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got my hdcvi system from Costco. It has Dahua name on the board chips. Running cat6 with baluns. Picture much better then the old analog system. The DVR has 4 audio in. 16 alarm sensor in, 3 alarm out. Another audio out, hdmi, ptz connections.. I nice upgrade over my old q-see system. I did not even test the included cables, just run cat6 with baluns. I might buy one rg59 cooper cable just to see if there is any difference. If I understand right, there might be cameras with included mic that would run over the same cable. These cameras have no mics. I had some mics that I tested with the four audio in and they work. I tried using the same mics in parallel with another set of balun and power n the same cable with camera and the sound doesn't work. It's nice that I can hear the audio from the mics through the hdmi cable on my tv. It's bad that you can only use up to 4 mics. I wish the cameras had included mics...

I just ordered the 16 channel version from costco. I have a q-see D1 now. Some cameras use cat6 (under 100ft) with baluns and some use the basic q-see cables (60ft). Would these cameras work over cat6 with baluns better then their cables? I would not want to run new RG59 cables. Planning to return the D1 system to costco as the DVR died 4 times. 2 times in the warranty, one time right after the warranty expired (they fixed it at no charge) and now the fourth time. Tired of it. Hopefully they will take it back. I hope the new one has the same cables so I can return those new cables with the old system and leave the old cables in place.

Is it possible to disable the LED light inside this sensor so it doesn't glow red at night and still detect motion? Optex LX-402 Thanks

I don't remember which fan. The DVR died two times in the past. They fixed it the first time and sent a new one the second time. After the second time, I use it without the case and the fan disconnected. (It gets good airflow in the place it is).

Hi, I've been reading on this forum a lot in the past week and decided to make my first post about my experience. I'm new to CCTV and decided to install a surveillance system at my house just to be safe and watch for the house while we're away. While shopping at Costco I have seen a Lorex system installed and decided I want one (I'm kinda geek, I like computers and I do webdesign for living, also photography). After reading reviews I went with Q-See QT526-5 16 channel DVR with 8 QM6006B cameras which are 600 TVL. (I think the DVR is made by TVT) It says that it does D1 at 30fps on all channels, and looks like it really does what it says. (I only have 8 cameras right now), will add later. Looks like they don't sell it anymore (but you can find reviews on costco website by searching google), it was on sale for $600 after $300off. Costco mentioned on the website that it comes with 500GB HDD because of the flooding in Taiwan (they usually have 1TB HDD) also they say in description that you can heve 2 HDDs at 2TB each maximum (a SATA cable was included to add another HDD). I opened the DVR and actually you can add 2 more HDDs to a total of 3. I have some HDDs and will try to add later. Still testing the system. Also Costco had same DVR with 16 cameras for an additional $200 (also on sale). I set it up and everything works, not the best looking software, or very practical, but it works. I have nothing to compare too, but I'm sure the software could be better. One of the camera had an adjustment screw threads broken. Also I have seen some people mentioning the same thing on a similar q-see system from Costco. Video quality is OK, same thing, nothing to compare too. Video/power cables look cheap, but they work. It has 2 power supply with 2 splitters for 4 cameras each. Do you think that a short in one camera cable could damage all 4 cameras ont he same power supply? Or even the DVR? I will invest in a power box with fuses at a later time. The only thing that bothers me the most is the FAN noise. I have it hidden very well in a wall along with a APC 550VA UPS which connects to a GFCI outlet. I tested it for about 20 minutes on the UPS and it was still working with 8 cameras. I plugged it back in to avoid a forced shut down. The fan noise is not the bearing, is the airflow. Small thick fan. I covered all the air vents (for intake) on the DVR with some filter pads with duct tape to avoid dust going inside. Will change those once in a while. I did this because of the location of the DVR, may get dusty. What I'm thinking to do is to cut the top metal cover of the DVR and add a big 120mm fan for quitter operation. Don't want to void the warranty, but I will do it sooner or later. The DVR should be hidden, and it is, but the noise uncovers it. You can hear it when walking 7-10ft from that wall. Using the iphone for live view while on the ladder for proper camera angle adjustment was very helpful. Iphone app is $2, ipad is $10 (SuperCam pro) I did not buy the ipad version yet. The free app is crap. The paid one will allow to view recorded files and DVR setup as from a local computer. I think that camera/lens angle is around 50-55 degrees. Will need at least 2 more cameras with a wider view. Looking to buy something for wide view outdoor (front door), but I will have to research this forum for recommendations.. Some cameras developed some kind of stains on the inside part of the glass where the IR leds are. (like smoking stains probably from led heat??) All leds work good. On the first night of installation two of the cameras was showing white lines running on the screen vertically. Those cameras are on the same side of the hosue where the power enters the house also those two are connected on a metal fascia of the house. Probably ground loop, but next day the lines disappeared, also for the next night, will update if will see them again. It was foggy last two nights. Video showed like it was snowing. White dots which triggered the motion recording. Set the sensitivity to 1 and it stopped recording, but that also stopped recording for one of the camera even on driving the car in the area of motion. So I set it to 3 for now, will see tonight if the fog will trigger the recording. I don't know if I could change the lenses on these cameras, would be nice to have a wider angle on 2 of them. That's all for now. Excuse my English.

