C7Installer

Box Cameras. CS Lens mount. Currently has a DC iris lens on it (2.8 - 6mm).

We have a customer with three of these cameras already installed. I think they're cheap cameras, but I can't find any information on them. They have "Power Tech" written right on the side; model "500DN" with "EHDN" ExView HAD CCDs. Apparently they are day/night cameras, though they're mounted indoors. Image quality is rather poor. They're connected to an EyeMax DV9120 PC-Based DVR. I'm trying to find some documentation on them to see if they can be adjusted. There are three dip switches on the back that are marked W1, W2, and W3. I'm not sure what these are for. There are other switches for AGC, BLC, FL and VID/DC that I'm familiar with. I am planning on replacing them if I can't improve the image.

You don't need to "paste a link", just type out the web address as you have been doing. Since we are unfamiliar with your make/model of DVR, it would be helpful if you could point us to a copy of the manual. If there is a place on the Internet, let us know so we can help guide you through the setup.

CACHECREEKCCTV: Not sure what the Ethernet port on the DVR is about. It may indicate that a user is connecting to the DVR via the network, or it may be there to indicate that the DVR has a valid physical Ethernet connection. Whatever the case, if you have software that came with the DVR, install it per the manual. Verify what IP address your computer is getting by using IPCONFIG at a command prompt. Then, set your DVRs IP address on the same network. For example: if your computer has the IP address 192.168.1.2, you should set your DVR to something like 192.168.1.10. Configure the DVR software on your computer to connect to 192.168.1.10 (and whatever port is shown in the DVR setup). Note that the IP address for both the DVR and your computer is almost the same, except for the last number. Avoid using "1" as the last number as this is typically your router's address. Let us know once you've reached this point. 34FORD: All IP addresses beginning with 192 are private, non-routable addresses. These will NOT work over the Internet. To connect to your DVR remotely, you will need to use the "outside" IP address of your router. From home, open your browser and type www.whatismyip.com . The number you see on the screen is most likely the one you will need to use (not your 192.168.1.200). You may also need to allow incoming connections on port 80 (also known as port forwarding). Set the router to pass port 80 requests fron the WAN to the IP address 192.168.1.200. Do this throught the router's interface.

Whle I'm not familiar with IR filters, there MAY be another reason not to touch it. For example, halogen bulbs get VERY hot when they're on. You're not supposed to touch those because the oil from your fingers can cause the glass from the bulb to heat unevenly, which can cause the bulb to fail (crack or explode). Perhaps this is the case with IR filters as well? Or, maybe not. Just an idea...

Either will work. Geovision also makes a GV-Net box that connects to your external serial port, as well as an internal RS485 card. I like the card better because it makes the DVR an "all-in-one" box.

Strange that you would not get an Ethernet link when connecting to your computer. The physical layer of Ethernet is a standard so it shouldn't matter whether you're using a PC or a router. Is there a little light on the DVR that shows you have a LAN (Ethernet) connection? Are you saying that this light comes on when you connect it to the router, but not when you connect to your PC? That would be quite odd indeed... About your port numbers: Typically, you can use leading zeros when specifing a port number. For example: 00080 would be port 80.

cachecreekcctv: Do you need more info than my last post?

That's a good question Rory. Jasper, do all of your testing with a wire. Then move on to the wireless...

Generally speaking, I would avoid Linksys products. They do have a couple of devices on their "top end" that have worked well for me, but generally I have not had good experience with them. Can you ping an IP address on the Internet? Try pinging 4.2.2.2 at a command prompt. If this works, then you have a DNS problem (which seems to be a common issue). Are you using DHCP? If so, make sure you have the correct settings on your PC and router. Try assiging a static IP on your computer and see if you can get on the Internet.

If you're not able to access the DVR at all, I would suggest connecting it directly to your PC to test it. That way, you can verify that the DVR is setup correctly without having to guess that your router is setup correctly. You should be able to connect the two with a crossover cable. If you don't get a "link light" on the DVR (or PC) with a crossover, try a staright through cable. You'll need to set the IP on your computer and DVR to the same network. Try setting 192.168.1.100 for the PC and 192.168.1.200 for the DVR. Subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0 on both. Gateway (router) and DNS settings are not necessary for this test. If you're using software that came with the DVR, skip the following and use that software instead: Open Internet Explorer and type http://192.168.1.200:50000 [or other port]. Note: If you're using Windows XP - Service Pack 2, you may get a security warning regarding an ActiveX control. This may appear along the top of the IE window, similar to the popup blocker. Click in that bar and select "Install". If you're unable to do this, you will need to adjust your IE security settings. Of course, all of this assumes that you have both your PC and your DVR in the same place... As for your router (Motorola), there should be instructions that came with the device. First thing to check are your connections. DSL/cable modem should be going into the WAN port. You should see a light for each port that is connected if hooked up properly. If not, try another cable (crossover/straight through).

