CollinR

Only if you have someone to run it 24/7, otherwise you only record wherever you last fixed the dome or one of it's presets. Often thats not near what multiple fixed cams provide. Don't get me wrong though, those things are hell of cool. Yes if the camera has a webserver you can plug em into a switch and grab the video, the problem is you might want the video recorded. Also multiple cameras will need multiple IPs or some serious routing configuration.

I'm pretty sure he wants different stuff on the screens, that is more for computer stores to display the same image on multiple displays.

Thats where I'm thinking, are they both on the same outlet? You didn't cut the 3rd prong off the PS so it would work in a 2 prong plug did ya?

Anytime. Keep your eyes peeled for those long quick change extensions, I'm dieing to get my hands on one. .... Now we return to the irregularly scheduled broadcast... Any word on the Spears-Zit?

I know their Graps-Zit kicks ass, so do their glo rods. Right now I still use full form twist drills and they work great but they dull easily and they sharpening them is a PITA. The Spears-Zit can be sharpened with a hand file in minutes if need be.

Here is a 12" quick change extension that would accept a 3/4" boring bit. Too bad as usual it's only 12" . http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91056

Dunno about you but I run the wire then terminate it, I thought you were running multiple runs through one hole. I just jump right from 1/2" to 1 1/2". EDIT: Oh I see what the problem is now, I don't cut the OE leads but then again I don't install many domes either.

Basic 3/4" x 36" self feed auger bit http://www.fiberfish.com/Durabits.htm $18 http://www.spytown.com/dura3436.html EDIT: Boatloads of other stuff too. http://www.hometech.com/tools/wiring.html

K seen it all now! I would figure there to be a low demand for snow skiing over there but what do I know.

I don't use pricewatch anymore but I'll vouch for Directron for sure!

Well I couldn't find the exact one but I was already at labor saving devices and noticed they have something like it. Basically with one of these you can use multiple bits at 36" (or longer) but not have to carry all that crap around. The problem here is that those only accept little bits, mine has a IIRC 1/4" hex that accepts almost any boreing bit. If you can, suck it up and buy one with a Quick Change end, then you know the bit won't get lost in a cavity when pulling back through insulation/firestop/shingles .

You need this for wood or what? If wood I KNOW WHAT I use and like and I'll see if I can find a link.

USB > Serial adapter, I don't know jack about this specific subject but lots of apps require a hardware modem and most of what you find for sale is software. External serial modems are all hardware and some PCI modems are too, I'm pretty sure all USB modems are software.

So this wire is short ~3' and currently only goes from the PS to the rack? I was dead set you were picking up static somewhere on the coax but 3' and all visable thats about impossible.

Right click in the lower left corner and choose login\exchange user. Login with an admin account.

Agreed on Newegg and TigerDirect. You can also try Froogle but usually the NE and TD are within a couple of bucks (if not cheaper) and have SOLID reputations.

Agreed. Try to avoid having 1 PC doing DVR and desktop duty, it works but it's not ideal. The customer will eventually have an issue some recover easily and others can't simply follow your instructions over the phone.

I'm impressed.

I would take 640*480 @ 30 fps hardware mpeg4 over 720*480 @ 30fps software or hybrid. I wouldn't do it for 320*240 like that chart shows, 640*480 is about all I care about at this time.

Nail them down to desktop style interaction through keyboard and mouse, it just makes everything easier. If your apps are good the whole thing will be intuitive so you don't need to do alot of training or bogus service calls. KVM works but is way more expensive because you triple your hardware and licensing costs. I was going to say that using RDP (Windows terminal services) can make this an easier process by killing most of the focus and system message issues and forcing the seperate instances for each display. But it does require an extra PC back at the DVR with a hacked copy of XP Pro that allows multiple user RDP, or a Windows Server with terminal services installed. The applications you run will be the big factor here, if it's just HTTP stuff you probably have no problem but the apps that interact directly with the DVR hardware are probably not going to work with multiple users. You must have at least 2 boxes, you might need more depending on how resource dependent your apps are. The box\s running the terminal server needs to be stout, it will be doing all of the processing for everything you see on the screen. The PCs at the consoles can be pretty cheap, PDAs and smart cell phones can do the client side stuff but their screens are usually too small. You can also choose to run resource dependent stuff locally and just run the bulk on the server. You can also RPD wirelessly from some portable devices, way cool for the bigwigs but adds a bunch of security concerns.

I have never done one with more then 2 displays and after doing that I would be reserved about doing it again. Granted this was much more complicated then a CCTV application, I wouldn't have had any issues with CCTV. How is the user controlling this? Just keyboard and mouse? Touch? IR/RF? Just keyboard and mouse makes it a boatload easier but you can still run into issues with focus and switching focus if the user uses KB commands or the application does. Also system messages can be a pain if you don't choose the correct default display and have it setup without modal stuff on it. I only have experiece with dual display, span might be better but I kinda doubt it unless you train the people how to set it up everytime it gets rebooted. What do they need to do with the info from the screen? Click a feed and it fullscreens or PTZ control based on it, lots of varables in the interfaces and functionality.

Sure it can, it just wouldn't be all that cheap. You can install modulators to inject the feeds into the coax on the add-on side and use filters (or UHF/VHF tuners) on the other end to break them back apart. The problem is the modulators are like $80/channel so doing it with 16 cameras will be pricey. If you just wanted to add a couple of cameras onto a garage that already had CATV it would be a breeze for about $250 maybe less.

If the PC has XP pro installed you can create a user that automatically logs in but is also in the RDP users group. This way the login and almost existence of that user is never displayed on the local machine, set it to encrypt it's documents and install GV into a directory inside. The user will always be logged in but you can login with a normal user account totally unaware unless you are aware enough to start watching processes. EDIT: Nevermind mine ONLY works on unattended PCs, if you are there at boot you will see the hidden users desktop and everything else until the screensaver kicks in and forces another login. Even if you have the screensaver begin at startup for that user it will still have a noticably strange boot sequence. I'd go rory's route, it can be hidden pretty well while active with the same user. Also I'd start coming up with some reasoning not to ever turn off the computer, pronto.

I have had many problems with media servers after automatic updates, it's a complete PITA too cause they all call on the same damn day! People will go longer without CCTV then regular TV for sure.

Is it wrong to use a volume license copy of XP pro when you have a paid license of XP pro but hate the BS? I just realized why I had never had any of the issues you guys are talking about. Activate??