Why are some of the E-Bay cameras so cheap?

I came across many cameras at prices below £20 and on this site I saw some of very different price categories too - I always wondered what causes the huge difference in price - All cameras seem to be relatively new technology - Could you explain please?

Quality

Hello there and thank you for your question!The answer is simple: Quality. Maybe you could tell us where you saw the cheap cameras, but I am quite sure they looked a bit similar to Coke Cans? Most cameras are manufactured in Asia and there are three product quality levels:

  • Japan - Highest Quality... followed by Korea
  • Taiwan - Good Quality
  • China - Low Quality

We ordered CCTV Cameras from China several times - hoping for an increase in profits :-) - but we decided to stay with quality. The Infra Red boards fail after a few months to two years with many cameras. The picture quality is not as clear. There are instabillity issues with many power-supplies PSU's. Especially when video transmission equipment is used there can be problems.We have a reputation to keep up and after all we are in the Security Sector. Security Systems should simply be reliable, or Security of Property, Staff or Family could be compromised. 

Quality

Hi there,

I saw you listed three different quality levels of products manfactured in Asia, and technically you were right.

But now it is different, at least the changes are occurring in some Chinese manufacturers in CCTV,who are concerning on quality and international reputations and their own innovations.

Check those company out, i knw their quality quite a well, years ago Chinese governments only purchase leader brands such as GE,PELCO for their projects.But now they begin to purchase and install domestic brands,because the quality and service is good enough now.What you find on their datasheets,you can find the same performance:

vadsys manufacturer of fiber optical transmission sysstem

hikvision  DVR

foko  CAMERA

dahuasecurity CAMERA

 

LED nightvision?

We have individual lights (led s) failing. The seller said it meigh have to do with to much power in our electrical system. Can that be the case or are we being ripped off?

Failing LEDs in Night Vision Borads

Hello,

unfortunately this is what happens to most of the Night Vision LED- Boards eventualy. The complete board or some of the LED s will start failing - and that in every price category.

Another reqason to stay away from Infra Red. We recommend to revert to DSS Night Vision (Sens Up) if there is at least 'some' light in the area.

Another option would be professional IR Spotlights in the area - It is all a budget question.

Your CCTV Editorial Team