vic_salve

No, nothing yet. Still hoping for some input.

Hello, I need to put together a PC DVR for my home. I have 8 places for cameras, inside and out. I have wired all spots to also have audio with the cameras. Right now I have two bed rooms where the small ones will be. I'm looking for a DVR card that has 8 video inputs and 8 audio inputs. The following is what I'm looking for this card and software to do. *Most importantly we will be watching the kids rooms and would like those rooms to cycle so they can be seen & heard. I'd like to use the multi camera view where there is one view larger than others and have the two chosen cameras to cycle in the large view. This would allow us to monitor the outside cameras as well, but just not cycle through all of them. *The pc with the DVR card will be installed in the electrical room in the basement. I would like to have complete control of the system from the home network. Running down to the basement for every thing would be a pain. *Monitor system from the internet. This is a given, but thought I would throw it in. *Set up the system so that it could be monitored through the home's cable tv set up. Most of the cards that I have checked out may have a video out, but I don't believe they have audio out. How would this be set up? *Price? Well, I'd like to say that the sky is the limit, but it isn't. I'd love to find a card that would do the trick for $300 or less, but I haven't had much luck finding a card that does all that at that price level. I've seen several for $100 (Asianwolf I think and/or ebay), but they scare the socks off of me. I'm sure you guys believe they are junk. So I'm all ears. I'm going to build the pc as well. I thought I would start with the card and build the pc around it. Please help if you can. Thanks, vic

Thanks for the quick reply rory. I have looked at these cameras with audio and some mics as well and they either have a BNC connector or RCA connector on them. I don't really know how to terminate the small guage wire properly. I know how to do it with coax rg-59 or rg-6. These connectors are easy to find. Is it the same with the small stuff as well as far as terminating to RCA or BNC connecors?

Ok, one last post on this thread I hope. Question about audio. I need to know how to get audio back to the DVR. Do I need to run 2 RG-59 from each camera that will also have audio or is it possible to run both audio and video on only one. I guess it's possible or a TV wouldn't work. But I've checked the posts here and looked for connectors on the internet that would do this, but didn't have any luck.

Sorry about spelling. Thermostate wire for HVAC. It is 18 AWG, but solid copper. I already have rg-6 to use for the video or I would have tried to get some siamese. It's not very easy to get in my neck of the woods (special order). When you speak of doubling up....you mean running two of the same to each location and using both at the same time? Sorry for the elementary questions. I plan on 12 volt cameras. Infared & hopefully with audio.

How about power to the cable. I know everyone suggests 18 AWG 2 conductor, but does it matter what kind. Would thermastat wire be ok to use. I can get it a lot cheaper than regular 18/2. $0.19 as opposed to $.08 per foot. What do you think???

herminshs, Thought you were going to send me a pm?

I need help with multi pair wire then. What are we talking about exactly?

herminshs, I believe you are right. I know, I know. I should have listened. Now I think I might go with a PC based DRV, run all wires to mechanical room, and get some type of control from the bedroom. I've studied some more on this forum and hope to work it out. I still need to make sure that I can get audio from the cameras to the selected rooms where cameras will be viewed. I will have to study more on the DVR PCI cards and software. Would a cat5 wire run to each camera be good for the UTP multi pair? How about another Camera link? http:// http://www.mace.com/products.php?model=CAM53CIR Just found a thread that said Mace is Crap as well. I was hoping that one might be ok. Oh well.

Well, I'm just looking for a setup at the house that will allow us to see what's going on in the areas where cameras are located. If the camera gives me an ok picture and doesn't die after about a month, then I think that's what I would want. Just understand that I don't know anything about cameras and setting up a system other than what I have read. The cameras on ebay had audio with the cameras. I have had trouble finding this on other sites. Any and all suggestions are very welcome. One thing I need to know soon is about running wire. I'm working on a new construction home and will need to run wire very soon before sheetrock goes up. Is my best bet for this to run RG-59 and then 18 AWG for power to all camera sites and then worry about getting equippment later?

Ok. Any suggestions? Am I crazy to think I can get a camera for $100 or less? I'd like cameras with audio as well if possible. Thanks.

What do you guys think about this Camera? http:// http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48629&item=5786352638&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Thanks herminshs. I figured that was a junk camera, but you never know. Thats why I'm here asking. I'll keep looking. Sorry about not being able to post a url. I coudn't figure it out.

The observations systems look good, but I think they are out of my price range. I thought I might be able to get my system on the go for about $750-1000 for everything. Maybe I'm dreaming or haven't checked it out well enough. I like the 4 channel processor idea, but would like to be able to expand up to 8 channels. I am going to install wiring for up to 8 cameras, but will only use 4 or 5 at first. I would need a processor that handles color and audio. It would be nice if I could control it remotely as well. That way I could install that stuff in the basement and control it from the bedroom. Anyone have any experience or knowledge with this type of processor? How about cameras? Are these things worth a darn? http:// http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48629&item=5786888391&rd=1

Well, I really don't think I'm interested in recording. I only want to use this system to monitor. Mostly the baby's room at night, outside around the house at night, and during the day to see if anyone is coming up to the house. I thought of using a infrared transmitter, but wasn't sure how to use them with the system that I described. Thanks