CCTV Rant

[gunit00 0]

Hey guys,

 

 

First off, this is an awesome forum. This is a rare place where you can get advice from experienced CCTV professionals. But am I the only one that thinks there needs to be more transparency in the CCTV community? Wouldn't it be amazing if there was a site where customers could post reviews of their dvr/cameras for the benefit of the entire CCTV community? I am suggesting that this site adds a product review section.

 

I think the industry will benefit dramatically. What do you guys think?

[Henry-f 0]

I ended up setting up my CCTV business because I was unhappy with the general level of information available to buyers here in the UK. Even some of the huge brand names are selling absolute tat. There is one company in particular who posts up a load of product videos and not once have I seen actual screen footage on those videos. What does that say about the quality of the gear !!

 

The other problem is that many of the numbers quoted for equipment are either wrong or extremely misleading. We ended up running loads of back to back tests before we settled on the specifications for our products, particularly the cameras. Based on the numbers you'd think it was going to be fine but at 1.00am in a comparison test the screen was as black and you could hardly see a thing.

 

The only danger with your idea is that one person's idea of excellent may vary tremendously with another person's and so you're actually no better off.

 

Look for lots of information and ask the companies lots of questions before handing over your hard earned money. A good company won't just be prepared to answer your queries they will be proud and delighted to.

 

All the best.

 

Henry

[Birdman Adam 0]

I think this would be a great idea! I would add that the page on each product should have some test pictures/video showing how well it performs.

[rory 0]

Honestly I dont think the forum is the best place for it, this is more a place to come and get help, though the Admin here would have the last word, I cant talk for him and he might like that idea, so perhaps PM him about it?

 

Otherwise Im trying but I dont really have the resources yet, the link in my sig is where I just started.

I want to sit down and write code to make it completely dynamic and allow reviews and members to upload samples also ... just havent got to it yet. Ive got tons of screenshots and getting more images and videos .. and could use more .. then I should be able to pack that up with products .. I like testing products but its hard to do here as then gotta pay triple for the product time as it lands here after extra shipping and customs. Would be better if someone in the US or Asia does the tests. I only really started what you see on that link to try and get more traffic to my site for now .. outside of people looking for some kind of free software and information.

[gunit00 0]

I ended up setting up my CCTV business because I was unhappy with the general level of information available to buyers here in the UK. Even some of the huge brand names are selling absolute tat. There is one company in particular who posts up a load of product videos and not once have I seen actual screen footage on those videos. What does that say about the quality of the gear !!

 

The other problem is that many of the numbers quoted for equipment are either wrong or extremely misleading. We ended up running loads of back to back tests before we settled on the specifications for our products, particularly the cameras. Based on the numbers you'd think it was going to be fine but at 1.00am in a comparison test the screen was as black and you could hardly see a thing.

 

The only danger with your idea is that one person's idea of excellent may vary tremendously with another person's and so you're actually no better off.

 

Look for lots of information and ask the companies lots of questions before handing over your hard earned money. A good company won't just be prepared to answer your queries they will be proud and delighted to.

 

All the best.

 

Henry

 

Have you seen amazon's review system? Or even Acne.org review system http://www.acne.org/reviews/ . Of course people's opinions will differ. But usually there is an overall consensus if a product is great or very poor.

 

The problem with calling each company for information on the product is that it......... take way too long because there are many DVR brands out there. This site could be the leader in getting customer opinions on dvr products. Most realms of technology have review sites. Such as headphones, computers, speakers etc. The CCTV community could definitely use one because the market is currently filled with many generic brands that may fool consumers into buying them by offering ridiculously low prices. Such as the crap DVR systems at Costco, BJ's and Sam's club.

[bigbrothersystems 0]

THere are sites like this - try amazon - but I agree, the majority of sites don't have clear and transparent reviews. I'd definately be up for such a site!

[thewireguys 3]

http://www.ipvideomarket.info

[Henry-f 0]

I think with a specialist product such as cctv, Hi-Fi, musical instruments, wine and so on you need to find a supplier with whom you can build up a relationship with and who offers back up beyond just box shifting to the point where they have an interest in you getting things right otherwise you'll be knocking on their door having a moan.

 

Our other business is a specialist car dealership and it's the same there. I see some people who try to learn everything in order that they can go out and bypass the dealer when by doing so they put themselves at huge risk (these are quite expensive specialist cars) and ironically don't always save money. On my first ever CCTV purchase I spent around £600-700 (around $1,000) on CCTV equipment which even after what seemed like good research at the time proved little more than useless. There was no back up and I was on my own.

 

By all means do your homework so you go in there armed and dangerous but be prepared to put your trust in a professional. It needn't cost you any more money.

 

Henry

[Soundy 1]

I think with a specialist product such as cctv, Hi-Fi, musical instruments, wine and so on you need to find a supplier with whom you can build up a relationship with and who offers back up beyond just box shifting to the point where they have an interest in you getting things right otherwise you'll be knocking on their door having a moan.

 

Our other business is a specialist car dealership and it's the same there. I see some people who try to learn everything in order that they can go out and bypass the dealer when by doing so they put themselves at huge risk (these are quite expensive specialist cars) and ironically don't always save money. On my first ever CCTV purchase I spent around £600-700 (around $1,000) on CCTV equipment which even after what seemed like good research at the time proved little more than useless. There was no back up and I was on my own.

 

By all means do your homework so you go in there armed and dangerous but be prepared to put your trust in a professional. It needn't cost you any more money.

 

Henry

Well said!