archik100

I understand that cctv's usually use coax with BNC connectors. Most [computer] monitors today come with VGA, various types of DVI's and some with HDMI. A few also come with S-connectors and composite. My question: Should I look for specific connectors for the monitors I buy to solely view the cctv feed and I'll have to buy some converters, or should I look for a specific connector? If I should, what kind of connector? My current setup on one monitor uses two (!) converters to get the feed to the monitor and the result is a horrible feed on a mighty good display. Am I missing something and there are special displays for this kind of thing? Thanks, Ben

Thanks Matt, One more Q: I see some monitors being sold that have composite as an option in Sync Signal. Does this mean that it has a composite connector? Example: (Manufacturer link.) http://www.samsung.com/baltic/consumer/pc-peripherals-printer/monitor/monitor/LS19MYAKBB/EDC/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=spec&fullspec=F

I took down the screen with all the converters attached to it, and put up an old screen that has a composite input. I used a simple BNC Female to RCA Male Adapter and presto, a beauty. The only issue now is that every time the rotates to a different feed, the small composite logo shows on the corner, as if I'm turning on the screen now. There's also some flashing as it rotates. But its still worth it. Any suggestions for brightness and contrast? I'm still looking around online for more monitors. Is composite the only one which connects so directly? (VGA is out of the question.) Ben

So essentially, widescreen is worse than this ghosting? (Widescreen also doesn't affect the recording.)

I'm finding some modestly priced LCD's and TV's that do have composite inputs, but they're all widescreens. Is it worth going with old models with weak specs (like 16ms response times) rather than a widescreen?

Thanks Matt. I just ordered 9 of them. I'll let you know how it goes. Any low-priced PTZ's around?

anything less expensive out there? These run at about $250.00 for the Raymax 25. My cameras cost less than this.

Anyone?

I am, but from a different monitor that does connect using DVI. I am planning to buy a remote, however. I just wonder if the remote would work so far away from the computer (where the other monitor with the mouse is) where I guess the USB base must be placed.

Anyone on my final questions? Thanks!

Thanks Matt! Tom, There is a regular DVI cable that goes to the monitor that operates the computer. I'm not discussing that one. I'm discussing the output of the DVR card. That's composite, I guess. (I'm using the NV500.) This composite then goes into the wall as a coax, which comes out again in the kitchen, for example, and adapts again to the composite input of the monitor. Thanks, Ben

Tom, So which input is the one I should be looking for? And, would that need a converter? I'm not talking about the monitor connected to the computer. I'm talking about the viewing monitors in other rooms, which use coax.

Got it. So that means no converters, only something like this? This also means that we'll have no video quality loss as well. (Other than the length of the cable.) Great. Now why did all these manufacturers stop making this input? I'll end up paying way more for a monitor just because it has it.

Thanks all! I think I'll be going with these cameras. Just a few short questions: Tom, The link you sent me show very good quality shots, but they all seem to have some ambient lighting. This is good for most of my applications. But one location has virtually no light at all, aside from the moon sometimes. Is this still good enough, or do I need an IR camera? Everyone, If I do need an IR camera, can you recommend any good ones? Am I correct in assuming that the difference between the D1, D2 etc. series' is only the size and aesthetics? Thanks all to all of you. I'm off to buy them. Best, Ben

Thats what I'm trying to find out. What CNB models are you using for these setups? Most of my use cases do have some ambient light at night. So I'm guessing that the VBM-24VF should be good enough for most of my applications.

Thats alright. IP would be a great option, but it would only work for some of the cameras, since many of them are already wired for CCTV. I'll have a look at the Aver IP's. Any good PTZ cams that won't break the bank? Ben

Why do you think its for a bank? Here's my original quote.

Soundy, I'm a novice, really. And I'm on the lookout for a sub-$200.00 camera and I'mm having a hard finding the right one. My thread is here; Care to check it out? viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20669&start=0 Would this camera be all-around good enough for low light situations with IR? Cureently, I'm using the Sony SSCCD77 and its frankly terrible. But way more expensive than these. Any good suggestions? Thanks

Does the VBM-24VF come with IR illuminators, or do I have to buy them separately? Ben

Hi all, Having been helped here before with excellent results, (thanks soundy and rory) and having tried to do the research myself [with not such good results], I come here with my dilemma. I need a complete new system, with no current wiring in place. This means that I will either wire it with analog cables, CAT5 cables, or do a wireless network. I'm pretty sure that I want to go PC based, but I'm undecided on the brand, [GeoVision or AverMedia]. Cost vs. value. My dilemma: I have absolutely no idea what brand/type/etc camera to buy. This system is to protect my business. I'll need 5 cameras. One in the backyard, one in the packing area, one in the loading area, one at the front entrance and one for a wider view of about 40-50 feet in front of the whole building. This last one should preferably get a sharp picture up to 40-50 feet away. Two of these cameras are indoors. I also want them to have night vision capabilities, although the outdoor area is comparably well-lit at night. I have no idea where to start. What brand cameras should I take a look at? What should the overall power of the DVR card be? What kind of cameras? IP/CCTV? I'm not looking to protect a bank, and I don't want to break the bank. Is $2,500.00 w/out installation a realistic budget? Any outline ideas? Many, many thanks! Ben

So, is the VB2310NVR good enough for my use. Does anyone have any experience with this model? Thanks, Ben

Also, I'm having a hard time finding the current "Monalisa" models online. Can anyone direct me? Edited to add: And these models should be have IR capability. For some odd reason CNB has only the "20" and "21" variety of the cameras advertised in the IR section, which, oddly, I cannot find online.

So is the camera above good enough? If not, any specific suggestions? Most of them should also be outdoor cameras. Edited to add: To clarify further, I'm currently using the Sony SSCCD77 and I'm getiing pretty bad results, even with good lighting. But the dark, its beyond terrible. Yet, Sony claims that it can work in no-light conditions. Actually, when looking on Sony's website, this camera can "see" IR light, but you need separate IR illumination. Sight. Ben

Thanks Tom, I'm waiting to see how these images look at night. I've looked a lot at the CNB models. In this price range of $70-$200, I'll pretty much go for the highest end model. Some people told me that few day/night cameras match up to IR. Is it true? and if not, what should I look at? I need 7-9 of these cameras. That's because the PTZ's seem to be very expensive comparably. So I'll probably take 9 of them, instead of 7+2 PTZ. Can anyone recommend a good model? Right now I'm looking at the VB2310NVR for this price: [mod edit - no store link] Any better suggestions? Thanks, Ben

After some preliminary research, I'm having a hard time narrowing down my camera selection. What I do know is that I need the cameras to have good IR capabilities; I'm not satisfied with the day/night cams out there. Two of the cameras I'll be purchasing should be PTZ. All of them, I presume, should be cctv/analog, since IP cams seem to be comparably cost-prohibitive. Can anyone ask me some necessary question so as to guide into narrowing down my selection? Many thanks, Ben