Boogieman

It is likely that the problem is simply the hard drive. Replace it (is it under warraty?) or Return the system to costco for a full refund

I have these cameras running for several years with no issues. I have other low cost IP cameras running for 4-5 years with no degradation in IR. Yes some junk companies overdrive the IR. Dahua does not. OP never said he is using the cameras for covert purposes, but, since you brought it up, I have installed several hikvision 1.3mp covert pinhole cameras and the perform nicely in low light - yes you need some light but they are great. Also there are IP cameras that are specifically designed for low light the perform superbly. There is no reason to be using analog except trying to save a few bux and as a result, you have an inferior image.

That is absolutely not the case. Take for example the 1.3mp dahua 2100 series cameras. They have exceptional night vision. There is no reason to keep using low resolution analog, none.

Its very rare for that to be the case and if it is, then HD over coax like tvi/cvi is a better option. Regardless op suggests that he can replace the cable...Id rather spend a bit more and replace the cable and get HD video than spend all that cash on an encoder to yield the same low res.

Dont waste time with encoders, they are expensive...just replace the coax with ethenet...done.

no, it cant. They lied to you. If it has 4 inputs on that back, you are limited to 4 cameras. Like tom said, count the inputs. What is the EXACT model you have?

There are various forums on the net..just search...ultimately you need to buy the equipment and mess with it to learn.

yes you must change the NVR ip address so your camera on the same network can communicate with it.

That is a dahua based CVI system, not ip, with plastic housings..that is why it is so cheap.

Your dad is incorrect. You dont even need an internet connection to for an IP system. IP allows for a much larger selection of cameras and NVR (standalone or pc based) easier installation dont have to mess with baluns or Siamese cable, the ability to use switches so you dont have to homrun all the cables to the NVR (depending on the location, this can be a huge time/money saver). The ability to easily stream to two NVR's (as a backup), to use cameras with SD card slots (as a backup).

You will need to buy an 8 channel dvr.

Your old pc will likely not cut it, it depends on the specs and software you use. If the qsee cams were rebranded dahua you can use dahuas free PSS. You will need a poe switch... You can also look at blue iris (cheap but requires a i5 haswell for your load, though at the end of the month, hardware acceleration will be added), only 60 dollars total, no license fee. The pc can be had for 300 (dell outlet, ebay), Dont use xp for anything, particularly a security NVR. OR use exacq/milestone for 50-150 per license depending on the features you want..they dont need a powerful pc. If you purchased the qsee at costco, just return it. Replace with a newer better system.

Do friend a favor and stay away from anything that is 960h or d1...At the minimum it should be 720p, 1080p would be better. How long are the ethernet runs? If they are only 40 meters max as you say, just go with an ip system. How many cameras will you be installing? what is your budget?

have you properly port forwarded your router?

You question has been answered. You need to do some legwork yourself. There are tons of threads on cameras that will meet your needs..see hikvision and dahua. You will have to setup cloud storage on your own. Cloud storage is a waste for most. With IP cameras you can hide a cheap NVR somewhere in your house and even record 24/7 to it as a backup, or get cams with sd card slots as a backup.

1) the device may be on a different subnet. Have you hooked a monitor up to it to check the network settings? 2) You can use an analog to ip encoder but I dont know if qnap will support it. Honestly you are best off replacing the system. If you can run ethernet and get an ip system that would be best. Its well worth the investment. Alternatively you can look at HD over coax systems like CVI or TVI. They are inexpensive.

Probably...look at a WD purple...

I would appreciate it if your refrained from calling me a dog. What mathematical tool are you talking about? Let me break this down for you since your English comprehension is very poor. 1) The OP posted two TERRIBLE images. 2) Hikvision and dahua cameras have MUCH better image quality as seen in the youtube videos. So unless you can explain to me how the sensor and chipset can be the same if the image is different, then please be quiet. Again there is only one question for you, please answer it. If the sensor is the same why are the images different? Even if we take your lies as fact, and the chipset and sensor are the same, and magically the image is much better on dahua and hikvision, why should the user not buy those instead of the junk cameras he has? Explain that to me. The fact that you make these types of statements tells me that you have either never seen a decent ip camera in person or are simply purposely lying. You CANT. STOP LYING, its shameful. Do you think the members of this forum are idiots? Do you think we never installed an ip camera? Do you think all our installs look like the crap image in the OP? Come on...really? Quite frankly, I have NEVER seen night images that bad, even on junk cameras. Those cameras are awful. The fact that you refuse to answer ONE simple question proves my point. Feel free to continue to babble on but the VIDEOS I posted speak for themselves and anyone reading this can see your lies. That is my goal. To prevent you from having someone buy junk.

