Subscriber Discussion

Recorder - IEC Cord Vs Power Brick?

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Jon Dillabaugh
•Mar 03, 2017
Pro Focus LLC

Am I one of the rare few who actually prefer external power supplies? Sure, it is easier to manage the IEC cord vs the power brick. But, if you were to have a PSU failure (and who hasn't), would you rather swap out the entire DVR, or just a brick, which you may already have on hand and can swap in a few minutes?

I had a discussion recently about this concerning small LCD monitors. I prefer the units with the external brick. I simply velcro them to the backside of the display, which effectively ends up being about the same wire management. But in the case of a bad PSU, I can simply replace the brick and move on. I don't have to rip open the display and take out the power board and replace caps or wait for a board swap.

Bottom line is the minor, one-time inconvenience of managing the brick is not that much of a hassle when considering the time savings you get if/when it fails.

NOTICE: This comment was moved from an existing discussion: Uniview NVR Tested

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TC
Trisha (Chris' wife) Dearing
•Mar 03, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I prefer internally mounted external power supplies for the best of both worlds.  On some Dahua models there seems to be an ideal spot for the supplied brick:

Maybe it blocks the vent a bit too much, but at least it lowers the fan noise ;)

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Mar 03, 2017

I prefer IEC cords.  One reasoning being that the whole unit is usually UL certified rather than just the power supply.  The second being that if someone jerks the connector of a external brick out wrong it may need to go back for repair.  

Generally, in regard to NVRs/DVRs I am not so worried about the power supply whether IEC, wall wart, or power brick as they should not be touched much.  I do have to say I have an intense dislike for LCD monitors with bricks, particularly as they grow in size.  The connection point tends to face downwards and end up obscured by a mount.  This requires taking that entire display off the mount to reconnect when it is easily disconnected on accident.

The ease of replacement of a PSU is a good counterpoint.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Mar 04, 2017
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

One more thought - I am most often dealing with servers, server/workstations, and Panasonic NVRs.  All of those have IEC cords with a little piece hanging out in order to zip tied the cord near the device so that it does not get unplugged.  The other end is a whole different matter.

DS
David Shepherd
•Mar 04, 2017

I prefer an IEC lead directly into the DVR. Much easier to replace/substitute in the event that a power adapter gets lost (yes, even though DVRs aren't typically the sort of thing that get carried around it does happen occasionally), or someone brings a DVR into the workshop for testing/repair without any cables.

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Jon Dillabaugh
•Mar 04, 2017
Pro Focus LLC
In reply to David Shepherd

Surely a 12VDC/2A PSU can't be that hard to come by in your shop? And as far as them walking away on site, don't you put your recorders in a lockbox or out of reach?

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U
Undisclosed #2
•Mar 04, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Jon Dillabaugh

And as far as them walking away on site, don't you put your recorders in a lockbox or out of reach?

If the thieves would just take the power supply and the recorder there wouldn't a problem ;)

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DS
David Shepherd
•Mar 06, 2017
In reply to Jon Dillabaugh

They're not hard to come by, but they're also something that tends to go walkabout, even in the workshop. As for installations - while I prefer to mount the DVR in a rack, which is preferably locked, this is not always an option, particularly in residential installations. A lot of DVRs just get set up on a bench, on top of a cabinet or on a desk.

MM
Michael Miller
•Mar 04, 2017

IEC cord > power brick

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U
Undisclosed #2
•Mar 04, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Power bricks are fanless. I hate cheap-ass noisy fans.

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