Excalibur

Watching this topic with interest because I want to fit a camera to my (redundant) chimney top. (Great view up there).

Can you use PVC pipe to run the cables.?

 

Don't know if it helps but I had similar blank screen on my local network. If I recall correctly the solution was to use either I.E. (with warnings etc disabled) or Chrome with I.E. plugin.

Best post the pics. As much info as possible please.. i.e.: left column showing the individual cameras, etc

One way could be via a web browser perhaps Chrome with I.E. tab extension. Type in DVR network address. Once successful, add it as a bookmark.

In the router try reserving 198.162.0.20 to the DVR's MAC address.

Update:

Finally the camera is working. After a very frustrating time I decided to give it one more try. I unplugged the network cable, waited a few seconds then replugged it in again.

It appeared on the monitor after a short wait. Really I don't know what I did differently. It seems that if you don't do everything exactly the way the system wants and in exactly the right order, it won't play nicely. Kinda reminds me of the old Windows 95.

The big test is will it survive a hard reboot...

Now, a really interesting piece of the puzzle:

The (DS-2CD2032F-I) will show in the CMS software if I access it direct by IP address.

Indeed I have it showing alongside the 2 Besder cams. I had to add an "area" then add a "device". The bazaar thing is the DS-2CD2032F-I is connected to port 7 of the NVR.

.......so it appears to be a NVR configuration problem??

More clues:

The camera doesn't show up in the Kb/s meter (in the list of 8 channels).

Also it doesn't show in the CMS software which I have on a PC on the network.

Neither does it show on XMeye remote view on my Android phone.

Besder NVR with 2 x Besder Ip cameras which are working fine..

 

Problem is I can't get my lone DS-2CD2032F-I to show on the NVR.

I'm sure I had these playing together nicely some months ago on the test bench. It would seem to be something simple but I've lost quite a few hours already with rechecking IP's, reboots etc.

The DS-2CD2032F-I does come up via web browser and I can log in successfully.

What could I be missing?

Thanks.

I bought my cam from Dragoneye with no problems. Now Julia at CCTV Camera is down to offering the same product within a dollar. Both have free shipping on these so I'd say either of the two.

Good thinking re citronella and rubber gaskets. Actually I was thinking of coating the surrounding area, perhaps out to 2 foot radius. Spiders have been a problem on my current DVR cams so anything to slow them down would be welcome.

 

Re reset issue,, I'm a bit wary of firmware after having issues with my DVR F/W upgrade. It sounded like a good idea at the time but though the DVR works, I lost a valuable feature. I can't find an original F/W and the maker website (Fuho) only has the latest version listed. Older versions are removed from the website.

But, yes I read about the Hikvision firmware problem. It seems that once a product loses sales/market share then the makers move on, losing interest in supporting the old product. It's wasted time, effort and resources to them and they'd rather you bought a new one..

 

The underside of the sunshade looks like stick-on black vinyl, I guess to help IR?

 

I'm pleased so far with my IP cam.

I placed a number plate 15m away and I can just read it on "x1" setting using IE11 and the cameras' software.

It's been very stable with no freeze ups at all.

citronella oil is said to work, of course you'd probably have to make it part of your routine 'maintenance'.

..and I just happen to have some so I'll be trying it.

I pretty sure the reset button does a lot more than that. I think it resets all changes, possibly even IP and port. Unplugging it would just re-boot it..

Oh OK, so it's more like a factory reset on a router. All the settings go back to defaults. Not something to do by accident then.

The 2032 would be a much less costly idea. Maybe using a 5mp camera would be an option (I know nothing about those, not cost... nothing ).

Still pondering on the idea. No hurry so will keep looking at options and learning. Reality is that every time I look at IP camera prices they have either come down or you get more for the same money.

I like the domes mainly to (hopefully) deter spiders from turning the cameras into luxury movie star condos. The 2032 bullets are awesome for a lot of reasons too such as: easy access to the card and reset button. The tiny size of the camera. It's easier to install. It has a sunshade. The lens is likely to stay cleaner, longer. And the IRs are less likely to reflect inside.

Good points. The spiders are relentless, I was thinking of some sort of insect spray repellant.

