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Here
are some points to consider when purchasing a DVR
Card.
1. Do you know what the components SHOULD BE INSIDE
the DVR?
This is CRITICAL. ANYONE who tells you that A DVR
will run on an AMD processor isn't necessarily lying to you, they're
just not telling you the whole truth. The FACT of the matter is, many of
the cards WILL run on an AMD, BUT the performance will be sub-standard.
Would you buy a car and have them put a lawn mower engine in it to save
a few bucks? EVERY SINGLE DVR Card in the world was built FIRST AND
FOREMOST to run on an INTEL Platform. As an afterthought, the software
gets coded to "allow" it to run on other motherboards and cpu
combinations. While it "works," it simply doesn't use the full potential
of the card and software. Check with your vendor about the Motherboard
Chipset and CPU. It makes a HUGE difference. Find out how much RAM is in
the machine, what speed is the CPU, etc. RAM is a SUPER CRITICAL issue.
If someone tells you that you only need 256 mb of RAM, expect the worst
experience you've ever had in your life. A MINIMUM of 512 Mb and that is
the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM....for best results, get a GB of RAM. These are the
kinds of things that will turn your DVR into a horror story.
We use ONLY Genuine Intel Chipsets and CPU's in
our DVR Systems.
2. Frame Rate
Lots of people say their systems run in "real
time." Make sure you understand this because it means different things
to different people in different scenarios. First off, REAL TIME (as in
watching Live TV) is 30 Frames per Second in NTSC mode and 25 Frames Per
Second in PAL (European Standard). A card that features 30 frames per
second and has four channels, is NOT delivering REAL TIME (unless you
are running ONE camera ONLY AND the software allows you to change the
Frame Rate on each camera, which MANY of the cards do NOT allow -
HOWEVER, ALL of OUR cards DO allow this). A 30 FPS card with four
cameras, will typically deliver 7.5 Frames Per Second per camera, or ONE
QUARTER REAL TIME. To get REAL Time on 4 cameras, you need a 120 Frames
Per Second Card. Now, you probably do NOT require real time performance,
BUT you shouldn't pay for something and not get what you expect. You
should KNOW whether the system you are buying is a Software Compression
or Hardware Compression unit. There's nothing wrong with software
compression systems BUT you will GIVE UP frame rate to get
resolution...and that's a fact. Also, the Software Compression systems
require bigger CPU's, Video Cards and RAM as they steal "clock cycles"
from all three to accomplish their performance whereas the Hardware
Compression systems have their own processors right on board. There is a
significant difference in performance yet AMAZINGLY enough, in many
cases, hardware compression is less expensive. This is a MAJOR deal as
most companies that build software compression systems simply can't be
price competitive.....Why? It's simple really, Software Compression is
on it's way out, and older technology ALWAYS cost more than newer
technology. It's a sign of the times.
3. There is a difference in Live View, Playback
and Record Speeds.
On many DVR cards, the record and playback speeds
will differ from the live view. Check the specs carefully, if you can't
easily find the answer, be sure to ASK your sales rep. If the answers
aren't forthcoming, find another vendor.
4. What does STACKABLE mean?
Many DVR cards are NOT stackable. When you
purchase a four channel card that is NOT stackable, if you decide to
upgrade to 8 cameras, you have to take the four channel out and buy an
eight channel card. A Stackable card allows you to simply add another
card, thus saving the old card and it's associated expense.
Our H.264 products will stack to 64 channels.
5. Get your questions answered - BEFORE you
buy!
You can avoid a ton of problems by getting your
questions answered before you make a purchase. Make sure your vendor
TAKES the time to go over each aspect of a DVR with you. If you don't
know what questions to ask, consider these:
Are you putting a DVR card in your computer? If
you are, then you should find out what chipset your motherboard has,
what make and model of CPU you have, how much ram you have, what kind of
video card and what size hard drive. These are really critical factors
and your vendor should ASK YOU these questions. If not, you may already
be in trouble.
If you're buying a complete system, make sure you
get all the specifications. Find out if you can Multi-task the system.
How often is the software updated? Are the updates Free? Who will
actually provide technical support for you? The Vendor? Is the service
toll free? Do the people on the Tech Support line speak and understand
English? Are they real technicians or just someone who has answer A for
Question A, etc.
