Advice for building a PC for recording

[iSeeRemotely]

Our company provides remote video systems for companies and one of the features is to record the video 24/7.

The recording software can record up to 64 cameras at a time, all cameras will be IP Network cameras. We need to build a new PC that is fast enough to record a bunch of cameras at once, 24/7.

I want to make sure the PC I am thinking of putting together has the right choice of equipment.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

Motherboard: ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

HD: something small to run the OS


I was thinking of 4gigs or ram and then attaching 1TB external HD's through firewire (since that would be faster than using USB).

My first question is, will those components be fast enough for a system that is only going to be running recording software and is it better to use internal hard drives, or is using external hard drives fast enough?

Thanks for any advice you guys might have!

[The Village Idiot]

To me at least all the links you posted don't work.

[glc]

You can't just drag links out of another forum and paste them - you have to right click on them and do a copy/paste.

If you want to use a bunch of external drives, go eSATA. It's faster and better than USB or Firewire. You can buy stacks of eSATA that connect through one port.

[iSeeRemotely]

Those links were product from NewEgg.com

[iSeeRemotely]

Originally Posted by glc You can't just drag links out of another forum and paste them - you have to right click on them and do a copy/paste. If you want to use a bunch of external drives, go eSATA. It's faster and better than USB or Firewire. You can buy stacks of eSATA that connect through one port.

What models are you able to do this with?

The only thing I don't like, from what I see on NewEgg.com, is they all have RAID. It's a great feature, but I'm not using this for backup.

[iSeeRemotely]

This is the system I priced out:

http://i6.tinypic.com/6y34fiv.jpg

[Alaron]

_Moderator_ Please do not post inline images. Links are preferred. Thanks.

Your list is pretty good, but I would suggest a new power supply. CoolMax units are ok at best and 600w is overkill. Go with this unit instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

[iSeeRemotely]

Sorry about that, i won't post images anymore.

Thanks for the advice though, I'll change to what you suggest. I appreciate it!

[glc]

http://www.addonics.com/products/raid_system/mst4.asp

Browse their site for other options. They are the most innovative company out there when it comes to external drive systems.

[piasabird]

Might want to be looking at some websites that deal with security camaras and their associated software. Generally they dont record 24/7. Usually they store a reference frame and dont record anything till the reference frame changes. Works like a motion detector. The amount of data stored depends on the frames per seconds you are recording. Could be as little as about 16 FPS or up to about 120FPS, and the resolution the camera is capable of. The more resolution the larger the files.

[iSeeRemotely]

This software is from Panasonic, for their cameras - which we are a certified dealer/installer for.

The software runs on a PC and monitors the cameras live, while recording. Now the speed and FPS are based on how fast the 2 connections are, and the speed of the PC. I can view 16 cameras on my laptop and pretty much get a live feed, sometimes it'll skip 1 or 2 seconds.

The cameras run up to 30/FPS

The cameras are listed on our website: www.iseeremotely.com