That stuff looks to be the EXACT same as Gen4. Your description of the infuriating experience also sounds EXACTLY like Gen4.

I wouldn't say I'm on a shoestring budget, I just don't have thousands of dollars to sink into a surveillance system. I also don't want to buy a cheapo system and have it crap out in a year.


How much is a better system?
I do have large quantities of RG-6 copper-clad, cat5e, 14-2 & 16-2 stranded. What should I run to cover all my bases?

I see Best Buy is clearancing out a couple of different Swann systems. I don't know much about them but they seem to have great reviews online. And I do like the idea of being able to just bring it back to the store if there is a problem. What do you guys think?
[Link: bestbuy.com]

What is your budget ?

Can't comment on their DVR systems, but I've been quite happy with Dahua's IP cameras. It can take a bit to find them, though, since the company does not like their product sold under their name or model numbering system, and prefers to be an OEM with support provided by the reseller. Last one I got has no branding anywhere - but the firmware, although also unbranded, is clearly Dahua.

Swann is one of those really cheap crappy brands. Good luck.
As far as online reviews go = if you haven't learned this one yet, I wonder about your age and experience.
1) People in general are idiots. Go to any site of a product you know to be trash and you will find plenty of people giving it a glowing review.
2) A lot of positive reviews you see online can be from people working for the company and people getting free product to post a good review.
3) ANY reviews on a website from a manufacture (and some retailers) will delete negative reviews. Try posting a bad review of a product on Lowes website - it will never make it.

Wiring:
Why is your company using copper-clad steel (CCS) RG6? I swear I wish that stuff was outlawed these days. Almost any current service provider (satellite, cable, etc..) recommends solid-copper center. For MANY reasons I'm not going to get into here, you should not be using that crap. It is only good for shorter runs (or basic services) and you are likely to run into issues when using runs well over 100 ft. with advanced services (whether you realize it or not).

Yep


Confirmed


100% confirmed


Maybe he has a bunch of it because his employer got a clue and gave it to him when they replaced their stock with solid copper; hopefully that's the case.

Nevertheless this thread is pointless without a dollar amount attached to the term "on a budget".

I can speak to the quality of Swann and if you want to save money the Swann is not the way to go. A Swann will cost you the same amount as a good camera system plus the price of a Swann. Because if you buy the Swann system you will end up throwing it in the trash and buying something else. Both my cousin and a client both bought one on price and end up throwing it in the trash and buying something else.
If it were me and for my house/ budget I would look at Drop cam , or Panasonic web cameras or some other web based solution.

If I may quote myself:


I did Not realize that, that's good to know. You may want to pass this information on to the 3 biggest TV service providers in the nation. Comcast, DirecTV, and Dish Network all have used copper clad steel for almost 2 decades. They all make their own cable and it's all copper clad steel. Commscope, DirecTV, Perfect10, etc. No TV service providers use solid copper cable. Sometimes 55 million combined subscribers, and their cable only supports 100ft runs?! They're gonna get so many trouble calls!
You almost had me there..


I don't have an exact dollar amount budget, I just didn't want to sink thousands of dollars into surveillance. I was hoping their would be a decent system for hundreds of dollars. But if every single system in the hundreds is "cheap junk", then I have my answer.

Thanks for all the help everyone, I think I'll seek other sources of information.
Please let this pointless thread die.

Get a Pit-Bull or German Sheppard.

Yes but then there's the running costs and the servicing to contend with.

E.g.:

Maintenance

Do you feed it the good food to keep it alert and in peak condition or do you skimp on it because it's "only for security right?"

Quality

Do you get the best one available because you want the best coverage, or the runt of the litter because it's only really a deterrent?

Longevity

I would bet the dog craps itself just as quick as that cheap camera system

Warranty

what is the returns policy if it doesn't work? " this dog is defective, it licked the intruder instead of savaging them"

see? Not as good a solution as it appears!!

😂

Jesse,
Both Comcast & DirecTV did at onetime (many years ago) make it mandatory for their installers to use solid copper RG6. At least with DirecTV, installers are not compensated for the materials used (it's part of the paid installation) so there was a HUGE pushback from installers on using the RG6 that cost them almost 2x as much. DirecTV shortly after, took back the mandatory requirement and just made it a 'recommend' thing. Which of course none of the DirecTV installers do, because they are paid peanuts for installation.

And yes trouble calls happen all the time, every single day, that involve CCS coax cable. 100' is not a hard number. Nor is what the cable is being used for.
DC power on coax can only travel 'about' 1/2 the distance with CCS. The problems will show depending on the system that is trying to use the coax and distance involved.
Base band signals utilize the low frequency of the cable and again, can be troubling depending on the service used on the coax and distance involved.

Commscope, Belden, Coleman cable, and a few other quality cable manufactures have resources available for you to learn on the subject. May I suggest some light reading.

I am visiting this issue currently. Client had someone creeping around their house, and is reacting by wanting to add a few cameras and a DVR. Existing 3 cameras are old analog units that are currently viewed only on a couple of Elan Via panels. They would like to continue to be able to use that feature, but replace with higher quality cameras and something with IR for better night viewing. An additional 2 locations will be added as well for which we already have wiring in place.

I am not sure how 960H or TVI fits in, but it sounds like it will probably not work well with the Via Panels due to the higher resolution. I might be able to convince them that is not a big deal, but the front door cam pops up when someone rings the doorbell, which is something they do use. I can always leave that camera in place and install a second for use with the new system if necessary.

She was not too excited about the quote I sent her. I quoted Luma 300 domes and a Luma 8 ch. DVR from Snap, which is obviously not the cheapest option out there. Easy remote access from iOS/Android is key. And HDMI out for viewing on a TV is a bonus (with IR control for use with their MX980 remote).

I know...tell her to pony up for the real deal or live with the misery of going the cheap route. :) Any other worthwhile considerations? Thanks.

Yeah because they just love being put in harms way to protect the shiny garbage you collected for your house or business.

The Luma is a solid choice but you are paying a hefty markup there.

The features you seek are becoming pretty standard across even cheap lines now. HDMI output, IR control, free app for most phones/tablets - no problem.

If budget is of almost concern, you could go with something like this:
[Link: lorextechnology.com]
Full 1080p on the cameras over existing coax, all the features you want, and the DVR is 8ch and fairly solid. The bad is the camera performance is not to hot - especially the night time performance. But so is every other brand is this price category.
Markup sucks too. Dealer cost is literally only a few dollars less - I simple charge a 15% concierge fee over the regular price ($599). And labor is T&M, just the same as if I didn't provide it.

I have installed 4 of these in a retail environment. Not perfect, but very satisfied.

[Link: amazon.com]