hardwired

940nm are totally covert, you will not see any glow, but your camera will not see them quite as well, reducing IR range somewhat. Here's a 20 degree angle, T1 3/4 size,880nm emitter, you could poke around here for others.. http://mouser.com/ProductDetail/OSRAM-Opto-Semiconductors/SFH-485-2/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvAL21a%2fDhxMvFeLV%252bDp%252bu%252bbHp5L36ePRA%3d

Just remembered these..Pricey, though, but you get speaker and microphone, too, and Megapixel resolution... http://www.mobotix.com/eng_US/content/view/full/1676 And, Mobotix makes a twisted pair converter that could work over the traveler.. http://www.mobotix.com/eng_US/Products/Mx2wire

I've been kicking around similar ideas for a hospital we service. You have a few different options.. I'm not sure about a native IP camera that would fit in a corner enclosure. You could add encoders at the top of the traveler cable, but the signal through the traveler tends to be noisy. I'm looking at something like this, http://www.axis.com/products/cam_m7001/index.htm ,but feeding our good existing WDR cams into it, and then using a DSL point to point link like this http://netsys-direct.com/proddetail.php?prod=NVF-200EKIT ,with one end on the elevator roof, and the other at the headend.

I have bumped into this before, one mistake you can make is to enter the new IP in the cam menu, without changing the checkbox to "static IP". If you do that, and then save it, it will use the new IP for a while, until it grabs a DHCP IP from your router. Also, I've noticed that when you "save and reboot", if it does not ask you to close the window automatically, the settings may not have stuck. Also, try changing the IP and DNS settings separately, or at least double check after you set one of them, that the other did not change back, before you reboot it. Keep the faith... I've had very good luck with Acti, overall.... Do try the new firmware, but download the older version off the site while you are there.. I've had a problem with Exacq with the newest version, not sure about compatibility with other NVR's.

Check the spec. sheet here.. on the .pdf, it lists P/N DS-SW-CAM for non-Pelco brand cams, and P/N DS-SW-CAM-P for Pelco IP cams, on a per-cam basis... It also has a compatibility list on that page, I don't think the cam you are looking at is on it... BTW, I'm about five miles from Pelco... but I use very little of their stuff, other than housings and Spectra's... You can probably do better with third-party software like Exacq or others....

I think Soundy and I figured you were going to be using a standard PC com port, RS232 data lines are a much higher voltage than the TTL lines inside a device like a PTZ unit typically are. In looking at the Atmega kit you are using, it has a MAX232 chip that creates standard RS232 voltages from the data lines on the Atmega chip... Of course, if it's working fine that way, we might be wrong... But you might want to check specs, and maybe use data from the lines before the MAX232.... Or maybe, the connector block in your pictures does level converting.. BTW, the bridge for preventing reverse voltage is a good idea, but did you take the 1.2 volt drop into account?

What I am looking for is of course real multi monitor support What software have you used or seen that has multi monitor support? Hey koolmer unfortunately the only software I have personally tested that supports multiple monitors and resolutions properly is LuxRiot. I think Exacq should work too from what I've read and the videos I've seen. If I find more I will post an update. BTW one feature I expect to see in the future is hardware acceleration for decoding. Video cards can already decode HD formats and it would be great if this was available for cctv video. Then playing back many videos simultaneously wouldn't be a problem! The future is here... Milestone works with a Matrox solution, http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/video_decoding/vda_series/vda1164/ for quad monitor output, hardware decoded. I'm guessing the price is in the "if you gotta ask" category. And, if you still have some money left, try this.. http://www.eyevis.co.uk/pdf/Datasheets/LCD%20Displays/EYE-LCD6400_4K_en.pdf , four 2048X1080 images on one 64" screen...

Like Soundy, I'm guessing you'd need TTL level shifting for the data lines, too....

not really, well never say never .. havent touched it since then but im looking for something i can run on a mini laptop and stick in the garage and forget about it ...BUT with Windows features not the limited stand alone DVRs ... DVR cards too big so the PC has to be big for them. You ever play around with anything in the PC104 form factor, like these? http://www.ampltd.com/pc104/video/vsp2000.html http://mangodsp.com/default.asp?id=49&productId=34

Thanks, mentioned it to them, they seem stuck on mac though but even that looks like it might not happen. How about Exacq on a 1.6 Atom Laptop with stripped down XP, that way can just stick it on a shelf and forget about it, plus it has the LCD monitor built in Starting to warm up to Exacq, Rory?

The 3701 is a nice cam, I've used a few... but it's only a fixed lens, not varifocal, and no mechanical IR cut filter for night...really small, and tough, though.. They had a video at ISC where they were beating it with a fire extinguisher! The Engenius is nice stuff, but they don't have "N" rate stuff down like Ubiquiti.. And why not use 5.8 GHz stuff, same price, less interference?

The Ubiquiti stuff is kind of like that DWL2100AP on steroids, close to five times the throughput capability, the unit I'm describing can work as an access point, or remote, and connect to dozens, or more, of remote units...It is equipment used by wireless internet providers to get connectivity to many subscribers, over many miles, to a single access point. The access point I'm describing IS directional, over about a thirty degree angle... but even aimed at the units away from the barns, I think it will work for the barn, at that distance. You could also use the Ubiquiti BulletM5, with a omnidirectional antenna, as the AP unit on the pole. You could use a secondary pair of these units, on a different channel, to relay the signal inside, or you could use something like the Veracity highwire, http://www.veracityusa.com/products/hwpoe/hwpoe.php ,to send the Ethernet signal, and power, for the access point into the house on existing coax.

I know I'm going to hear about recommending anything from these guys, but this one actually works very well. http://www.supercircuits.com/Microphones/PA3 .. or you could go with the Louroe stuff, at ten times the price.

