•View & record from 8 cameras simultaneously during the day, night, indoors or outdoors
•Set & forget by recording continuously from 8 channels for 30 days+ onto a 1TB hard drive
•960H DVR with widescreen high resolution live video viewing & playback
Definitely not better than Foscam. The current Foscam models are 960 lines digital. These are 720 lines analog. I'd also argue that the Foscam cameras give much better picture, too (and I've set up both brands before).
If it were me, I'd go Foscam, but only because I am confortable setting up my own DVR solution (Xpenology). For anyone less confident this is a pretty easy out-of-the-box option with an Aussie warranty, all in one box.
I am all for listening to other recommendations.
You say Foscam seem to be better, could you provide a link to a deal that is anywhere near this posts price range or even in the RRP of the SWANN?
analog vs Digital
720 vs 960
8 cameras vs ?????
$489.30 vs $???
Also factor in the price of a DVR if the Foscam doesn't provide one.
I only ask this to have an understanding in cost. Yeah I can do the research and install this myself but people want to have an idea of what they would be getting themselves into with regards to investment.
Well said …I too am in the market for a system after neighbours were home invaded last weekend
My home system uses Foscam FI9805W bought for $155 each directly from Foscam's Australian distributor. At least that way you get an Australian warranty. You can use cheaper, smaller cameras in less important areas, if you need extra coverage, but I wouldn't skimp on the main entrances.
For a DVR, I use my NAS. It's a HP N54L running XPenology, which lets it boot Synology DSM 5.1. You can pick up an N54L from ShoppingExpress.com.au fairly cheap at times, or use any Synology NAS.
Don't forget, too, that there are going to be time and other costs involved in setting up either system. If I were setting up for an office that either already had network cabling or are likely to want more network cabling anyway, then the IP camera option wins hands-down.
Is 960h better than 720 resolution?
Yes. Keep in mind the Swann cameras in this deal are analog and use BNC connections, not ethernet.
Thanks for the info, I'm wired up for ethernet cameras. Where is the best place to get the foscam systems?
FoscamWA they post deals on here, maybe we can get a good deal going on some as I would like more
I just sent them a PM to see what we can get
Foget about Foscams. Check out this thread on Whirlpool:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2352121
Hikvision cameras are pretty popular at the moment. A bunch of us have purchased them and they are pretty decent. Well worth reading that thread (and prior threads) to get an idea.
http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/Products_show.asp?id=9842
This one seems good
They don't pan scan do they?
How much and where to buy?
Don't seem to have pan. I was just following that WP thread as am looking to pick up some IPCams as well :)
AliExpress from these two sellers are supposed to be reliable according to WP forums.
E&M Security Center
CCTV Camera China
Probably not the best time to be buying. Most of the stuff on Aliexpress is from China, and China is officially in 'shut down' for Chinese New Year for about the next two weeks. E & M Security is who I used and they have the biggest range (CCTV China is also good).
They swap and change, E&M normally have the 2432, but the 2432 is more for either mounting on a benchtop or on the front door, as it also has a microphone.
Personally, I chose the 2332 models as they don't have the plastic dome, so less reflection for if bugs go near it (mounted outside). For indoors, you can use the 2132 models, or if you want to go up in price, the 2532 (review http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=2158) is very small and takes SD cards.
Really depends on what you want to achieve.
@richie83:
Just want one with its own power supply, ethernet connection, great image, night vision and maybe audio
Don't want PoE
@Twisty:
Wouldn't POE be easier for you since you are already providing them with a ethernet rj45? All you need is a POE switch which feeds the RJ45.
They cost more with a power supply, and if they don't come with one you have to buy one. A cheap four port PoE switch is only $29, so for anything more than one cam, it's better to go PoE.
How are the ethernet ports fed? Are the originating points coming off a dumb switch into the wall in one area which then distributes to the rest of the house? If this is the case, all you then need is a POE switch to use. You can have this set up now for example.
Existing Dumbswitch to room 1 2 3 4
changed to
Dumbswitch to room 1 2 and POE switch
POE switch to room 3 4 where the cameras are
I have Modem going into 8 Port GB Router which then has 5 Ethernet cables feeding into 5 Ethernet inputs on a wall plate. In other words each room has its own ethernet cable
@Twisty: Will you be connecting the cameras from the ethernet ports in the rooms? Do you have other devices connected to those ethernet wires on those rooms?
Say you have ethernet points in room 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. You want to install the ip camera in room 3 and 4, using the ethernet ports already there. Then you leave 3, 4 and 5 ports from the router to the wall plate as it is. Use port 1 from router to POE switch. Then two out of the POE switch to wall plate ports 1 and 2.
For my setup, I have ethernet points in each room, but I will not be using them to power the cameras. Plus The points are at lower height and the cameras will be installed higher, near the ceiling.
So I will connect 1 port from the router to a POE switch. Then 5 out of the POE switch to a new wall bracket. Each of these wires then go through the walls, up to the ceiling and connect those cameras directly.
Cost for adding the wires stays the same for me, extra cost is just a 6 port POE switch.
Thanks
A little confusing when you have never done it before but I'm learning. ill PM u
Just swap the 8 port GB router with an 8 port PoE switch, or just add the PoE switch on top. Depends how much hardware you want lying around.
I've just looked at the 8 port PoE switch and the $29 one is no longer $29. You might be better off with a couple of these:
http://www.msy.com.au/wa/balcatta/home/12567-tp-link-tl-poe1…
Can anyone say how these things need to be installed? I'm in mel and need a hand with the actual installation, where can I get such help?
Im guessing the cables get ran through the ceiling and down come out at the top of the wall where the camera would go, I would say a sparky as isn't it illegal to do this stuff urself?
All the cabling on these is low voltage (12v line and a coax for video) so it is legal to install yourself. Use a stud finder to keep well clear of AC lines. You might want to get a sparky to do it anyway, as you're probably not going to have all the tools yourself.
Installation is pretty straightforward (plug and play) - only for simple viewing that is.
The troublesome part is the motion detection/selective recording/email notification/online viewing (port forward/upnp)/etc.
You can message me if you need help.
Significantly less recording duration on the SWAN website;
+ 15 days recording achieved using lower settings, default settings give 3 days recording
Can you chuck in a larger HD?
How good is the motion detection in this Swann model?
I've tried almost all Swanns, TechViews, Foscams, and some brandless ones in my factory.
Set them up so that they're all looking at the same view - I found TechViews to have the most sensitive motion detector.
However TechView system will deteriorate over time (2-3 years), e.g. the mouse won't work, the UPNP gives random ports, etc.
Any good?
I am using Foscam IP Cameras atm, who this Swann be better?