Birdman Adam

The symptom that the camera doesn't always work at night almost always means a power supply that is either inadequate or dying. The reason for this is that at night (or in low light) the camera will switch on IR, which bumps up the amount of power used, usually by quite a bit. Another possibility is that the cabling running to the camera isn't adequate for powering the camera. For example, powering a camera with 24 gauge wire will not work reliably (usually). Using nice 18 gauge wire (thicker wire), on the other hand, will always reliably power a camera, even one that uses a LOT of IR.

ahhh, okay, thank you! I will have will try that out sometime, in GIMP though, I don't have photo shop.

If you want the IP address of any device to always stay the same, just set it up manually with a static address. Then it will always stay the same. The router was only doing it's job when it was giving out IP's

Hey Rory, what did you use to enhance the images like that? I wanna know how to do that!

To get an actual voltage reading you should measure the voltage at the camera, while the camera is connected. Then you will know what voltage the camera is really getting.

Woohoo! " title="Applause" /> Another fellow zoneminder user! If you have any problems with the zoneminder end of things I will be happy to help you out! Axis cams are great, overall. I unfortunately don't have a specific 'rating' since I haven't used that one. Others who use them will chime in I'm sure...

I've never even heard of a tube camera!!!

What I do when I seriously can't figure out the voltage required by something is to first power it with the lower voltage, and if it doesn't work, then use the higher one.

I dont know the range of wireless intercoms, but if their school is built like many around here...cinder block walls...I don't think the signal will go very far!

WOW! Direct AC plug. Why in the world do they have an on/off switch on the back? Not very secure... And they used F connectors? I guess I'm too young to know this is how it was done.

I dont think this is a fair comparison...eBay cam gets porch lights. But yea, I think the IR is reflecting through the outer glass cover to the lens...I would maybe disconnect the IR and use an external IR source.

Here's an explanation of IP ratings...

Yea, I mean we've pretty much ruled out power supplies, and the cameras. All that's left is the DVR

EDIT: Oh crap, i just noticed you already tried new power supplies... In that case I guess that second camera you got must be the problem... I think your power supply must be at fault. Either it can't handle the cameras at night when the IR turns on, or there is some sort of loop problem. Either getting a bigger power supply or getting a separate one for each camera may fix it.

Like practicly all cards have BNC inputs, that's really the CCTV standard. Yes, the adapter you linked to will work perfectly! If you look around, you might be able to find it cheaper than that though...

Yea, if your mounting these in a drop-ceiling, the flush-mount will be easier and even nicer looking. With the VBM-24VF, I would just 'sandwich' the tile with plywood on top, and the camera below. I'm sure others have better suggestions

Ah, didn't realize the camera was so close to the subject area.... What they suggested above should work.

Well that camera is suitable for use outdoors....So my suggestion would be to mount it outside! You could run the cable through the window and mount the camera just below the window if thats the easiest position.

I was shopping in my local Target and noticed this device on a support beam in the store. One of these devices is usually on each beam. I was thinking it could maybe be some type of camera, but it doesn't look like anything I've seen before! It's a drum-shaped thing, with a tinted window in the front. It has the words TDA on each side. I couldn't really see a lens in there, but its so tinted I couldn't tell. It peaked my interest because they already have giant domes all over the store, and this thing isn't lined up to look down the isles. Couldn't tell what kind of wire was coming out of it, could have been anything; cat5, 22/4, maybe even Siamese. Here's a picture of it: You can click on the image and zoom in to see it better...

WOW Soundy, that is totally it! I guess it is a sound system after all! I would have thought they would just use normal speakers for that, instead of a speaker in a drum with a clear cover over it...

Hmmm, that might have been it. But I don't think it could be any type of sound system as the front had a plastic/glass panel on it.

Aha! So this is what they use in big stores instead of smoke detectors? I'm kind of surprised they would put one on each support beam, there must be like 40 in the store!

Did you mention to them that his cameras are annoying you?

Yea your right! I guess you'll just have to manually browse...?

The saying: "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" Is so true! I think it would be better off if they were legal in your place. Then the criminals would think twice before they get blow away trying to hold up someone! I am very happy my country allows guns!