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  1. bguy

    LaView LV-KNT982D22D4 - thoughts? 2x 4MP & 2x 2MP dome cameras + 8ch NVR

    I think a 2TB would be a waste. With two 4MP and two 2MP cameras recording at only 7FPS at high quality the 2 TB drive will only save about 4 or 5 days of video. I'm cheap, and I'd still rather start with a 4TB. Start with one 4TB drive, and add another later when there's a good deal. Right now...
  2. bguy

    LaView LV-KNT982D22D4 - thoughts? 2x 4MP & 2x 2MP dome cameras + 8ch NVR

    I would get a 4TB WD purple to start. This is a decent system for $300. I think the OEM is a Hikvision.
  3. bguy

    where to place / hide NVR?

    Where ever it's easiest to get all the wires to/from. If you're worried about security, they make NVR lock boxes. Just keep in mind it needs air for cooling. I preferred having mine in my room connected to a 32" tv, as searching was faster directly on the NVR.
  4. bguy

    Use IP Camera for HD Video Calls?

    From my experience security cameras have more lag. 1 second of lag is not a big deal if you are recording it, or just monitoring it. But 1/4 of a second lag is the most you want for 2 way conversation. I'm pretty sure you would have a hard time interfacing an IP camera to Skype. Also, the video...
  5. bguy

    Laview NVR video codec

    Here's what Handbrake tells me regarding the file. I got the kit LV-KN988P84A4. Not sure the exact model of the NVR. NOTE: I dropped the file on Handbrake.
  6. bguy

    Which HDD to choose for Hikvision NVR?

    The NVR may be able to record up to 12MP streams, but can it record 8 12MP cameras at 30 FPS at the highest quality? I doubt it. This data sheet: Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. Says it can do 4 channels @ 8MP, or 16 channels @ 1080P. That is Hikvision's capacity listing for the...
  7. bguy

    Laview NVR video codec

    I don't think it's as simple as a codec. It's H.264 in an MP4 wrapper. I think they have a broken method of writing the file. VLC can "play" the file, but only shows the first frame. And VLC can normally play anything. What I did was use handbrake to re-encode the video so it would play on a...
  8. bguy

    Can Cat5e interior lines be too thin? Install issues with new POE cameras..

    Back when Cat6 was new, I had some quality cable that was kind of a flat U shape. They did this instead of having a plastic divider. But today, it should round. Keep in mind, just because something is says it's cat5e/Cat6, doesn't mean it really is. And just because a company specifies the use...
  9. bguy

    Surveillance on Home broadband

    There's WAN, and there's LAN. Your "home broadband" is the WAN connection. WAN is basically the Internet. Your router connects your home LAN to the WAN. It sounds like your questions is related just to the LAN. I would say yes, you want to isolate the camera network from the home network, for...
  10. bguy

    Running Ethernet Cables Outside

    Silas, as I noted I've used regular cable outside, and it's lasted at least a couple years. If you protect the casing from UV, it should last a long time. If you run it under the eves or paint it to match the house you should be good. I'm lazy and cheap, so I don't want to buy special cable for...
  11. bguy

    Running Ethernet Cables Outside

    You can pull cables through conduit. This is why you leave a pull string in the conduit. Or if one cable is bad, you just snip the connector off the bad cable, tape the end of the new cable to it, and pull it through. If it's a long run or has a lot of turns, you put a junction box mid-way. It...
  12. bguy

    Running Ethernet Cables Outside

    Personally, I'd just use regular UTP and use conduits and junction boxes outside. That will protect the cable from UV and damage. It also will look a whole lot better than a bundle of cables. 3/4" conduit should be good for 5 cables. I have used regular UTP outside and it lasts for at least a...
  13. bguy

    NVR with specific futures

    You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Likewise, you can warn people of security issues, but you can't make them use proper procedures. Years ago at work, there was a guy that said he used port forwarding to VNC on is computer at home. I gave him advice that he shouldn't...
  14. bguy

    Problems - Computer? Windows? Switch? Blue Iris/software? Network? guidance requested.

    What Silas said. If you don't understand IPs, you're already lost. So I hope you understand at least the basics. An IP starting with 169 is Windows way of saying it couldn't get an IP via DHCP. You need to go step by step from the simplest network and make sure things are working. If you...
  15. bguy

    Looking for a camera security system.

