I'm looking at replacing the security camera system in one of our locations for my employer. The existing system (from a competitor to Amcrest) is quite old and no longer connecting to the network. Here's what we have:
I'm looking at solutions that allow us to reuse existing coaxial cabling and not have to rewire with CAT5/6 if possible (WiFi is also not an option due to construction materials and distances involved). All coaxial cabling from the camera locations come into the networking closet in the basement of the building. The person monitoring the cameras sits in a completely different location within the building (so plugging in VGA/HDMI to view cameras is not an option, we want to view over local network). The building also has terrible/unreliable internet connection, so using cloud-based solution is not an option.
From my research of various manufacturers, Amcrest looks like it has a really good system. They have coax cable-based DVRs that can also support IP-based cameras (should be decide to rewire/add parts of the infrastructure in the future). Amcrest also allows viewing the video feeds over the local network without requiring an internet connection. Most other manufacturers require either you sit beside the DVR (VGA or HDMI cable to view) or you use an internet cloud server to view.
Unfortunately, in reading the forums, it appears Amcrest is behind on their web interface UI with regards to plugins. It seems like Amcrest tried to get rid of their NPAPI plugin by going with Chrome Apps, only for Google to announce that they are no longer supporting it. It sounds like Amcrest is working on new firmware, but maybe don't have it ready yet?
Does Amcrest have an 8 channel DVR with modern (HTML5?) web interface on market now, or coming to market soon? If we have to rewire with CAT6, and use an NVR instead, that is something I can suggest to upper management, but using internet cloud is not an option.
Thank you!
DVR Web Interface
Re: DVR Web Interface
Hello and welcome to the Forum...
So I am kind of lost... Your asking for HTML5 system setup for a system that is new going into an area that is already connected? Or has been!>?
1st issue is that Most not all Amcrest devices are Amcrest device dependent so any CVBS cameras even though the system says they work in a Penta or Venta setup sadly I have yet to find one that would work outside the Amcrest name.. I have a CVI unit that says it would work with 960h cvi and IP sadly I can only get CVI and Ip to work CVI of Amcrest Branded cameras however I do have some Dahua older cameras that work on it because they might have been clones for Amcrest anyway I don't know.. I have 960h Amcrest cameras that don't work on it
So with all that said.. Most times older systems you would want to upgrade your cables if going from CVBS to HD unless it is going to maybe 720P system you might be ok... However if the cabling system was good enough to start out with then I would say old cables could work up to a CVI 5mp DVR without changing out cables..
So you would need to keep in mind Your going to want to find a camera system that would be drop in plug N play...
Most times Security systems at a Office will have Hardware that isn't sold at Amcrest and you might want to keep that in mind.. Multi Plexers and Cables management with Remote HDMI and other things that I know but my old Brain is failing to remember.. However what I am trying to say is most older systems that might offer this Tech might be confined to CVBS and would need to replace with one that will run the TECH your going to install..
So I am kind of lost... Your asking for HTML5 system setup for a system that is new going into an area that is already connected? Or has been!>?
1st issue is that Most not all Amcrest devices are Amcrest device dependent so any CVBS cameras even though the system says they work in a Penta or Venta setup sadly I have yet to find one that would work outside the Amcrest name.. I have a CVI unit that says it would work with 960h cvi and IP sadly I can only get CVI and Ip to work CVI of Amcrest Branded cameras however I do have some Dahua older cameras that work on it because they might have been clones for Amcrest anyway I don't know.. I have 960h Amcrest cameras that don't work on it
So with all that said.. Most times older systems you would want to upgrade your cables if going from CVBS to HD unless it is going to maybe 720P system you might be ok... However if the cabling system was good enough to start out with then I would say old cables could work up to a CVI 5mp DVR without changing out cables..
So you would need to keep in mind Your going to want to find a camera system that would be drop in plug N play...
