2021 Commercial-Grade IP Security Camera Guide

2021 Commercial-Grade IP Security Camera Guide By Raymond Shadman Custom Video Security, President [email protected]   This post answers the most common questions on how to choose an IP security camera in 2021. For security camera brands, I prefer Dahua because (when purchased through Custom Video Security) they have a 5-year warranty, 1-year advance replacement, and direct technical support from the manufacturer. Camera style: The bullet is generally desired when viewing parallel to the wall. Some (but very few) are IK08-IK10 impact/vandal resistant. Bullets are also better for installation from poles and/or for viewing license plates. Domes have the best aesthetic look in my opinion. They generally are always vandal-resistant, unless they are indoor domes, which are usually made of plastic instead of metal. They are meant for viewing in front or not too far to the side of the wall. Unlike bullets, they cannot easily view parallel to the wall where it’s installed unless you add a wall-mount, in which case the dome would be pointing down instead of away from the building. If not using a wall-mount in an uncovered outdoor area, ensure waterproof installation using silicone, or use the right accessory to limit the chance of rain entering […]

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Dahua

The Top Reasons to Buy Dahua Security Cameras, DVRs, NVRs in 2020

By Raymond Shadman, President [email protected] 310-370-9500 x1   The Top Reasons to Buy Dahua Security Cameras, DVRs, NVRs in 2020   5-year warranty (when you buy from Custom Video Security or any other 4-star authorized dealer) on cameras, recorders, decoders, accessories, and transmission products. Hard Drives 3 years. Monitors 1 year. 1-year advance replacement warranty when you buy from Custom Video Security.  Direct tech support from Dahua to low-voltage installers and to the end-user. Very wide product line including: ePoE (converts coax lines to use IP cameras at the lowest cost in the industry; or triples the distance of IP without any need for repeaters/extenders). Starlight cameras see color at nighttime with minimal ambient lighting. Video: https://youtu.be/NaFHmwXI6Zk?t=5. Identify skin color, hair color, clothing color, vehicle color, etc. So much more effective than traditional IR cameras. The levels of Dahua’s starlight are attached. I recommend Starlight+ if you may require viewing in very dark or pitch-black scenes. Or Night Color if you don’t need or don’t want infrared. Night Color cameras have no infrared, which means you can’t use them in pitch-black darkness, but they see at nighttime with minimal ambient lighting like it’s daytime. They have the highest nighttime performance […]

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Case Study–Cannabis Grow House in Los Angeles, California

Case Study–Cannabis Grow House In 2017, a Los Angeles County-based grow house, which will go unnamed for security and privacy reasons, contacted us to design and install a security camera system. One of the partners had a copy of his local security requirements for operating the facility, and so we scheduled a free site inspection to survey the property. During the site inspection, we notated the general layout of the facility, noted potential security risks, and recommended cameras and placement that would accommodate the project’s budget while meeting or exceeding the minimum security requirements from the state of CA and City of Los Angeles. On the day of the site inspection, their security consisted of a non-security guard camped out in a trailer on a gated driveway, three dogs, consumer-grade doors and locks, and an intrusion alarm system. The various areas requiring coverage included the entrance, exits, hallways, a large laboratory-style room with expensive lab equipment, several temperature and light-controlled grow rooms, a network/security room with MDF closet where the recorder was to be installed, multiple hallways leading to each of these rooms, and rooftop coverage because of the easy access from a neighboring building. They required at least 90 days […]

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Add an Onvif IP Camera to an Onvif Recorder

By Raymond Shadman Direct/SMS/Fax:  310.876.1540 Phone:           877.DEALS.79 or 310-370-9500 x1 Email:            [email protected] Web:            customvideosecurity.com Skype:           rshadman In this post, we list best practices for ensuring compatibility between IP recorders and IP cameras. Unlike analog recorders, NVRs or hybrid/tribrid/multi-format DVRs (also known as XVRs) require compatible makes and models of IP cameras.For example, if using a Dahua NVR, it’s a best practice to use Dahua IP Cameras in order to guarantee compatibility between recorders and cameras. If mixing brands, or if not using a stated make and model of listed IP camera, it’s very possible that the camera’s video stream won’t display on the NVR. In some cases, the camera’s video stream might be displayed, but other features may not work. The same holds true for VMSes (Video Management Systems) such as Milestone XProtect, which are essentially software-based IP management systems that are designed to accommodate numerous brands of IP Cameras, with certain limitations. If not using the same brand of NVR or IP camera, the best practice is to match each device’s corresponding Onvif profile. Onvif is a standard in the IP/Security world, which allows interoperability between IP security devices, even if they are […]

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Dahua

Difference Between Original Dahua and Dahua-OEM Products?

Question from eBay customer RE: Dahua NVR4208-8P-4K-OEM:  Dahua OEM 8-Channel 4K H.265 NVR: 8-port PoE, 12MP, 192Mbps, VGA/HDMI, 2x SATA The photograph shows the Dahua emblem on the front of the NVR. Will the items being shipped have this Dahua emblem and the Dahua model numbers and serial numbers on them? Will Dahua permit me to download and update the firmware, if I choose? Will the Dahua U.S.A. warranty and support apply? Is the firmware in english? Is the format PAL or NTSC? Is it U.S. power compatible?   Our answer: Hello, Thank you for submitting this question. Custom Video Security is an authorized Dahua dealer, and we work very closely with them. This product is not from Dahua USA, but rather from an OEM provider. It carries a 3-year warranty. The Dahua logo is not going to be on this product. Original Dahua carries a 5-year warranty with access to Dahua tier-2 support, and does include the Dahua logo. Your first call for support should be to us, as we can usually resolve all issues without calling Dahua USA. We have recently sold a number of NVRs and hundreds of IP cameras to the University of NE, and they have […]

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