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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Milestone XProtect Express and Professional Retired: Free Upgrade to Express+ or Pro+

                  Milestone Systems is retiring XProtect Express and XProtect Professional in order “to increase focus on solutions primed for the future.” There will be a final release and final device pack in June 2019 for 2019-R2, after which both Express and Professional (E-code) solutions will be put into a five-year “Maintenance Mode.” The E-code products will be fully terminated in June 2024. – Most new devices will still be compatible with ONVIF drivers. – The E-Code products are available for new sale until June 2022 and for expansion until June 2024. – The E-Code products remain safe and well-functioning. Customers will continue to get security patches and bug fixes during the maintenance period if Milestone detects a severe or catastrophic issue. – Authorized Milestone dealers and Milestone Support will continue to provide technical support during the Maintenance Mode period. Milestone is offering a FREE upgrade from E-Code (Express or Professional) to C-Code (Express+ or Professional+) if your SLC (software license code) has a valid Care Plus agreement. If not, then you can upgrade with the limited-time promotion of by purchasing 2 years Care Plus for your current software. This will entitle you […]

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milestone xprotect

Drone Operation with Milestone XProtect VMS

You can use the Phantom 3 Advanced with the HDMI output module connected to the TBS 2216 HDMI encoder (better encoders available) with the universal driver in Milestone to record live video. In addition, you can the Inspire 1 with the light bridge wireless with an HDMI out that goes into an HDMI encoder and it is recorded into Milestone XProtect with the universal driver. The two above installations were hardwired into a POE switch directly connected to a recorder. You can also use a wireless bridge connected to a cellular connection. You can also have helicopter and drone connections using a Rocket Router with multiple cellular cards for increased bandwidth.         For more information, you may email me at [email protected].

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Upgrading Video Security: 1000 TV-Line Cameras or 1080p Full HD?

by Raymond Shadman, President Custom Video Security email: [email protected] phone: 1-877-DEALS-79 x101 skype: rshadman   There are a lot of people who are looking to get better image quality on the video security cameras for their homes or businesses. It is my job to keep up with fast past of new video security technologies, and to educate low-voltage installers, IT professionals, and consumers on the various types of video surveillance which are currently on the market. Before reading this post, one should educate himself/herself with a little background on how resolution of cameras and DVRs is measured. Older camera technology is measured in TVL or “horizontal TV-Lines”, while newer HD camera technology is measured in pixels (horizontal multiplied by vertical). The greater the number of TVL or pixels, the better the resolution. One of the biggest flaws of current analog technology is that the highest analog recording resolution is 960H (960×480), or 960 horizontal lines, but 1000 TVL cameras typically have 1280×960 pixels, or 1280 horizontal lines. This results in forced recording at 960H, even if the camera has higher resolution. That is the same concept putting a governor on a sports car to maximize the speed at which it […]

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