Most times Security systems at a Office will have Hardware that isn't sold at Amcrest and you might want to keep that in mind.. Multi Plexers and Cables management with Remote HDMI and other things that I know but my old Brain is failing to remember.. However what I am trying to say is most older systems that might offer this Tech might be confined to CVBS and would need to replace with one that will run the TECH your going to install..
Be Safe.
Re: DVR Web Interface
Sorry, I forgot to say that I would also replace the cameras as well (so that the cameras and DVR are from same manufacturer). The existing system actually pre-dates my employment with the company (I started in 2012), and it's in a different location (a 3 hour plane ride), so I'm not exactly sure of the cabling in place. I've been told that it's coaxial cable, so I'm thinking either RG-6 or RG-59, but I will have to get someone to actually look and see. I'm not familiar with security camera systems in general, so I'm not familiar with the cabling requirements of CVBS/CVI/960h that you mention. The existing cameras are definitely not high-def, probably 480p.
Is there a certain standard of cable (like the RG-XX number) that will determine what cameras will work? Or is it more based on age/corrosion? Perhaps we will be better off switching to ethernet cabling and doing cameras over IP.
Is there a certain standard of cable (like the RG-XX number) that will determine what cameras will work? Or is it more based on age/corrosion? Perhaps we will be better off switching to ethernet cabling and doing cameras over IP.
Re: DVR Web Interface
Well to be Honest.. I personally am all for HD over Coax..
About quality of Coax from along time ago... in most cases in a Pro setup there is much higher quality cables being used then what is out there today in most cases... However yes one will want to look over quality and cables and as long as things are within Specs I am sure it would be fine for a Higher quality setup...
Just keep in mind a home system say where someone might use OEM cables it will maybe work for a high quality system for a short time then could short out the power supply or worse yet the camera because the quality of cable is not up to par.. Infact I bought some OEM cable for back up when I was in dire need waiting for some Siamese cable to be delivered.. I have cut off the end for the power wire to install into my PDU and found the wires for power was not even a 22ga wire it was around 23 if tested and there is non really so one might call it a 22ga lol however I would have said it was 24 but all this means is power over distance is going to have major issues...
Another thing to keep in mind I am not sure how much you have done or know about Security systems but you will want to make sure to use a Quality PDU with your New camera system.. Make sure the one that you have now will work with the higher end cameras... most cameras back 12 or so years ago and some I still own myself lol.. Are or could be Dual Voltage systems and may require very little power.. Like being able to get away with 24vac 4amp for 8 cameras and 8 amps for 16 cameras... However today most cameras over BNC require only 12v and if your PDU is 12v maybe again only 8 amps for 16 cameras because back years ago most cameras were between 150ma to 500ma to run depending on IR and most cameras back then used EXT IR so the lower of the 2 was all needed...
Another issue depending on length of system you might have Multi Plexers, Boosters or other hardware in play that may not work with higher quality camera systems... So you will want to make sure you find a system that you can have your run from the Security Closet to your work station and cameras within distance... Some have longer runs.. So like if you look at a system it might say it would work for 4000 feet however if you look at the fine print that is using 720p cameras where 1080p might be 2100 and 4mp might be 900feet and so on.. So want to keep that in mind when programming your system setup... .
Also most cameras that you would or might find in a Standard KIT will not work for most Businesses... That is because most places a Fixed lens camera just won't cut it... So then you would want to find out what is there now and try and setup the same way if it was working before then same types lens could work again...
So my main lenses are 2.8 to 12mm VF and I have some 5mm to 50mm and some 5mm, some 3.6, some 4mm on upto some as i will call them Maga Zoom lens 10 - 37x with almost all numbers covered between... 10x,12x 18x,20x, 22x, 27x, 32x and 37x ...
Also remember Not all High MP cameras are equal to all cameras... While a 8mp camera might have good day or high light picture in low light it can suffer.. So a camera say 2mp while not always the case might have better night quality picture then a 8mp camera with same lens however the 8mp would out preform the 2mp at day time...
