Just wondering if anyone's "rolling their own" via capture cards, software and a PC. I wouldn't play with a client's setup (yet) but may consider building my own for home. I don't know if this is a pipe dream or not but, I would ideally want to digitally record door cam, garage cam, nursery cam, etc. (possibly with motion record trigger) via analog cameras and be able to stream to IP (for my C8) without adding an additional webserver.

Any advice?

As standalone DVR's are so reasonably priced, I cannot see a good reason why really.

Avoid the super cheap ones though.

I would say go for a decent machine and buy and install your own HDD's.

Unless you were going to use the machine for something other than a DVR (which I would NOT recommend) the price to build would be way more than the cost of an off the self unit. Even if you build the whole thing from scratch you are still looking at significantly more.

We use the Speco PC based units that can be networked and included CD burners in them (soon to be DVD burners). Easy to setup, easy to use, and did I mention they network?

I've been using GE/Kalatel (generally DVRe or Storesafe) and have no issues with them per se. They have loop through (great for modulating after record) but, it's the addition of the webservers that's killing me. I cannot bring up the web portion without loading the Wavereader software and the C8 doesn't give me the option of linking to it without custom Flash programming (something I frankly don't know and I can't afford the Flash software for a "fun" project in my own home). There is no native desktop available on the C8 (that I'm aware of). Hence, my DIY idea.

Hey Anthony, you might want to look into the Dedicated Micros DS2

[Link: dedicatedmicrosus.com]

It has a web based interface for remote viewing over a standard browser.

I did some a few years ago that cost me. I had to rip them out and replaced them with a Dedicated micros ECO4.

The problem I was having was either the capture software or XP software had to be updated and one revision would not work with another.


You may try a linux box with a geovision card or similar and see if you have better results. DM has most everything I need it to do

It's not the hardware that's the issue. It's the software.

Sure, we can all add video capture cards on a PC but explain to the end user how to search and manipulate the cameras to do what they want.

Ooooooouch!