CCTV Help

[Mr. Security]

Newbie question here: Do I bnc hook up the camera to the DVR and bnc cable the monitor to the DVR or do I run the bnc cable from the camera to the monitor and bnc cable the monitor to the DVR? :confused: :o

[Mr. Security]

Can you help? :)

[darkenna]

Camera }----{ DVR }----{ Monitor

This way, (a) playback can occur, and (b) you can actually monitor the picture that's being recorded (including all timestamps & overlays).

If you have multiple cameras, you can add a Matrix/Switch/Multiplexer before or in parallel to the DVR for added capability.

[Mr. Security]

Camera }----{ DVR }----{ Monitor

This way, (a) playback can occur, and (b) you can actually monitor the picture that's being recorded (including all timestamps & overlays).

If you have multiple cameras, you can add a Matrix/Switch/Multiplexer before or in parallel to the DVR for added capability.

Thank you. :) I'm setting up a system at home for the 1st time due to vehicle vandalism and drug activity in the neighborhood.

[CameraMan]

Didn't see this post until it was too late. Sorry.

But, yes, camera (plus power!) to the recorder. Recorder's video out to monitor.

Do you have equipment or do you need a hand finding stuff?

[AISG]

The best way to go is allways DVR first - the signal is degrading with every loop. You need the quality at the DVR side.

[LPCap]

You don't need a lot of storage time, so make sure your cameras are recording at the highest FPS. This will give you a clearer picture for ID'ing people.

[MetzLyov]

Which DVR and camera combination are you using?

[Mr. Security]

I'm back..:) CCTV equipment is from Security Cameras Direct. Also, for Camera Man, I am not completely satisfied with my cameras and monitor. I am working with the company (30 day return policy) to rectify the matter.

Basically, my LCD 15" monitor is grainy and my cameras have not been clear. The resolution on my 1st B&W camera is great and the 9" monitor is clear as well.

I am thinking about switching my monitor to a flat screen TV from Wal*Mart so that the resolution is better and the screen can also be used for TV.

I have been told that the DVR is recording at a higher resolution than the LCD monitor and that is why I don't have the clarity I am seeking.

What can you offer as an alternative? I need super high resolution with night (75-100 feet) capability.

[MetzLyov]

Hey bud, you still did not tell us the make and the model of your cameras and the DVR... Also, are these cameras B&W, Color, Day/Night, brick type, minidome version, bullet type, etc? What type of coax are you using and what the brand and the part number? Dependent which DVR you are using, are the settings left to default, which most of the time simulates better than VCR resolution recording or did you set them to higher FPS and resolution setting? What is the DVR compression scheme? All these can effect your picture quality on both live or playback mode, so be careful on your selection...

As a rule, LCD monitors will not give you the same quality of the picture as the older tube based monitors. Unless you are using high res LCD monitor with resolution at least 1280 by 1024, the results of the picture quality will be substandard. Heck, you can pick up a cheap tube TV, use its external RCA video in (by using BNC to RCA adapter) and get a better quality picture than most LCDs in the market.

[Mr. Security]

Umm, I'm at work, so I can't give you specifics other than the following:

Cameras: 1 bullet; all weather w/ sunshield; 550 LOR Color; 0.02 LUX and 1 bullet; all weather, 380 LOR B&W, LUX unknown but not a problem.

160 GB, 4 loop DVR is recording at high resolution, real time mode w/ over-write activated.

Color flat screen LED 15" Monitor resolution 740 x 1020?? Also set for highest resolution.

Power adapters and bnc cables provided by company. Cables are resistant to interference.

[MetzLyov]

When you get home, just give us the model numbers and who the manufacturer is... The basic info is useful, but does not explain the problem that you are describing... sorry...

Normally by looking at actual equipment list we can tell you the actual results that you will achieve on picture quality, record playback quality... Many time off shore manufacturers "beef up" these specs for sake of selling what they can and by only looking at specs is not enough info.. If anyone of us ever used the same hardware that you have, then we can tell you exactly where the problems are.

If you were to purchase major brand name hardware or software, then that will be much easier to analyze and respond to your request...

Just give us the specifics on what you bought and lets see if we can make some solid recommendations...

[Mr. Security]

Roger that. I find it ironic that the 350 LOR B&W cheap camera and monitor function better than 3 high-end color cameras I have tried. At any rate, more tomorrow.

[CameraMan]

550 lines? That seems... unlikely. Lines of resolution usually scale by 20... I would buy 480 lines or 520 or 560 but 550 seems unusual to me.

What company is this equipment from?

[integrator97]

You say your DVR is is recording at high resolution, but what is that. THe highest setting? Most security DVR's record from between 320x240 up to 720x480, but some only go up to 640x240. That would be the high resolution setting for that DVR. Don't confuse these with High Definition. The only way you're going to get high def is with a megapixel camera, and you'll eat up hard drive storage fast.

Remember that security monitors are made to be on 24/7, but consumer tv's are generally not.

Seems like I've heard of some cameras at 550, but not sure. I use some at 540. But CameraMan, I've also got them at 330 and 570 from Ganz, (Computar, which has been around since moby dick was a minnow) and others.

[CameraMan]

Here's what you should be spending your money on, in order of priority:

DVR- 11 or 12 frames per second per channel (it will be expressed as combined fps- if it says 30 fps on the box, divide that number by the video channels) at 2CIF or better resolution (the specs on the DVR will tell you the max frame rate at the lowest resolution AND the max resolution at the lowest frame rate, so keep that in mind when you buy a "720x480 at 30 FPS" dvr).

