Opinions on the GE Digia-4-160 MPEG-4 DVR

Opinions on the GE Digia-4-160 MPEG-4 DVR

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Subject Author Date
Opinions on the GE Digia-4-160 MPEG-4 DVR Ned 02-04-2008
Posted by Matt Ion on February 4, 2008, 2:46 pm
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Ned wrote:
>> Ned wrote:
>>> Anyone have expereince with this? It's a GE product and going for
>>> about $799 for 4 channels. It uses MPEG-4 which it states is for small
>>> applications. I plan to purchase 2 IP cameras and use 1 existing
>>> analog camera.
>> I went through two of these one one site. Both failed within a couple
>> months. GE support was almost impossible to reach and of practically no
>> help either time.
>>
>> They don't support IP cameras, either.
>>
>> Don't walk away... run.
>
> Thanks. Any thoughts on an IP camera solution for two cameras? Axis
> offers software that can be loaded onto a PC to handle this for a
> small site.

We typically use IQEye cameras, although we've used Pelco IPs on a
couple of sites where they wanted the smaller domes. IQEye have a few
utilities for PC access/control but none I've used that really work as
standalone DVR/NVR applications.

We've been using the cameras with VideoInsight (www.video-insight.com)
and Vigil (www.camacc.com) DVRs. VideoInsight has a standalone IP
Server application that may suit your needs; it's licensed on a
per-camera basis but I have no idea what the actual cost is.

Both make hybrid systems with IP and analog camera support; VI has 4-,
8-, 16- and 32-channel analog boards, I'm not sure if CAMACC still
carries their 4- or 8-channel systems. The integration of IP and analog
cameras is a lot cleaner in the Vigil system, but it also costs a lot
more. Also, CAMACC only sells the Vigils as complete systems, whereas
VI will sell you the components to put in your own existing PC.

I'm sure there's other open-source/freeware/cheapware IP-camera software
out there, just nothing that I'm familiar with.

Posted by Matt Ion on February 4, 2008, 2:48 pm
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Ned wrote:
>> Ned wrote:
>>> Anyone have expereince with this? It's a GE product and going for
>>> about $799 for 4 channels. It uses MPEG-4 which it states is for small
>>> applications. I plan to purchase 2 IP cameras and use 1 existing
>>> analog camera.
>> I went through two of these one one site. Both failed within a couple
>> months. GE support was almost impossible to reach and of practically no
>> help either time.
>>
>> They don't support IP cameras, either.
>>
>> Don't walk away... run.
>
> Thanks. Any thoughts on an IP camera solution for two cameras? Axis
> offers software that can be loaded onto a PC to handle this for a
> small site.

We typically use IQEye cameras, although we've used Pelco IPs on a
couple of sites where they wanted the smaller domes. IQEye have a few
utilities for PC access/control but none I've used that really work as
standalone DVR/NVR applications.

We've been using the cameras with VideoInsight (www.video-insight.com)
and Vigil (www.camacc.com) DVRs. VideoInsight has a standalone IP
Server application that may suit your needs; it's licensed on a
per-camera basis but I have no idea what the actual cost is.

Both

Posted by Just Looking on February 4, 2008, 4:04 pm
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The Bosch VIP X2
http://boschsecurity.us/pdf/EN/VIP%20X%20Product%20Brief%2Epdf
This is IP based and you can attach USB disk storage.

> Ned wrote:
> > Anyone have expereince with this? It's a GE product and going for
> > about $799 for 4 channels. It uses MPEG-4 which it states is for small
> > applications. I plan to purchase 2 IP cameras and use 1 existing
> > analog camera.
>
> I went through two of these one one site. Both failed within a couple
> months. GE support was almost impossible to reach and of practically no
> help either time.
>
> They don't support IP cameras, either.
>
> Don't walk away... run.

Thanks. Any thoughts on an IP camera solution for two cameras? Axis
offers software that can be loaded onto a PC to handle this for a
small site.



Posted by Just Looking on February 4, 2008, 5:48 pm
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GE alarm panel support is pretty fast. GE DVR support isn't. It's best to
always call tech support when you arrive on site. The standard 30+ minute
hold time means that about the time you should have the problem in focus,
the tech support will come on line. If find out you don't need tech support
simply hang up, if you do need tech support you don't have to wait for
another 30 minutes and watch the customer getting mad (because the clock is
running and you're not doing anything).

> Ned wrote:
> > Anyone have expereince with this? It's a GE product and going for
> > about $799 for 4 channels. It uses MPEG-4 which it states is for small
> > applications. I plan to purchase 2 IP cameras and use 1 existing
> > analog camera.
>
> I went through two of these one one site. Both failed within a couple
> months. GE support was almost impossible to reach and of practically no
> help either time.
>
> They don't support IP cameras, either.
>
> Don't walk away... run.



Posted by Robert L Bass on February 4, 2008, 4:53 pm
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"Ned" wrote:
>
> Anyone have expereince with this? It's a GE product and going for
> about $799 for 4 channels. It uses MPEG-4 which it states is for
> small applications. I plan to purchase 2 IP cameras and use 1
> existing analog camera.

It's an "entry level", TCP/IP enabled DVR. That does not mean it
supports IP cameras though. It's intended for use with standard
analog cameras. The Ethernet port is for real time viewing and
reviewing via LAN/Wan or over the Internet.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
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4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
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Customer Service 941-232-0791
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