I know if I take my time, I can install the camera's, but to be honest, I have too much other stuff going on in my life to undertake this project. Some times you have to pick and choose your battles. I called multiple "security" companies that were recommended by Homeadviser.com and every single one of them want me to use their cameras instead. Most of them talked down Dahua, which to me is a red flag. On top of it, one of them, who was VERY highly rated on home adviser, tried to tell me that the resolution on a 8mp camera is lower than the resolution on a 2mp camera. He also said that all Dahua cameras are analog camera's and junk. Its obvious most people just want to push their own products. So I wanted to see if anyone had a recommendation for a company to install some Dahua cameras I intend to buy from Andy. I was looking around on the forum and saw some posts from a guy named "Blake" who said he was a Dahua dealer, and spoke about "making sure I have all the equipment in my hands and test it before going to do a install" in a different thread. I tried clicking on his profile but it said it was not available and he seems to have disappeared since late Aug 2018 despite that he was very active (over 1,000 posts) on here up until then. I was hoping I might get lucky and him be in or around the Houston area as he seemed very knowledgeable of Dahua's products and installing them. If anyone has his contact info, or knows of someone else around the Houston area they can recommend, I would greatly appreciate it.
Installer recommendation for Texas (Houston area)
- Thread starter Slp82
- Start date
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 16,139
- 27,109
Hi @Slp82
Wow.. see, this is why I DIY more and more now. Just too many out there who I can not trust to do a good job.
Perhaps you should see if you can find a good network cable / wired security system installer?
Either way, take some time to determine where you want the cameras to make it easier to compare quotes. Placement locations will determine how easy / difficult it will be with your house.
IAmATeaf
Known around here
Finding a good installer is really hard, I am still waiting, had my cams from Andy now for months. Had an installer lined up and for no reason he jacked up the price claiming that since he last quoted labour prices had gone up so I gave him the he boot.
Hopefully my install will start next Thursday but this current guy has already delayed, he was due to start tomorrow.
Hopefully my install will start next Thursday but this current guy has already delayed, he was due to start tomorrow.
bigredfish
Known around here
Seems like many installers are tied to one particular brand. I had same conversation with a contractor we hired initially to install our HOA equipment. According to him Axis was the only OEM on the planet and everything else was junk...... until I showed him how much better the image was on a 5231 compared to his $700 1MP Axis..
IAmATeaf
Known around here
Let me try to talk you into this...
This is one of those projects where it really pays to do it yourself. It doesn't take special equipment or knowledge. Just time and sweat, which people charge a LOT for. If this was a new kitchen countertop, sure. Reroofing your house? Ok. You aren't equipped to tackle those jobs. But this? Nah man, you can do it. You say to pick and choose your battles: and I agree. But this is a battle to choose. It's money in the bank and in the end, it will be a better job because YOU give a shit and HE does not. It's just the way it is...
Just my vote on it! Hell if you were local, I'd even come help!
This is one of those projects where it really pays to do it yourself. It doesn't take special equipment or knowledge. Just time and sweat, which people charge a LOT for. If this was a new kitchen countertop, sure. Reroofing your house? Ok. You aren't equipped to tackle those jobs. But this? Nah man, you can do it. You say to pick and choose your battles: and I agree. But this is a battle to choose. It's money in the bank and in the end, it will be a better job because YOU give a shit and HE does not. It's just the way it is...
Just my vote on it! Hell if you were local, I'd even come help!
SouthernYankee
IPCT Contributor
In houston texas do it your self. Only work in the attic between mid-october and early April. 
If you do not do it your self insist on supplying your own wire. Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire (lower number is better). , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum). Wire should be CAT 6.
Run two wires to each location.
If you do not do it your self insist on supplying your own wire. Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire (lower number is better). , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum). Wire should be CAT 6.
Run two wires to each location.
In houston texas do it your self. Only work in the attic between mid-october and early April.
If you do not do it your self insist on supplying your own wire. Use only solid copper, AWG 23 or 24 ethernet wire (lower number is better). , no CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum). Wire should be CAT 6.
