Steve_C

Hi. Could you please look at these images from a security system I've been asked to troubleshoot? These cameras are hooked up in a grocery store type enviroment. 16 cameras hooked up to a GV-1480. Obviously some sort of interference! At one point I unplugged all the cameras; Trying the cameras one at a time in various inputs of the pigtail, the interference affected each one individually. As far as the power goes, 13 of the cameras are wired into a power distribution box. 3 are wired to wall-wart style power transformers. Everything is plugged into a UPS, though I've tried it with that out of the loop too. That might be just about all the information I have right now, as I am home. I'll be back at the site tomorrow, to gather more info. My hope was someone might just look at these and be able to tell the problem just by looking at them. BTW, he said that they weren't always like this, used to be nice and clear. I think he said that was about 6 months ago. Thanks for taking a look, Steve C.

Hi. Regarding the PAL, when I upgraded to 8.3.x, I chose NTSC at installation, and interference remained. I uninstalled the drivers and the Geovision main system using the install media, but I didn't manually remove Geo files or registry entries, so some settings may have remained... I'm definitely going to clean install XP on it, and check it then. @cctv_down_under; When I tested it with the Zune, the cameras were all unplugged, and tried it in either pigtail. Also, I thought power supply too, but I did swap it out to no avail, and tried other power sources too. I'll report after the XP install, Thanks everyone, Steve C.

Excellent advice all, I appreciate the help! Many of these possibilities have been tested for. I will tell you what I've done. I tried a video source (a Zune) directly into the card with no cameras hooked up. Same interference. Camera signals plugged into composite monitor yeilds clean signal... Power issues: Swapped power supply, tried different outlets, even let it run directly off of a UPS, all with same interference. Geo card: The Geo 1428 is currently running in a test computer at the same location, the cameras are perfectly clear! Different monitor: tried it.. Drivers, etc.: Tried Geo v8.0 and 8.3.1. Updated Mobo BIOS. Geforce 6600 drivers old and new, exact versions unavailable right now... So really, I believe I have it narrowed down to interference being added inside the computer. @rory, I like your tip about stripping down non-vital components inside the computer, I will try that. Also I see you specifically mention SP2 for Win XP, would there be any issues with SP3? The easiest next thing to try I guess is a fresh XP install. Who knows what he's been using it for, and maybe it's just knackered! I am grateful for your help, Steve C.

Hi. Yes, tried DirectDraw on or off, same issue. Client is very price-conscious, so I'd hate to order the wrong thing. Would you think it's more likely the video card, or the mobo? Thanks, Steve C.

Hi. After much testing, I have it narrowed down to one of three things: 1. Motherboard - Asus P5LD2. Computer otherwise runs rock solid though... 2. Video Card - Geforce 6600 PCI-e 256MB. Multiple driver versions tried. - Did fail one of the DxDiag tests... 3. OS installation. Windows XP SP3 - The easiest/cheapest thing to try first I suppose. But also the least likely IMO? 'Tho he does use the computer for other things besides CCTV, there's all kinds of crap on that PC... So, it's gotta be one of those three; I've tested everything else. Which do you think the most likely culprit is? Thanks again! Steve C.

Thanks for the tips. I have unplugged all the cameras, and can confirm the interference is present on each camera individually, in any input. My plan tomorrow is to try a camera hooked directly to a small composite monitor I have. Then, I'll know if the interference is in the camera signal, or being introduced at/in the computer. That should be helpful, right! Any other tips are greatly welcomed, Thanks.