We realize
this may be confusing. Here's some info which could be useful.
BEYOND
THE BELLS & WHISTLES- DON'T YOU REALLY WANT RELIABILITY &
PEACE OF MIND?
There are MANY things to consider when choosing a DVR. Please
be sure to do your homework!
1.
What are the KEY features & advantages
to an Eyespyvideo.com digital video recorder (DVR) system?
2. What are the most important elements to
consider in my DVR selection?
3. What is image compression and why is it
important?
4. What is the difference between a Linux
based and a PC / Windows based system?
5. What is the difference between "viewable"
and "record / playback" frame speeds (FPS) in the specs?
6. How is frame speed (FPS) per camera affected
when multiple cameras are used?
7. What is the difference between "frames
per second" and "fields per second"?
8. Do all of your cameras work with your
DVRs?
9. How easy is it for someone to use one-
or do you really need to be a "computer nerd"?
Q1:
What are the KEY features & advantages to an Eyespyvideo.com digital video
recording system?
A1:
STABLE Linux or hardware logic-based embedded OS
operating systems
• Highest quality cutting-edge components designed to OVERPERFORM
• High speed viewing, recording and playback
• Remote
viewing access via through a network
• Massive amounts of hard
drive storage
• Time-tested by us and a wide cross-section of satisfied
customers. Back
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Q2:
What are the most important elements to consider in your DVR selection?
A2:
Digital
recording is definitely the way ALL video recording will be done
in the future- and after a lot of quick growth, the selections
have stabilized and the prices have come WAY down from inferior
predecessors over the last couple years. However, many systems
still have MAJOR potential drawbacks, which may not be clear when
reading the specifications (which are often exaggerrated or wrong
anyway!). Many systems have low frame
speed recording & playback for each camera when recording
multiple cameras.
One KEY advantage to DIGITAL is its higher resolution
ability. Depending on features of individual unit, you may be
able to achieve 480+ horizontal
lines recording with digital recorders vs. 300 lines color
(350 bw)
with the highest quality analog VCR
units (such as our high band/ high density models). Most analog
recorders permit only 280 lines for black and white and 240 lines
for color.
Please click
here to SEE our new 4 to16 camera standalone NON-PC based
digital recorders for very economical solutions. Back
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Q3:
What is image compression and why is it important?
A3:
Image compression
refers to the type of method used to compress video signals. The
most common forms are: motion JPEG (aka MJPEG), MPEG2, MPEG4 and
WAVELET. MPEG-4 and Wavelet are the most popular in many DVR
systems due to their more efficient compression taking up less
space on the hard
drive- especially in multiple camera operations. Back
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Q4: What is the difference
between a Linux-based and a PC / Windows-based system?
A4:
That's a GREAT question which most don't bother to ask! In our
experience, the simpler Linux OS
is MUCH more stable when compared to those operating through a
Windows-based computer OS. It is much less likely to "crash".
System stability should be considered PARAMOUNT when recording
video, especially that which may be needed later for evidence.
Back
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Q5: What is the difference
between "viewable" and "record / playback"
frame speeds (FPS) in the specs?
A5:
It's not nearly as difficult for a processor to allow you to view
multiple cameras in real time onscreen as it is to record and
replay them. *Watch for this spec CAREFULLY as viewable speeds
are often touted while the actual recording/ playback speeds are
played down or not even listed at all. There are systems out there
which can view 4, 8, 12 or 16 cameras at up to 30 fps per camera
on all cameras, but often record
/ play back at MUCH lower. Here's the way the math works on
this one: simply divide the maximum recording speed (*again, NOT
the "viewable"
or "display" speed!) of a system by the number of cameras
used to determine how fast your recorded video can be played back
at. So, 4 cameras @ 30fps per camera in simultaneous realtime
requires a system which supports 120fps. Back
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Q6: How is frame speed
(FPS)
per camera affected when multiple cameras are used?
A6:
Basically, the total number of frames
per second are divided by the number of cameras. Back
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Q7: What is the difference
between "frames per second" and "fields per second"?
A7: This is an easy answer- but concerns a very misunderstood
concept. Each frame
of video is composed of two fields-
so there are 2 fields of video per send for every frame (2:1 interlace).
And that's where the trouble starts. Many systems are being listed
in terms of fields per second rather than frames per second. If
a 4 channel system is only capable of 30 frames
per second recording, this number is shared by the 4 signals
- leaving you with 7.5 frames per second per camera. Video signals
require A LOT of bandwith and it is difficult to impossible for
even the best current technology computers to compress, record
and play back 16 different video signals (and even 16 different
audio signals as ours are also capable of) in actual real time.
Certain processors (and we won't name names because we're notout
to fight) simply won't be able to the job required- and those
that actually can very quickly become overworked and overheated.
The result is failure and a dead DVR system (aka a fairly large
50 lb. paperweight). Back
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Q8: Do all of your cameras
work with your DVRs?
A8:
YES! And so does all of our wireless
equipment. Next question. Back
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Q9: How easy is it for
someone to use one- or do you really need to be a 'computer nerd'?
A9:
You really need to be a 'supernerd' to BUILD a great DVR system-
but absolutely anybody can USE OURS. It could even be considered
fun to use. It's amazingly simple and user-friendly. The systems
all use on-screen programming guides to select and activate features
/ options. *NOTE: to set up one of our DVRs for operation over
a PC computer network
may require additional router hardware and advanced networking
knowledge. At the same time, we won't lie to you- many of these
systems have some very advanced features (especially networking
and pan/ tilt/ zoom functions) which are extremely complex and
may be very difficult to use. Back
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