Be prepared to discuss the type of setting you're
going to put the DVR in....is it home use? Commercial? Industrial? What
kind of lighting conditions exist, are the cameras going indoors or
outdoors? Are any of your indoor cameras looking through glass or into a
rising or setting sun? Again, these are things you should discuss and
get answers to, it will make your experience MUCH easier and more
enjoyable. Keep in mind that you can turn a $20,000.00 DVR into a piece
of junk with cheap cameras that are not designed for the conditions you
are putting them in. If you're trying to catch a license plate number
off a car - there are specialized cameras for that. Make sure you ask
about this type of thing and you're out of the box experience will be a
happy one.
Make sure someone explains FRAME RATE to you and
that you understand it clearly. If you don't, KEEP ASKING until you do.
If you don't get a clear answer, find someone else.
This is NOT rocket science, but any time you make
a purchase, you should understand what you're getting, and get what you
expect. We work hard to make sure your expectation level is proper and
that we meet or exceed that expectation. NEVER be afraid to ask lots of
questions. If the company is reputable, they'll work through the
questions until you understand it all.
6. Make sure you're getting original boards and
legitimate software.
There are a TON of fake (copy) boards out
there today. You'll find them on Ebay and many websites. You can always
tell a copy board by it's price....usually 150.00 or less for boards
that legitimate dealers sell for 500.00 plus. What's the difference?
Software that actually works and has an actual license to be fully
functional (most pirated software will operate in a limited demo mode),
Real Tech Support, Continual FREE upgrades to the software, Manufacturer
support, a REAL warranty and a REAL RETURN policy. Plus, the real thing
actually WORKS the way it was supposed to. We get five or six calls a
day from customers who have been taken to the cleaners after buying a
75.00 DVR card on Ebay or from some unscrupulous salesman. They are
looking for answers and help. Unfortunately, there's not much ANYONE can
do for them as the manufacturers will simply NOT provide support for
either the hardware OR the software. It's very sad, but the old rule of
thumb holds true....if it sounds to good to be true, it probably IS. We
sell ONLY legitimate DVR Cards with LICENSED fully functional software.
When you purchase a card from us, you can be ASSURED that it's the real
deal, and that we will support it for as long as you own it. You also
will get FREE UPGRADES for the life of the card. See what a difference
it makes to buy legitimate product and support!
7. Why don't we sell DVR Cards and Accessories
on our website with an online Store?
Actually, this is really simple. We believe that
EVERY customer deserves to have all of their questions answered BEFORE
they make a purchase. While we've tried to make our web site
informative, some of the technical issues can get difficult to
understand. If you're going to plunk down your hard earned money, we
think we should take the time to make certain that you are getting
EXACTLY what you need to do the job at hand. That's why our trained
professionals are standing by the phones to assist you. Ask all the
questions you want, we've got time for YOU.
8. Get PROFESSIONAL help
There is a HUGE proliferation of web sites today,
all proclaiming to have this deal or that deal. Then when you try to
call, you don't get answers or they don't have time to LISTEN to what
you're asking for and solve your DVR questions. It's simple, if they
don't have time for you BEFORE the sale, how much time will they spend
with you AFTER they've got your money. We ask a lot of questions, we
listen to your answers, we take the time to get you the RIGHT system.
We're security professionals. It's what we do, and ONLY what we do. Give
us a call and ask away, see what a difference there is in talking to
someone who cares versus someone what just wants the deal. There IS a
difference!
9. Ask About Technical Support AFTER the Sale
Is there a TOLL FREE number for technical support?
If so, is it IN the United States or India or where? Do the people who
man the support lines speak actual ENGLISH? Are they REALLY technicians
who understand the technology or are they just reading a script? Are
they employees of the company or are they subcontractors who really just
want to get you off the phone? Make sure you have a support system,
we're talking about a SECURITY product here, it could be your business
or your life on the line.
10. For MORE information, click
HERE
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We Sell :
DVR Cards,
DVR
Systems,
DVR, Geovision, CCTV,
Real Time Digital Video
Surveillance, H.264
Hardware
Compression
DVR Cards, H.264
DVR Cards, SPECO,
COP, KT&C, Linux
Embedded Stand Alone
DVR and many other
items. Please call us
for pricing or for
DEALER LOGIN
information. TOLL FREE
1-800-807-1271. |
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Corporate
Offices: OPT Web
Properties LTD 4467 N.
Bend Road Ashtabula OH
44004 |
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DUNS #
031462000 |
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Toll Free Fax
Line 1-866-543-9819 |
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Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Michigan, Illinois &
600+ Dealers Worldwide! |
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