Run two wires to each location.
See thats another thing I forgot. I told everyone of these companies I wanted CAT 6 cable, and they all told me its overkill and I am stupid to want that. It makes me think they simply don't have it and don't want to take the time to try to find it. Also I told them the cables need to be solid copper, and again, all three said that is ridiculous. I am starting to think more and more that I just need to do this myself.
It may be better to hire an electrician to run the wires and install the cameras yourself. You won't have to deal with the BS sales job of their line of supported cameras while talking down your cameras.
So here is something interesting. Which I am going to start a new thread on this but one of these companies said the owner was in the military and his job was camera's/optics. Well he apparently "built" cameras, and once out of the military started this company and taught these other guys to build the cameras as well. Half of me thinks this is BS, but my whole family being ex-military I am trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. They usually deal with large commercial jobs or even high end neighborhoods. So they don't have much of a presence in my area, and after talking to me, wanted to offer me a deal. Basically they install what they call a "state of the art" system for free, that's valued at $20,000 in turn for myself and my wife posting on nextdoor app, Facebook, and Instagram once a month about them. He said it can be one sentence, with maybe a picture or short video clip from the system. No need to write a paragraph or page or anything.
So many of you have far more experience so I am sure there are members on here who can look at the specs of these "handmade" cameras and tell if they are BS. To be honest, the $20,000 seems insane. So here is the "catch". They have a finance company that will allow customers to finance the system. They take out a $20,000 loan in my name, but they pay the approx $350 a month over 5 years as long as I post each month. I did look over the contract and there was no fine print and it was pretty straight forward. They even say as long as you don't miss more than 2 months a year, and make up those posts with in 12 months by posting one or two extra, they will continue paying it.
After 5 years, the equipment is yours to keep and no more posts required. They cover all maintenance and warranty the system during those 5 years.
They said the system would be 5 cameras, two PTZ, a camera similar to ring at the door, but he said this is better, and one license plate reader. They will also use a 12 TB NVR, setup everything, including the zones, and notifications to our phones. It would all be hard wired, no wireless.
I told them I wanted specs on all the cameras and plan to post then in the new thread I will make on this. I am curious to see if the specs match some Dahua cameras or Hikvision.
So many of you have far more experience so I am sure there are members on here who can look at the specs of these "handmade" cameras and tell if they are BS. To be honest, the $20,000 seems insane. So here is the "catch". They have a finance company that will allow customers to finance the system. They take out a $20,000 loan in my name, but they pay the approx $350 a month over 5 years as long as I post each month. I did look over the contract and there was no fine print and it was pretty straight forward. They even say as long as you don't miss more than 2 months a year, and make up those posts with in 12 months by posting one or two extra, they will continue paying it.
After 5 years, the equipment is yours to keep and no more posts required. They cover all maintenance and warranty the system during those 5 years.
They said the system would be 5 cameras, two PTZ, a camera similar to ring at the door, but he said this is better, and one license plate reader. They will also use a 12 TB NVR, setup everything, including the zones, and notifications to our phones. It would all be hard wired, no wireless.
I told them I wanted specs on all the cameras and plan to post then in the new thread I will make on this. I am curious to see if the specs match some Dahua cameras or Hikvision.
bigredfish
Known around here
"They take out a $20,000 loan in my name"
uhm...no
uhm...no
Mike A.
Known around here
- May 6, 2017
- 4,199
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Don't get me wrong, I see the potential to get screwed, and thats what my instinct was initially, but once I read over the half a page contract, three times, I don't see how they could screw me. The price is definitely ridiculous. If they said maybe $3,000 loan, I would probably strongly considering it. I feel like $3,000 to $4,000 would be fair for all the equipment, install, and programming/setup, plus 5 years of maintenance and warranty. $20,000 just seems nuts.
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 16,139
- 27,109
@Slp82 wow.. and I thought the
lol, inquire how much is it to buy it out right without posting pictures and have them send you photos of the cameras.
