CCTV

michellez · 11 Feb 2011 at 19:52

No idea which forum to post this in so just went for in here!

I have a few Axis 210 network cameras (they basically have a built in web server which then streams the image over a network to where ever).

I have a Linux box at hand so have looked at the free ZoneMinder but it's awfully fiddly and I am not at ease with trusting it with such an important task as a result.

So now I am looking at buying something, a proper DVR type box I am thinking to record from the cameras. Does anyone have any suggestions please? I'm struggling to dig through sites full of traditional DVR boxes for recording with cameras wired via BNC etc.

Cheers
Shell

Nanoman · 11 Feb 2011 at 20:55

TBH I think one of the main reasons for a DVR is to convert analogue video to digital. With an IP camera you could just assign them all to store to a network path which isn't much different than having a DVR with a harddrive inside. I doubt you would want to use the controls at the front of the DVR for PTZ either as the camera's web interface or a Direct X keyboard hooked up to a PC would be more useful. You're probably best just searching for a decent piece of software.

neodude · 11 Feb 2011 at 21:09

And that decent piece of software would be Vitamin D. Does the trick nicely!

SourChipmunk · 11 Feb 2011 at 21:46

neodude said:
And that decent piece of software would be Vitamin D. Does the trick nicely!

I must have that!!

I'm currently using a cam hooked up to a VCR, and I have to play back to the PC through a VidBox to get PC recordings. I haven't figured out yet how to record directly to the HDD.

This is a part of a two-hour video I had to watch real-time (well, FF anyway) to see any action.

michellez · 11 Feb 2011 at 22:25

neodude said:
And that decent piece of software would be Vitamin D. Does the trick nicely!

Hmm, does look nice! Unfortunately the only machine I have at the moment is a Linux box. So at best I will need to buy a Windows license and run a VM on that for it. The hardware should cope. Other wise it's build a little one for it. I think all the old laptops I have plus an external USB HDD could be too slow.

I will download the free version and give a test though.

Thank you Neodude!

If any one still has suggestions hardware or software wise, please do keep 'em coming please!

Also, I have also found the thing to google for now is NVR (Network Video Recorder)

Pestilence · 11 Feb 2011 at 22:34

I recently got an XVision XUSB4DVR-2 USB DVR, but can't use as as I didn't check our cheap crappy cameras (which we've never used since we moved in) and they don't use BNC or RCA. D'Oh!

It's supposed to be a great bit of kit, though.

michellez · 11 Feb 2011 at 23:05

neodude said:
And that decent piece of software would be Vitamin D. Does the trick nicely!

Can you view it remotely through a web interface or client on another computer or something? Maybe I'm not searching their site too well but I can not see anything. :confused:

Colbaker · 12 Feb 2011 at 00:06

Hi,

Just a quick note, if you are pointing these cameras at a neighbours address or it is inadvertantly trained on a neighbours address they can get you to remove them under the human right act, my neighbour had one of those cameras that go on the front door to see who is knocking but was told to take it down for this reason.

just something to think about.

neodude · 12 Feb 2011 at 08:14

michellez said:
Can you view it remotely through a web interface or client on another computer or something? Maybe I'm not searching their site too well but I can not see anything.

The software doesn't allow for remote viewing it is simply for recording and person recognition. But if your cameras have built in web interfaces anyway that shouldn't be a problem. You could always access Vitamin D remotely using Remote Desktop or VNC.

d_brennen · 12 Feb 2011 at 08:30

I use i-Catcher Console and a couple of PTZ ipcams at work. Was a right PITA to set up but works great. Records only when there is motion in front of the camera in stop motion, 1 fps I think and the cams pan and tilt to follow the movement (though this is quite limited) The file outputs are surprisingly small when set up right, and I have it set to record 30 days worth then wipe older recordings. What convinced me to go down this route was the free demo

Can watch my employee on my iPhone