Boogieman

The OP solved the problem..read the post above yours.

Did you format the drive in the dvr?

I am quite not understanding this? for example Lorex NVR has 8 network ports, I am thinking all cameras cat5 cables directly connect to NVR? I am not correct? But in your words we can connect cameras cat5 cables to switch and switch to router. from there is to NVR (everything in the single network). Is that correct? Yes, you dont need to use the NVR's poe ports..you can use a POE switch connected to any network connection (another switch or your router)...The NVR can then also be connected to any network connection. Using the NVR's poe ports negates one of the benefits of ip cameras over analog, in that they dont have to be homerun to the NVR...

I dont care how many fans you have in it, its going to get freaking hot in the attic...With an NVR, you can easily hide it anyplace you have power and a network connection...

Why dont you test hikvisions vms and see how it goes...see how many cams you can load before it chokes..

He knows and wants to use a wd purple which is a surveillance grade drive...his question was what is the maximum size the unit will allow... OP, just call swann and ask. It should at least handle 4tb.

If you dont trust your installer disconnect the NVR from the internet until you find someone you trust. He does not need access in case something is wrong..IF there is ever an issue, you can change the password back for him. You cannot delete some accounts, but just change the password...if he doesnt have it, then have him reset it, reconfigure everything, then you set your own password.

Could you please suggest a product from amazon, so I can go through and read the details. I just need it for basic usage, so it does the job, thats all What job are you trying to "do"...if you just want to know if someone is in your waiting room or that a car pulled into your driveway, thats one thing...if you want to be able to id someone thats another....go to youtube and compare analog D1 resolution to 1080p...its night and day. What is your budget?

If you just want a general image these cameras might work..understand that they are junk, and the image will be poor..if you are looking for a clear image and a system that is easy to install (single cable for power and data) then get an hd IP system. Or at the very least a cvi hd system...start reading the forum and doing research.

This is usually caused by the improper display setting on the dvr...you will need to log in via the network and change the output...

Whatever you do, dont by an 8 camera system off ebay..its likely crap.. What you need is an ip camera with an sd card slot..you cannot get good, cheap and fast... You can save some money by going with ali express but you will not have it fast... this camera does not have very strong night vision, but it has an sd card slot and built in mic http://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-Megapixel-Weatherproof-Security-Ds-2cd2532f-/dp/B00JIK0H5Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419297283&sr=8-2&keywords=hikvision+2532 This one has stronger ir, sd card slot, no audio http://www.amazon.com/HIKVISION-DS-2CD2732F-I-Megapixel-Bullet-NETWORK/dp/B00LP27BYU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419296994&sr=8-3&keywords=hikvision+2732 This has NO sd card slot (but its much cheaper), you can use hikvisons free VMS software on your pc..depending on how old it is (also consider that older pc's may be power hogs) http://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-DS-2CD2332-I-Turret-Network-Camera/dp/B00GYHEG0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419297336&sr=8-1&keywords=hikvision+2332 You will need a 12v power adapter (they dont come with one) or better yet, a poe injector, you can use a single ethernet cable to power and stream data http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PoE150S-Gigabit-Injector-compliant/dp/B001PS9E5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419297473&sr=8-1&keywords=poe+injector You will have trouble seeing anything from the second floor..all you will get is a head shot not face... IF you are going to mount it there, then use the 2732 with a vari focal lens... Dahua also has a motorized varifocal Dahua IPC-HFW2300R-Z which can be purchased for 200 from us sellers just google the model and select shopping ..NO SD CARD slot but you can record to dahua pss...

What camera?

Go with 1080p..5mp will be terrible at night, unless you spend over 1000 per camera...higher mp is not always better.

I guess that is not a bad choice..but i dont see how its cheaper than cvi..the 4 channel 720p from costco is 269 vs 399 for the amazon unit. With costco you can bring it back anytime..if you have an issue with the amazon unit you only have 30 days..i dont see how you can upgrade and be out very little..

It would help a TON if you told us what cameras you purchased?

Test the machine with a load of about 50 percent....You can just download the blue iris demo and test it... By the time you need to upgrade the motherboard on a prebuilt machine the OS license is not worth much... At that point you would just by a new machine.....

The lower cam is a two axis dome..you cannot properly wall mount it without using a mount...as the others pointed out you need a 3 axis dome or a turret style..

I would spend a more for 1080...i dont know really know much about the cvi market...look at the dahua systems...if you want to minimize the cost you will have to buy direct from china via ali express...but you cannot return it and dont get warranties...look around for a us based seller if you are unsure....Just understand that is going to be a lot more than the 269 unit...

Kits are fine...You just need to know what you are buying.. I have no direct experience with cvi...but this looks like a decent kit, its cheaper than the amazon unit and it comes with a hard drive (the other doesnt). also, since its from costco, you can return it anytime if it fails.. http://www.costco.com/Lorex-4-Channel-HD-720p-Security-System-with-500GB-HDD-and-4-720p-Cameras.product.100140528.html#BVRRWidgetID

None of those packages will be able to control your dvr...it will just allow you to view a live stream or record that live stream to a new destination other than the dvr...If you just want a live stream you can use those or you can use something like ipcamviewer by robert chou on android or ios.

7.3 cents is very cheap an well below the national average...are you sure thats the rate? make sure you add both the supply and delivery. While i think the national average is about 12 cents, i pay about 20. That said the only way to determine consumption is to use a killawatt meter to test the machine under its normal load. I never build anymore...its makes no financial sense...Particularly if you are paying for the OS. There are TONS of great deals of refurbished business class systems that are only a few months old (make sure they are using haswell fourth gen processors)..they are built exceptionally well and run perfect. Every single one of my blue iris installs (and i have many) run on refurbished dell/hp/lenovo business machines without a hitch..There are some great small form factor business machines as well if you dont care for expansion room...Always check the processor benchmark...

I have the A10-5800K which was the first gen model I think. I just did some googling and the onboard gpu is still better than the 4600 graphics that intel has but thanks for letting me know they do have something built in . I've mostly bought amd stuff and don't pay attention to anything intel. I may have to consider a i7 if I start having issues. My processor is sort of comparable to a i5 I think. A new i7 is 3x the cost of the a10 so I will hold out as long as I can. I'm glad to see both companies offering a quality built in gpu. Makes for a much simpler build and saves energy. Now time for me to starting playing with Blue Iris instead of asking so many questions AMD, is way behind the curve in the cpu business. That A10 actually compares to a haswell i3...and i5 is way faster http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-4570+%40+3.20GHz Blue iris does not benefit from the better graphics performance...its all about cpu.. Since you have the system see if it works.. In the future, you can buy refurbished business class haswell (fourth generation) i5 systems for 300 dollars (dell, lenovo outlets, or ebay) with next business day warranties for at about 2-3 years. The i7 are around 500...

That camera is not even going into night mode...its got nothing to do with the leds... something else is wrong...regardless, why is the camera pointing at the wall... As an aside the image from that camera is very poor...

OP, Don is giving you some good advice...You dont mention a budget? Costco has some decent ip systems, swann (hikvision) and q-see (dahua) systems at good prices. Make sure its an ip camera system and not sdi or cvi.

I was about three seconds away from posting the exact same thing...right down to the link You need to be quick with the trigger finger