Lens- a bad lens will make a great camera look terrible. A good lens will make a bad camera look halfway decent. Never buy a lens from a camera manufacturer. Only buy lenses from people who make lenses for digital cameras- Tamron, Fujinon, Pentax, or Marshall, basically.

Camera- 1/3" chip, low light, high VTL. Sony chip if at all possible.

Cable- poorly installed connectors will give you a poor picture if you're lucky or no picture at all if you aren't. Buy ready made cables if you can.

Monitor- get a piece of junk if you really have too, here. It'll burn out and die, but hey, they're cheap.

Power supply- other than ensuring it's properly grounded and won't burn your house down, this is a no-brainer.

And remember- before you buy, ask one of us!

[Mr. Security]

From Security Cameras Direct:

- 4 CH Pentaplex MPEG DVR. 160 GB HD installed by SCD. 720 x 480 Frame Resolution w/30 IPS (What I set it for - the highest)

- Bullet Camera, Sony HQ-1 chipset w/ ExView capability, 0.3 Low-Light Lux w/540 TV LOR (Catalog claimed 550 LOR)

I'm not listing the B&W cctv equipment because it works great. Let me know what I forgot to list, if anything.

[Mr. Security]

Oops - Monitor:

ARM SVGA LCD Monitor, 15" 1024 x 768 Pixel format

[CameraMan]

Make? Model?

[CameraMan]

Is it this (http://www.scdlink.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=2348&category=16)guy?

[Mr. Security]

Is it this (http://www.scdlink.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=2348&category=16)guy?

Yes. Here are the catalog numbers:

cfc6056ex - camera/model #??
lcd1520hg - monitor/model#a15a1-3d
dvr4017n160 - dvr/model #4 The manuals are generic and hard to tell the make.

[CameraMan]

The camera and monitor should be okay but the DVR is a peice of junk and you should find out if they'll take it back. Seriously, I have this particular DVR (with another manufacturer's sticker on it) on display here in my shop, and I use it in playback mode to show customers why they should buy any other DVR.

I sell the Mace DVR-400MM for $529.95. It's double what you paid for the DVR from SCD but it's actually a professional grade DVR. That DVR you bought... I wouldn't buy that with YOUR money.

Sorry.

[Mr. Security]

The camera and monitor should be okay but the DVR is a peice of junk and you should find out if they'll take it back. Seriously, I have this particular DVR (with another manufacturer's sticker on it) on display here in my shop, and I use it in playback mode to show customers why they should buy any other DVR.

I sell the Mace DVR-400MM for $529.95. It's double what you paid for the DVR from SCD but it's actually a professional grade DVR. That DVR you bought... I wouldn't buy that with YOUR money.

Sorry.

What happens when you play it back? I get the same resolution and clarity that I see on my monitor.
:confused:

[CameraMan]

Try plugging the camera directly into the monitor. If you get a better picture, then you know the DVR is compressing (and therefore distorting) the picture.

If you get the same result, plug the camera into a "known good" TV.

[Mr. Security]

Try plugging the camera directly into the monitor. If you get a better picture, then you know the DVR is compressing (and therefore distorting) the picture.

If you get the same result, plug the camera into a "known good" TV.

Great idea! :) That might explain matters. Of course, that will have to wait until I leave work - tomorrow. :D

[CameraMan]

I'll be right here.

[integrator97]

Is it this (http://www.scdlink.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=2348&category=16)guy?

Help. :eek: I'm being bombarded by red flags. CamaraMan is right. Steer clear of that thing. The price alone should be a big warning, though I understand if you're not versed in the type of product, how would you know.

[Mr. Security]

Help. :eek: I'm being bombarded by red flags. CamaraMan is right. Steer clear of that thing. The price alone should be a big warning, though I understand if you're not versed in the type of product, how would you know.

You do understand that the price is for the DVR w/o the hard drive? If you want a hard drive, you pay more -- which is what I did.

[integrator97]

You do understand that the price is for the DVR w/o the hard drive? If you want a hard drive, you pay more -- which is what I did.

Yea, still like buying a $19 dvd player or $500 40" LCD TV. Not a bargain.

[Mr. Security]

Yea, still like buying a $19 dvd player or $500 40" LCD TV. Not a bargain.

You may very well be right. :( I'll certainly know more after I follow camera man's advice.

[Mr. Security]

Hooked camera directly to monitor - no change in clarity - will be trying a flat screen TV to see if that helps any tonight.

[CameraMan]

Damn, I sure hope you didn't get taken for a ride.

Call SCD's customer service, we'd all like to know what it's like from the perspective of a customer.

[Mr. Security]

Plugged in a high resolution LCD flat screen TV - no improvement. Must be the camera.

[Mr. Security]

Next step: Contact tech. support. Oh well, nothing's easy.

[Mr. Security]

Tech support has one more camera for me to try. After that, I will be looking for another camera supplier if it proves unsatisfactory.

[CameraMan]

Good luck.

Remember, plug it into the monitor directly first, then into the DVR.

[Mr. Security]

Good luck.

Remember, plug it into the monitor directly first, then into the DVR.

Just as a test of clarity, right? SOP hooks camera to DVR, monitor to DVR.

What can you offer that's better than 540 LOR on a bullet camera?

[CameraMan]

I can offer you 520 actual lines instead of marketing BS.

Sorry, but ti's been a long day. And you shouldn't need more than 480 lines anyway, assuming you are just monitoring an entrance (although if you're doing wide area or perimiter monitoring, 520 VTL wil come in handy... by day).

[Mr. Security]

OK, bullet camera, all weather/sunshield, color and 75' night vision with 520 actual LOR for how much? Also, return policy?

[CameraMan]

I've sent you a private message.

[Mr. Security]

Got it - thanks.