|
Q-see gives you the same extension cables in all their cameras, but it lowers the resolution of their truly high res cameras like the 550SR which when placed into a modern hdtv set or a professional video monitor / VTR can really show its stuff.Like always, it all boils down to money - if money is tight, this will do the job - if you want all the fancy features of backlight cancellation and noise reduction, and the ability to configure the camera to your exact situation, then spend the $70 extra and get the one 550SR instead. I was much happier and over the lifespan of the camera, $70 is not that much when it comes to being able to get good color and good night picture quality.I'm giving it a 3 star rating because this one still puts out alot of IR light and because it is 70 dollars cheaper. I settled on 3 because q-see has such a clearly defined low-medium-high end product line. The mounting bracket is also superior on the 550SR than this camera. Their roll cable (500 ft bulk) is true rg-59 which is much better suited to the task. The freebies that come in the camera box combine power and video into one cable with a single shield being the power ground. This is the medium and the expectations are set by that.The testing:On one hand Q-see managed to put out a value line of a true CCD imager with exceptional IR output (I have a lab grade IR meter and the LEDs in this really do put out the beam) but.for $70 more you can get their top of the line unit Q-see Outdoor Ccd Camera 540TVL with 250FT Night VisionHere's what the $70 upgrade buys you#1 - the QSB550SR is a true high definition camera with 550 lines of TV resolution in night mode (540 in color day mode) - this camera is measuring about 470 lines. You set these parameters with an on screen menu that is pulled up with a PS/2 keyboard mini-din plug (email me for info on how to make a remote from a ps/2 cable - no sense in buying a remote you're only going to use to setup the camera)I sent back this unit and bought the 550SR - not only was it feature packed, but the 10X zoom lens was a real "wow" factor and the LEDs were focused to the distance so you could use the zoom feature.
But if it were any more expensive it would be a 2 star camera compared to the 550SR. On the spool cable it is a "siamese" construction with two power wires separate from the genuine rg-59 coax that you can crimp any connector you want (rca on the tv end for example and bnc on the camera end if you don't use a DVR) Plus you can peal back the power side of the cable and run it to a distribution box like the Q-See QS1210 18 Camera Power Distribution Panel which makes for a more professional install. I'll be honest here - I'm wavering between 2 and 3 stars - I've changed it twice. It's a big deal in being able to read a license plate or not.#2 - the 550SR also uses a genuine SONY SUPER HAD imager instead of the no-name ccd chip inside this unit#3 - the 550SR actually puts out MORE IR than this unit#4 - the 550SR has a much better weather sealed case#5 - the 550SR has a 10X zoom lens (5mm - 50mm)#6 - the 550SR has a focus and zoom ring weather sealed#7 - the 550SR comes with a 3A power supply And last, but certainly not least#8,9,10 the 550SR has inside it a sony DSP noise reduction chip and built it motion detection, and backlight control, as well as your choice of night mode being IR w/color or IR and only black + white but with better resolution. The Sony image quality just can't be beat - at night it is a.00006 lux camera which is pretty spectacular at turning night into day, and this camera's CCD chip does not do that well at night - the whole image is pretty grey without fine detail that the real high resolution sony gives.One note - the extension cables (65 ft or so) that q-see gives you are at best average.
$10 to ship to QSee and a week later, camera came back with a clear image during the day, but at night it looks like your looking through fog. Camera came out of the box not working, the image was a blur. Can't see a clear image at 150 ft.
The one it comes with is embarrassingly inadequate for any practical use. It's an OK unit if you don't mind retrofitting this camera to a realistic mounting bracket. That also took some retrofitting. The camera seems to be working just fine, although I am a bit concerned about a metallic tumbling sound that happens when you invert the unit- there is something loose in there and I can't get it out. The night vision is excellent, I already provided my local police with footage of a suspect breaking into a car. Next disappointment is the light shield; it doesn't fit the rails on the camera.
|
