cglaeser

The Panasonic WV-NW502S domes are now selling on the net in the range $1092 to $1145. At least one company claims to have the domes in stock. Can we post links to products for sale? I can't seem to locate the FAQ that discusses that. Anyway, Google is your friend. Best, Christopher

Probably. The better camera manufacturers can tell you the difference in sensitivity at each wavelength. Best, Christopher

RayMax makes excellent IR illuminators. They also cost more than the cheapo brands. 940 nm is further from the visible spectrum and are more difficult to see the source at night. 850 nm are closer to the visible spectrum, and it's much easier to see a red glow in darkness. However, the sensitivity of security cameras generally falls off from 850 nm to 940 nm too. So, if the camera sensor has half the sensitivity at 940 nm, then you will need twice the IR power at 940 nm to get the same image as 840 nm. Check with the camera manufacturer to determine the IR sensitivity. 940 nm is often called covert, which means you can't see the IR source. Best, Christopher

No, I'm not saying they lied, I'm saying the data sheet specifies a lux value that was measured using the slowest possible shutter speed. That is why lux values on data sheets without shutter speeds are useless. The Axis 223M really can get the lux value specified in the data sheet, but you have to use a 2 second shutter speed to achieve that lux value. If other manufacturers are using a 1/5 s shutter speeds and Axis is using a 2 second shutter speed, and none of the manufacturers specify the shutter speeds used to measure the lux values, there is no way to really compare the low light capabilities of the different cameras. It's like saying a car gets 88 miles, without specifying how many gallons were used to measure the 88 miles. If a car gets 88 miles per 2 gallons, that's not really lying, it's just useless information. I'm just saying they must include both the miles AND gallons, as in 88 miles per 2 gallons. Then we can all do the math, and if we prefer to know per gallon, then we can convert it to 44 miles per gallon, or 22 miles per 1/2 gallon, etc. Best, Christopher

I haven't tested the Arecont 3130 and the Panasonic 502 isn't even shipping yet, so this is shooting from the hip, but the Panasonic could come out on top for the following reasons. For many applications, low light night performance is a priority. The 3130 uses a 1.3 mp sensor at night. The 502 uses a 3 mp sensor for day and night. And, although the 502 H.264 is not 3 mp, the even/odd pixels of the 3 mp sensor are combined to significantly increase the dynamic range. Night scenes are notorious for an extremely wide dynamic range (e.g. cars under the street light are significantly brighter than cars beyond the street lights). So, it is possible for the 502 to have significantly more detail compared to other more conventional 1.3 mp sensors. And, of course, as you point out, the 3 mp jpg stills are also available via a separate stream. In summary, if the minimum lux levels of the 3130 and 502 are comparable (which remains to be seen given that the 3130 does not use an rgp bayer pattern at night and has a 1/2" sensor), it's quite possible the 502 could come out on top at night. Of course, much of this is speculation. Best, Christopher

Thanks for posting this link. I talked to Axis last week about their lux testing methodology. They opened a support ticket to provide more information, but I have yet to hear back from them. This is my understanding based on that phone conversation. The Axis testing methodology applies to all newer cameras which are generally identified by starting with an alpha (letter) in the model number. Older cameras may not have been tested with this methodology. In addition, I did some testing myself using a Minolta photographer's light meter and the Axis 223M. Based on my analysis, the 223M is no where close to 0.2 lux at 200 ms (or 0.2 seconds) as described in the test methodology. I think the 223M is much closer to 0.2 lux at 2 seconds, which is the slowest possible shutter speed, and ten times slower than the Axis test methodology. This means at a more respectable 1/50 s shutter speed, the minimum lux rating for the 223M is about 20 lux. Best, Christopher

How can I be assured of the performance when they don't specify the performance? I'm not suggesting their numbers are wrong; I'm suggesting they don't give meaningful numbers. 0.05 lux doesn't mean anything without a shutter speed. Is that 1/60? 1/30? 2 seconds? There is a huge difference between 0.05 lux at 1/60 and 0.05 lux at 2 seconds. So, 0.05 lux doesn't mean squat by itself. Oh, and by the way, some manufacturers actually use a shutter speed of 2 seconds to measure their lux ratings, which I suppose is useful if you need to watch mold grow at night. Best, Christopher "This one goes to eleven." -- Spinal Tap

I tried to upload an image from my computer, but the CCTV forum failed to upload the image. Is there a size limit? Best, Christopher

You need good motion sensors, not inexpensive motion/light combos. Crows are considered by most security installers to be top of the line. In addition, Crow makes IR beam sensors, and the high power versions have a very long reach. You could easily create perimeters with Crow IR beams that would turn on lights and/or alert you anytime someone tries to enter or has entered your barn. Even if I spent $15,000 on the perfect low light security camera system, I would still include motion sensors and IR beams to protect my barn with an early warning system. Not only that, I would start with the motion early warning system, and then add cameras later. You can install a low cost wireless security system in the house that alerts you at night whenever someone is walking around your barn. Best, Christopher