 

Re reset button, isn't turning power off, then on again going to do the same thing? In the case of POE, the rj45 could be disconnected briefly for same effect.

16mm? I guess that would be a box camera? Even the 12mm dome and bullets are hard to find. But even a 16mm might not get what you want. A parking lot is generally a big area, and to get a 16mm FOV on a plate number would be a 'shot in the dark' I would think. Good luck though.

My plan is to focus at the driveway. There's only one entry/exit. I need to do my sums and work where I can mount the cam, then figure the lens size required. Closer would be good because I could use the 2032 with 12mm option.

I had cam shipped to New Zealand so DragonEye is cheaper for me too. Yes I'm going to go for the dome cams as you suggest so thanks for the pointers. Good looking reviews too.

 

At some stage I'm wanting to get a cam with a much longer range because I need to stealth monitor an adjacent parking lot getting the number plates. Am thinking 16mm lens and then I can have cam at a safe distance away and hopefully completely invisible.

Which AE vendor did you use? I don't think I'll be getting that model as the DS-2CD2132F-I is now out, but I do want a good AE vendor. Oh, and what lens did you get?

Vendor: Dragoneye. Initially I thought about a bigger lens but agreed to the default 4mm as seller said that was 'in stock'. Next cam I'll specifically ask about availability before buying. I don't think they keep any in stock as such so maybe it easier or cheaper to convince a customer to go with default. For me I want 6+ cameras anyway so it will work somewhere...

 

I like the look of this cam here and the seller has awesome feedback so on my favorite vendor list too. However there are only two lens currently selectable.

The DS-2cd2032F-I arrived in the mail today. It was double boxed, with dense sponge padding and just as well. The package had quite a beating in the post. It looked like it was stacked underneath of some rather heavy cargo.

 

 

Installing and configuring the cam went well enough. I connected via my VDSL router and within a few minutes the camera was working.

 

One thing that puzzles me is the video storage was set by default to save in my user area in a folder called "Web".

I lost a bit of time battling to understand why I couldn't see this "web" folder. It turned out there is a virtualized "C:\users" in the hidden Appdata/temp files area. Is this normal?

I've put a shortcut on the desktop for the time being.

 

I haven't so much as opened the SD card cover.

 

So for about $82 I'm pleased. Now for more study on cameras, NVR's etc. Probably I'll make another purchase within a week or so, this time a Hikvision turret cam.

Ok, to help solve the mystery I've had a bit of a scratch around...

 

The DS-76 as it's simply known does not appear on Hikvision.com. Nearest product is DS-7600 series however the product spec does not match. I was unable to find it on Ebay though elsewhere and outside of Aliexpress the DS-76 is offered for sale.

 

At this moment I think it's a Chinese Hikvision product adapted specifically for Aliexpress?? This could mean that firmware updates may be a problem, just like the Hik IP cams from the same source.

 

On the plus side of the ledger for the DS-76 I note the seller has 100% feedback covering 95 votes/82 orders. This appears fairly impressive in its' own right and even more so when compared to other sellers.

 

BTW, my new IP cam has landed in my country. That's 14 days after buying it and 9 days since China post pickup.

Hoping for early next week delivery..

I feel like a kid with a new toy.

Ah, no wonder I'm confused. I need more info on models. Will do another Google snoop around and try to pin down the differences.

Thanks for the reply. Ok I need to put links up for the two in question otherwise I could never do justice by merely explaining. It strikes me as odd that there'd be such a big price difference when it appears the two are from the same family of Hikvision NVR. When things don't add up, I get suspicious. I'm sure there's an explanation but I'm not seeing it.

 

CCTV CAMERA CHINA DS-76 series $199.90 + $60.17 ship =$260.07

 

Dragoneye DS-7608NI-SE/P $343 incl ship

 

Both the two models have numerous sellers offering them. To add to my confusion I find there is also a DS-78 series NVR. Is there a flow chart online with all the models showing features they have or haven't got?

Currently I'm awaiting my first IP cam to turn up in the mail but in the meantime I'm studying NVR. I'm 99% certain I'll go with Hikvision for all the parts of the system so it's a case of sorting through and understanding some of the model differences.

