CCTV Cameras and dvr

[blue-eye-boy]

Hey all, I have a few questions regarding a cctv setup with a dvr.

In our shop, we installed a cctv system a few years back. The company installed 32 cameras, and connected them to the pc, which has a video cord (or 2, I cant remember). Then the video gets recorded onto the internal and external harddrives.

We moved quite a lot of areas inside our shop, and many of the cameras dont work any more, some cameras are not working, and some of the cabling are broken, etc.

So early next year I want to redo the whole system, but need to do some digging before I start. The other day someone told me to get a system with cameras, connected to a dvr. I saw a few systems where we can buy 16 cameras with a dvr. But we need at least in the area of 48 cameras. I also heard that this dvr gets a ip address, and we can then connect via any computer to it to watch. On one pc in the shop, I will install a second video card, so we can have a dedicated monitor displaying the video.

But what bothers me, is say we must get 3 systems, every one with 16 cameras and a dvr which take only 16 cameras, how will we be able to watch all of them at once (small squares on the monitor)?

Or will we be able to get a dvr which can take more cameras?

Then what size of storage space will I need, for approx 3 month's video backup, say per 16 cameras?

What makes and models must I look at, and what not? The person told me esquire sell a system which is good.

Then lastly (for now), what software is good to use on a pc to few the video, something with an app for android too will be great.

If anyone knows a good website or forum for this info pls also guide me to it?

Thanks

 

[Icemanbrfc]

48 cameras on one monitor will be very tough. The only suggestion, is to possibly get 16 cameras x 3 each with their own ip address. Then try and get some sort of switch, where you can flick between the monitors. Only way is to get 3 or 4 monitors, and line them up next to each other possibly. Or get a very big monitor or tv, and see if you can then re route those signals to the monitor or tv.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

48 cameras on one monitor will be very tough. The only suggestion, is to possibly get 16 cameras x 3 each with their own ip address. Then try and get some sort of switch, where you can flick between the monitors. Only way is to get 3 or 4 monitors, and line them up next to each other possibly. Or get a very big monitor or tv, and see if you can then re route those signals to the monitor or tv.

Thanks for the reply. You know I currently have 32 cameras shown on a normal 24 inch pc screen. Small little windows, but when I want to check a specific area, I just click on one, and it pop up full screen. So if I hook up a bigger 32 inch tv screen, or bigger, it will do fine I suppose? The question is just, how do I hook up 3 dvr's up on 1 screen all at once?

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Thanks for the reply. You know I currently have 32 cameras shown on a normal 24 inch pc screen. Small little windows, but when I want to check a specific area, I just click on one, and it pop up full screen. So if I hook up a bigger 32 inch tv screen, or bigger, it will do fine I suppose? The question is just, how do I hook up 3 dvr's up on 1 screen all at once?

You can get a switch or a some sort of hub.. tell me, does the DVR have HDMI ports, or what are the connections at the back? if you can get some sort of hub, where you can plug in 1 connection into the tv, and then plug the 3 DVR's into the hub, sending all 3 signals into the tv.

The fact that you have a 24 inch screen, and can fit in 32 cameras, means that if you go 32 inch or maybe 40 inch to be safe, it should work exactly the same as your current setup, except that you now have bigger real estate to deal with on screen to handle more cameras

 

[blue-eye-boy]

You can get a switch or a some sort of hub.. tell me, does the DVR have HDMI ports, or what are the connections at the back? if you can get some sort of hub, where you can plug in 1 connection into the tv, and then plug the 3 DVR's into the hub, sending all 3 signals into the tv.

The fact that you have a 24 inch screen, and can fit in 32 cameras, means that if you go 32 inch or maybe 40 inch to be safe, it should work exactly the same as your current setup, except that you now have bigger real estate to deal with on screen to handle more cameras

Sorry for the late reply, a Monday is a hectic day.

As for the output ports, I dont know at this stage, because I'm still searching for info on this. The setup I was looking at, which is the K-Guard make, which Esquire sells. That is just my starting point, when I understand this better and knows what to look for, then I can check for better setups, or prices.

Thanks for the help so far.

 

[AndyC]

Thanks for the reply. You know I currently have 32 cameras shown on a normal 24 inch pc screen. Small little windows, but when I want to check a specific area, I just click on one, and it pop up full screen. So if I hook up a bigger 32 inch tv screen, or bigger, it will do fine I suppose? The question is just, how do I hook up 3 DVR's up on 1 screen all at once?

PC based DVRs usually work with a capture card. Depending on PC specs, you can get quite a few cards into a single PC but two is the norm. This would give you a about 32 cams per PC (with two 16 channel cards) with two PCs to cover your current camera load and to cater for future expansion.

Most DVR recording software comes with remote client software that could be installed on a third PC connected up to a big screen (32"+) displaying your video wall (small square views). You could then do the whole double click to maximize on this screen or use any other PC to view a single camera of interest.

 

[wetkit]

We have loads of DVR's and have moved away from PC based systems. Just too much that can go wrong.

How will you be recording, movement or 24/7?
That will help size the drives correctly. Keeping footage for 3 months is loong.....
My best guess is 4 x 2TB drives in each 16 channel DVR should be fine for 3 months.

For viewing, every DVR does have a dedicated screen output.
Personally, I would have a seperate screen for each DVR.
Just imagine 1 person trying to manage 48 camera's on a single screen!!!
And then the screen fails or the switch or something.....

I have found the guys at Eagle electronics giving me good service and pricing.