Just reviewed the PowerPoint presentation. Sweet. I want one. Best, Christopher

What is the cost to end users? Best, Christopher

Yes, useless. If you want to say the camera is IR sensitive, then just say the camera is IR sensitive. The B/W minimum lux rating should be stated with an associated shutter speed, without an IR source. Honestly, I think this is an area where the FTC and/or state attorneys general should require some minimum standard for reporting security camera lux values. In my opinion, companies should not be allowed to specify a lux value without an associated shutter speed. Best, Christopher

The specifications include four lux ratings with associated shutter speeds. 1. 3 Megapixel: Color: 1.0 lux, B/W: 0.08 lux at F1.2 (Shutter: 1/30 s, AGC: High, SD: OFF) Color: 0.06 lux, B/W: 0.005 lux at F1.2 (Shutter: 16/30 s, AGC: High, SD: OFF) 3 Megapixel (JPEG only) Color: 2.0 lux, B/W: 0.16 lux at F1.2 (Shutter: 1/30 s, AGC: High), Color: 0.12 lux, B/W: 0.01 lux at F1.2 (Shutter: 16/30 s, AGC: High) Thank you Panasonic and Mobotix!!! Now, if only companies like Axis would do the same. Reporting a lux value without the shutter speed is useless. Best, Christopher

Pretty slick. Has the pricing been announced for the box cam? For the outdoor dome version? Is there a reseller than has them in stock? Best, Christopher

Yes, I have Axis 223M and Axis 207MW and they work very well in this mode. And yes, there are some false events, but the total bandwidth and file size is tiny in comparison to a modest network and NAS. If you want a distributed security system, Axis is an excellent choice. The feature Axis falls short is low light sensitivity. I'm curious to see how well the new P3344 does in low light. Axis claims 0.05 lux, but as usual for Axis, they fail to mention the associated shutter speed. Tech support is working on getting an answer for that. Best, Christopher

Wireless is not as reliable as a wired LAN. Sometimes connections are dropped for no apparent reason. Even more problematic, the system may work today but stop working next week because you or your neighbors added more electronic equipment that operate in the same band. Best, Christopher

For cameras that support advanced motion detection, this may not be a problem. My application is a good example. There is relatively little motion on my culdesac on a typical day. Mail delivery, paper delivery, neighbor walking a dog, etc. On the rare occasions there is motion, I want exceptionally good images. The average load is just a few hundred images per day per camera. Best, Christopher

Even cameras that are sensitive to IR begin to fall off from 850 nm to 950 nm. If the camera is half as sensitive at 950 nm compared to 850 nm, then you would need twice the output. Because cameras have less sensitivity at 950 nm, that wavelength is much less popular unless the IR source must be covert. I use a Raymax 50 Fusion mounted less than a meter from the camera. I never have a problem with bugs. Once every few months I may get a glimpse of a bat. I know $189x2 seems like a lot of money because it is a lot of money, but it's hard to ID vandals and burglars at night on a limited budget. When homes and cars are robbed at night, people say, hey, I got robbed last night, so they check the video, and sure enough, they were robbed at precisely 2:13 am. The cameras provide an excellent time stamp, but little else that will help solve the crime. To ID vandals at night, you will need very good low-light cameras. Do you really need to catch the vandals, or is it good enough to keep them away from your barn? Crow IR motion sensors and Crow IR beams placed around the barn that, when triggered, turn night into day, can be done for a fraction of the costs you are proposing. Best, Christopher

What is the model number? Best, Christopher

The IQ BW and IR images are out of focus. Try focusing the IR and see if the color focus remains good enough. Best, Christopher

I'm not at all surprised. That is more common than not. Developers will test a product on a few of the more common operating system releases, but the product will likely run on many more operating systems than are included in the installer. Windows 2K is often not tested or included in the install list, but that does not mean it won't run on Windows 2K. Best, Christopher

Here is the unfortunate news. If you build a system on a limited budget, you may very well get video of someone vandalizing your car, but unless you know them personally, it's unlikely you will get any video that can be used to identify anyone. All the video will do is confirm that someone vandalized your car with a time stamp. I've seen many low-end videos of burglaries, and it's really difficult to see the persons face, particularly at night. A home in our neighborhood had cameras mounted throughout the house and the front and back doors. Three men broke into the house, stole a bunch of stuff, noticed the video cameras, set the house on fire, and left. The police obtained many images, but none were very good. And that theft was in the middle of the day with good lighting. So, the question to ask yourself is, what are you trying to accomplish? Do you need the ability to identify a person who vandalized your car in the middle of the night? That may influence your budget. Best, Christopher

Check out the Crow Outdoor IR Beams at http://www.crowelec.com/products.asp?param=6#part_33 Best, Christopher

Lux ratings are pretty much useless without the shutter speed. Consider the data sheets for the following hypothetical cameras? Camera A - 0.05 lux Camera B - 0.5 lux Which camera would you select for a night security camera? Before you answer, let's reveal more information. Camera A - 0.05 lux @ 2 s Camera B - 0.1 lux @ 1/50 s Operating Camera A with a shutter speed of 2 s is pretty much useless. Virtually all motion except for growing mold will be blurry. So, if we operate Camera A at a more reasonable 1/50 s, then the minimum light required would be 5 lux, which is considerably more light than is required by Camera B. In other words, the lux ratings commonly listed in security camera data sheets are pretty much useful without the associated shutter speed. Best, Christopher

How long is the potential/likely breach distance? Best, Christopher