Help Choosing Between Two Packages

[oneirishpollack]

I have a choice between two security camera packages from Costco, a Swann system and a Q-See system. Can anyone give me a review or share any experience either of the two below? I have included the specs. after the system names and links.

Q-See QSD2216C16-250 16 Channel Network DVR with Remote Internet Monitoring and 16 Sony Sensor CCD Camera Kits

Link: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11296223&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|4802&N=4001405&Mo=20&pos=6&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4802&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC3-Cat79&topnav=

Swann DVR16-8600 16 Channel Digital Video Recorder with 250 GB Seagate SV35 Hard Drive (5 Year Warranty) pre-installed and 8 x Swann MaxiBrite CCD Day/Night Color Cameras

Link: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11289854&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|4802&N=4001405&Mo=20&No=10&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4802&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=#


Below are the specs:

Q-See

Q-See 16-channel MJPEG DVR System Includes:
250 GB hard drive, 7200 RPM
16 outdoor CCD color cameras with 30 ft. of night vision (QD28194)
16 camera stands
16 x 60 ft. cables
Quick start guide
RJ-45 cable
Client program and manuals on installation CD
Remote control with batteries
2 power adapters with 8-way splitters for cameras
Power adapter for DVR
Digital Video Recorder Features:
Record at 120 fps (shared by cameras)
Display at 480 fps (shared by cameras)
MJPEG compression
Remote viewing: IE browser and client software
Supports one SATA hard drive (250 GB hard drive pre-installed)
Recording mode: Timer, alarm, motion detection and manual
Display mode: Auto switch, full screen, quad, 16 screen
Additional port: RS485 port for PTZ cameras
Network connection: RJ-45 port for 10/100BaseT network
Playback: Search by time, event, alarm or motion detection
Video output: 2 BNC, 1 S Video
Video input: Composite 1.0 V p-p/75 ohms BNCx16
Alarm: 16 x alarm input and 1 x alarm output
Audio: 4 RCA input and 2 RCA output
Display resolution: Up to 720 x 480 pixels
Recording resolution: Up to 720 x 240 pixels
Operating system support: Windows® 2000, XP, Vista™
Size: 430 mm x 380 mm x 70 mm
Back up: USB port for USB flash drive
Power sources: DC 12 V/5 A
Operating temperature: 5°C to 70°C (41°F to 158°F)
QD28194 Weatherproof Sony Sensor Camera Features:
Image sensor: ¼” Sony CCD color image sensor
Signal: NTSC
Horizontal resolution: 420 TV lines
Built-in lens: 8 x 6 mm / 8 x 3.6mm
30 ft. night vision
12 Infrared LEDs
Infrared wavelength: 850 nm
Lighting distance: 10 m
Power supply: DC 12 V
Operating temperature: -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F)

Swann
The DVR16-8600 Combo is exclusive to Costco.com and is the latest H.264 Digital Video Recorder bundle from Swann. The 16 Channel DVR features advanced H.264 level compression. The 8 CCD Day Night Cameras feature 420 TV line resolution from a Sharp SuperHAD CCD video image sensor. This kit includes 8 x 50ft Siamese double shielded BNC cables. A 250GB Seagate SV35 hard drive is also preinstalled. The Swann DVR16-8600 Combo DVR kit includes some incredible, professional-grade features including 240 IPS recording, Pentaplex operation (recording, playback, set-up, back-up and network surveillance simultaneously), VGA output for connection to a VGA monitor.
The kit has an adjustable network bit rate, easy remote connectivity, and supports IE browser for remote view; just download a small active file, there’s no need to install any software. For ease of use the DVR has a remote control, 3D graphic user interface, 2 x USB 2.0 ports for back-up and mouse control. This DVR16-8600 Combo DVR Kit is backed by 12 month warranty and free lifetime technical support. The Combo Kit is upgradeable as it includes 8 cameras, allowing you to add another 8 cameras of your choice to make use of all 16 channels and camera inputs.
Advanced H264 Recording:
State-of-the-art H264 compression records at a lower bit rate for high quality playback, longer recording with less storage required
Amazing video images from 240fps recording, 480fps live view
Ready to record with pre-installed 250GB Seagate SV35 SATA HDD
Easy back-up via USB port
Multiple recording modes including motion detection, timer, event recording (alarm, motion detection), recording list with playback in single or multi-screen mode
Easy to Set-up & Use:
Pentaplex operation for simultaneous recording, playback, setup, backup & network surveillance
Enhanced simple to use graphic user interface (GUI) with mouse operation via USB
View live from your 3G mobile cell phone
View recorded video one channel at a time
Sophisticated Networking:
Sophisticated network capabilities including remote live view, remote playback, PTZ camera control and remote menu setup
Remote viewing is a snap with IE browser support from downloadable software
16-Channel Swann DVR (SW244-HMB):
16 channels; monitor & record 16 camera feeds at once
State of the Art Compression, 240 IPS
Pentaplex operation allows recording, playback, networking, and backup at the same time
3D Graphic User Interface Menus
Record resolution 320*240 , 640*480 (NTSC
2 x BNC Video Outputs
1 x VGA Output
1 x S-video
IR Remote Control Included, USB Mouse Supported
Screen split 1, 4, 9, 16
RJ45 Network Interface
USB 2.0 Port For Easy Back up to external HDD or USB thumb Drive
4 Audio in Channels,1 Audio Output
PTZ Control
Manual, Sensor, Timer, Motion detection recording options
250 GB Seagate SV35 Hard Drive included – Max 2 Internal x SATA Drives
Fully Programmable for long recording hours
One-touch recording for up to 1 month continuously with 250 GB HDD on normal settings
FCC, CE, VCCI (RoHS Compliance
Swann MaxiBrite CCD Cameras x 8:
8 Swann MaxiBrite indoor/outdoor 1/4” Sharp SuperHAD sensor CCD cameras
30 infra-red LEDs for powerful night vision up to 66ft (20m)
Sturdy anti-corrosive & weather resistant casing for use outdoors or indoors
Add 8 extra cameras for complete 16 channel surveillance
Includes proper RG-59 twin shielded cable (with integrated power)
Includes Pack Contents:
Swann DVR16-8600 16 Channel Digital Video Recorder
250 GB Seagate SV35 Hard Drive (5 Year Warranty) pre-installed
8 x Swann MaxiBrite CCD Day/Night Color Cameras
8 x 50 ft BNC-BNC Siamese cable with integrated power cables
BNC to RCA Video Cable 3ft (1m)
Power Adapters x3
Power Splitters x2
User Manual
Remote Control
12 Month Warranty on all components
Free Lifetime Tech Support



Thanks, Kelly

[kermitfrog]

I would not go for either one.

This is not real IP video. The cameras are analoge cameras and the only advantage is probably that it is cheap. Usually such solutions suffer bad in remote access or in use from a PC. Mostly its good with a directly connected monitor, but thats it. The infrared cams have the disadvantage that spiders, flys and bugs see that light. Motion detection will not work reliable because you will find quickly spider webs in front of the cam and bugs on it.

Hope this helps.

[oneirishpollack]

Thanks for the feedback. In regards to the infrared and outdoor security cameras, how do you get around the fact that the light attracts bugs?

[kermitfrog]

Use a separate infrared light and put this beside the cameras.
Make sure its not pointing against the cameras.
Security stores should have those. There are different sizes.

Btw, many IP cameras can use this infrared light very good. This may
safe extra money for night vision cameras. But it needs to be tested.