Using ip cams for exhibitions?

M

m3tpe

Young grasshopper
Apr 4, 2017
64
5
Hello,

Our company primarily attends exhibitions. I would like to get some ideas on this setup (floor map of booth). Obviously, the idea is to prevent stolen merchandise.

I'm currently looking at getting
According to the floor map, I put a star at where I want the cameras to be mounted. They will be up high around 7ft on metal poles. I will have a laptop, a portable harddrive, and link everything up via the switch. There will be no internet at the location, so it will only record when I have a laptop there during the exhibition hours. As I understand, I do not need a router right? Or do I need a router for this setup as well? Any idea of a better setup or a better way to go about this? I choose bullet because it seems like it's easier to mount on metal poles.
 

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drunkpenguin said:
I'm assuming all cams and laptop will be plugged into the same switch right? Thats what switches are for. If your computer is 192.168.0.1 and cameras are 192.168.0.2 through whatever then they will just work. You'll need to manually enter ips for the laptop and each cam.

Or maybe I don't understand the question?
Click to expand...

Yes your understanding the question, but I'm confused.
Normally I access the router 192.168.1.1 and login into the router. Within the router interface, I can see the ips connected to the router. Now, for this setup, without the router... there's no interface to scan the ip address of the cameras on the switch. I'm assuming the switch doesn't have a interface. Is there a program to automatically scan the ips connected through the switch?
 
m3tpe said:
I choose bullet because it seems like it's easier to mount on metal poles.
Click to expand...
Bullets shout out "I'm a Camera!". If deterrence is the objective, bullets may help.
Bullets can be aimed easily. Domes and turrets would need the cover removed, to adjust up and down. L&R could be accomplished by rotating the cam on the post.
OTOH, once the Up/Dn adjustment is made, and if you mount the cams at the same height for every trade show, you might avoid re-adjustments.
The bullets might be more easily moved by the thief. The thied would have a harder time re-aiming a dome or turret.
 
m3tpe said:
Is there a program to automatically scan the ips connected through the switch?
Click to expand...

You can find IP scan utilities on the internet to scan a pre determined range of IP addresses such as 192.168.1.1-254, but these won't help you if there is equipment configured on different ranges that you are not aware of.

Best way is to use the camera manufacturer's utility to discover cameras, configure IP settings/passwords etc.
 
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tangent said:
For this reason, an NVR with built in PoE switch and full size hard drives may be preferable to recording on a laptop and portable hard drive. You can also attach the nvr to something like part of you display or even under a table or desk.
Click to expand...

The laptop will not fair well recording all those cams
 
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c hris527 said:
The laptop will not fair well recording all those cams
Click to expand...
A laptop likely would need to serve other duties too and would probably have to be connected to the internet. It's just a whole mess of complexity you don't need. An NVR is the easiest most practical option.

As for the cams try to make sure some are capable of high quality face shots
 
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tangent said:
A laptop likely would need to serve other duties too and would probably have to be connected to the internet. It's just a whole mess of complexity you don't need. An NVR is the easiest most practical option.

As for the cams try to make sure some are capable of high quality face shots
Click to expand...
Good to see u here tan..Happy New year
 
Do not buy those cheap china region cameras...they are not upgradable and will only cause problems.
 
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Fastb said:
Bullets shout out "I'm a Camera!". If deterrence is the objective, bullets may help.
Bullets can be aimed easily. Domes and turrets would need the cover removed, to adjust up and down. L&R could be accomplished by rotating the cam on the post.
OTOH, once the Up/Dn adjustment is made, and if you mount the cams at the same height for every trade show, you might avoid re-adjustments.
The bullets might be more easily moved by the thief. The thied would have a harder time re-aiming a dome or turret.
Click to expand...

I chose bullets for this exact reason.. Easy to install and mount and adjust.

Valiant said:
Make sure your laptop isn't stolen (along with the merchandise) !
Click to expand...

