Re: Harddrive-based camcorder as standalone security camera?

["Doug Way" <dew_dropper@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok, I see now where it indicates that the VIP X1 supports a
purpose-built USB hard drive... interesting, thanks.  I'm still haven't
found what the name of this hard drive product is or how to set it up
with the VIP X1, though. (and whether it supports motion detection,
etc)

The "recording at the edge" concept makes sense, and it's basically
what I'm doing... just recording straight to a hard drive before
worrying about going over an IP network.

Anyway, after some more research, I've figured out that my best option
is probably a standalone DVR plus a simple (composite video) security
camera or two.  The cheaper DVR's are well within my price range, and a
lot of them come with 4 channels instead of 1, but they're not any more
expensive.

So I took a chance and ordered the Gadspot GS760 4-channel DVR w/320GB
drive for $300.  It's just composite video inputs and video monitor
output, but it also has motion detection, built-in web server with
ethernet connection, etc.  Seems like a great deal... not sure if it
will be as rock-solid as something like Bosch or Axis (I have a few
Axis cameras on my home network which are great), but Gadspot isn't a
total no-name brand either... we'll see how it goes.  I'll let you all
know if it craps out in 3 months. ;-)  (Jim -- I checked out the sites
you mention, and there are some DVRs a little above this price range,
but the GS760 seems like my best option for now.)

Also, the composite video cameras are cheaper than IP cameras, so
there's some savings there too.  The DVR plus two cameras (one color
and one IR) came out to around $500.  Might as well try more than 1
camera since I have 4 channels.  And there's no real reason to get an
IP camera if I'm just recording straight to disk... I can hook up the
DVR to the network if I need to.

For a monitor, I'll probably just lug around my spare 12" color tv for
now.  Or, whoever is borrowing the setup could use their own spare tv.
If I do order something, instead of an LCD VGA computer monitor as I
mentioned below, an LCD TV (w/composite video) would probably be a
cheaper option, something like this:
http://www.abcwarehouse.com/product_catalog/pc_proddetails.asp~assort_id~1303~prod_ID~42889

I gave up on the camcorder idea for now.  Thanks for the everyone's
input.

- Doug


Roland Moore wrote:
> There are other encoders on the Bosch web site. Anything on the Bosch IP
> site with the word "Jet" in the title does edge recording.
> Example:
> VideoJet 10 via CF
> or: look here for more details:
> http://www.boschsecurity.us/pdf/EN/Recording%20at%20the%20Edge%20SB%206_19_06%20low_res.pdf
>
> "Doug Way" <dew_dropper@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1163999106.551160.70190@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Thanks Roland.
> >
> > I have to say, the VIP X1 looks very useful for what it does, basically
> > converting an old composite analog video or security camera to an IP
> > network camera with a web server (like an Axis camera, etc), for a
> > pretty cheap price ($130 or so).  I might need one of those at some
> > point.
> >
> > I don't think it will help that much for this set up, though... I
> > didn't see anything about a purpose-built external USB hard drive in
> > the VIP X1 manual.  The manual indicates that a computer of some sort
> > is needed.  (Do you know what the name of this purpose-built hard drive
> > is?)  Also, I don't think USB 1.0 would be fast enough to transmit a
> > decent video signal anyway.
> >
> > Right now, for my standalone setup, I think I'm resigned to my option
> > #3.  I don't think the hard-drive based camcorders are quite there yet
> > in terms of being used as a security camera, but they're getting close.
> > I have to wonder if sometime soon there will be some sort of Linux OS
> > which could run on one of these camcorders, which could then have some
> > custom security-oriented software to record non-stop to the hard drive,
> > use motion detection, etc.  That would be the ultimate standalone
> > solution... maybe in a few years.
> >
> > On the plus side, I did find a dirt-cheap DVR recorder on the net that
> > I'm tempted to try, the GadSpot GS760, 250GB 4-channel DVR for $260.
> > (Oh crap, now the site says they're sold out, they weren't yesterday.)
> > Anyway, some kind of decent 1-channel DVR is all I really need.  I
> > guess I'd also need a cheap LCD monitor & adapter to hook up to the DVR
> > to be able to view recorded video, although I might be able to get away
> > with not setting that up at the temporary setup location.  Although
> > maybe it would be best just to get the LCD monitor too, because then I
> > could just buy a regular security camera (without viewscreen) instead
> > of a camcorder.  I see cheap 14" LCD monitors are availabe at WalMart
> > for $125 or so... of course, a composite (BNC) video to VGA adapter is
> > another $75.  Still, I may still be able to get something going for
> > less than $600 total.
> >
> > - Doug