kaysadeya

DataAve,

My CCTV application is a residence and my first impression on the cost of DVRs and cameras was similar to most homeowners. One's first impluse is to compare the price of a multi-channel security DVR to that of a TiVo. But it would be more accurate to compare the price of a security DVR to a high-end computer. When you get into that range, $1000-$3000 doesn't seem that unreasonable.

However, only a few years ago, TiVos cost $600 or more. So, if we see a growing demand for security DVRs for the residential market, we can expect prices to come down and quality go up.

Like any investment in technology, the question is: spend more to get something pretty good now or wait to get something better for less later.

Also from Intellicam support:

My question: who is the OEM?

Answer: We are.

My impression is that only the CD-R unit is Samsung. A bit misleading, but that's what you have to expect when you shop for a "rebranded" DVR. Here's the 16ch version with price:

http://www.intellicamusa.com/dvr-series.htm

Poor guy. He can't even trust his own (extended) family.

The constant jerky motion for both playback and recording is annoying at times as well but tolerable. No doubt, the PC just needs a faster CPU as it is only a 2.4GHz.

The DSP card is to provide realtime display. The problem is that they just charge too much for all the hardware you'd need to match the performance of an embedded DVR. If they were to price the new Three-In-One Combo Card the same as their video-capture card, then they may be able to tip the economics more in their favor.

That's ok Hermin. My old nickname in the industry was CCTV King, looks like someone else inherited it after me. I think Larry Haimson in your area at Royal Sales styled himself that way after I retired. I still have a license plate on my Corvette that is CCTVKNG. Security Solutions is out here also. I guess it can be incorporated in different states.

What year is your vett?

Then it's a no-brainer. Invest as much as you can in a good DVR and then learn every detail on how to use it. I've long understood the economics of PCs and most dedicated security DVRs are screaming bargains in camparison.

That's easy for you to say...

One thing that bugs me is typos in software and bad English instructions. It is enough to turn me off and go somewhere else. I am getting more picky as time goes by.

I right a reel manle if sumbody gives me loat of mony.

One thing to add, that you may or may not already know: The DVR is the brain for your entire system. If you need to spread out the costs, buy the best DVR you can from a reputable dealer and then go to Ebay and buy used B&W cameras. After that, you can upgrade the cameras when you have the spare cash.

I have a 16ch Kodicom KSR516 that I'm very happy with. It's really solid and has almost all of the features I could ask for (though support for more PTZ protocols would be high on my current wishlist). I haven't used any other DVR, so I can't comment on the alternatives.

I have a low-light ProVideo HEAT bullet that's great for low-light situations, but totally useless with IR. Looks like you might have a similar type of camera. If the seller mislead you on the specs, I'd return the camera and get a true day/night, or just go with B&W.

Hmmmm... I'm sure you made some comment that Extreme spec'ed out the life of the unit itself, but I can't find it. Anyway, if you've never heard of anything but the bulb going, then that's great news. Do you know how long they've been making the UF500?

Rory, I think I located the post I referenced. It appears your reference was to Extreme LED units, not the bulb units. Sorry for the confusion.

A really expensive power supply!

In fact that's the motivation behind my question about cable length. I'm only installing one unit. The power supply that supports one unit is $136, but the dual power supply is only $46 more. I figured buying the dual power supply would be cheap insurance in the event I wanted to add a second UF100 at some point in the future.

I suggested to the Extreme tech that a larger guage wire may allow for longer length. His response was that the wire would have to be unrealistically large just to gain a few more yards. Of course, amperage drop-off with various wire sizes is well documented, so I'll research this more if I decide to add a second unit that needs to be more than 12' away from the original.

I can answer my own question. Contacted Extreme today and the tech said that 6' is the standard length and should not be exceeded. This is because the unit draws 6 amps and performance is impacted if amperage is lost in transmission. After some discussion, he reluctantly said that I might be able to extend up to 12 feet, but should expect dimmer output.

Rory,

I'm giving serious thought to getting a UF100 and a dual power supply in case I want to add another unit in the future. However, I'd rather not be restricted to a specific distance between the illuminator and power supply.

Do the UF100 units have the same distance restrictions between the illuminator and the power supply as the UF500 units? I recall the UF500 distance as being 3 meters.

Hmmmm... I'm sure you made some comment that Extreme spec'ed out the life of the unit itself, but I can't find it. Anyway, if you've never heard of anything but the bulb going, then that's great news. Do you know how long they've been making the UF500?

by Filter, do you mean the bulb?

No I mean the actual filter. Check this:

http://www.cctvproducts.com/exccufunilmi.html

I don't specifically recall what part of the UF500 you said had a limited lifespan, but it was something other than the bulb. I'm just trying to get a handle on how long I can expect to keep the unit in service (assuming the need to replace the bulb every so often).

Rory,

I recall you saying in some other thread (can't find it) that the UF500 filter has a limited lifespan. Do you recall what that is? Also, have you personally seen one of these units wheeze out? If so, do they go quickly or is it a slow, long, lingering, fade-to-dark type of death?

Also, it appears you can buy replacement filters for the UF100 unit. Does that mean you can keep them in service indefinately?

If I hadn't seen Four Weddings and a Funeral about five times, I probably wouldn't have understood that last bit.

The chef sounds like my kinda guy. I've often stayed awake at night worrying that some frozen meat would rise up to seek its revenge. In that spirit, I recall an earlier thread about someone trying to install a camera in some polar region. Hopefully others here can help direct you to the right thread.

Oh, it's cheap (you know me). But I can seal it up. I just didn't know that was the goal.

Rory, once again, thanks very much for sharing the details of your craft.

There are vents on the underside. Shouldn't I allow for airflow to prevent condensation?

There doesn't appear to be a switch-over level in the Sammy.

Yes, inside. If there's something that lasts longer than a few weeks, that's what I'm looking for.