Has anyone implemented any non-PC based DVRs which can be accessed
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PC based is the best way to go, and far exceeds the performance of non pc based stuff. check the framerates and recording / playback size.
Thanks JTD for this advice. Actually I was planning to use a Linux based PC first. Then putting a PC within a sealed loft put me off. I heard that high ambient temperature would reduce the life of the mobo.
... + the form factor can be mitigated using Nettop cabinets [1] and Atom based motherboards.
[1] I have used several brand - Circle, iBall, XTech. For your 24x7 I would suggest XTech. It is a bit bigger than iBall; add in quality ball bearing exhaust fans.
Thanks Arun. The DVR box(IE compatible) is available for Rs.10,500/-. In case of Atom based PC the total cost of mobo, CPU, cabinet(not XTech one), 500GB hardisk, 2GB RAM is coming out to be Rs.12,000/- But in case of PC, an additional amount has to be spent on PCI card which would be connected with the surveillance cameras.
USB based webcams are not useful for surveillance purpose as the images are not very clear. I am looking for night vision capability too. The cost of such camera is Rs.2,500/- a piece. For outside mounting, an additional Rs.450/- is to be spent for a camera cover.
At present I don't have any idea of any card which supports V4L. Does anyone has any idea of Linux supported PCI cards on which surveillance cameras (BNC connecters) can be connected? What is the cost for a 4 channel one?
Thanks in advance.
Raghu