Re: store system w 4-8 cameras ?

[J. <jsloud2001<removeme>@netscape.net>]

On Wed, 27 Sep 2006 07:13:10 -0400, "- Bobb -" <bobb@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>Thanks for the info so far.
>
>If I used a DVR how often to change the DVD ? Every 4/8 hrs ? Is this a
>"plain old DVR " like I'd get at Circuit City/Best Buy ? How to view
>something that you suspect just happened - " how to back up ?" and still
>be recording ?  Would it be one DVR per camera ?
>

DVR's were used in the security industry for a few years before they
became commonplace as consumer electronics.  These security specific
DVR's combine a muliplexer with an internal hard disk drive and
usually some type of archiving device.  Most also include a network
interface card and free remote software so that the unit can be
accessed offsite.  The built in multiplexer allows the DVR to record
mulitple cameras and display several cameras at a time.  Most will
allow you to record and play back video at the same time.  Embedded
DVR's are generally much more reliable than Windows-based PC's with
user installed capture cards.  Here's some recommendations:

http://www.americandynamics.net/products/digital_video_recorder.aspx

http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/site/GESecurity/menuitem.f76d98ccce4cabed5efa421766030730?selectedID=669&seriesyn=false&t=prod

http://www.boschsecurity.us/index.aspx?prdctid=3311





>Since I posted the question, I've looked online at systems and played a
>bit with a webcam which generated another question:   Some of the PC
>systems state that they have 4 cameras, a 100-200gb drive , will record
>"X" fps (varies) and they'll hold a month's worth of info on the hard
>drive (and the samples they show look fine). I hooked up a logitech
>webcam on a pc and the video was so-so. In minute it was a 12mb file -
>if it takes 12 mb to record a fair image in a minute, how can these
>systems hold a month's worth of quality video from 4 cameras ??  Is it
>all a matter of the software that comes with the camera system ?  Here's
>some of the stuff I saw online - any opinions ?
>http://spyville.com/digital-video-recorder.html
>http://www.ezwatchstore.com/
>http://www.stardot-tech.com/express6/order_form.html
>RapidOS PCI Wireless Digital Surveillance Card
>http://www.x10.com/cameras/cameras_wired.html
>
>Thanks again for any feedback.
>
>Bobb
>
>
>
>"Bob Worthy" <securinc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:oDaSg.13091$vi3.3630@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> "- Bobb -" <bobb@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:NIGdnXAD6oUpuoTYnZ2dnUVZ_qydnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Have a friend looking to buy a convenience store and would like
>>> info/recommendations on a pc-based system that would have 4/6/8 ?
>>> cameras recording to the PC -  in case of  pettty theft/ hold up etc
>>> .
>>
>> Where PC's ever really meant to be a security tool? There are inherent
>> reliability issues with using PC's for recording and storing large
>> amounts
>> of video.
>>
>>
>>> He asked me my opinion since I know computers , but other than the
>>> yellow pages/ google etc I don't know how to research this. Since he
>>> brought it up I realized that I didn't know anything about this and
>>> looking to learn.
>>
>> Look at DVR's, of which there are many on the market to choose from.
>> They
>> have all the neccessary features needed for security applications,
>> especially if there is prosecution possiblities involved. Recordings
>> done on
>> someones PC will not usually be accepted except for some initial
>> police
>> investigation.