Need recommendations for 8-channel security CCTV/DVR please

[beanz2]

Hey guys,

Haven't been following closely the security DVR market and, frankly, I am a bit bewildered by the choices out there.

I have a 5 year old 8-camera CCTV system by Q-See. It's a completely co-axial wired system built into the house when we built it. The DVR interface is very user unfriendly (think UNIX) and the resolution is nowhere as good as the latest systems out there.

The cameras run on a centrally distributed 12V power which, I believe, run with the coax cables. Certainly I don't mind buying the cameras separately or together as a package.

Any good suggestions for a new system? I would like higher resolution cameras with an easy user interface and smartphone connectivity. I would love to add a few more channels so additional wireless cameras would be great, but this is not a requirement. If possible I would like to keep using the coax wiring built into the house for the camera locations already in place.

Thanks!

[shotcaller6]

Definitely go with HD cameras to get usable video, here is a link to start looking. I don't have this system it is just a place to start looking.

http://www.lorextechnology.com/store/

[HibikiR]

Zmodo standalone units are smartphone friendly, at least for iPhones as I have no experience with Android phones.

[MaHoTex]

Hey guys,

Haven't been following closely the security DVR market and, frankly, I am a bit bewildered by the choices out there.

I have a 5 year old 8-camera CCTV system by Q-See. It's a completely co-axial wired system built into the house when we built it. The DVR interface is very user unfriendly (think UNIX) and the resolution is nowhere as good as the latest systems out there.

The cameras run on a centrally distributed 12V power which, I believe, run with the coax cables. Certainly I don't mind buying the cameras separately or together as a package.

Any good suggestions for a new system? I would like higher resolution cameras with an easy user interface and smartphone connectivity. I would love to add a few more channels so additional wireless cameras would be great, but this is not a requirement. If possible I would like to keep using the coax wiring built into the house for the camera locations already in place.

Thanks!

Look at the HeritageHD from QSEE. You can install the system using your existing cabling but the cameras are 720P.

The system was designed for people wanting to upgrade from an existing Analog to an HD system. Costco has it here:

http://www.costco.com/Q-See-8-Channel-720p-HD-Security-System-with-2TB-HDD-and-8-720p-Cameras.product.100123084.html

This is the system I installed about a month ago. I upgraded from an existing QSEE system as well. You will NOT regret this upgrade path. At least, I didn't.

[rockblaster]

http://multisight.com/

[tamalpias]

I have the Qsee system but unless the car is directly in front of the camera you cannot make out license plate numbers. Is there a better system that can pick up plate numbers say 30 feet away that is budget friendly? My house is the first house in a dead end street and so there is only 1 way in and 1 way out. We had quite a few vehicle break ins within the past month and would like a better system.

[MaHoTex]

I have the Qsee system but unless the car is directly in front of the camera you cannot make out license plate numbers. Is there a better system that can pick up plate numbers say 30 feet away that is budget friendly? My house is the first house in a dead end street and so there is only 1 way in and 1 way out. We had quite a few vehicle break ins within the past month and would like a better system.

You are looking for an LPR camera. They cost some serious coin. They will probably set you back as much as your entire QSee DVR setup.

[Clever]

Go with CBC/Ganz complete system. the price is great and the equipment is top notch. You would need to purchase through a dealer as they don't sell to the general public. Let me know.

[hey8you]

http://www.geovision.com.tw/

They have hybrid systems so you can mix analog and IP cameras. You can buy a complete system or you can do what I did and buy a capture card from them and build a custom PC around it. It has a web server so any web browser can access it and also has an app android and iphone. I installed this system at my parents house and had no issues with it.

http://www.axis.com/

Expensive but as above you can mix IP and analog cameras. The analog server/ip cameras can be accessed by any web browser. There are several payed and free apps for android. I don't know about iphone. I also have this system hooked up with door sensors and it sends me a text message when my door is opened.