It won't get to that point. The booth is only 10 by 30 and we have 4 employees. Most customers are on the outside of the booth, not inside.

Valiant said:
You can find IP scan utilities on the internet to scan a pre determined ranged of IP addresses such as 192.168.1.1-254, but these won't help you if there is equipment configured on different ranges that you are not aware of.
Best way is to use the camera manufacturer's utility to discover cameras, configure IP settings/passwords etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you have an app name?

tangent said:
For this reason, an NVR with built in PoE switch and full size hard drives may be preferable to recording on a laptop and portable hard drive. You can also attach the nvr to something like part of you display or even under a table or desk.
Click to expand...

How easy is it to navigate thorough a NVR? Can I hook up my computer to it to view the videos? Or do I need a separate monitor?

c hris527 said:
The laptop will not fair well recording all those cams
Click to expand...

Why not? Are you saying my processing speed would take a dump? I have an i7 laptop less than a yr old. 16gb ram, ssd.

tangent said:
A laptop likely would need to serve other duties too and would probably have to be connected to the internet. It's just a whole mess of complexity you don't need. An NVR is the easiest most practical option.

As for the cams try to make sure some are capable of high quality face shots
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to connect to the internet, and no, the laptop would not be serving other duties.

fenderman said:
Do not buy those cheap china region cameras...they are not upgradable and will only cause problems.
Click to expand...

hmmm? you mean firmware upgrades?

looney2ns said:
If you want bullets, I'd recommend these:
IPC-HFW5231E-Z | Dahua Technology - Dahua Technology in the quantity you need.

If you want turrets, then these: IPC-HDW5231R-Z | Dahua Technology - Dahua Technology

With a 16 channel this: NVR4216/4232-16P-4KS2 | Dahua Technology - Dahua Technology
You would also, need a Harddrive, and preferably a decent sized monitor so your booth visitors can see they are on cam.
Click to expand...

Hmm was trying to get cams that are sub $100 a piece. Are you saying that the camera I chose can't get a face ID? The location is only 10ft by 30ft. I'm guessing the customers face would be 12 to 15ft away from the camera itself with good lighting.
 
c hris527 said:
The laptop will not fair well recording all those cams
Click to expand...

Is this project you are doing a one time deal? Are you planning on doing a lot of shows? If this is something you are going to be doing on a regular basis do yourself a big favor and get the proper gear the first time around. I will tell you that your laptop and external drive will let you down at some point, usually when you need the money shot. You could (if using Dahua cams) use smartpss, I know viewing 6 cams in 1080p should be no issues but recording and viewing will be challenging.
I know I need a high end system just to view smart pss. What software do you plan on using to record with? If you laptop is dedicated to that function only, you can most likely get away with it but I know with other apps running on top of it things WILL get all bad quick.
 
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fenderman said:
Both firmware upgrades and the hacked firmware often has issues...
Click to expand...

Yep. 3 out of my 4cams have chinese language now becouse i had to reset them.. The English language hack gets wiped.. Sucks. Also not FW upgradable i think.

I am in the process of replacin all cams with new ones from Andy with proper English FW. Also upgrade to 2 and 8mp starvis :D
 
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c hris527 said:
Is this project you are doing a one time deal? Are you planning on doing a lot of shows? If this is something you are going to be doing on a regular basis do yourself a big favor and get the proper gear the first time around. I will tell you that your laptop and external drive will let you down at some point, usually when you need the money shot. You could (if using Dahua cams) use smartpss, I know viewing 6 cams in 1080p should be no issues but recording and viewing will be challenging.
I know I need a high end system just to view smart pss. What software do you plan on using to record with? If you laptop is dedicated to that function only, you can most likely get away with it but I know with other apps running on top of it things WILL get all bad quick.
Click to expand...
Was planning on using BlueIris for the recording to a portable ssd..
I'll probably use this setup 3-5 times a year
 
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