[P1]

Originally Posted by jimmyfloyd

Thanks. Are there any models currently recommended for cameras or NVR? Do they make a bullet camera with zoom?

Take a look at LTS. They should have a catalog in the form of a PDF. All Hikvision cameras but flashed with their own firmware. Lots of bullet zoom options.

NVR will depend on how many cameras you are pushing, what their resolution and framerates are etc.

[P1]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

There is no doubt NVR is the easiest, but I would recommend looking into blue iris. I love it, it can do a good amount more than your typical camera manufacture software, and you can mix/match cameras with it. For example I have my two Doorbell (doorbird) cameras running on it with all the hikvision cameras.

Agree. NVR is easy, but the beauty lies in the software. Blue Iris is recommended by many...

What cameras did you end up with?

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by P1et

Agree. NVR is easy, but the beauty lies in the software. Blue Iris is recommended by many...

What cameras did you end up with?

Hikvision DS-2CD4535FWD-IZH 3MP which I really like.

I also have a Hikvision DS-2CD6D54FWD, which I don't recommend. Too big, and need to use hikvision software to get full functionality.

I use the hikvision cubes for indoors and doorbird d101's for the doorbells.

[P1]

Slowly upgrading to 6MP cameras. I actually lost my 3MP turret front door camera the other day, and it was my own fault: I recently had liberally and extensively hosed down the ceiling of my front porch, and water must have gotten into the camera. Still turns on, but condensation in the lens. Perfect excuse to upgrade!

This is my second H.265 camera. On H.264 I'm seeing roughly 130 B/sec, but the second I switch to H.265, that drops to 40 B/sec. Impressive compression.

Went for this one:



I'm still waiting for the wire intake box to arrive, but once she's properly installed, I'll take some pictures.

[dsad1]

Are you recording 24/7?

[P1]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

Are you recording 24/7?

Yes, all my cameras will retain a few FULL days worth of footage and then motion only for the remainder.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by P1et

Slowly upgrading to 6MP cameras. I actually lost my 3MP turret front door camera the other day, and it was my own fault: I recently had liberally and extensively hosed down the ceiling of my front porch, and water must have gotten into the camera. Still turns on, but condensation in the lens. Perfect excuse to upgrade!

This is my second H.265 camera. On H.264 I'm seeing roughly 130 B/sec, but the second I switch to H.265, that drops to 40 B/sec. Impressive compression.

Went for this one:



I'm still waiting for the wire intake box to arrive, but once she's properly installed, I'll take some pictures.

You're going back to Hikvision and not buying the LTS equivalent?

[P1]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

You're going back to Hikvision and not buying the LTS equivalent?

No, sorry. Definitely purchased from LTS. Just had trouble grabbing a pic from their website so used a Hikvision equivalent.

[P1]

Camera installed and up and running. Quality of a 6MP camera is impressive to say the least. It's dark, so I am only testing in IR mode, and although I still need to make some adjustments to the camera angle, I'm noticing some softness around the edges. I'll see if it's only noticeable in IR mode. Could be a dirty dome. Will check tomorrow when it's light outside.

Some install pics:



Junction box installed.


Much more discrete than before.

[P1]

Just checked footage from where I had temporarily installed the camera previously. Zero softness when IR on. Must be a bad touch between lens and cover. Or smudges from me installing it.

[dsad1]

I must not appreciate quality enough, or my eyes are just bad. All my cameras are 3MP, but I lower them to 1080p to save disk space. I really can't tell much of a difference.

[P1]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

I must not appreciate quality enough, or my eyes are just bad. All my cameras are 3MP, but I lower them to 1080p to save disk space. I really can't tell much of a difference.

This particular location had a 3MP previously. The quality difference is very, very noticeable compared to this 6MP.

I’ll post some 3MP vs 6MP screenshots tomorrow.

[P1]

djsaad1 can you spot the difference?

3MP:


6MP:

[dsad1]

Yes, that's a big difference. I will take a look at mine in the morning.

[zx10guy]

P1et,

Any reason why you chose that dome camera? I'm thinking about going with these:

http://www.ltsecurityinc.com/ip-came...ip3362w-m.html

To replace the 3MP Hikvision turrets I already have installed. And what lens is your camera? 2.8, 4, or 6?

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by P1et

Take a look at LTS. They should have a catalog in the form of a PDF. All Hikvision cameras but flashed with their own firmware. Lots of bullet zoom options.

NVR will depend on how many cameras you are pushing, what their resolution and framerates are etc.

What's the difference in the lts firmware?

[P1]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

P1et,

Any reason why you chose that dome camera? I'm thinking about going with these:

http://www.ltsecurityinc.com/ip-came...ip3362w-m.html

To replace the 3MP Hikvision turrets I already have installed. And what lens is your camera? 2.8, 4, or 6?

I wanted a slightly smaller footprint. The camera, including the junction box, was a bit too "in your face" when people approached my house. And I have the 2.8mm lens. Frankly, all of mine apart from two are 2.8mm.

[P1]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

What's the difference in the lts firmware?

The biggest thing is that it's supported. Many of the Hikvision cameras bought via Amazon or Aliexpress have dodgy firmware that can be hit or miss. LTS cameras are configured to be plug and play, and their own firmware is updated much more frequently. Plus the cameras are backed by a 3-year warranty. I've had one camera go out on me, and after a quick remote diagnosis, was essentially given credit to pick whatever new camera I wanted. I have a rep that I can email directly and he responds fast. Awesome company, and they now have monthly specials also.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by P1et

I wanted a slightly smaller footprint. The camera, including the junction box, was a bit too "in your face" when people approached my house. And I have the 2.8mm lens. Frankly, all of mine apart from two are 2.8mm.

I was afraid of any image distortion/stretch from the wider view of a 2.8mm. But from your pics, it doesn't seem bad at all. I might change my mind about getting 2.8mm cameras as I've been opting for 4mm.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by P1et

The biggest thing is that it's supported. Many of the Hikvision cameras bought via Amazon or Aliexpress have dodgy firmware that can be hit or miss. LTS cameras are configured to be plug and play, and their own firmware is updated much more frequently. Plus the cameras are backed by a 3-year warranty. I've had one camera go out on me, and after a quick remote diagnosis, was essentially given credit to pick whatever new camera I wanted. I have a rep that I can email directly and he responds fast. Awesome company, and they now have monthly specials also.

Are you still dealing with Frankie?

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by P1et

The biggest thing is that it's supported. Many of the Hikvision cameras bought via Amazon or Aliexpress have dodgy firmware that can be hit or miss. LTS cameras are configured to be plug and play, and their own firmware is updated much more frequently. Plus the cameras are backed by a 3-year warranty. I've had one camera go out on me, and after a quick remote diagnosis, was essentially given credit to pick whatever new camera I wanted. I have a rep that I can email directly and he responds fast. Awesome company, and they now have monthly specials also.

Do they still have the smart features like line crossing detection, scene change, etc...? I use blue iris for motion either way, but just curious.

[P1]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

I was afraid of any image distortion/stretch from the wider view of a 2.8mm. But from your pics, it doesn't seem bad at all. I might change my mind about getting 2.8mm cameras as I've been opting for 4mm.

I suppose it's all about what you're trying to monitor. One of my 4mm cameras is mounted right underneath the gutters, and looks at a rear door. A 2.8mm would have been to wide for that purpose...