About quality of Coax from along time ago... in most cases in a Pro setup there is much higher quality cables being used then what is out there today in most cases... However yes one will want to look over quality and cables and as long as things are within Specs I am sure it would be fine for a Higher quality setup...
Just keep in mind a home system say where someone might use OEM cables it will maybe work for a high quality system for a short time then could short out the power supply or worse yet the camera because the quality of cable is not up to par.. Infact I bought some OEM cable for back up when I was in dire need waiting for some Siamese cable to be delivered.. I have cut off the end for the power wire to install into my PDU and found the wires for power was not even a 22ga wire it was around 23 if tested and there is non really so one might call it a 22ga lol however I would have said it was 24 but all this means is power over distance is going to have major issues...
Another thing to keep in mind I am not sure how much you have done or know about Security systems but you will want to make sure to use a Quality PDU with your New camera system.. Make sure the one that you have now will work with the higher end cameras... most cameras back 12 or so years ago and some I still own myself lol.. Are or could be Dual Voltage systems and may require very little power.. Like being able to get away with 24vac 4amp for 8 cameras and 8 amps for 16 cameras... However today most cameras over BNC require only 12v and if your PDU is 12v maybe again only 8 amps for 16 cameras because back years ago most cameras were between 150ma to 500ma to run depending on IR and most cameras back then used EXT IR so the lower of the 2 was all needed...
Another issue depending on length of system you might have Multi Plexers, Boosters or other hardware in play that may not work with higher quality camera systems... So you will want to make sure you find a system that you can have your run from the Security Closet to your work station and cameras within distance... Some have longer runs.. So like if you look at a system it might say it would work for 4000 feet however if you look at the fine print that is using 720p cameras where 1080p might be 2100 and 4mp might be 900feet and so on.. So want to keep that in mind when programming your system setup... .
Also most cameras that you would or might find in a Standard KIT will not work for most Businesses... That is because most places a Fixed lens camera just won't cut it... So then you would want to find out what is there now and try and setup the same way if it was working before then same types lens could work again...
So my main lenses are 2.8 to 12mm VF and I have some 5mm to 50mm and some 5mm, some 3.6, some 4mm on upto some as i will call them Maga Zoom lens 10 - 37x with almost all numbers covered between... 10x,12x 18x,20x, 22x, 27x, 32x and 37x ...
Also remember Not all High MP cameras are equal to all cameras... While a 8mp camera might have good day or high light picture in low light it can suffer.. So a camera say 2mp while not always the case might have better night quality picture then a 8mp camera with same lens however the 8mp would out preform the 2mp at day time...
Be Safe.
Re: DVR Web Interface
@AdamDunn - You should consider going with an NVR + IP cameras and utilizing your existing coax if it is at least RG59. It can be done with Ethernet over Coax adapters. There are also models that provide POE over Coax in case you don't have power outlets at the camera locations.
Here's a post from another forum that did a hands on review of one such product from Dahua.
https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/review-da ... 1ec.40324/
I would first look at the cost of running Cat6 Ethernet and compare that to the cost of converters. I would think the benefit of going digital would be worth it.
As an aside - after I cancelled DirecTV, I utilized the existing coax in my home to stream 100Mbit Ethernet to each TV instead of Wi-Fi or running new cable. I used DirecTV's DECA Ethernet over Coax adapters that are very inexpensive and work great. You can find them on Amazon for under $10.
Here's a post from another forum that did a hands on review of one such product from Dahua.
https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/review-da ... 1ec.40324/
I would first look at the cost of running Cat6 Ethernet and compare that to the cost of converters. I would think the benefit of going digital would be worth it.
As an aside - after I cancelled DirecTV, I utilized the existing coax in my home to stream 100Mbit Ethernet to each TV instead of Wi-Fi or running new cable. I used DirecTV's DECA Ethernet over Coax adapters that are very inexpensive and work great. You can find them on Amazon for under $10.