Anyone know anything about this company?
Subscriber Discussion
Any Info On Security Camera Warehouse? What Should I Use For My Convenience Store / Gas Station?
PS
Paul Shah
Apr 05, 2018Looks like a Uniview OEM
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018Thank you. I’m an end user trying to gain a little knowledge before making a purchase. I haven’t had much luck with local companies selling IP systems for my Circle K Franchise so I have decided to purchase direct.
PS
Paul Shah
Apr 05, 2018JH
Jay Hobdy
Apr 05, 2018Aren't they affiliated with Richard Rawlings and Garage Rehab?
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018I currently have 16 HD-SDI cameras. I’m remodeling the gas station and convenience store and adding 1000sq ft. I was looking to add 12 IP cameras inside the store.
JH
Jay Hobdy
Apr 05, 2018JH
Jay Hobdy
Apr 05, 2018I agree with Paul, what are you looking for?
The issue you may be facing is the projects are small and in my experience, small retail stores don't have the budget for a professional install.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018I am in California.
PS
Paul Shah
Apr 05, 2018What brand do you currently have?
Out of curiosity, does Circle K have a camera system that they require you to have and if so, do you have access to those?
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018I agree and understand your point. That’s why Security Camera Warehouse seemed like a good option. For under $10K I can get a good 4MP system that’s plug and play.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018Eyemax | HD-SDI 1080P (2MP) STORM® Outdoor Vandal-resistant IP68 Dome Camera w/ Auto-Iris VF Lens, Dual Power.
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Paul Shah
Apr 05, 2018This looks like a Dahua OEM.
Have you thought of getting the same brand or other brands that OEM from Dahua?
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018Circle K does not endorse or recommend any specific camera system. They only require their franchisees have a system in place.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018Open to any suggestions
U
Undisclosed #1
Apr 05, 2018Hmm,
for under $10K you can get few system:)
with at least 6MP cameras
IPVM can provide you with my Info
JH
John Honovich
Apr 05, 2018Kam, you are better off in the long term buying from a 'real' manufacturer. By that I mean, Security Camera Warehouse is not 'real' and is just relabelling others. Same for Eyemax which looks to be a brand or seller of Unix CCTV which OEMs from other sources.
Whether it is lower cost Chinese product like Dahua, Hikvision or Uniview or more expensive Hanwha, Vivotek, Axis (to name a few examples on both sides) you are better off buying from a real manufacturer with direct support. For example, if you need to extend the system, get it serviced, etc. you have far more options than a small relabeler / OEM.
Also, HD-SDI is in very limited supply. You can consider HD analog but the safest is probably IP cameras (see HD Analog vs IP Guide) long term.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018So what do I do and who do I call?
Jon Dillabaugh
Apr 05, 2018I highly suggest you do as John said above, stick with mainstream brands and models. Don't get stuck in obscure, no-name tech. You may, or may not, save a few bucks today, but surely will pay in the future. A well thought out system doesn't have to cost more necessarily. The best planned system will save you long term.
May I ask is this a long term investment, or are you short on this business? That could very well change the way you approach this. If you plan on selling it in the next year, the amount you invest could be less. If this is your long term investment that you have no plans on selling, then investing in a better, more expandable, open standards based system today will surely save you money down the road.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018This is a long term commitment.
Jon Dillabaugh
Apr 05, 2018I would highly suggest going IP and staying with the best brand you can afford. We also prefer to sell a VMS server instead of a standalone NVR recorder, because the VMS is going to be much easier to use, will accept far more brands, models, and types of cameras, and will allow much more expansion than your average NVR. Going this route, you will need some fundamental IP knowledge in order to install, configure, and maintain the system. If you have that background, then you should be fine. If you lack any working knowledge of IP networks, then you should either dig into one of John's classes here at IPVM, or hire an integrator that will work on your terms.
For instance, those 16 HD-SDI cameras that you have are obsolete and no longer being supported by current technologies. They were a niche product when in favor, due to their extra cost over standard analog, but did have a few advantages over traditional analog. At this point, you have a few options here. You could:
a) Upgrade them to modern HDA cameras ($)
b) Use EoC (Ethernet over Coax) adapters with IP cameras ($$)
c) Replace the existing Coax cables with CAT5/6 ($$)
d) Keep the SDI and add more ($$$)
Some of these options are hard costs (buying parts and materials) and some are soft costs (labor that you may be able to do on your own) that you can possibly avoid. I don't want to make any assumptions about your abilities here, but if you are capable of replacing the Coax wire yourself, wire is very cheap. I don't know your abilities or how valuable your time is. This could end up being more expensive than using an EoC if you hire it out.
Lots of variables here to work with.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018Finding this site and getting advice from pro's like you guys is golden to me and I appreciate it. Your right the HD-SDI camera's are dated but I am going to keep 8 of them that I have above my gas pumps with the DVR for surveillance. What attracted me to Security Camera Warehouse was I could buy 4k IP cameras and have my electrician install them in a day. I am under construction , the t-bar ceiling is exposed so running CAT 5/6 during the remodel would be easy. If you know someone out in Simi Valley that you can recommend or Jon said I should buy from the manufacture ( does that mean going to their website and buying direct) I don't know.
Jon Dillabaugh
Apr 05, 2018You will have trouble buying direct from any manufacturer as an end user. You will likely also have issues buying from distributors, as they claim not to sell end users as well. However, some have reported that distributors do sell direct to end users, even though they claim otherwise. Usually only to larger end users who will buy a large number of products over time.
Now, Security Camera Warehouse sounds like an OEM wholesaler, which isn't the same as a direct distributor. These wholesalers usually will sell to end users, albeit at their retail pricing levels. Smaller installers still buy from these wholesalers too, but usually are given a discount off of list price, with hopes that they will order for more than one project. At this level, you are probably buying OEM items, which means they are not usually supported by the manufacturer. You rely on the wholesaler to support your products directly. Since they don't actually make the products, they have their hands tied as to just how deeply they can support your products. I know of a few really great OEMs that try very hard and do a very good job. They are here on IPVM too.
That said, I'm glad that end users, like yourself, are getting educated before making a purchase. While I'm not in CA, so I can't be of direct help to you, I value educated customers such as yourself. Educated buyers usually value their systems more, because they can appreciate all that goes into the install and config. They appreciate all of the time we spend educating ourselves here on IPVM, learning about emerging products, keeping informed on technologies like analytics and deep learning, and more.
I hope your project goes well. If you decide to find a local dealer for help, you can use the dealer locator here on IPVM to find someone near you to give you a hand.
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kam sawalha
Apr 05, 2018Thank you. I think I will spend some more time on this site learning and go from there.
Sean Patton
Apr 06, 2018Kam,
As Jon mentioned we have an Integrator Finder that shows a dozen or more integrator members around Simi Valley California, and 1 right in Simi Valley.
For anyone trying to decide between HD Analog and IP, we have a Guide that breaks it down pretty well, with links to camera tests, recorders vs VMS platforms like Jon also mentioned... its a long read with a ton of info. I would start there if I were you. If you get confused or lost in the details, follow up here, or in that discussion section.
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