According to the specs on that recorder, you can use IP cameras, but you have to purchase a license for each channel of IP video, not sure how much that is. You'd obviously need to pick a camera model supported by the recorder. All the remote radios would transmit to the access point on the pole outside the house. From there, Cat5 cable will carry the IP camera data to the recorder. You do not need any wireless equipment in the house, just a network switch that will connect the recorder to the wireless receiver outside (and, presumably, a internet connection there, as well, for remote access.)

Yes, I meant to use a standard IP camera with no wireless, and connect them to the wireless remotes. The PoE injector will allow you to power both the camera, and the radio, from one supply. If you wanted, you could use the power supply that comes with the wireless unit (it powers over the Cat5 cable, but would not power the camera, you'd use a separate transformer for that. Your choice, there.) The Cat5 cable would run between the outdoor access point receiving the remote camera signals, and an interior network switch connected with the PC. The wireless hardware I quoted is not compatible with home wireless networking equipment. If you already have a PC to devote to the task, all the better.

Here's my .02$ worth... Do not ever use cameras with built in WiFi, unless you are a masochist... Quantity (7) Ubiquiti NSM5 radios, 6 will be used as remotes, one as Access Point on pole in front of house, Cat5 into house from there.. ~$700 retail total. 6 Phihong PoE injectors, psa16u-480, $27.50 each retail= $165 allows powering remote radio and camera with one supply, cable goes from power injector to radio to PoE camera. 6 Acti ACM-7411 domes, $1300 retail each, (but you'll be able to do a lot better than that ) $7800. There are a lot of choices in cams available, dig around on the forum here for ideas... Panasonic Megapixel dome is a great cam, too, but pricey...keep in mind Megapixel cams are going to be somewhat limited in low light performance, compared to standard res... (6) Exacq IP camera licenses, ~$150.00/ channel.+ =$900.00 Decent PC to run S/W ~$750 or so ... Assorted hardware, boxes, etc $150 or so... RETAIL 10K or so, but with some creative shopping, you'll get close to your mark.

Looks like you're asking me directly, in your question... Anyhow, yes, the Optex are good. If you need more false alarm rejection, you could look at the Piramid dual microwave/PIR from www.protechusa.com. Ive installed quite a few, and had basically zero false alarms (our local National Guard base uses them, too)... Little more than the Optex, but not too bad...

If you have a PC connected you can leave on, you could try something like VLC, http://www.videolan.org/ ,to take in a IP cam stream and re-encode it. It's got a bit of a learning curve for that, though. Makes a great media player, too, plays more formats than almost any other player.

There are a number of threads you can search here for tips on this. My suggestion is to never use cameras with built in wireless, or consumer grade routers. Using products from a company like Ubiquiti, www.ubnt.com will give far better results. The stuff is quite a bit cheaper than you'd expect, too. A single access point at the recording location, your two cameras wired into a PoE switch, and then to one wireless remote, and the other four cameras with one PoE switch and wireless remote going back to the access point should be all you need (and, obviously, recording equipment, a PC with NVR software or similar) This is somewhat dependent on bandwidth, standard resolution cameras at a medium frame rate should be fine, high frame rates or megapixel cams may require a little more planning.

You might want to look into a low power automotive-type DVR, and a small lcd monitor, reduce power as much as possible, and then maybe solar to add to that.

I'd look at the NanoStationM, it runs "N" rate, which is more resistant to interference, and would allow running plenty of bandwidth even at 10MHz channel width, which will reduce interference possibilities. The price is about the same, and it will also allow PoE pass-through to power another device.

Still a little hard to tell from looking at it, but I would think that you might get from the park to the high point, and then repeat back to the low point from there? You are going to have to go out, and look at what sight lines you have. The Mobotix are a great start, I would keep using them in other locations. Are you using an IP based access system to link to the gates, as well? This does look like a fairly high density area, I would check with any wireless ISP's in the area, and what channels they are using, to avoid interference to you, or them. They usually appreciate the courtesy, and may give you a few tips. The 5GHz band is typically less crowded, and there are more channel allocations available.

I am not very familiar with the Mobotix IP cam or IP cams in general yet, but would like to learn more. Does the on board recording mean it records onto the camera? Thanks for the input Yes, it can store on a SD card, or an attached USB drive, and be viewed on a remote PC with a browser, or the control center software. What length of history/ frame rate are you looking for, and how much is the system used per day? 800 feet is too long for standard Ethernet, but there are wireless, or point to point DSL-type extenders available for that.

The Ubiquiti products are designed for a Wireless Internet Provider type environment, which has features beyond those of a home wireless unit, and match up with use in multipoint video distribution pretty well. Using these products in a non-line of sight application is iffy. Sometimes, you can get lucky and get a bounce off an object and make it work, but I wouldn't recommend it. As far as a repeater point, that's perfectly feasible. Keep in mind you do need power, though. If you can give us more details on the layout, terrain, and equipment you are looking to use, we can probably help you more. Think outside the box, too (maybe residents want access to viewing, as well, and will allow access points/ repeaters to be located on their homes, in exchange for that.) Also, you could potentially resell high speed internet through the links, if they are fast enough.

You may seriously want to think about revising your system. As you have it right now, it's a seriously power hungry system. From your part list, you are drawing 130+ watts. If that's 24/7 usage, it's going to require a pretty large system. http://www.wholesalesolar.com/products.folder/systems-folder/REMOTETELECOM.html pegs it at $4000+, plus batteries. Think about something like the Mobotix IP cam with on-board recording, and maybe a small notebook PC for viewing, you'd have a far better picture than you have now, and the total cost, with solar, would be lower than just ading solar to your existing setup.