[Zain]

Hi people

Wondering if you could help me out here. I'm currently running the old prehistoric VHS recording system, which is long over due for an upgrade.

My question is, am I right in thinking I could continue using my existing Cameras with a new DVR and hard drive system?
Also, what else would I need to play back, burn/record to disk if need be?
8 Camera set up.

Any links recommendations would be helpful

Thanks

[Austin_Yeahbaby]

I recently did the same and replaced it with a AVerDiGi EB1304 NET

AVerMedia Hybrid 2.0 Digital Surveillance Systems - AVerDiGi EB1304 NET

It records onto a hard disk and you can back up to a USB stick but only supports 4 channel.

If you want a 8 channel version then something like the AVerDiGi EB 5208DVD PRO

AVerMedia Hybrid 2.0 Digital Surveillance Systems - Products - AVerDiGi EB Series

[Zain]

Thanks for that. I take it I would still need an external Hard Drive for storage.

Would a standard 500GB Maplin/ebuyer one be adequate? or would I need something specific?

Thank you

[Austin_Yeahbaby]

the hard disk fits inside the unit,


I got a western digital CCTV drive, something like £50 for 500GB

[hornydragon]

There are some HDD that are optimised for these applications.

[BradG]

Ganz make some very nice DVR's aliong with Samsung Techwin. Try and avoid everfocus as they do tend to be quite over priced.

Depending on how many channels you need, samsungs range improve with features with the more channels you require.

At present you most likely have a time lapse VCR, a multiplexor, and a quadplexor

Quadplexors allow you to view four cameras on one screen in quarters, whereas multiplxors encode the video0 feeds in to one stream so they may be recorded by the time lapse VCR's.

Nowadays with the arrival of DVR's these features are built in so all you need is the DVR, cameras and a suitable amount of storage.

Just note that alot of people forget to set the DVR to overwrite the data when the hard drive is full which in turn then displays a hard disk error resulting in panic! so just be sure to take the time to read the manual and configure it correctly

Many advantages are given when upgrading to a DVR such as

Remote connecting so you can view your cameras over a LAN or WAN, Alarm outputs so you may link the DVR to external devices.

Cameras have also evolved ALOT over the past decade or so.

I would strongly recommend visiting samsungs website and reading through the glossary of features on their equipmnent which will give you a better idea of what options are available to you. once you have picked out what you want it all to do, let us know and i may be able to point out some equipment for you

Hope this helps