Interest In Fit-Pc New Surveillance Offerings?

JH
John Honovich
Dec 20, 2013
IPVM

For quite some time, Fit-PC has been a fairly popular choice for higher end, small form factor hardware to use with VMS software. Fit-PC though did not offer surveillance specific models, just product options that could be used with surveillance.

Now, Fit-PC has released 2 models that are surveillance 'optimized' - one with built in 16 analog encoder for a 'hybrid DVR' and another with a built in 5 port PoE switch for 4 IP cameras.

Here's their marketing photo of the analog / hybrid DVR option:

Using pigtails like this gets messy fast.

I suspect the Fit-PoE has more potential. Starting price is $482 USD though typically with Fit-PC that's typically completely barebone / lowest hardware option.

Embedded PoE switches are clearly gaining ground (e.g., the Dahua/QSee kit), but the Fit-PoE is likely to cost as much as an entire kit that comes with VMS software and cameras.

I think there's a market but it strikes me as a higher end, niche one.

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Ethan Ace
Dec 20, 2013

The one thing I've noticed about the Fit-PCs we have used is that they run very hot. Even the model with the heat sink attached is consistently hot to the point where you would not want to be holding it for more than a few seconds. Adding a PoE switch to it, or even the analog capture cards, seems like it would make this worse.

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Brian Rhodes
Dec 20, 2013
IPVMU Certified

Why do 'using pigtails like this gets messy fast'? Is it because they are so tightly bundled, or is there another issue? I'm genuinely curious.

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Brian Karas
Dec 20, 2013
Pelican Zero

You'll end up with this blob of cables. At the very least you need some way to secure the cables to keep the weight off of the connector that goes in to the unit. Plus, it *looks* like they have video (BNC) and audio (RCA) cables there, even though the audio would probably not be used very often. So, you have to move some of unused connectors off to the side, arrange the ones you are using, and secure the whole bundle in some kind of neat, yet servicable, configuration. Not impossible, but they didn't do the installer any favors here.

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Brian Rhodes
Dec 20, 2013
IPVMU Certified

Thanks Brian. It looks like troubleshooting a single pigtail would be a total pain, too.

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Brian Karas
Dec 20, 2013
Pelican Zero

These look more appealing to a company like NLSS or Exacw or whatever that would buy the hardware in bulk, load their software on it to make an actual "product". For the average integrator, this is going to be a very expensive alternative to just buying a cheap PC and a PoE switch, especially when you can get decent 8 Port (4 PoE/4 Non-PoE ports) for $80 these days.

But for people building mobile surveillance kits, cameras-on-a-pole kits, etc., they could probably afford this.

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #1
Dec 20, 2013

Isn't a challenge of having built in analog encoders that you need software that can read the encoders or have drivers developed?

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Ethan Ace
Dec 20, 2013

That has always been my understanding. I know of at least one major manufacturer who was going to release support for capture cards but didn't see much return on investment in writing the drivers.

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