Joshua Bloom
n3wb
Hello,
I've been reading this forum for a while and decided I should join.
I'm a fairly savvy user and techie but am not up to speed on the most cost effective yet reliable ways to implement what I'd like to do. I've done some commercial installations but those were different because I had a lot more budget to work with.
Here is what I'm looking to accomplish:
1) PC based "server" to run a VMS software
2) IP POE cameras that can work with most VMS systems so I'm not stuck with one company if I change my mind on VMS.
3) Cameras that are reliable because I don't want to be messing with them often due to issues / failures.
I've got 8 total positions wired at my property and would like decent picture at night. I don't need PTZ on any of them.
Here is what I'm thinking about purchasing:
1) PC - I've found some decent prices on Amazon for a refurbished HP tower, Core I7, 16GB ram, 2TB hard drive and an SSD for the OS. Seems like about $400 does it. I'll also be buying a POE managed switch.
2) Cameras - from reading on here it seems the dahau are a good budget buy. I'm also looking at Digital Watchdog's cameras because a friend has used them and the quality seems quite good, though they are a step up in cost compared to the Dahua options. I'm not sure if it is worth the cost.
3) VMS - I didn't know about BlueIris until I found this forum. It is very attractive for the price. Especially when you consider DW Spectrum and many other VMS' require per camera licenses.
I have searched a bit but with so much content it is hard to get a good feel for where I may need to go with this. I don't want to spend more than is needed but I also don't want a system that is going to become a headache.
For Dahua and Hikvision cameras - is Amazon the best place to purchase them?
Please let me know your thoughts.
I've been reading this forum for a while and decided I should join.
I'm a fairly savvy user and techie but am not up to speed on the most cost effective yet reliable ways to implement what I'd like to do. I've done some commercial installations but those were different because I had a lot more budget to work with.
Here is what I'm looking to accomplish:
1) PC based "server" to run a VMS software
2) IP POE cameras that can work with most VMS systems so I'm not stuck with one company if I change my mind on VMS.
3) Cameras that are reliable because I don't want to be messing with them often due to issues / failures.
I've got 8 total positions wired at my property and would like decent picture at night. I don't need PTZ on any of them.
Here is what I'm thinking about purchasing:
1) PC - I've found some decent prices on Amazon for a refurbished HP tower, Core I7, 16GB ram, 2TB hard drive and an SSD for the OS. Seems like about $400 does it. I'll also be buying a POE managed switch.
2) Cameras - from reading on here it seems the dahau are a good budget buy. I'm also looking at Digital Watchdog's cameras because a friend has used them and the quality seems quite good, though they are a step up in cost compared to the Dahua options. I'm not sure if it is worth the cost.
3) VMS - I didn't know about BlueIris until I found this forum. It is very attractive for the price. Especially when you consider DW Spectrum and many other VMS' require per camera licenses.
I have searched a bit but with so much content it is hard to get a good feel for where I may need to go with this. I don't want to spend more than is needed but I also don't want a system that is going to become a headache.
For Dahua and Hikvision cameras - is Amazon the best place to purchase them?
Please let me know your thoughts.