Again, another long paragraph but you fail to answer the question, its amazing how you can write so much but fail to address the issues at hand. Why are you even mentioning 2mp 4mp etc...That is not the issue here. You are trying to get off topic. If you open hikvision and dahua you will see that the sensor and chipsets are NOT the same as that junk camera posted by the op. You have absolutely NO idea what you are talking about. You simply make stuff up as you go along. If the sensor and chipset is the SAME how is the image much better with dahua/hikvision? That is the million dollar question. If you can answer this then I will conceded and you win. You keep saying they are the same, but we are not as dumb as you think. You see, we have the hikvisions and dahuas and we get MUCH better images than those posted in the op. For others, I have posted youtube video so we can see with our eyes. I also can see difference in images between brands and even different models of the same brand,, so I know they are not using the same chipset and sensors. Hikvision and dahua both have cameras that have various sensor SIZES, are you saying that they are lying in the spec? How can you claim all sensors are the same? STOP LYING. Its simple, you are trying to knock IP cameras because your company sells low end analog cameras and junk useless dvr cards that should be thrown in the trash. Shame on you. Also your statement that I am paid by dahua and hikvision is a lie and makes no sense. 1) they are competitors 2) You continuously complain that I promote the purchase of gray market cameras by these manufactures on ali. Why would I promote gray market cameras if they are paying me.Hmmm? I GET PAID BY NO ONE. I do this a public service to protect end users from those who prey on them, like you. You posted a bunch of nonsense. It is clear you have no idea about ip cameras. In the past, I though you may know something about analog and AHD but its clear from your posts here that you know NOTHING about installing those cameras either. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47966&p=278534&hilit=balun#p278534 So once again, Please answer the question. How can the chipset and sensor be the same but the image so different? In the past, china scammers like Sunnykim would lie to us like this and we would have to take their word. Not anymore, we have youtube, we can see with our OWN eyes. So you lose china scammer. We can both agree that the image posted by the OP is horrible. The videos I posted have much better images. Please explain the difference. 1000 dollars to you if you can. You cant.

Wow, now you want to get technical? Its probably more than 1000 times better. Look at the difference. Its obvious. Dont tell me that the sensors and chip sets in the original photos are the same as those in the video! How dumb do you think we are? Its clear that the OP has a JUNK camera that is NOT the same as dahua/hikvision in low light image quality. The question is simple, how is the image so much better in the hikvision and dahua videos than the image the OP posted. Please tell me? How come my hikvisions and dahuas show have MUCH better night images than the images posted by the OP? You have yet to explain why we see a dramatic difference. The answer is simple. The sensors and chip sets are NOT the same.

No reason? I can tell you that hikvision and dahua are 1000 times better than that camera. Its NOT the same as that camera. The images posted in the OP are terrible. That is not the case with hikvision dahua. Please STOP with this misinformation. Clearly the OP took your advice and bought a low end junk camera and thats what he got. As you can see these are night and day better than the op. If the sensors and chipsets are all the same, please explain why the OP images are so bad compared to hikvision/dahua. You cant. Its obvious that you have never used a decent modern IP camera. Furthermore, even within the same manufacturer the sensors are different. YES. For example if you look at dahua 12x PTZ cameras they have a MUCH lower lux rating than the fixed cameras. They are MUCH better in low light than the fixed camera. How dumb do you think we are? If what you are saying would be true every single image form every ip camera would look the same. They dont. I urge you to buy a few IP cameras and see for yourself. Same sensor my A**.

Dont buy anything off ebay....buy from a reputable dealer...buying on ebay is what got you into this mess in the first place.

Big mistake to use CCA cable. I would pull it out. But you may be able to salvage it with better baluns...Ill leave it to the guys use these baluns to make a recommendation. There are special baluns made for AHD systems. Like these http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/AHD-HDTVI-HDCVI-CCTV-Video-Balun-p/vb-hd2.htm Dont know if those are any good though...hopefully someone can help you out.

No, that is a common misconception. They do not have to be connected to the internet. Many NVR's even have POE port for the camera so you dont even need a router and its all plug and play. Here are two options for you. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/qsee-4x4-secrty-sys/prod11570578.ip?navAction= This unit is a NVR - rebranded dahua disregard the picture on top that has BNC connectors. The photos on bottom are correct. Other systems go on sale all the time. You just missed this one, 4 camera 8ch system for 450, rebranded hikvison. http://slickdeals.net/f/8144164-laview-lv-kn988p86a4-premium-ip-surveillance-system-8-channel-nvr-6-x-full-hd-1080p-day-night-in-outdoor-cameras-579-99-newegg?v=1&src=SiteSearch If you plan on 8 cameras, then buy an 8 camera system.

What model DVR's and cameras? Did you use quality cable? Copper not copper clad aluminium? What baluns did you use?