OK, after sending the DVR the them the second time, it took about 2 weeks including both shipping times to get a new one. This time they did not repair it, they sent a new one which works so far. Another camera died. Actually the one I got as a replacement for the previous one that died. So both cameras died on the same location. This time I connected to a different cable (same location). That is the only Qsee camera that stays in full sun for the most part of the day, so I think this has something to do with it going bad.

I realized a week ago that my dvr is dead again. Contacted the customer support. If it dies one more time after this, I might take everything back to costco and get something reliable.. or see if q-see wants to solve this by offering me something that actually keeps working..

See this post for some screenshots: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=28670

At least I bought them from costco and I can return them at any time, even after 2 years. These are not included in their 90 days special return policy for TVs and cameras/computers. It's on their general return policy... I think..

Can someone help me understand how to use the audio out of my Q-see DVR? I'm planning to install 3 MIC's in the audio in ports. The DVR is connected to a TV with VGA. Can I get live audio from a MIC on the TV speakers? I can't select the audio source on the TV to be the AV-in, since the video source is the VGA. Or it's just recorded audio that I can get from that audio out output? Also, can you recommend an IR light that I can use separately to illuminate the back yard at night? Thanks!

CNB at night.

Night screen shots.

OK. I had a Q-see 526 model for 7 months from costco. (still have it) you can view the full story with it here: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=28670 basically the mother board died in 6 months and 2 cameras died. But: They replaced it very quickly. When the first camera malfunctioned they sent me a return label pretty quick and then sent me a replacement camera. When the motherboard of the DVR died it took 2 and a half weeks from RMA request to getting the DVR back at my door. I just installed it and it works, but now I see that second camera is dead. So I will request a new RMA tonight. So I can't complain about their customer support. I think that if you buy it from Costco then they take care of it very quick. (They even have a link on their website support page that say: Click here if you bought the item from Costco, so probably they take care of costco customers faster because costco has a good return policy). That being said, one of my friends house was robbed in March. I bought the QT426 with 8 cameras for him from costco for $500 (after $300 off). Installed fine. No problems in almost 2 months so far. Works over the internet. And it WORKS on IE9 on Win7 x64. I can manage his DVR from my home in IE9, Chrome, Firefox and iphone with no problems. His cameras are the same as mines 600 TVL and the quality of image is almost like CNB monalisa 24vf. Actually I can't see a difference in day time. (not the same build quality as CNB and two died in 6 months). His 426 DVR is smaller in size, but has 16 channels as mine (526). In 526 you can put 3 HDDs (I know they say 2, but there is room for 3 HDDs and there are 3 sata ports). The biggest difference between his and mine is 526 can record full D1 on all 16 ports. I can't remember his fps number, but it can't record D1 on all channels. If you use less then 16 channels, then you can have a few channels on D1. Q-See Conclusion: Reliable? ...so far not really. Customer support: I will give it 9 points from 10 so far (quick enough and free shipping labels). Image quality/options/functions: good enough, I have nothing to compare too, just one CNB24VF. Works in all my browser from home network and from remote locations on internet using Windows 7 x64. Works on iphone and ipad app. You have to buy 2 apps if you want iphone and ipad. There is a free app, but it;s limited in functionality. Iphone app is $2. Ipad: I think it was $10 or $20 (I didn't buy it using same iphone app on ipad). 18 months warranty if bought from costco. Buy it from costco! At least you can return it if it stops working any time.

