ZoneMinder Forums

I'm on a very tight budget and pricing indoor composite cameras and I'm wondering, with vendors who don't offer sample shots, how can you tell the build and image quality?

There seem to be a really bewildering variety of choices. In the past I assumed CCD was almost always better but now people tell me no, they both are good.. etc.

It would be nice to save that money.

Also, I'm gathering that on the more inexpensive cameras, the 12mm "MTV"? lens thread is now pretty standard. Are those lenses generally interchangeable?

Assuming that I stay away from ones with the built in "IR LEDs" (which would seem like asking for trouble?) how long do the inexpensive cameras typically last in an indoor application? Are there any standouts in value?

Thank you.

Grab some analog cameras off ebay.

I posed some pics here.
http://www.zoneminder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15637

This seller I would recommend.
http://stores.ebay.com/Nellys-Surplus

As far as the image sensor honestly it depends who makes the cam.

Yes stay away from "IR LEDs" because most home grade ones have a permanent ir filter active which makes the colors look wierd.


Also if you look at that seller you will see the only difference between the camera are then lenses (yes they are interchangeable)