 

On my shortlist I have a Hikvision NVR DS-76 series 8ch 8POE. It looks like a good piece of kit and a great price.

 

Also for the subject of compare is a Hikvision 8ch NVR 4POE DS-7608NI-SE/P

 

The key things I'm seeing as different is the DS-7608NI-SE/P has only 4 POE though it has 'two way audio'. Playback res is 5mp against DS-76 series with 6mp. In addition the DS-76 series has something called IPC smart functions which look great according to Mr.Google.

 

I suppose what is perplexing is why the one with apparently the least features/spec is more expensive (incl ship) by $80. Both the NVR are on Aliexpress from different vendors. Can post links if requested.

What am I missing?? Comments/chat invited & appreciated. Thanks.

Got the camera today, but no the time I needed to install it.

Default language was English, and you can see the gasket on the photos and the size of that thing.

Thanks for taking the time to reply with great pictures. How long did it take in the mail? Let us know how it goes please. Were there any problems with setting up, etc?

Thanks.

I think v5.2.5 is only Chinese, v5.2.8 in think is multilingual (I've been readin too many things, in too many places, to know what is what off hand.). I'd like to know what all comes in the box other than the camera. ie. a disc, paper copy of users manual, installation manual, and data sheet (and in what language).

Looking through the offerings most state 'English firmware', 'multilanguage' or similar despite variation on the version. It's one thing to say it's English multilanguage but another to be that and do it well. Chinese product does have the reputation for poorly translated English instruction manuals. I guess I'll see when the cam gets here.

 

I'm keen to see what comes in the box too. I'll do an unboxing photo presentation here on this thread so stay tuned.

 

My cam is now listed as 'shipped' though not yet registering on China mail tracking. Curiously the Aliexpress website link supplied for tracking was in Chinese. Confusion was soon sorted once I asked Mr.Google to find an English website and there appears to be several including my own country's post website.

 

I have some other items in my shopping cart, two from seller CCTV CAMERA CHINA. Since purchasing my cam I was offered the DS-2cd2032F-I for US$1 off their normal retail. Every time I check prices, there is someone with a new better offer. I guess this reflects the dynamic nature of the market for IP cams. I'm going to wait till this cam arrives before buying the turret Hikvision cam. By this time I'll have learnt more plus prices will have come down.

I did get one of this units over a month ago. But it didn't ship until after chinese new year, so I still have not received it.

According to the tracking number it was posted 2/March, and left international post office 7/March. I hope it gets here soon.

Chinese New Year would be quite disruptive for shipping. I read warnings from several sellers before the event. Wikipedia lists 37 Chinese holidays so I wonder how many will affect business, shipping etc.

Good for you is the shipment is seen to make progress. It's only a week after leaving P.O. so no cause for alarm. I know it can be nerve racking. Please reply when the item does turn up, it would be great to know.

 

I've proceeded with a purchase from Dragoneye. Status is: shipping required within next 5 days, else sale automatically cancelled. The only thing to note so far is seller contacted to say only 4mm lens was in stock, so I agree. Logically, sellers would not be keeping any stock especially those on the cheaper end of the price. For the future, my thought was to query availability of required options before proceeding with any order.

 

One other thing I noticed. Firmware versions vary with at least 3 variants. I see V5.2.5, V5.2.8, V5.2.0 so I wondered if this would cause any issue down the track?

Thanks for tips.

Yes, actually that seller was one on my short list along with the previously tipped top rated seller.

 

It appears that feedback over 6 months doesn't count for their rating.

 

Incidentally, one seller did eventually respond to my email. The response was clear with reasonable English however they didn't clear up the question about gasket or seal for the SD card slot.

 

Am going to decide shortly, get one item and work from there.

Ok, after a bit of studying the AE site, I decided to try and contact some vendors. By chat I spoke with two. Both said only to use firmware from the seller. My other question about weatherproof seal of the card slot was not understood.

Two other vendors I decided to email with coupe of questions each. Both have not responded after nearly 4 days.

So, the language barrier can be quite a problem and did my emails even get through. I'm not feeling very inspired...