    There's a lot to learn, and some of it is easier to learn hands on. Also, a lot of the choices are going to be what works best for you. I'm very familiar with networking and computers, so DIY is no problem for me. I decided I wanted a 1080p IP camera system as a minimum, and found a good...
  16. bguy

    2 8poe switches, only one will allow cameras to work

    It would help if you give the brand/model of switch. And the 568 standard is 568A or 568B. As long as you use the same standard on both ends of one cable you are ok. Can you do a simple diagram of how/what network devices the switches are connected to? Right now I'm guessing you have the...
  17. bguy

    Large installation Multiple Switches

    The issue I can see with daisy chaining switches is the aggregated bandwidth at router 1. With the amount of cameras, you might be ok with 100Mb, but I'd aim for gigabit for router 1 as a minimum. Also, you don't have to feel locked down to using PoE switches, you can use your preferred switch...
  18. bguy

    How to Tell if Contractor Used Cat 6 or Not?

    First off, Gigabit Ethernet was designed to run on Cat5. Cat6 is future-proofing. So if you have problems with the cables, it's more likely due to a physical problem than not having Cat6 cables/jacks. Often the jacks will say what they are rated. The only way to see what the cable is, is to...
  19. bguy

    Installation and test equipment

    I don't see what the issue really is. I would test and configure all of the cameras before ever touching a ladder. If you want to try a location before running a permanent line, just run a long cable out a door or window. I prefer not carrying crap up a ladder I don't need.
  20. bguy

    Surveillance for Dummies

    Most people don't really know what it costs for a decent security camera system. They also don't want to learn anything about cameras, not even the difference between IP and analog. A basic 4 camera IP system might be had for under $500 if you are frugal and know what you're doing, or it can...
  21. bguy

    Lightning storm last month, replacing all equiptment question

    Testing the wires is not some complex issue. If the guy doesn't have a $10 cable tester, he's not likely to have a megaohm tester. Besides, there is a tool specialized for testing the network cables, but it's too expensive to buy for a few cables. Network cables need to pass data reliably...
  22. bguy

    Lightning storm last month, replacing all equiptment question

    That tester will really only tell you if the wires have basic continuity. You get the same result by seeing if you have a link light at both ends of the connection. I have fixed cabled installations where they pass continuity, but fail as soon as you try to pass data. Normally this is due to...
  23. bguy

    Lightning storm last month, replacing all equiptment question

    Does anyone really expect a surge protector from stopping a lighting bolt that just traveled hundreds of feet through the air? And if it entered the system from a camera, the surge protector on the outlet wouldn't have helped protect the other cameras. If you don't have a cable tester, I would...
  24. bguy

    power cables

    A couple points. PTZ cameras may need more power than can be provided with PoE. But if it can be powered via PoE, you can use a splitter to get power at the camera. 18 gauge wire is is equal to .82 mm wire. So 2mm is overkill, and equal to about 14 gauge. 1mm should be appropriate...
  25. bguy

    Options for Termination Cables

    It really depends on the size of your installation. If it's just a few cameras, don't worry about the patch panel. But a patch panel will make the installation neater, which really starts to matter as the number of connections increases. There are tons of patch panel options from a few...
  26. bguy

    Options for Termination Cables

    They don't say Cat6, so they probably won't work. The issue is Cat6 has 23 gauge wire, vs 24 gauge in Cat5e. So the the thicker wire may not fit. As far as crimpers are concerned, an RJ45 should be the same dimensions.
  27. bguy

    Options for Termination Cables

    You can make due with the cheap crimpers that cost less than $10. It should easily be good for a few dozen crimps. You would also use the cheap closed ended jacks. Yeah, the closed ended jacks are harder to use, but it doesn't require an expensive special crimper. You should only need to...
  28. bguy

    POE switch or camera problem?

    It seems unlikely that 2 cameras would just stop working. You said the cameras are installed, so probably long cables. Have you tried connecting one or both cameras to the PoE switch with a short cable? If you have a power supply that will work on the cameras, try it to make sure the cameras...
  29. bguy

    POE Switch question

    They are noisy, so you don't want to use it in your bedroom. Looks like you can get them for less than $200/ea. Model should be WS-C3750V2-24PS-S. The P indicates PoE. 370 watts for PoE.
  30. bguy

    eSATA HD Keystone Coupler Source?

    If you think you will need access to the port in the back, just plug a cable in and run it to the front of the box. You need the cable to connect a drive anyway. Or they make drive bays with extra ports in them, eSATA, USB 2 or 3, etc. Just make sure your motherboard has headers for the...
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