Re: pc based security intrusion and camera system

["Bob La Londe" <nospam@xxxxxxxxx>]

"ABC" <3940@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:kr9ub31h1d2s9o85jl2m2d1achqcre4qmm@xxxxxxxxxx
>I hate to break it to you, but the technology used in most alarm
> systems hasn't changed much in 35 years.  It is simply lagging because
> of attitudes such as yours.  The newer PoE devices are so far advanced
> over what existed 10 years ago, you can't even begin to compare.  So,
> legacy...yes.
>
> While I agree that a alarm control panel is probably more reliable,
> that due to the fact that the features are much more limited.
> You can keep your attitude that PC/LAN based systems are not the way
> to go, but you will find yourself out of a job in 10 years.
>
> I would suggest you take a look at the IP based video system coming
> out now and get with the times.  We run one that hasn't been down in
> over 100 days due to redundant power and solid configuration.
>
> Sure, PC based systems aren't 100% reliable, but a 1 speed bicycle is
> probably more reliable than a car.  Do you still ride around on a 1
> speed bicycle.
>
> I didn't think so.

Sorry.  You just didn't get it, but that's ok.  Actually a lot of the
components in modern alarm panels didn't even exist 35 years ago, but hey.
Still to a certain degree.  You are correct.  Modern alarm panels tend to
use older more reliable tech.  Thats a good thing.  For security and life
safety reliability is very important.

Seriously, all in one soluions are usually not the way to go.  Individual or
modular systems that communicate work much better and are far more reliable
over all.  Mainly because Winblows sucks.  Then nothing critical is
dependent on Windows.  I have nothing against a well built PC.  The OS is
the problem.  I've got a 486DX in my back office running PCDOS and running
continuously since it was first set up with maybe 6 reboots in all that
time.  I don't know how many years that has been.  I don't think any of the
reboots were from PC problems.  If somebody had written a popular OS that
was stable I would gladly use a PC built to that quality as part of a
system.  The problem is still the OS.  Even if the PCs built today and the
operating systems in place were more reliable I would still opt for a
modular system with good communications rather than a centralized system
that performs multiple different functions all dependent on one processor.
All things can fail.

I actually work with this stuff everyday, and have to make things work for
people.  My biggest number one concern is reliability.  Ease of use is
always second, but it is important.  If its not easy enough then it won't
get used.

Anyway, I still think you would be better served by running an automation
package and an independent alarm.  How you manage your video is a little
more nebulous.  I've seen that even a purpose built PC running Windows for
their OS seem to have problems if not rebooted periodically, and most aren't
setup that way by default.  I've got embedded OS systems though that have
been in continuous service for several years without a single reboot.

Ethernet is a great medium for communications, but its not the end all.
Just like telephone is a great medium for communications, but last time I
checked you could not reach through the phone with your hammer to drive a
nail.  LOL.  On the other hand you could tell somebody at the other end of
the line how to use the hammer, and with ethernet and good applications you
could even show them.  AND of course if the phone line failed they would
still have their hammer.  LOL.

Anyway, as I suggested before, you would probably find the most guys to help
you wth your project by checking comp.home.automation.

You mention IP products.  I use them everyday.  They are great, but they do
not provide the maximum uptime for critical services if they are totally
dependent on the network or worse a single central server also running other
critical applications simoultaneously, just like your alarm compoents tied
into your PC.  An independent system with communication to your PC however
would remain functional during all kinds of conditions that would keep your
PC from functioning, and you would still have all the conveniences of using
your PC during the same amount of time that your PC is working properly.

Reliability, reliability, reliability....  Its not any closed minded
viewpoint or lack of imagination.  I play with new toys all the time.  I've
got shelves full of stuff I bought just to try out.  For me its about
reliability.  If I can't get a system that will work pretty much
continuously for years unless tampered with by external forces I prefer not
to sell it.  Its simple minded, but not without thought out or untested.

Of course there is always the human factor. Lets take video recording as an
example.  An old style VCR (commercial timelapse or VRT) worked.  It
recorded whatever video was fed into it, and most of the manufacturers
reccomended about 10,000 hrs of service between reconditioning the unit.  In
other words it could run continuously for a little over a year as long as a
human changed the tapes.  Unfortunately humans are lazy, and complacent.
Maybe some aren't routinely, but it shows through at times in almost
everybody.  The number one cause of failing to get a recording of a critical
incident was because nobody bothered to put in a fresh tape in the VCR.
Pretty sad.  In this case even a single channel DVR is superior even if it
has to be rebooted periodically becasue it can be setup to auto reboot, and
some of the better embedded OS units will now run longer than the old VCR
even with out reboots, and if setup proerly with UPSs and so on they are not
dependent on humans who are too lazy, complacent or just plain busy to even
learn to use them much less actually do a simple thing like changing the
tape once a day.  In this case the digital product may not have been
mechanically more reliable than the analog (ancient tech) product, but
operationally it was more reliable.  Now of course you could argue that
there are more reliable products than the old tech available today, and I
would have to agree, but not all of the new stuff is, and just about all of
the old DVRs will still run 10,000 hrs if somebody remembers to change the
tapes every day or week or month as setup.

Anyway, in my long winded and no doubt quite boring manner it comes down to
this.  PCs are not as reliable as they should be, and a modular solution
will provide maximum reliabilty and convenience if implemented properly. In
spite of limitation in any other "module" of the system.  You will have the
reliability of the independent system and the convenience of the PC.

Gee, that's about what I said the first time.  You just didn't listen
because you took offense to the part where I was poking fun at you.

--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com



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