What would be the optimum setup?
What would be the optimum setup?
Hi all, I'm new here & new to security cameras. I want to set up my small business with maybe 8 to 12 cameras, use a DVR? or NRV? Cloud? Thanks for any input!
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
Can you hardwire or do you need to do wireless? If you can hardwire, get a Q-See IP NVR system from Costco.
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
I could do wired or wireless, maybe & likely both, depending on location & distance. It would be a lot of wire & time to wire all, would it be worth it?
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
Wired is more reliable. The Q-See packages I recommended don't have wireless capability. I don't have any experience with the wireless systems but they're out there. I've put the Q-See systems in many businesses. Amcrest has competing products so take a look at those as well.
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
What's about DVR vs NVR??
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
do a search for the differences between dvr vs nvr. that will give you the best information than asking here.
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
NVRs are the way to go.The NVR (Network Video Recorder) The big differences between DVRs and NVRs are a DVR digitally compresses analog video feeds and stores them on a hard-drive. In contrast an NVR stores digital images pre-compressed from an IP camera. This subtle difference is what makes the NVR such an efficient recorder.
You need to have a plan going in. You just can't buy cameras and then try to add a DVR or NVR. It's best to buy a pre-configured system. Just make sure you buy a system that will accommodate the maximum number of cameras you plan to have. A lot of systems will have a larger channel capacity than the actual number of cameras included in the kit. NVRs are efficient if you want to record 24/7.
If you want, post more about the physical aspects of the location you want to secure.
Re: What would be the optimum setup?
If you were to use network cameras:
Many of the newer cameras have SD card slots, although I'd worry about the camera being stolen or destroyed.
PC-DVR is software on your PC to manage your cameras and perform as a surveillance system if you leave the PC on 24/7 and are not worried about the PC being stolen or destroyed. Amcrest has a decent free version and there are others such as Blue Iris which are popular
Another option is using a NAS device for storage if you have network (IP) cameras. They can be configured to write to the NAS (Network attached storage). I have a synology NAS which is a very nice device and reasonably priced. You can stash the NAS somewhere out of sight so if a break in occurs, hopefully they don't find it and steal or destroy it.
You don't have to use a "surveillance software" or NVR/DVR. Each IP camera can be configured individually for its triggering and recording parameters, and configured for where it should store is images such as a NAS as the storage device, or record to a PC, or record to FTP in the cloud, or SD flash card...
I've done several of these, I have about 5 wireless cameras and have settled using an NVR4108 which was only $70 on ebay plus about $40 for a hard drive. This was pretty intuitive to set up and is working as advertised; I have not had any issues with my wireless cameras.
UPDATE 12/5/17: I'm backing off my confidence in the NVR4108 somewhat. Although its close, there are just too many times where I'm trying to show someone how it works, or retrieve some video and it just doesn't work consistently well. Remote access via computer outside of your home is challenging and remote access on a mobile phone is both intermittent, limited and somewhat challenging. All amcrest products suffer from web browser compatibility which is a drag to deal with too. All of these issues over the past 6 months have convinced me to invest in licensing for Synology Surveillance station on my NAS which seems to be consistently stable, works well with my IP2M-841 cameras, gets regular development, and has prompt customer support. The extra $200-300 I spent on using synology NAS for the surveillance management software and storage seem worth the reduced effort and consistent performance.
Many of the newer cameras have SD card slots, although I'd worry about the camera being stolen or destroyed.
PC-DVR is software on your PC to manage your cameras and perform as a surveillance system if you leave the PC on 24/7 and are not worried about the PC being stolen or destroyed. Amcrest has a decent free version and there are others such as Blue Iris which are popular
Another option is using a NAS device for storage if you have network (IP) cameras. They can be configured to write to the NAS (Network attached storage). I have a synology NAS which is a very nice device and reasonably priced. You can stash the NAS somewhere out of sight so if a break in occurs, hopefully they don't find it and steal or destroy it.
You don't have to use a "surveillance software" or NVR/DVR. Each IP camera can be configured individually for its triggering and recording parameters, and configured for where it should store is images such as a NAS as the storage device, or record to a PC, or record to FTP in the cloud, or SD flash card...
I've done several of these, I have about 5 wireless cameras and have settled using an NVR4108 which was only $70 on ebay plus about $40 for a hard drive. This was pretty intuitive to set up and is working as advertised; I have not had any issues with my wireless cameras.
UPDATE 12/5/17: I'm backing off my confidence in the NVR4108 somewhat. Although its close, there are just too many times where I'm trying to show someone how it works, or retrieve some video and it just doesn't work consistently well. Remote access via computer outside of your home is challenging and remote access on a mobile phone is both intermittent, limited and somewhat challenging. All amcrest products suffer from web browser compatibility which is a drag to deal with too. All of these issues over the past 6 months have convinced me to invest in licensing for Synology Surveillance station on my NAS which seems to be consistently stable, works well with my IP2M-841 cameras, gets regular development, and has prompt customer support. The extra $200-300 I spent on using synology NAS for the surveillance management software and storage seem worth the reduced effort and consistent performance.