IP cameras and HAI system

[programmergeek]

I want to mount about 10 cameras around our showrooms. I can get a system from costco with a DVR for about $800 with 20 cameras of course this is coax but would serve the security issue. My trouble is I would also like it to intragrate with the HAI so it can send me pics when I am away. I put in a couple of IP cameras and they work but they seem to use alot of bandwith and fear if I put 10 in it will slow my network to a crawl along of having the issue of how to record them I don't think my hp home server can handel 10 camers and the rest of the stuff I have it doing. Anyone have any ideas here? Can I split coax on some of the cameras and maybe use HAI new coax to IP modual?

 

[AnthonyZ]

I want to mount about 10 cameras around our showrooms. I can get a system from costco with a DVR for about $800 with 20 cameras of course this is coax but would serve the security issue. My trouble is I would also like it to intragrate with the HAI so it can send me pics when I am away. I put in a couple of IP cameras and they work but they seem to use alot of bandwith and fear if I put 10 in it will slow my network to a crawl along of having the issue of how to record them I don't think my hp home server can handel 10 camers and the rest of the stuff I have it doing. Anyone have any ideas here? Can I split coax on some of the cameras and maybe use HAI new coax to IP modual?

First, you get what you pay for. I've seen the Cosco offerings. They redefine the word "underwhelming"
Second, if bandwidth is an issue, save a bit longer and look into H264 offerings.
Third, you can "split" the coax but must use a Tee. A "splitter" (as in cable splitter) will not work). Web servers available from HAI, AXIS and others will indeed work for your purposes.

 

[programmergeek]

Sorry I may not of come off with the right tone. I don't mind spending something I want to do it right. I saw the costco cameras and they are pretty good but not great you are correct but probably good enought for 50% of the spots i want to put them. I will have to look into the H264 stuff.

I want to mount about 10 cameras around our showrooms. I can get a system from costco with a DVR for about $800 with 20 cameras of course this is coax but would serve the security issue. My trouble is I would also like it to intragrate with the HAI so it can send me pics when I am away. I put in a couple of IP cameras and they work but they seem to use alot of bandwith and fear if I put 10 in it will slow my network to a crawl along of having the issue of how to record them I don't think my hp home server can handel 10 camers and the rest of the stuff I have it doing. Anyone have any ideas here? Can I split coax on some of the cameras and maybe use HAI new coax to IP modual?

First, you get what you pay for. I've seen the Cosco offerings. They redefine the word "underwhelming"
Second, if bandwidth is an issue, save a bit longer and look into H264 offerings.
Third, you can "split" the coax but must use a Tee. A "splitter" (as in cable splitter) will not work). Web servers available from HAI, AXIS and others will indeed work for your purposes.

 

[AnthonyZ]

No need to apologize, I wrote my statement about the Cosco offering as more of a warning. That's all. No worries, buddy!

 

[Neurorad]

What kind of showrooms? Will you need the images to prosecute?

If it's more of a deterrent, then the Costco kit may be fine.

 

[programmergeek]

I actually want both to see if someone is in a hallway, I don't need a great camera here, but I would like one that can read a licience plate pulling in, point out over the yard and ID people at the door. My bigger concern is not the camera but intergrating it into the network and HAI. I would like a couple of days worth of images and I din't thenk the HAI and home server will do that so how do I do that while keeping the HAI alive for demo purpuses and security to send me images.

 

[AnthonyZ]

...I don't need a great camera here, but I would like one that can read a licience plate pulling in, point out over the yard and ID people at the door...

My bigger concern is not the camera but intergrating it into the network and HAI. I would like a couple of days worth of images and I din't thenk the HAI and home server will do that so how do I do that while keeping the HAI alive for demo purpuses and security to send me images.

First sentence is kind of tough to reconcile. A cheap camera may work to accomplish license plate recognition but, my sources state that it will need to be mounted at <10 degree angle to the plates. Better (more flexible) cameras won't be so cheap.

The other issue I have to point out is that, as a dealer, you never want to demo "good enough" gear. You demo the best and if it's outside of the client's budget, you can always sell down. You will never (and I mean NEVER) be able to sell up after presenting something as "good enough" to a client. Trust me, I was a dealer for many years and this applies to AV, HA and probably any other item you could possibly ever want to sell.

Lastly, your goals with the HAI and DVR solutions are very doable and there are many ways to skin a cat. I would urge you to consider, if 10 cams are a necessity, to use a standalone server or dedicated DVR/s.

 

[twilo123]

for the plates your lense will matter also on top of the 10 degree part. not all lenses are created the same and distance will be factor also. for analog cams you will want cameras with a varifocal lense so you can adjust as necessary. for ip cams just look for an optical zoom. you can try some ip cams in our Public Camera section here to give you an idea: Total Control Public Camera Section just type the iport into a web browser for most of the cams.

for basic outdoor ip cams you will probably want to start with looking at Panasonic KX series. either that or get an indoor cam and put it into an outdoor housing (and blower is required).