( bet they are Hikvision or Dahua OEMs.. )
[ seriously - it is a scam... - you can play around with them for a bit if you want and get more data to share here. ]
25x PTZ Camera Specification:
Image Sensor 1/2.8” STARVIS™ CMOS
Image Size 1920(H) x 1080(V), 2 Megapixels
RAM/ROM 1024M/128M
Electronic Shutter 1/1s~1/30,000s
Minimum Illumination Color: [email protected]; B/W: [email protected]; [email protected] (IR on)
S/N Ratio More than 50dB
Video Output N/A
Day / Night Auto(ICR) / Color / B/W
BLC Mode BLC / HLC / WDR(120dB)
White Balance Auto, ATW, Indoor, Outdoor, Manual
Gain Control Auto / Manual
Digital Noise Reduction Ultra DNR (2D/3D)
Privacy Masking Up to 24 areas
Optical Zoom 25x
Digital Zoom 16x
Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) N/A
Defog Support
Wide Dynamic Range 120dB
DORI Distance
Note: The DORI distance is a “general proximity” of distance which makes it easy to pinpoint the right camera for your needs. The DORI distance is calculated based on sensor specification and lab test result according to EN 62676-4 which defines the criteria for Detect, Observe, Recognize and Identify respectively.
Detect
Observe
Recognize
Identify
1613m(5292ft)
646m(2119ft)
323m(1060ft)
161m(528ft)
Focal Length 4.8mm~120mm
Max. Aperture F1.6 ~ F4.4
Focus Control Auto / Manual
Angle of View H: 62.8° ~ 2.6°
Close Focus Distance 100mm~ 1000mm
IR LEDs 6
IR Distance Distance up to 100m (328ft)
IR On/Off Control Auto/Manual
Pan Range Pan: 0° ~ 360° endless; auto flip 180°
Pan Speed Pan: 0.1° ~200° /s
Tilt Range Tilt: -15° ~ 90°
Tilt Speed Tilt: 0.1° ~120° /s
Number of Preset 300
PTZ Mode 5 Pattern, 8 Tour, Auto Pan ,Auto Scan
Speed Setup Human-oriented focal Length/ speed adaptation
Power Up Action Auto restore to previous PTZ and lens status after power failure
Idle Motion Activate Preset/ Scan/ Tour/ Pattern if there is no command in the specified period
Time Task Auto activation of Preset / Pan / Scan / Tour / Pattern by preset-time
Video Compression H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264
Video Resolution 1080P(1920×1080)/720P(1280×720)/D1(704×576/704×480)/CIF(352×288/352×240)
Video Frame Rate
Main stream: 1080P/720P(1 ~ 25/30fps)
Sub stream1: D1/CIF(1 ~ 25/30fps)
Sub stream2: 720P/D1/CIF(1 ~ 25/30fps)
Video Bitrate H.265/H.264: 448K ~ 8192Kbps
Auto Tracking Tracking the specified target
IVS Tripwire, Intrusion,Abandoned/Missing
Tracking Trigger Mode N/A
Tracking Trigger Event Motion detection, Video tampering, Network disconnection, IP address conflict, Illegal access, Storage anomaly
Audio Compression G.711a/G.711Mu/G.726/AAC
Audio In 1CH
Audio Out 1CH
IPC Alarm YES
Alarm In 2CH
Alarm Out 1CH
Ethernet RJ-45 (10XBase-T/100Base-TX)
Network Protocol IPv4/IPv6, HTTP, HTTPS, SSL, TCP/IP, UDP, UPnP, ICMP, IGMP, SNMP, RTSP, RTP, SMTP, NTP, DHCP, DNS,PPPOE,DDNS,FTP, IP Filter,QoS,Bonjour,802.1x
Network Interoperability ONVIF Profile S&G, API
Streaming Method Unicast / Multicast
Network Max. Users 20 users
Storage NAS (Network Attached Storage),Local PC for instant recording, Micro SD card 256GB
Storage Card Micro SD card 256GB
Web Viewer IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari
Management Software Smart PSS, DSS, DMSS
