as the network addresses, subnet masks, any routing you desire including static routing, where's the DHCP server (static based upon mac address or dynamic? - better security), NAS device, LAN, WAN, Intranet, DMZ etc... You may even want to add the names and exact address of each device you plan to implement. You may want to also include security such as a firewall - where is it, what does it protect, who can get at it? You mentioned having two NICs in your DVR and implied it would provide routing. Try to show that on your drawing. What OS and application is on the DVR - list it in a description under DVR box. This way a single drawing provides a great deal of information that you can rely on while implementing the build and maintaining it in the future. The more information you provide about your network architecture the more beneficial it will be. You've got a good "basic line drawing". Now build on it and add the gritty details. Once you think your getting closer, post it again for comments.

Famester: Would you mind posting which cameras you decided on getting, what area they will cover and other details for us new folks. Its been really hard for me to get a grip on what camera to get for particular placement area. Currently I'm only trying to focus on the exterior of my home. I've been looking at the Vivotek IP8352. I still need to see if the IR can be turned OFF via software. Thanks!

I've been searching around for a reasonably priced PoE switch that can provide enough power for 4-6 cameras. I want something that is as dependable as possible for my budget <$250. Some of the newer ACTi cameras seem to want all 15 watts and I've read (here and elsewhere) where several consumer switches are failing to provide enough power and causing some pretty flaky network problems. Two of the switches I've been looking at are the TRENDnet TPE-80WS and the Zyxel ES2108PWR. Can someone tell me if either one of these switches are dependable enough for IP Camera Security System? Are either designed for "small business" or "commercial" use?