While I'm not familar with that model of DVR, there are a number of issues that could prevent you from accessing it remotely. Typically, you need to setup and enable the remote viewing feature first. Once that is completed, you need to make sure that the DVR has access to the Internet AND that it is accessible FROM the Internet. If the DVR is behind a firewall, ports may need to be opened and/or redirected so the DVR can send and receive information. If the network and DVR are setup correctly, your next issue may be the ActiveX problem mentioned earlier. NOTE: Only Internet Explorer for Windows has ActiveX ability built in. Firefox, Safari and the others will not work with ActiveX (Including IE for the Mac/OSX). Other problems could include: 1. Your ISP blocking that port/traffic (uncommon in the U.S.) 2. Bandwidth is insufficient (too slow) 3. Problem with remote computer software (Windows/IE issues) 4. No Java installed on client computer (for java-based DVRs) You mentioned a video server... You probably wouldn't need one of these if the DVR has IP-based remote capabilities. If the DVR did not have that feature included, then you would need a video server to send streaming video over a network (Internet). Obviously, there are other uses for video servers as well.

Let me add to that by saying can depend on the computer you're trying to connect with. If you're using a "public" computer, it's likely that you will NOT be able to install any ActiveX control. Public systems typically block this ability to maintian stability of the system. However, if you're using an open computer (such as a friend's), you're chances are pretty good that you will be able to install an ActiveX control. While it is possible to send images via FTP (on some systems), you will not be able to get "streaming" video this way (at least not that I'm aware of). Think of this like taking a picture with a 35mm camera and sending it to yourself. Note: The Geovision systems have the ability to view cameras via a java based web page but the functinality is significantly limited and video streaming is somewhat slower. There may be other systems with the capability, but I'm not familiar with them.

Are we talking about ActiveX or Direct-X here? Two different things...

Depending on the make/model of a DVR, you will need to install the ActiveX control if you want to use a web browser to view cameras remotely. Some DVRs use their own "client software" to allow viewing, some do not, while others have both options.

For the "lens cleaning" type (read: "not fluffy"), almost all of them have worked the same for me. Just pick one up anywhere you find it. If you're cleaning lenses, your best bet is to get an Ilford Antistaticum cloth. These are typically available at professional camera shops as well as onlne. They're soft, made for cleaning lenses and photographic paper/negatives, and add an anti-static property to your lens without the chemical residue). Here's a link to some I found: http://www.pictureline.com/product.php?id=1700 PS - Don't wash these as you will remove the anti-static chemical from the cloth. Once you wash it, just use it like a regular cloth (for something else). Also, don't wet them or use them with other chemicals. If you're lens is really that dirty, you probably need a new one anyway!

WE: What type of wireless equipment are you using. We've been lucky enough to have never needed it, but I'm sure that day will come...

I'm curious, are you sure they're working units? We have spoken to a few car dealers that have "cameras" and they turned out to be fakes.

What about using an external IR illuminator? If you want to get really fancy (and don't need the motion sensor to actually work), you could install the LEDs into the false motion sensor window. Also, I've seen some of the Extreme CCTV wall units that look a little like a motion sensor. You might take a look at those...

Just wondering if anyone can tell me what the benefits are to using a "more capable" video card in a Geovision system. I have a GV800-4 installed with a Radeon 7500 series PCI card (not AGP or PCI-E). The system seems to work well, no crashing, less than 40% CPU utilization, plays/records/views video without trouble. Since this is an "older" video card, I assumed there might be some problems before I installed it. Now that it seems to be working, I wondering if there are any benefits to getting a better card? Will it look any better, go any faster or play any smoother? If there is a preferred card to use with Geovision systems, can anyone tell me what that might be? Thanks! == Just in case it makes any difference, here are the specs for the system: Motherboard: Super P4SCE, (onboard video disabled) Processor: Intel Pentium4 2.4GHz RAM: 512MB Storage: CD-R/RW drive, 250GB PATA Drive (2 partitions, Maxstor/7200RPM) Video Card: ATI Radeon 7500 series Operating system: Windows XP Pro - SP2 + all updates Geo Card: Geovision 800 - 4 channel

I've requested this from a number of ISPs, both DSL and cable. They seem reluctant to do this as they know that people who "really" need the upstream speed are probably willing to pay for it. I have heard of this happening but it seems rare. On a good note, many ISPs will be offering greater speeds in the near future. For example: beacuse of some systems integration work we have done, my comany will be a "beta tester" for a new 12 megabit *synchronous* broadband product (cable provider) to be offered next year. No official word on pricing yet... Stay tuned.

Nice shots! Thanks for sharing them. I assume these are the Nuvico cams...

I've heard those Nuvico cameras are pretty good for the price. Sounds like you have a good system worked out! We'd love to see some hi-res shots if possible...

Does anyone have a recommendation for a specific motherboard to use with Geo based systems? Assume we're talking about "top-of-the-line" Geo cards such as the 1120, 1240 or 1480. Since new boards come out almost weekly, I'm curious to know if anyone has found a good combination that's stable and "cost-effective". For video cards, I've heard good things (and had decent experience) with ATI cards... anyone care to comment on these as well?

Is it possible that your new ISP is blocking the ports that you're using? Or, is it possible that you have a new router with your DSL that does not have the proper ports open? Try changing your ports to see if that fixes your problem. If it doesn't, check your router (if you got a new one) to see if the correct ports have been "opened".