I wanted to start a thread on some DVRs, now that they are becoming mainstream and replacing time lapse VCRs. Chime in with your experiences good or bad, especially the TCP/IP software.

This message was edited by GotGame on 05/19/04 22:12.

I have worked exclusively with Dedicated Micros for some time now, primarily in installing hardware, this equipment has yet to provide a fault, the software for remote viewing is simple to use and setup is a snap.

One feature I like when pairing DM to PTZ Pelco camera units is the ability to only run one coax as all PTZ commands can be conifgured to use the same coax.

I've had some experience GE/Calatel equipment, I haven't had any problems with installing the equipment to date, but yet to commision a system yet two on the way to completion.

I've installed several GE Interlogix/Kalatel DVR's. The interface with the Kalatel CyberDomes is great and reliability has been bulletproof.

I've heard (And seen one) that many of the Casino's in Vegas have moved to GEI DVR's and Camera systems...

Impact

Just in the beginning stages of a Cyberdome/Kalatel install, I do installs for another company, they are saying that I don't need to install the control bus for PTZ control as the software should control that as the DM/Pelco setup they are used to does over the video coax, I think not can you confirm this for me.

Regards

I have installed the Dedicated Micros equipment and I highly recommend it. I attended a show where the DM rep was there and he showed several interesting things. The DM pieces store images in JPEG format (at a fixed size) so the capacity of the hard drive is constant, not like other DVRs that store in MPEG (size varies depending on activity). Also, he stated that the JPEG format is the only one currently recognized by the U.S. court system as admissable for evidence since it is not subject to frame artifacts like the other storage formats. The video from a couple of months ago of the poor girl in Florida being abducted at the car wash was caught on a Dedicated Micros DVR. Built in internet connectivity and easy-to-use viewing software make it #1 on my list. Just my $0.03 (add a penny for length or rant).

Sanyo also makes some very nice units, and their serial protocol is the most robust I've seen. In fact, it's one of few "two-way" protocols, and the only one I've found that will report video motion-detection through the serial interface.

Granted, if you're not integrating it with an automation system or other controller, that's not a deal-breaker.

Their web interface is also very user-friendly, with several password levels, so different users have different access.

Others I've worked with, in order of preference (after Sanyo), are Dedicated Micros, Pelco, Kalatel, and Digimerge.