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Frequently Asked Questions
Sales & Support
Ordering, Shipping & Support
Find answers about project quotes, special orders, technical support, shipping, and order processing.
Can I request a project quote?
Yes. We provide project quotations for video surveillance, access control, networking, structured cabling, fiber optic infrastructure, audio/video solutions, and other professional systems. Send us your equipment list, preferred manufacturer or model numbers, or project requirements, and our team will prepare a competitive quote.
Can I special-order a product that is not listed on your website?
In many cases, yes. If you are looking for a specific product that is not currently listed on our website, contact our sales team with the manufacturer name and model number. We can check availability, pricing, estimated lead times, and any applicable special-order requirements.
Do you provide technical support and product configuration assistance?
We provide product guidance and technical assistance for eligible products purchased through our company. Assistance may include initial configuration, compatibility questions, basic troubleshooting, and coordination with manufacturer support. The scope of support may vary by product, manufacturer, purchase date, and warranty status.
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes. We ship security, networking, access control, cabling, audio/video, and other professional equipment throughout the United States. Depending on product availability, orders may ship from our warehouse or directly from one of our vendors.
How quickly will my order ship?
Most in-stock orders placed before 2:00 PM CST ship the same business day. Depending on availability, products may ship from our warehouse or directly from one of our vendors. While many orders are processed quickly, some may require up to 48 business hours to process. Contact our sales team before ordering if you have a firm installation deadline or require expedited shipping.
Product Guidance
Security Camera, NVR, PoE & Cabling Questions
Learn how to select compatible IP cameras, network video recorders, PoE switches, surveillance storage, and cable for professional security camera installations.
What size PoE switch do I need for my IP camera system?
Choose a PoE switch based on the number of IP cameras, available PoE ports, total power budget, individual camera wattage, network speed, and uplink requirements. PTZ cameras, multisensor cameras, heaters, infrared illuminators, and active-deterrence cameras may require more power than standard fixed cameras. Select a switch with enough ports and PoE capacity for the current system, plus room for future expansion.
How much storage does my NVR need for security cameras?
NVR storage requirements depend on the number of cameras, video resolution, frame rate, bitrate, compression format, recording schedule, and required retention period. Continuous recording uses more storage than motion- or event-based recording, while 4K security cameras require more capacity than lower-resolution cameras. Our team can help estimate the appropriate surveillance hard-drive capacity for your IP camera system.
What cable should I use for security cameras?
Most modern IP security cameras use Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6A Ethernet cable for network connectivity and Power over Ethernet. Cat6 is a common choice for professional installations because it supports Gigabit networking and offers improved performance over Cat5e. The cable must also have the appropriate indoor, outdoor, plenum, riser, shielded, or direct-burial rating for the installation environment and applicable building codes.
Can I mix different brands of IP cameras and NVRs?
Different brands of IP cameras and NVRs may work together when both products support compatible protocols such as ONVIF. Basic video streaming and recording may be available, but advanced features such as AI analytics, audio, active deterrence, event notifications, motion detection, and remote configuration may be limited. Using cameras and recorders from the same manufacturer usually provides the widest feature compatibility.
What is ONVIF compatibility for IP security cameras?
ONVIF is an interoperability standard that helps IP security cameras, network video recorders, and video management systems communicate across different manufacturers. ONVIF compatibility may support device discovery, video streaming, and basic recording, but it does not guarantee that every camera feature will work with every NVR or video management platform.
What is the difference between an NVR and a DVR security system?
An NVR, or network video recorder, records digital video from IP security cameras over an Ethernet network. A DVR, or digital video recorder, typically records video from analog cameras connected through coaxial cable. NVR systems generally provide higher resolutions, easier network expansion, advanced analytics, and more flexible installations, while DVR systems may be useful when upgrading an existing analog surveillance system.
Need Help Selecting the Right Equipment?
Contact our team for product recommendations, system compatibility assistance, project quotations, order support, and technical guidance.
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