...or not. I'm kind of looking for the 2c of folks who may have used this system as well as those out there who are more experienced with CCTV stuff than I am (which I have no doubt is a large portion of this forum's userbase).
My in laws want cameras. I have cameras at my house. They asked me to hook them up. Okay, fine. I spec'd out two possible solutions that have a small enough price gap in the end it was meaningless to them one vs the other. This isn't so much a comparison of the two solutions below, but *either* of the two solutions below vs the Lorex setup.
Dahua 8 channel NVR + 4x 3mp EyeSurv dome cameras with all the fixings (cat6 cable, UPS, 2TB WD Purple, etc)
(I spec'd them an 8 channel NVR because it is somewhat likely they will eventually adopt 1, maybe 2 additional cameras for their detached garage, bringing the camera count to 5, maybe 6)
vs
i3 server with Bluecherry + 4x 3mp EyeSurv dome cameras with all of the fixings (same as above, plus POE switch, etc)
They looked things over and liked the sound of Bluecherry. It also helps that I run Bluecherry and they've seen it work.
So then I go to Costco tonight and I stumble across an 8 camera + recorder system by Lorex. Supposedly this thing can record all cameras in 1080. It's final price is 499 bucks. This is a bit less than what both of the above options cost them, granted, the above options also include a UPS, a box of cat6 cable, etc etc. So the options above require a bit more to get started, but with more to offer in the end unless I pick up a UPS and whatnot for the Lorex setup.
I can't lie... networking is my world. I know ethernet. I know servers. I know I could set them up a rig with Ubuntu server and Bluecherry in my sleep and it would run like a top without intervention from them. I know Bluecherry is easy to use and they'd have no problem with it. I know with either of the above systems I can pull the cat6 lines, crimp them, plug them in, and call it a day. But I'm trying not to let that tech-guy-bias get in the way of getting them a solution that works. Maybe this Lorex setup is "good enough" for them? Maybe recording in 1080 is a solid baseline? Maybe the 3mp cameras from Nelly's (EyeSurv) I spec'd them are overkill? It may be analog, but maybe the included cables are long enough to hit the intended locations of the cameras, requiring no learning on my part + buying tools to make custom length analog lines?
I'll install anything for them that works. I just have a hard time suggesting something I haven't used (plus given I live in a digital world, it's difficult for me to suggest an analog system as a new install)... and while I haven't used a Dahua NVR personally (one of the two options I offered them above), there's enough out there to make me confident in that recommendation as I'm sure I can figure it out. But this Lorex system... for the price... made me raise an eyebrow. If I can scrap my suggestions and say "look, you can save a few bucks, have a slightly lower (but still 1080) resolution set of cameras, and I can install this Lorex kit for you", I can swallow that pill. But I'm sure "get what you pay for" factors in a bit here, plus the EyeSurvs have a good following as rebranded Dahuas, and I'm sure either the Dahua NVR and Bluecherry rig would both fly.
Anyway, what say you? Is the analog 8 camera Lorex NVR 499 system from Costco too much of a beginner system and/or more low-end than I'm realizing and/or maybe a bit too dated to even consider? Or would the extra cost (and likely further future proofing) my in-laws with either of the two suggested ideas above be more worthwhile?
In the end, I personally would not go for a new install of an analog system with a box kit from Costco. But this isn't an install for me. It's not my house. It's not my money. That's what's causing me to consider all options, even if I personally wouldn't go that route myself.
My in laws want cameras. I have cameras at my house. They asked me to hook them up. Okay, fine. I spec'd out two possible solutions that have a small enough price gap in the end it was meaningless to them one vs the other. This isn't so much a comparison of the two solutions below, but *either* of the two solutions below vs the Lorex setup.
Dahua 8 channel NVR + 4x 3mp EyeSurv dome cameras with all the fixings (cat6 cable, UPS, 2TB WD Purple, etc)
(I spec'd them an 8 channel NVR because it is somewhat likely they will eventually adopt 1, maybe 2 additional cameras for their detached garage, bringing the camera count to 5, maybe 6)
vs
i3 server with Bluecherry + 4x 3mp EyeSurv dome cameras with all of the fixings (same as above, plus POE switch, etc)
They looked things over and liked the sound of Bluecherry. It also helps that I run Bluecherry and they've seen it work.
So then I go to Costco tonight and I stumble across an 8 camera + recorder system by Lorex. Supposedly this thing can record all cameras in 1080. It's final price is 499 bucks. This is a bit less than what both of the above options cost them, granted, the above options also include a UPS, a box of cat6 cable, etc etc. So the options above require a bit more to get started, but with more to offer in the end unless I pick up a UPS and whatnot for the Lorex setup.
I can't lie... networking is my world. I know ethernet. I know servers. I know I could set them up a rig with Ubuntu server and Bluecherry in my sleep and it would run like a top without intervention from them. I know Bluecherry is easy to use and they'd have no problem with it. I know with either of the above systems I can pull the cat6 lines, crimp them, plug them in, and call it a day. But I'm trying not to let that tech-guy-bias get in the way of getting them a solution that works. Maybe this Lorex setup is "good enough" for them? Maybe recording in 1080 is a solid baseline? Maybe the 3mp cameras from Nelly's (EyeSurv) I spec'd them are overkill? It may be analog, but maybe the included cables are long enough to hit the intended locations of the cameras, requiring no learning on my part + buying tools to make custom length analog lines?
I'll install anything for them that works. I just have a hard time suggesting something I haven't used (plus given I live in a digital world, it's difficult for me to suggest an analog system as a new install)... and while I haven't used a Dahua NVR personally (one of the two options I offered them above), there's enough out there to make me confident in that recommendation as I'm sure I can figure it out. But this Lorex system... for the price... made me raise an eyebrow. If I can scrap my suggestions and say "look, you can save a few bucks, have a slightly lower (but still 1080) resolution set of cameras, and I can install this Lorex kit for you", I can swallow that pill. But I'm sure "get what you pay for" factors in a bit here, plus the EyeSurvs have a good following as rebranded Dahuas, and I'm sure either the Dahua NVR and Bluecherry rig would both fly.
Anyway, what say you? Is the analog 8 camera Lorex NVR 499 system from Costco too much of a beginner system and/or more low-end than I'm realizing and/or maybe a bit too dated to even consider? Or would the extra cost (and likely further future proofing) my in-laws with either of the two suggested ideas above be more worthwhile?
In the end, I personally would not go for a new install of an analog system with a box kit from Costco. But this isn't an install for me. It's not my house. It's not my money. That's what's causing me to consider all options, even if I personally wouldn't go that route myself.