DVR was sent for repairs at no cost (in warranty). They take it seriously if you bought it from costco (because costco has a very good return policy). They sent me a label to ship it. From shipping day to getting it back: 2weeks. Mother board was replaced. Now i noticed both heatsinks are hot (probably that's how it should be). I would cut the top part of the case and install a larger computer case fan, but I don't want to do it while I'm still in the warranty period. Got it back with HDD formatted and I had to set everything again from start. Now I noticed one camera is dead, will RMA it. This is the second camera that goes bad from 8 in half a year. This camera was the most exposed to the elements. In full hot GA sun all day. Not covered. Not under an eve or something. Full sun, full rain.

I removed the HDD (that's what the customer service representative recommended too), no changes. I actually put the original fan back shortly after cutting the grill out because I realized that most of the noise was coming from the grill, not the fan Cutting the fan grill should not affect the warranty since this modification can't damage the DVR. I can always take it back to costco if they refuse to fix it. Now they sent me a firmware update that I should put on a USB, connect it to DVR, then turn the power on. This should flash the firmware automatically. .. tried, no changes. Tried twice, once with the HDD connected and once without HDD. Noticed one of the heatsinks on the motherboard is very hot.

My Q-See died... Nothing will appear on the connected monitor, same for the LAN and online. It receives power because the fan is spinning. The HDD is spinning too. Just contacted Q-See. Will see how long will take to hear from them.

Same image quality. I don't check them as often now. just when I expect a UPS delivery.. I don't have any night pics so far.

I used a few cameras with original cables and a few with baluns and cat6. Yes, by simply getting a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter for the power cord of the power supply eliminated the ground loop problem.

the camera was used. It worked good, but I returned it anyway. They sent me a new one right away (charging me one more time) and send me a UPS label to send the other one back. They will refund for the first one when they receive it. Second one is definitely new. First time after connecting it, it would not enter in the menu, the joystick was not functioning at all, after unplugging and plugging back in a connector with wires for the board with the joystick it started working, so I'm keeping it. The video quality is not much better than my q-see 600TVL, but the built quality is better and has more options, zoom lens, manual focus, etc. I like it.

I just bought a VCM-24VF from surveillance-video. Looks to me that it was used before, or at least tested... Box doesn't look new, screwdriver marks on the power connector screws, no manual... I would like to test it first before contacting the seller. Since there is no manual or instructions, how do you change the settings on it? change DN change DNR adjusting the AGC. SBL ..other settings? (I'm not even sore what all these abbreviations means yet) Also How do I know if this is Monalisa or not? (probably looking on a chip inside...) Also there was included a small adapter (like an audio in) in a small plastic bag.. will add pictures later. I searched this forum and youtube, could not find anything clear yet. I'm using a q-see DVR from costco. 526 model. Thanks.

thanks. Should I use a balun with an BNC RCA adapter to fit the mic's connection or I could just split the wires of the audio output end on the mic? The mic is small, but the connectors are too big to hide them properly in my case.

Can I run 2 cameras with IR on the same cat5 /cat6 cable that is less than 50ft? I know that it is recommended to use two twisted pairs for power, and one pair for video, remains one pair.. Can I use one twisted pair for power and one for video for one camera and the same for second camera? The cable will be cat6. Cameras are some q-see 600TVL. 12V. Question 2: Can I use cat5 with baluns and adapters for a microphone? Thanks

bought some cat 3 cable (4 wires), will that work for the mic?

I bought the 8 cameras one because I wanted to be able to add some better cameras to it. Just installed my first CNB VCM-24VF, a little better image than my q-see which are also 600TVL, but it's great to be able to choose your focus and focal length also this one is vandal resistant.

Yes