Mobile iPhone, Android
Certifications CE: EN55032/EN55024/EN50130-4
FCC: Part15 subpartB,ANSI C63.4- 2014
UL: UL60950-1+CAN/CSA C22.2,No.60950-1
RS485 N/A
Power Supply DC 12V/3A, PoE+(802.3at)
Power Consumption 13W,20W (IR on)
Operating Temperature -40°C ~ 70°C (-40°F ~ +158°F) / Less than 95% RH
Ingress Protection IP66
Dimensions Φ6.3(in) x 11.6(in)
Weight Net Weight 3kg(6.61lb) Gross Weight 4.2kg(9.26lb)
5MP WDR Turret IP Camera Specifications:
Image Sensor 1/2.7” 5Megapixel Progressive CMOS
Image Size 2592(H) x 1944(V), 5 Megapixels
RAM/ROM 512MB/32MB
Electronic Shutter 1/3s~1/100,000s
Minimum Illumination 0.03Lux/F2.0(Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.3Lux/2.0(Color,1/30s,20IRE)
[email protected] (IR on)
S/N Ratio More than 50dB
Video Output N/A
Day / Night Auto(ICR) / Color / B/W
BLC Mode BLC / HLC / WDR(120dB)
White Balance Auto/Natural/Street Lamp/Outdoor/Manual
Gain Control Auto / Manual
Digital Noise Reduction Ultra 3D DNR
Privacy Masking Off/On (4 Area, Rectangle)
Digital Zoom 16x
Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) N/A
Smart IR Support
Wide Dynamic Range 120dB
Focal Length 2.8mm (3.6 mm optional)
Max. Aperture F2.0 /F2.0
Focus Control Fixed
Angle of View H: 96°/78°, V: 70°/58°
Close Focus Distance N/A
IR LEDs 12
IR Distance Distance up to 30m (98ft)
IR On/Off Control Auto/Manual
Pan/Tilt Range Pan: 0° ~ 360°; Tilt:0°~90°;Rotation:0°~360°
Event Trigger Motion Detection, Video Tampering, Scene Changing, Network Disconnection, IP Address Conflict, Illegal Access, Storage Anomaly
IVS Tripwire, Intrusion
Power Up Action Auto restore to previous PTZ and lens status after power failure
Video Compression H.265+/H.265/MJPEG(Sub Stream)
Video Resolution 5M(2592x1944)/4M(2688x1520)
Video Frame Rate
Main stream: 5M(1 ~ 15fps)/3M (1 ~ 25/30fps)
Sub stream1: D1(1 ~ 25/30fps)
Video Bitrate H.265:12K~8448Kbps
H.264: 32K ~ 10240Kbps
Audio Compression G.711a/G.711Mu/G.726/AAC
Network Interoperability ONVIF Profile S&G, API
Streaming Method Unicast / Multicast
Network Max. Users 10 users/20 users
Storage NAS (Network Attached Storage),Local PC for instant recording
Web Viewer IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari
Management Software Smart PSS, DSS, DMSS
Mobile iPhone, Android
Certifications CE: (EN 60950:2000)
FCC: Part15 subpartB
UL: UL60950-1
RS485 N/A
Power Supply DC 12V, PoE (IEEE 802.3af)(Class 0)
Power Consumption < 6W
Those cams don't add up to $20K. Is there an NVR or PC system in the works as well? Not that it matters. Still doesn't add up. They get 20K, you get a camera system. Sounds like a 0% interest loan in your name and they control all the strings.
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 16,139
- 27,109
Do you have a company name? A product name? pictures of the cameras?
Honestly imho, they are scammers and certainly not to be trusted at all.
They said the cameras are built by them using various components. They did show me pictures of the cameras as well as footage from these cameras. They looked exactly like Dahua starlight in my opinion. The name of their company is Ageint Security.
www.securityinstallerthewoodlands.com/home
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