Server Choppy Issues

[Overcon]

Hi all,

I am coming here to get some help and some feedback on Blue Iris and it's recordings. I currently have 6 IP cameras attached to a server running BlueIris. The first issue I am having is that video doesn't start recording for a few seconds after something comes into the view of the camera, meaning I don't get a persons face or if they are going fast enough, I don't seem them at all except maybe a shoulder or something. Is there something that sets this delay?

Another thing I have noticed is that recordings are not smooth. I see people post some of their recordings and they look smooth as can be, but mine are choppy and don't run smooth.

I am new to video cameras and the like so I am not trying to sound stupid, just looking for some tips on what settings to put up to get the best recordings, smooth and only run the length of an even, not 8 hour chunks of recordings. I have a feeling the system I am running the cameras on might not be strong enough, but it's a pretty good system so while it's not perfect, I would think it would be video capture well.

Which brings me to another question, if it is determined it might be a combinations of settings I haven't set (default BI settings) and the computer I am using (specs below) I am looking to built a PC to use for it and was curious if this would be a good system that would be fast enough to handle 8 cameras (I am looking to get two more).

Here is my hardware:

System:
Dell Inc. PowerEdge T300
8188 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
3.00 gigahertz Intel Xeon
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
6144 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)

Cameras:
Foscam FI8910W
IPC-HFW4300S-B
DS-2CD2532F-IS
DS-2CD2132-I
IPC-HDW2100
IPC-HDB3200C

BI is the latest version, I haven't made many if any changes to BI (Dunno what to change).

Issues:
Long recording times
Misses first few seconds of events
Slow recordings (you don't see someone walking, more like a series of JPG's were taken or watching a stop action animated movie.

Any help, thanks!

As for making a new system, if needed, as an AV server. I have a Motherboard and a CPU with 3GB of ram, it's a:

Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8 MB LGA1366 CPU BX80601920
Asus Rampage III Extreme Socket 1366/ Intel X58/ 3-Way SLI & CrossFireX/ SATA3&USB3.0/ WiFi/ A&GbE Motherboard
Corsair Dominator GT 6 GB PC3-16000 2000Mhz Triple Channel Core i3, i5, i7 DDR3 Memory Kit CMT6GX3M3A2000C8

Or, if those are not new or fast enough, I can order these as this would only be about $359.97:

Patriot 16GB(2x8GB) Viper III DDR3 2133 (PC3-17000) CL11 Desktop Memory With Low Profile Red Heatsink- PVL316G213C1KR
GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XN-WIFI FM2+/FM2 A88X (Bolton D4) Wi-Fi/BT4.0 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Mini ITX AMD
AMD Quad Core A10-Series APU for Desktops A10-6800K with Radeon HD 8670D (AD680KWOHLBOX)

 

[fenderman]

1) you need to set your pretrigger frames to about double your frame rate..this will help with the missing video
2) the break time is how long BI will record after motion stops.
3) cut an combine times will determine how the separate clips will be combined.

You dont mention the model of the xeon and im guessing its old and underpowered.
Done use any of the systems you suggested they are under powered and or power hogs.
A modern i5 out performs both of them.
I would go for an modern 4th generation i7. Look at the dell and lenovo outlets.
in the interm try using direct to disk recording which will save on processing.

 

[Overcon]

It's a E5450 Xeon.

The i7-960 wouldn't be fast enough? Not worried on the power consumption.

I guess that AMD qouldn't cut it either, it's the latest one they released, not sure they have any faster ones. Was trying to keep the cost down and get a system specifically to run BI and the cameras.

 

[fenderman]

Unless you dont pay for power, you should worry about consumption as the difference could amount to 50-100 per year or more depending on your rates.
How many total megapixles do intend to record? its not the cameras but the megapixles that matter.

 

[Overcon]

6 cams @ 1920x1080
1 cam @ 1280x720
1 cam @ 640x480

Most of them are 3MP Cameras, other than the Foscam, I assume they all record at that though I might not have them all at maximum because I wanted to get 30 frames and running at max resolutions is something like 15fps. So lets say, around 12 Million Pixels if it's 8 cameras at 1.5MP?

You are right, the power does add up, but I don't know how much it would realistically save me. I have a 750W power supply here and if it was to run at maximum draw all day 24/7 then it would be about $550 a year, hopefully I wouldn't be maxing it out if the processor is fast enough to keep the usage down.

I was hoping the i7-920 would be fast enough since I think it is still a fast CPU.

Voltage 0.80V-1.375v
Thermal Design Power 130W

A i7-5820K has:

Same Voltage Range and 140 Thermal Design Power Range,

 

[fenderman]

Couple of things...
Dont look at the power supply numbers..your pc will not pull near those numbers..
The 5820 has a high draw..consider something like the 4770 or 4790...
Do not use a discrete card, use onboard graphics, blue iris is not a 3d game..discrete cards draw tons of power.
The power difference between the old and new processors can be 50-100w (or more) under load that amounts to about 100-200 extra in electric costs where i live PER year.
With your requirements you can get away with a 4th gen i5..but if you want to future proof it you can go with an i7.
Dont build your own system, its not economical anymore. Here are some great suggestions, look at the dell and lenovo BUSINESS outlets and hp's on ebay. The dells and hps come with 3 year next business day warranties and I know the hp elitedesk linked below has US based support in San Antonio Texas...They were open on thanksgiving YES (last year) and fedexed me installation disks FOR FREE..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ELITEDESK-800-G1-SFF-I5-3-2-GHZ-4-GB-RAM-250GB-HARD-DRIVE-WIN7-PRO-WARANTY-/301440520323?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item462f415083
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-HP-EliteDesk-800-G1-USDT-Desktop-Core-i5-4570s-4GB-320GB-2017-Warranty-/131376587091?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item1e96a7a153
The ultra slim has no expansion room unless you remove the dvd, and it uses a laptop drive...it has an S processor which is almost as powerful as the regular but more energy efficient.
Lots of hard drive space in this dell
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-OptiPlex-3020-i5-4590-3-30GHz-8GB-RAM-500GB-HDD-DVD-RW-Win8-1-Pro-/281528883261?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item418c6dd83d
check the dell outlet for i7-4470 they go on sale all the time...
if you have all the parts for the 920 build and are not spending any money it cannot hurt to test it..buy a killawatt meter and hook it up to measure consumption.