backing up video to library

[rrruuunnn]

does anyone have experience on how to best backup files for review. i have mostly stand alone dvrs that go back a week or 2. do most go with vcr's to store vcr tapes into library? or would using a computer with dvd work better?

is there a better way that i haven't thought about?

[CameraMan]

does anyone have experience on how to best backup files for review. i have mostly stand alone dvrs that go back a week or 2. do most go with vcr's to store vcr tapes into library? or would using a computer with dvd work better?

is there a better way that i haven't thought about?

Depends on the DVR. Does it have a USB port? If so, get an external hard drive, and back everything up. Storage is cheap- you can get a 1TB MyBook from Western Digital for $249.95

Alternatively, you can just throw a bigger hard drive into the DVR. Just about any hard drive will work with just about any DVR, but I recommend Seagate SV35 series hard drives. We sell a 750GB hard drive for just $284.95

[rrruuunnn]

only 2 of 6 has a usb port. i could back those up.

[CameraMan]

Remember, if you back it up to an external hard drive, you'll just be searching through video files. You'll only be able to use the DVR's search filters if you install internal hard drives. On the other hand, external hard drives means you're protected if your DVR goes kablooey (not usual, if you take precautions, but it does happen occasionally).

[rrruuunnn]

thanks for the info, i think this will be economically feasible and fast.

[Jedi]

On a somewhat related note, what systems are out there (if any) that will integrate into a SAN for storage? Ultimately, I am looking for an Online, Nearline, Offline backup scheme.

[integrator97]

From my experience, especially depending on the age of the DVR, there are limits to how big a hard drive you can use. This is due to firmware, and how much it will recognize. As far as tranferring off, this depends on the processor in the DVR, and whether you are using it to capacity. Not all are designed or up to the job of constantly transferring the video off, while recording at it's highest frame rate, largest picture and highest quality.

I would contact the manufacturers rep or dealer, or the application engineers (tech support frequently isn't that knowledgable), of the models you have, and if possible beef them up to the storage you need. Then save incidents seperately on a cd or dvd.

And a raid setup with mirrored drives is the most reliable way to make sure you data is safe.

[CameraMan]

On a somewhat related note, what systems are out there (if any) that will integrate into a SAN for storage? Ultimately, I am looking for an Online, Nearline, Offline backup scheme.

You want IP cameras, then. Or an NVR.

[NRM_Oz]

Depending on budget we run twin DVR's on most of our high risk stores due to camera placement and the need sometimes to chase 40 days of footage for bank charge backs on credit cards. Some stores have only 8 cameras and others have up to 16 with 2 on every register and 2 at the entry / exits. We operate a father / grandfather system where the switcher hits 90% capacity before over-riding the storage and after hours we have PIR's to remove inactive footage.

However, an external storage device MAY be cheaper than a new HDD and call out but this depends on them having a USB connection or a hard-wired device. These new systems are only in our premium or high risk stores as most are slowly being replaced with refits and re-openings.

[integrator97]

The upside of offsite storage is that if the place is destroyed, your video evidence is safe. And they can't steal your DVR.

The downside of offsite storage is the bandwidth limitations, which may limit the amount of cameras, frame rate, quality, etc. Also, if the network or internet connection is lost, you're not recording.

[rrruuunnn]

by the way, do you think i need 1.5 mbps or is 768 kbps ok for transmitting 4 internet cameras per location?

[integrator97]

by the way, do you think i need 1.5 mbps or is 768 kbps ok for transmitting 4 internet cameras per location?

While it ultimately will depend on several things, go for the higher bandwidth. When you're talking video, those are akin to filling a swimming pool with a straw. Live video takes 1.5 to 3 meg for 1 feed.

1. How many images per second (IPS)? Real video is 30 IPS. 15 you really can't tell the difference, 10 is barely noticable choppy, 5 becomes pretty choppy. That's per camera x 4.
2. What size picture 640x480, 720x240, 320x240? The bigger picture uses more bandwidth. A small picture may be hard to see detail you may need, when enlarged will pixilate or blur.
3. Quality of the image.
4. Complexity of the image and amount of motion. A plain walled hallway has low complexity. Outside is high complexity.
5. Format: Jpeg, Mjpeg, Mpeg4 - large to small bandwidth and storage

[rrruuunnn]

thanks,

some of the locations i need to transmit 4 cameras.
but other locations only need one or two internet cameras.
i ordered my clearwire a couple days ago and see how one camera works.

[NRM_Oz]

I would appreciate hearing of any major concerns you may have as I have considered something similar for some remote satellite offices we have around some of the states. I would weigh up unmanned sites from 2200 - 0600, etc to see if it is viable in a few locations or not and what issues we may encounter compared to site costs - I would be considering a saving of $2k US a week based on staffing and labour oncosts compared to IP cameras.

[integrator97]

I would appreciate hearing of any major concerns you may have as I have considered something similar for some remote satellite offices we have around some of the states. I would weigh up unmanned sites from 2200 - 0600, etc to see if it is viable in a few locations or not and what issues we may encounter compared to site costs - I would be considering a saving of $2k US a week based on staffing and labour oncosts compared to IP cameras.

Somethings to consider. A guard (typically) has hearing, periphereal vision, and looks around, as well as other senses. They can go around the corner or to the other side of the property. You give those up when you switch to cameras.

With that said, if you decide to proceed, use that knowledge in setting your budget, getting enough cameras and lighting or other illumination, backup power, and enough bandwidth if you are using live video remotely to replace the guard.