Camera Security System
#1
10-03-17, 06:18 PM
Camera Security System
I am planning to buy either a NVR or DVR security camera system. If you have experience with both, which would you recommend?
My usage is so that I can monitor and get notifications (motion detector) of the property from cellphone.
What are your thoughts on this system?
https://www.costco.com/Night-Owl-8-C...100370683.html
My budget is about 1K. So I understand this is not going to be top notch. 4 to 5 cameras.
Thank you
My usage is so that I can monitor and get notifications (motion detector) of the property from cellphone.
What are your thoughts on this system?
https://www.costco.com/Night-Owl-8-C...100370683.html
My budget is about 1K. So I understand this is not going to be top notch. 4 to 5 cameras.
Thank you
#2
10-03-17, 06:35 PM
Group Moderator
A DVR is used for non network type cameras.
An NVR is used for network cameras as it has a power supply in it to run network cameras over cat/UTP type cabling.
The system you linked to uses its own premade cables. Pretty inexpensive. Try to find some reviews on it.
It's hard to recommend a build it yourself system as the prices I pay are different then a homeowner. I use a lot of Hikvision equipment. The cameras run approx $185 and the NVR around $400.
An NVR is used for network cameras as it has a power supply in it to run network cameras over cat/UTP type cabling.
The system you linked to uses its own premade cables. Pretty inexpensive. Try to find some reviews on it.
It's hard to recommend a build it yourself system as the prices I pay are different then a homeowner. I use a lot of Hikvision equipment. The cameras run approx $185 and the NVR around $400.
#3
10-04-17, 12:33 PM
Pete,
Because the system that I posted from Costco uses a DVR and BNC cables, I assume these cameras would be analog cameras? There are probably disadvantages using analog cameras since this system is so cheap in cost?
Because the system that I posted from Costco uses a DVR and BNC cables, I assume these cameras would be analog cameras? There are probably disadvantages using analog cameras since this system is so cheap in cost?
#4
10-05-17, 03:45 PM
The picture in an analog camera (with equivalent optics) is going to be a little less sharp, and the cameras have few software based features. If all you want is basic video, they still work just fine.
#5
10-05-17, 11:33 PM
MrRon, thanks for replying. So, is the system that I provided above has analog cameras? Do you tell by the cable which is BNC?
#7
10-07-17, 04:02 AM
Thank you for your reply MrRonFL. I currently have 1 Amcrest IP WIFI camera. It works great and that is why I have been looking into a system.
#8
10-12-17, 09:53 PM
"So, is the system that I provided above has analog cameras? Do you tell by the cable which is BNC?"
BNC-based camera systems can be either analog or digital. A 'digital coax' system can be quite good -- Look up pentabrid dvr.
+edit: not sure if pentabrid is 'technically' digital but, (the important thing is) you will get HD quality and they can use IP cameras
BNC-based camera systems can be either analog or digital. A 'digital coax' system can be quite good -- Look up pentabrid dvr.
+edit: not sure if pentabrid is 'technically' digital but, (the important thing is) you will get HD quality and they can use IP cameras
#9
10-22-17, 06:52 PM
My POV: I was a bit concerned over the picture quality when I decided to go with an older system; Lorex MPX 3010; now owned by FLIR.
However, I can share the following:
1. to monitor my house / property - I get great quality from the package...it came with 4 cameras and DVR unit that connects to my router....I decided to go wired as I was more concerned over interference, possible dropped signal etc.... BNC cable to the DVR and then connection to my home network is solid.... Picture quality is very good. Can clearly see faces and all details I would care for.
2. I think more important should be interface / software / app.... I am happy with FLIR - I have an app on my Android and a client on my Windows laptop - everything works very smooth - no issues, solid / stable
3. Customer Service - what a PITA - I had to call them only once in the entire year....I locked myself out and needed password reset - which cannot be done at the box...there is NO hardware rest at the DVR. Let me tell you - forget about emailing them and if you call - be prepare to wait an hour or so..... Once I got though they were nice and reset my box in under 10min BUT I hope I will NEVER have to call them again...
So in summary - I do believe picture quality across all current units will be more than you'd want / expect for the purpose.... focus on the software reviews and customer service....just in case.
PS: Don't forget to secure your system and plug it to a quality UPS.... comes power outage - you still want to be "secured"/
However, I can share the following:
1. to monitor my house / property - I get great quality from the package...it came with 4 cameras and DVR unit that connects to my router....I decided to go wired as I was more concerned over interference, possible dropped signal etc.... BNC cable to the DVR and then connection to my home network is solid.... Picture quality is very good. Can clearly see faces and all details I would care for.
2. I think more important should be interface / software / app.... I am happy with FLIR - I have an app on my Android and a client on my Windows laptop - everything works very smooth - no issues, solid / stable
3. Customer Service - what a PITA - I had to call them only once in the entire year....I locked myself out and needed password reset - which cannot be done at the box...there is NO hardware rest at the DVR. Let me tell you - forget about emailing them and if you call - be prepare to wait an hour or so..... Once I got though they were nice and reset my box in under 10min BUT I hope I will NEVER have to call them again...
So in summary - I do believe picture quality across all current units will be more than you'd want / expect for the purpose.... focus on the software reviews and customer service....just in case.
PS: Don't forget to secure your system and plug it to a quality UPS.... comes power outage - you still want to be "secured"/
#10
10-23-17, 02:35 AM
In general, the customer service for this sort of hardware (doesn't seem to matter which brand) is pretty awful.
The image quality from most modern cameras is pretty good. The biggest limiter really is the quality of the lens and the monitor. I've seen many complaints about image quality that turned out to be a monitor problem.
The image quality from most modern cameras is pretty good. The biggest limiter really is the quality of the lens and the monitor. I've seen many complaints about image quality that turned out to be a monitor problem.
#11
10-30-17, 03:43 PM
Member
I would go with NVR, they're much easier to wire and provide better image quality. I believe the new H.265 format is used with NVR as well. Some companies include the necessary network PoE switch to connect to all the cameras and their storage device. If you go this route, do ensure you lock down the system with a good password, and use CAT 6 Ethernet cable for the cameras.
