Your Favorite Camera System ?

[UtahProtectionForce]

alot of people use pelco, i think it is rather expenisive and does less then some other types, i for one am i fan of survellix, nice system very stable, easy to use interface on DVR, for backups and copies, looks sleeker to, better control with the PTZ function also, i think it gives a clearer image. what do you all think ? have you all used other camera systems ? if so why od you like one brand over the other ? btw i love the survelliz paddle so many options it is about the size of a regular computer keyboard.. many fun buttons to play with.

[integrator97]

Pelco has always been reliable, but pricy. But they've been around and will continue to be, along with others like Vicon.

That being said, Pelco has lagged in the DVR market. I haven't messed with their Endura line, but I know that they were always behind on the curve, compared to everyone else.

I'm not familiar with Survellix. The hardest thing for me, is deciding which company will warranty its product well, give decent support, and be around to give that support later. Oh, and can I communicate with their tech support (understand what they're saying with their accent).

I'll definitely be interested to see what others have to say.

[Curtis Baillie]

I have never used just one system. I take what I like from different manufactures and put it all together. I'm partial to Sanyo cameras as they hold up well in freezer cases and the desert sun.

[integrator97]

Hmmm. I'll have to say that in my 16 years of doing this I've never put one in a feezer case.

But I'll agree with you. When I refer to the system, I'm talking about the control systems, such as matrix, mux, dvr's etc. which generally have to be matched, and though you can do otherwise, I use the PTZ made by the control system manufacturer. As far as cameras, I use what I like, which is most often Ganz, but others depending on the application. If it's a large system, I'll use the DVR's to match also, assuming they meet the needs, and I feel good about them.

[Curtis Baillie]

I'm a 'real world' end user. I've used cameras in freezer cases, dairy boxes, and in the ceilings of grocery stores in Arizona. I have gone through many that could not stand up.

[Bill Warnock]

I'm a 'real world' end user. I've used cameras in freezer cases, dairy boxes, and in the ceilings of grocery stores in Arizona. I have gone through many that could not stand up.

Words of wisdom which I hope are not lost on our colleagues.
Curtis, the military found out to its discomfort the testing of one system and deploy it around the world will not work.
Some procurement weenies believe central procurement is the answer to a maiden's prayer.
Cameras and other security systems that work in "X" location may not function properly in "Y" location. Case in point the system installed at US Army Cold Regions Test Center in Alaska did not work at US Army Tropics Test Center in Panama.
The test center they have at Eglin AFB FL proves the point. The US Army tried to set up their "own" center at Anniston Army Depot in Alabama as the Center for Excellence run by the US Army Corps of Engineers better known as the Pork Barrel of the Congress.
When all you have for communications lines are barbed wire wrapped in linen and the specification calls for a minimum of Bell Grade 1302, don't expect spectacular results. In a similar fashion, what might work in clay has a poor chance of working in electrolytic soil.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Rooney]

As an integrator for both civilian and military markets there are many different aspects that need to come into play. I agree that Pelco are good systems for some instances. Ganz are good for some as well. We also use Flir, Icx, Raytheon, Vicon, etc.
When we build systems for the military we have to take the mission into consideration. Bill is right on the money. What works in one environment will not necessarily work in another.
Although most of the military systems have a requirement for one type system to work in many different environments, NO system will be "bullet proof" to all environmental conditions and requirements. That is where modularity comes in. We build our systems so the sensor suite is modular in design and can be swapped to different missions while in the field with as little effort as possible.

I am getting more into the IP end of the civillian camera market. For large systems it is easier to configure. (As long as you have the bandwidth).

[Ian]

Panasonic make quite good PTZ cameras with network connections, they are a bit expensive, are physically quite large and are not easy to work on but with all those negatives they are still good cameras. As a matter of interest how much of your equiment has a made in China sticker on the back.

[integrator97]

As a matter of interest how much of your equiment has a made in China sticker on the back.

If it does, don't lick it. It'll give you brain damage form the lead.

[Rooney]

As a matter of interest how much of your equiment has a made in China sticker on the back.

None... Unless a sub-part from the oem is. We as a rule "try" to buy "Made in USA" (Note: NOT Usa Japan - If anyone remembers that). Even though it is getting harder to buy American products. I'm not sure if there is any manufacturer of camera systems that do not use some China part(s) in there systems.

[CameraMan]

Samsung/GVI's SHR series DVRs are the best medium cost DVRs out there. They look great, are easy to install, program, and use, and the recorded video looks great. Other than some weird hoops you have have to jump through to backup video or burn to a cd, I highly recomend them.

Dedicated Micros DVRs are the easiest out there to use, and customers like them. The MJPEG format they use also lets you stuff more video on the same amount of space... which is nice, because for whatever incomprehensible reason they use SCSI to connect add on storage, and no one's manufactured SCSI drives since dinosaurs roamed the earth. A lot of the newer model D4A's have CD burners on the unit.

If you have the budget and superiors with foresight (and who among us does?) go with Panasonic IP cameras with an NVR. They are simply awesome.

[john_harrington]

I usually lead with Untellex DVRs but am open to some others (Nice, some Honeywell, etc). My major prerequisite is really what access control platform I am trying to integrate with. We have not gone down the IP path much at this point (see some of my other posts). Cameras are now commodities for the most part- find one with a good imager, package and gimbal.

John

[MetzLyov]

I usually lead with Untellex DVRs but am open to some others (Nice, some Honeywell, etc). My major prerequisite is really what access control platform I am trying to integrate with. We have not gone down the IP path much at this point (see some of my other posts). Cameras are now commodities for the most part- find one with a good imager, package and gimbal.

John

John, you meant Intellex right? Which models are you using?

[john_harrington]

Yes I did mean Intellex-sorry!
I use the Ultra version exclusively now when specifying AD.

[MetzLyov]

Yes I did mean Intellex-sorry!
I use the Ultra version exclusively now when specifying AD.

Do you fully utilize all Ultra series features if I may ask? I.E. 480 IPS, DVD burner, RAID, etc... Was it its functionality or was it its specs that got your attention?

We mostly work with DVMS series.. and lately seen a lot of Ultra appearing in many Casinos...

Very simple yet the priciest version of Intellex wagen... Unless if the Ultra is already specified in a project, majority of our customer use their DVMS series... and works very well..