Greetings from South Louisiana

Greetings everyone! I've decided it's time to upgrade my current camera system. I've been lurking around the site off and on for the last couple of weeks trying to expand my knowledge. I definitely understand that everyone's situation, level of experience and expectations are different so, I figured it's time to sign up and ask my own questions.
"Disclaimer" I have limited experience in the forum process.

I currently have an Avert X IP system with 5 cameras. The system is about 8 yrs old and until recently has served all my needs. Prior to that I had a Lorex system that was barely tolerable at best. My home "environment" if you will is Apple based (MacBook Pro), iPhone, Synology Router and a 16 channel switch. I have the NVR in a cabinet in one room and the router and switch in another room. all my cameras go to the switch. What I like about this setup is that I don't need to have a dedicated desk monitor with a keyboard/mouse to manage and access the system. I can do it all from my laptop.

Going forward, I would like to put together a system that includes a minimum of 6 turret style cameras that have good night time visibility. I like the infrared, not the white lights. I'd like to have 2 PTZ cameras. One for the front and one for the back of the house. I'd also like to have the capability to install a few extended poe cameras approximately 400-500 ft from the house. I have a lot of deer and wildlife that I like to watch. I also have a communication tower site on my property and I have quite a few oak trees between me and the tower, so it kinda inhibits the use of a ptz camera to monitor this area.

Zooming back out, the first order of business for me is learning to use the forum and learn who all the movers and shakers are that make up this community. I started my initial search and ended up on the Dahua-us website researching cameras. I found some cameras that I liked and this led me to watching great video reviews by a guy that wears glasses in PA. His videos led me to Empiretech01 website and to the IPCT forum. To begin this journey I like to ask these questions. Is the Dahua software compatible / user friendly with MacBook Pro? Who is the guy in Pa? Is Empiretech01 and or is the IPCT his website ? I'm assuming he's affiliated with Andy in Hong Kong? Just looking to understand the relationships. Thank you all in advance for any knowledge you can share. I'm looking forward to making this project as painless as possible and hopefully learn something and make a few new friends along the way.
 
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Welcome to IPCT! :wave:

A PC guy running Blue Iris VMS on it and Dahua and Dahua-OEM cameras, I welcome you and am confident some knowledgeable members more familiar with NVR's and Mac's will join in.:cool:
 
Good to have you aboard. South Louisiana....I lived and worked in Orleans Parrish many many years ago 1982. (unfortunately it's not the same)

The Cajun Navey does great work!
 
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Welcome... Such fond memories . 113 mechanic...good times in the heat.
I was arrested for possession of marijuana in Louisiana in 1981 on Ft. Polk. twice :)

I have a little knowledge of Some aspects of of Ip cam systems, and have owned some NVR/DVR's....
I installed my own BI System in the Condo where I was a Maintenance man, with about 18 cameras running Blue Iris.
at Home I'm Currently running an Amcrest 4116 NVR along side Blue Iris. with mostly Dahua OEM cams.
Condolences to the families affected by the River flooding over by San Antonio. Heartbreaking
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Looks like I need to delete a few hundred Megs of Data(nakedladies.com) off the D:\ drive.
there we go.
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