Re: DVR Recommendations

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

"Just Looking" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

>> MACE
> Never heard of it, other than the kind cops like to spray on drunks.

Mace is a low price unit that is sold through distributors for retailers.  I
bought one to play with.  It is simplex, but networks (lan & wan) ok.  Feels
like it may be Linux based, but can't tell for sure.  Standard boot up hides
any signs of the OS.  I may jerk the hard drive and take a look at it.  I
had one in service 24/7 with no shutdowns or reboots for over a year in the
old office.  It worked.  I have to set it back up on my demo rack in the new
office yet, but will soon.

You forgot to look at Winblows based stuff like Falcon & Pelco.

Falcon & Pelco have similar architecture but Pelco costs a lot more.

I've not had many failures with the Pelco stuff.  Had one DOA.  There are
some funky setup issues.  Make sure the guys at Pelco actually understand
your questions.  I sent one unit back only to find out the first guy I dealt
with didn't understand the problem, and told me a good unit was bad.  Not
unusual for Pelco though.  I think their telephone tech suport is mostly
scripted with only a few guys who really know the product.  Should setup to
autoreboot atleast once a week like any Winblows machine.

The Falcon stuff is nice, but backups to CD are Winblows based, and not
integrated into the program.  Yuck.  Also, have had drive, and CD drive
failures.  Probably a large part of the much lower price.  Ok if you are a
good PC tech.  Can easily use Norton Ghost to mirror an initial setup to a
backup drive for in the field repairs in the future.  Like I said, not bad
if you are a decent PC tech.  Lan is easy, wan is not bad.  Should setup to
autoreboot atleast once a week like any Winblows machine.

Add on to comments about DM.  Some intermediate versions require command
line abilities on the part of the tech for full setup.  Otherwise pretty
point and shoot.  LAN setup is the easiest I have ever seen.  Wan setup can
be a pain with some of the older models as they only used one port address.
They can be upgrade to support other ports with software upgrade, free, but
requires command line experience or step by step instructions from DM tech
support.  Lan is point and shoot.  Older versions you point your browser to
the IP of the unit and it lets you download the viewing software across the
lan directly from the unit.  Newer versions allow direct browser viewing
with a tiny applet.  I have a DM unit in my demo rack running with no
problems, and I have used it as a loaner a few times as well.  Note:  I have
a bunch of DM units in the field, and so far I have had two fail.  Both at
about 4-5 years in continuous 24/7 use.  Both cost about 750 to rebuild
including both hard drives.  Had another start showing drive problems at
about the same age, but a burglar broke into the building and set fire to
the unit by heaping paper all over it, and pouring some kind of accelerant
on the paper.  The insurance company replaced this one, and the police took
it to see if they could recover any video off the drives.  It was still
working when it was assaulted, but one drive was flaky.

Kalatel... only if you don't like the client.  Yech!

Geovision.  Winblows based, and really flaky to setup for networking.
Basically an open internet video server with crude PW protection.  Yuck.
Stability is mediocre, and they play feature and add-on price games with the
client.  Also, watch out for illegal clones and software pirates selling
these or similar through the grey market.


--
Sincerly,
The guy who makes the final decision
on who we do business with.
Bob La Londe

The Security Consultant
Bob La Londe - Owner
P.O. Box 5720
Yuma, Az 85366

(928) 782-9765 ofc
(928) 782-7873 fax

Licensed Contractor
ROC103044 & ROC103047