video surveillance recording systems

[millenniumplus]

We are looking to upgrade our current 8 camera/vhs system video surveillance recording systems.
We have looked at websites like active vision and 123cctv. Features we don't have but would
like, include but are not limited to: the ability to monitor the store remotely, continious 30-90+
day backup capability, audio and the ability to turn things on and off like (alarm system). Before
we make a decision can you recommend other video surveillance companies and give your
experience with who you had, have. or maybe be thinking about getting. THX!

[Duane]

Millenniumplus,

There are several brands of DVRs that can do most of what you are looking for a system to do. You can save yourself some money and buy the video cards and make a system yourself if you have the technical experience, it really doesn't take much.

One thing I would suggest is not to have one system (your DVR) do too many tasks such as turning on and off your alarm system, etc., If you have problems with the DVR then you will have several other problems in your store. The last thing you need is to have your DVR and alarm system down at the same time.

Your cameras might be compatible to start with. If they are black and white then I would suggest upgrading them to color. Make sure you get at least 420 resolution cameras. You can always upgrade the cameras at a later date or just start with one or two at a time.

Make sure you have a high FPS (frames per second) and remember that most companies will tell you the FPS, but you will usually need to divide that by the number of cameras you have. A 30 FPS per second system with 5 cameras will give you 6 FPS per camera. 2-4 FPS per camera is good enough for surveillance, yet slow enough as to not create too big of files.

Amount of days you keep the videos really depends on how large your hard drive is. I would recommend two 200gig drives (not including your system hard drive) this will give you about 90 days of recording.

Remote viewing. If you decide to go with broadband (DSL , Cable modem) make sure you get upload speeds. Most internet connections are based on download speeds such as 768/56 that means you get 768k download per second and 56k upload per second. This is usually great for most people, but since you want to take video out of the store you will need upload speeds to take the video out of the store and up to the internet for you to download at home. A straight dial up from home to your store will give you 56/56 which will give you the same results of a 768/56 connection at your store. Also no that Cable will usually not give you a static IP address. There are ways around this, but it is just an extra pain to deal with.

If you do use broadband to watch your store, make sure you lock it down with security. You don't want someone watching your cameras and seeing you collect money.

Since you already have an existing system your cameras are probably set up properly, but others who are looking into a system, have one camera with a narrow (6-8mm) lens focused on the front door to get a good face shot of each person walking into the store. Another narrow lens should be on the cash register and or change machines. On your change machine don't put the camera directly in the customers face. Make sure it is a side view to get a good profile of the customers face and yet able to see what they are doing to or putting in the machine. They rest of the cameras should be a wider range (2-3mm) lens that cris-cross your store showing every corner and machine in the store. Any camera that is directed into sunlight should be equipped with an auto iris so it can adjust the iris automatically depending on the amount of light needed. This will prevent washout. For low light areas (you really shouldn't have any in the store) you can get a camera that will switch from Color to BW automatically. If it is really dark you can get cameras that use Infra Red lights to light up the area.

I have my video server, cameras and communication equipment on battery backups in case of power failure. I also record a couple of the cameras at home just in the event someone steals the on-site system or if someone burns down the place. Either way I'll have the last few minutes recorded at home.

Duane.

www.LMARIES.com (http://www.LMARIES.com)

[yankee]

This guy is good or what,thanks Duane for well explain about system
Now i have question about battery backup,what type and what brand and how long will it record on battery backup
thanks

[Duane]

Yankee,

Good question. There are several brands of battery backup systems on the market. I go with APC. When buying a backup just compare the information on the box, it should tell you how long the battery will run without power depending on the amount of equipment plugged into the unit. I have two backups, one for the video server, cameras, DSL modem and switch. The second backup just powers my video recorder. Both backups are APC 450s and during testing they both would last about 30 minutes. Don't plug in any monitors since it will kill the battery much faster.

A battery backup is more important than just the battery backup. It also filters the power by taking out the surges and brown outs. The battery helps in keeping the system running during power flickering which is usually the cause of computer problems.

In addition to the two backups for the video and communication equipment, I also have one in each X-Changer (2) to protect the stores card system and one at home to protect my home office equipment.

With APC I can configure a computer to automatically shut down if power is not restored within xx minutes. This saves the computer from crashing if power is gone for a long time.

Duane.

www.LMARIES.com (http://www.LMARIES.com)

[millenniumplus]

Duane - appreciate the detailed information which certainly cleared some things up.
We'll definitely upgrade to color and go high end in regards to gigs. We'll be sure to
factor in fps too. Can you recommend some dvr companies?