CCTV

[OwainDIYer]

The cameras might be fine in themselves, but not appropriate for that situation.

 

[LooPrEvil]

The cameras might be fine in themselves, but not appropriate for that situation.

It was bright and sunny at the time I saw the system, but wouldn't you expect the expert to recommend something appropriate?

 

[alumni]

Thanks for all your comments.

My mate recently had am Avtech, 2 dome camera system installed. I had a look at it today and must say the live image was not particularly brilliant, even people close up would be difficult to identify.

Is Avtech a decent system or could it be the quality of his PC monitor is actually the issue?

I think it cost about £850 fully installed, so it was not particularly cheap.

You say PC Monitor??
That alone could be the cause of the problem.
If you are viewing the images via the supplied software there will be a slight degradation in viewed quality.The Monitor itself can make a major difference.
If you are viewing via the software and there is wireless/ADSL/Broadband transmission medium in the loop then that could have a massive impact on quality.

Got this at the moment.
Images on Monitor plugged into DVR - very good.
Images on Office PC viewed via CMS (software) - ok (ish)

The cause?
They are trying to look at 9 camera's in realtime via ADSL

 

[Alarm]

Bright sun might also be the cause of the poor pictures.

(Thats for Loops)

 

[alumni]

Bright sun might also be the cause of the poor pictures.

Very much so.

When comissioning the 9 cams i referred to earlier, we have white walls, silver floors and aiming in general direction of full length floor to ceiling windows in a southerly direction.
When customer moves in next month the walls will lined with oak coloured cabinets, dark blue carpets will be laid and the windows tinted.

Totally different settings required for the two conditions/environments.

 

[LooPrEvil]

It sounds then to me if systems may only be good in certain conditions, my mate had two cameras, the one in the back had bright sunlight as it was a clear day, but the one on the front was in the shade yet the images were not brilliant and they were fitted and recommended by a local company!

I would want a system that didn't need adjusting dependent on a sunny or dull day. I may be away for a couple of weeks so could not change setting etc

 

[Alarm]

You have to set the cameras up to suit. However conditions can change, this is generally taken into account when fitting.
Hence buying a "kit" and slinging it up is why some are dissapointed with the end results.

 

[LooPrEvil]

You have to set the cameras up to suit. However conditions can change, this is generally taken into account when fitting.
Hence buying a "kit" and slinging it up is why some are dissapointed with the end results.

Fair comment Alarm.

But it still poses the question in my mind, of whether the kit that a professional installer (who has his own sole trader shop) was unsuitable, or his ability to install is not brilliant.

Are the Avtech DVRs any good? That is what he used, (with possibly unsuitable cameras?). Could it be the TVLs was low - how would the image compare between a 420TVL and a higher 520 TVL which you chaps have suggested before?

I am only picking your brains, not questioning your knowledge!

 

[Alarm]

Without seeing what cameras are fitted, how the stuff is set up no idea. Can you get a sample of some footage?
520 over 420 is always going to be better. Same as a 1.3million Mega Pixel cam will again be better. As long as it is set up correctly. You state yourself the images are poor. A decent cam with a good monitor should be like watching TV.
Again price is a major factor here, one example is a £5000.00 cam in an exhibition centre can see the whole floor area to a grain of dust.

Not played with Avtech TBH. Spec wise it ticks all the boxes. A quick look shows it to be a low end DVR. Also a lot of pages on the web with issues about them. Just use google.

Did your friend ask for a cheapish package? Did he ask for specific views, did he sign the work docket and pay?

 

[alumni]

Are the Avtech DVRs any good?

Depends which model.
I know a couple of companies use them (the brand) on lower end jobs and swear by them. Also know a couple who now avoid them due to issues - image quality. In all fairness it is difficult to give a sound answer without knowing which kit exactly - for the whole system.

As i mentioned earlier, the monitor/software/network all add to the mix.

 

[LooPrEvil]

As i mentioned earlier, the monitor/software/network all add to the mix.

Sorry, I missed that posting, and have just read it.

I accept that there are a lot of technicalities that people like myself would never even consider. There is definitely more to buying a kit, drilling a few holes and connecting cables.

But thanks to you all for sharing your knowledge with me, and for your patience!