bbp30

This is the only place I've found it... http://hikvision.msk.ru/download/software/en/Plug-in_fo_Mac_OS.zip

bbp30... are you using their NVR? Swann wasn't saying the cameras wouldn't work without being in NVR's POE ports. Only that the NVR required them to be plugged directly in. It could be that they didn't understand but its also not in the NVR's users manual. So I figured it would be prudent to check out. Anyway, that's why I'm interested in alternatives to their NVR that work good with these cameras since the cameras seem pretty darn nice! Nope. Just using an old Cisco SGE2000P 24 port gigabit POE switch and RTSP to view stream.

Heres a daytime video with it being sunny and overcast. Beginning is under pretty good sun. Then goes to overcast. This is factory settings, the only thing I changed was turning on WDR. So colors / etc have not been adjusted. At about 4:30 you can see someone walk by as well.

The NVR package is here: http://www.costco.com/Swann-8-Channel-HD-NVR-Security-System-with-2TB-Hard-Drive-and-4-1080p-IP-Cameras.product.100027599.html After looking over the users manual for the NVR I didn't see it talk about adding in cameras outside it's POE ports (over it's WAN port). This is important to me since some of the future cameras will simply be plugged into POE switches on my LAN. I emailed Swann and asked. They responded VERY fast (within an hour!) which I thought was exceptional. But they said any cameras managed by the NVR must be plugged directly into it's POE ports as stated in the users manual. Well, for me this is a deal breaker unless some really good non-Swann NVR solution is available for these (i.e. BlueIris confirmed, etc.). Anyone have any thoughts on what else to do since on paper these cameras look really good? Woah! You mean if the cameras aren't plugged into their POE Ports, It's Impossible to have the cameras? This is rediculous. I take it their 8 chan system has 8 POE Ports? I would rather not have the poe ports and use a powered switch in the attic or basement..... Q2U: I missed your post with my above reply. Yeah I would assume they didn't understand... Like I said I would rather not have the poe ports and use a powered switch... When you get your system, Please do a FULL review, Lots of pictures and videos. Like above said, For your Cambudds!!! No, this is not true. I got the 2 pack, and use a 24 port Cisco POE switch...works fine with no other components. So, as long as you HAVE a POE Switch, these cameras work fine. Nothing else required.

Will do! Hope to mount today. Pretty nasty weather for the last few days in Indiana.

bbp30, I'm tempted on buying this set as well but couple of questions first as I'm going to use them without NVR for the time being. What setup you used for the ipcameraviewer? I'm using that app on my ipad/iphone to monitor some foscam / dlink @ my house. Also which iVMS software you download from HikVision USA for the camera initial setup? It was the iVMS-4000 Client software? Last but not least.. are the cameras standard PoE? Thanks a lot. For ipcamviewer, I am using the Hikvision DS-2CD81553F-E profile, which appears to just be a RSTP profile. Yes, iVMS4000 Yes, standard POE, I am using a cisco 24 port POE switch.

Dude! That is a TERRIBLE image! It appears that one is looking out of a grid! The sad part is, even through my screen it looks better than my old foscam. LOL

I guess I'm not really sure how to tell (sorry kind of new to this like I said earlier). VLC says RSTP is at 1920x1080 @ 4000-6000kbps. There does appear to be WDR as well that you can activate through the iVMS software from Hikvisionusa website - this is how initially configured the cameras since I don't plan on buying a DVR system. LMK how to see if its 3MP and I'd be happy to do so! PS the device ID type = MEGA_IPCAM if that means anything. No problem. I'm kinda excited. Are you able to log into the camera with your web browser by entering the camera's IP address in your browser URL bar? Like this: http://192.168.1.202 (or whatever your cam's IP address really is)? Yup! Although mine was set to static (192.0.0.64) by default, so I would suggest downloading that software for initial config as it goes out and finds the cameras no matter what your network is set up as (I use a 10.0.1.x range). Within the iVMS, you can change the IP address as well as many other settings. Here's a screen shot of the browser interface...too rainy to mount it outside today, so this will have to do.

Are you getting 3MP out of the cameras? I guess I'm not really sure how to tell (sorry kind of new to this like I said earlier). VLC says RSTP is at 1920x1080 @ 4000-6000kbps. There does appear to be WDR as well that you can activate through the iVMS software from Hikvisionusa website - this is how initially configured the cameras since I don't plan on buying a DVR system. LMK how to see if its 3MP and I'd be happy to do so! PS the device ID type = MEGA_IPCAM if that means anything.

Just got mine today...haven't tried it with blue iris, but the generic rstp stream does indeed work, at least through VLC on my PC and ipcamviewer on my mobile. Quality seems very good.

Hey All, New to the forum, just getting into the network camera game...does anyone know if these work without the NVR? I am looking for something in this price range for monitoring more than recording, and am curious to try these out. I know the costco website says they do require the NVR...but curious if maybe they could be used with out it. Thanks for any information you can give, and thanks for all the info I've learned so far on this board!