Rating of Bosch NWC 0455 IP camera 1

[MotorRex]

I am kindly requesting comments from anyone who have used Bosch NWC 0455 Dinion IP camera. I am considering using it for a perimeter CCTV. It perfectly suits me because it has both IP and analogue outputs. How good is the camera and how would you rate it?

 

[itsmoked]

Sorry I can't say and I doubt anyone else will either. No experience with it. I did an extensive web search and found not a single user review. I would be very wary myself.

Cameras can be total garbage or excellent. If you proceed you should have a reasonable return policy in hand.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MotorRex]

Thanks a lot itsmoked, I will be very careful. Bosch cameras come with 3 years swop-guarantee and there are so many Bosch agents around where I am, therefore after-service might not be a problem.

 

[itsmoked]

Service and support can be a very good reason to go with a particular product.

I would probably check out some less expensive units first. I think you can get some pretty impressive units for about 20% of that price.

I monitor several security camera over the internet and more than any other feature I WISH I had point and tilt.

My last point would be most cameras in a security realm need to be associated with a DVR. How are you going to integrate that in with a WEB camera? Why do you need the analog out?

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MotorRex]

Thanks a lot itsmoked.
I am working on a very interesting project. My task is to upgrade a 15 year old perimeter security infrastructure (consists of analogue cameras, DVR, coaxial cables, and pairs {tx &rx} of microwave detectors) with a modern, cost effective and a reliable system. The cameras and the microwave detectors are installed between two parallel fences (spaced 5 meters from each other around the entire perimeter) that make a no-man-land.

Due to the age of the installation and poor maintenance the cams, coaxial cables and microwave detectors have deteriorated. Power cables are all fine. This project can only be done in three phases due to budget constrains, and I have conducted tests that gave a clear indication of how the project should be phased.
Phase 1- To replacement the existing analogue cams with new ones,
Phase 2- To replace the existing DVR, monitors and coax to fiber-optic ring around the fence.
Phase 3 - To replace existing microwave beam detectors with new ones.

Phase 1
The images on the monitors are very bad, but this will significantly change once new cams are installed. This will be the cheapest and the quickest phase. Dual-output cams will make installation easy. The project turn-around time will be short - now (with analogue system) and in future (with fiber network).
The 2nd advantage of using dual output cams is because it is a cost effective option in the sense that I will not need to buy expensive analogue/IP converters. Converters are also a weak point in the network, requires a power supply and maintenance.
Phase 2
Replacing the coaxial cables with fiber is a big and expensive job that will require excavation and cable work. That is why I have put it in phase 2. Once this phase is complete I will easily disconnect cams analogue output and use the IP one.

The perimeter is divided in to 9 zones. Microwave detectors in each zone are gathered to a zone PLC. The 9 zone PLCs are them connected to a master PLC in the control room. This PLC controls alarm monitoring, logging and most importantly it decides which camera the DVR should record from incase of a field alarm.
All zone PLCs will be connected to the fiber network.
Phase 3
This will be the most expensive phase. Replacing the existing microwave detectors with new ones. Besides the cost factor the existing microwave detectors still have some life left in them, that is why I am comfortable to work around them during phase one and two.

PTZ cameras are not necessary at this point because I am just interested in monitoring the perimeter.
There are cheaper cameras in the market but their after service is poor. Not a lot of reputable makes are supported on this side of the world.

 

[itsmoked]

Looks like a good plan.

Sounds like the places my Dad worked at in the Army, except the filled the area between the fences with slavering German Shepards.

You should buy one of those and test it extensively. Often there is some single defect in the operation. You will want to find it, to see if you can live with it, or work around it. Definitely check it in the night situation.

The biggest problem with cameras is, when you come down to it, do you want to just see a human there or do you want to catch their face, well enough, to hand out a picture people can actually use.

Same issue is do you want to see a large area? Then you won't be seeing any faces unless you can PTZ. If you have humans monitoring who could pan, and tilt, and ZOOM, on a face, that would be the best situation.

From a customer point of view you can upgrade their actual hands-on feature with PTZ. Right now they have something that works. They are going to drop a bundle here and end up with something that, um, works the same as before from the user's point of view. If after dropping a sum of money they have a fresh new system and can touch a knob and shoot up to someones face or zoom on a license plate I suspect they will be more pleased.



Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MotorRex]

Thanks a lot itsmoked, points well noted. I have placed an order for an NWC0455 and I will test it extensively. Your suggestion of using PTZ cameras is also very valid and worth exprolling especially given that PTZs are not overly expensive – depending on the type and the make.
Do you know of a camera-modeling-software that can assist in designing a CCTV system, similar to the lighting design software that are available in the market?

 

[itsmoked]

Hi MotorRex.
Sorry man.. I have no knowledge about that kind of SW. I have only done a few systems and it's not really my business, so I've never even looked for it. Good luck with it though.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Rex,

I don't know the size of your installation, but give WesCam a call (they're our parent company). You may spend a while figuring out who to talk to, but someone there should be able to point you in the right direction.


Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[MotorRex]

Thanks Mac. My project is small in relation to what WesCam deals with. I am almost limited to some few service providers/products based on geographical location.
Thanks for the suggestions