andyh747

Yes that's the thread I started!! Anyway the seller has paid for the replacement base which I've managed to source. Now I just need to work out how to access the OSD menu using my Averdigi Nano DVR. I've another thread running about that so if you have any ideas I'd appreciate the input.

Good suggestion. I was thinking along the software lines. I'd forgotten also that Avermedia have software for remote access to their DVR so I'll see if that allows entry of other presets for PTZ control. If anyone knows of a way to access Preset 95 using the Aver software please let me know. Many thanks for the reply.

Hi all, Sorry for the delay in updating you on my install. I successfully installed the Mobotix T24 video door station and have had it running for several months now. Have to say it is very impressive and the features on board are excellent. Installation was reasonably straightforward and the kit is well constructed and put together. Programming the system is a little more complex with the built-in web interface not being the most user friendly. However there is every option you could wish for and they have recently updated the firmware providing additional features. At present I'm using it in conjunction with a Grandstream IP phone and it works very well. Video is clear and sound excellent. One of the new features is a builtin message centre allowing visitors to leave a voice message on the system if you're not there. You can also customise the message played if you're not there and have still images emailed to you. My only niggle is the lack of development of an iPhone app despite promises from the company to produce one. I think they ran into severe technical issues they have been unable to resolve. However the system will work with the iPhone using an app called Vippie but it requires a bit of setup to get it working successfully. Overall I'd highly recommend it as it's so flexible in terms of installation and features. Only requires one CAT5/6 cable for the main camera unit. If the property is networked makes integration very simple. Hope the above is useful to someone.

It's not IP based unfortunately and that's what I want. I looked at AiPhone but you can't have more than one monitor with their IP system so non starter. It also won't work on anything but a PC running windows. Again a non starter for me. Have ordered the Mobotix T24S so fingers crossed it works as promised in their literature.

Thanks for all the replies. I've also looked at Fermax new offering called Skyline. It's not IP based but works over CAT5. Reasonable priced for a door station and internal monitor. The AIPhone also looks good. However it doesn't appear to be MAC compatible and I doubt there are any plans to make it so. Ideally it would be good to be able to use an iPhone/iPad as a monitor. The Mobotix T24 has promised this feature but it's not available as yet.

I did look at those but a lot of people seem to think they're difficult to program and the company support is poor. However I'll go back and look again.

I've had an Averdigi Nano DVR for a couple of weeks now and need some help with optimising the system. I have the DVR connected via VGA cable to an Iiyama Prolite 17" monitor. I also have a TV connected to one of the SPOT monitor outputs. The issue I have is twofold. Firstly the quality of the picture on the monitor. This is disappointing and the picture quality is grainy and pixilated. However the picture quality from the SPOT monitor output is perfect. This is a composite signal output so I guess this is why the quality is so much better? However I would have expected a much better quality from the VGA connection. Is there any way to improve this quality? The second issue is with what gets displayed via the SPOT monitor output. I have the output cycling through each camera at present and this displays on a remote TV. However there appears no way to pause the footage on one camera or display all cameras on the screen as a split screen display. It's useful to be able to pause on a particular camera so that you can monitor the situation. I know you can adjust the time each camera is displayed for but this doesn't give the control I need. The quality of the output from the SPOT monitor output is superior to that from either the VGA output or over the LAN so it's the best for display on a TV screen providing crisp clear images rather than grainy pixilated images. So the question is can you control what is displayed via this output? Thanks for any help.

Hi All, I've installed a series of external sensors for this system and have setup the DVR to email me when a sensor is triggered. However the option to send a snapshot is greyed out both under the email option and in the general alarm section. Can anyone explain how to get the system to email a snapshot or is this not possible? It's odd having the option there but not selectable. Many thanks.

Hi, Sorry for late reply but have only just got round to updating the firmware. The email notification with picture seems to work fine for me. I have it selected to auto for picture size and it's coming through fine each time the alarm is triggered. This is a vast improvement in terms of alarm features and was badly needed. Now I can see what's triggered the alarm and not just be told it's been triggered. Very useful. Let me know if you're still having problems.

Hi, Had some good advice on suitable external cameras. Now looking to source a good quality DVR. I've been looking at the Avermedia range and they have released this model which is well priced but much smaller form factor than previous offerings. Can anyone comment on this model: AVerDiGi EH1008H-4 Nano I've also looked at the Avtech range of DVRs but would appreciate any feedback from users of networked DVRs which allow both analogue and IP connection. Many thanks.

No it isn't unfortunately. However you can adjust the frame rate for each camera individually. That may mean upping the frame rate for those cameras you consider more important. It's a compromise really.

The SEB1508H can achieve 120fps at full D1. That would give a max fps per channel of 15fps which would meet your requirements. Depends whether you're willing to pay the extra. I could get a trade quote for you if you want just for comparison.

I have a mix of analogue and IP so I needed the hybrid.

In a word yes I was under the impression I could get more fps but the total quoted is for the whole unit, not per channel. I'm not sure if the 4 channel unit would provide more fps than the 8 channel I have - you'd need to check the specifications. The specification for mine says 60fps at full D1. That means around 7fps per channel max. If the 4 channel unit has the same spec then you will get more fps for each channel. If you want higher fps, you either have to reduce the recording quality (half D1, CIF etc) or look at an alternative DVR. I'm sure more of the more experienced users might be able to provide further info but certainly with the 8 channel I have using all 8 channels, the max fps I can get on Full D1 is 7fps.

The VGA isn't poor quality, it's just not as good as the spot outputs. It's easily good enough to recognise faces and has enough detail to not have to worry. The recorded images are never going to be as good as the live feed. The system can only record at a certain frames per second so you will lose detail etc. I've chosen to record at 7fps at Full D1 which is about the best this unit can do. From looking at other models, this level of quality is good. I think you'll have enough detail to recognise people but don't expect miracles! It was also depend on what type of cameras you have and how you set the unit up. It takes time to tweak the system to get it how you want it but its worth the effort. If you want anything else, let me know.

I'm a self builder with a lot of trade accounts and was able to obtain trade pricing for the Nano through those accounts. The unit has proved reasonably reliable but it has it's faults and drawbacks. The picture quality from the VGA output is average. It could be better and the output from the analogue spot outputs is better but you have limited viewing on these. Playback of events stored in the Event Log is flaky. Viewing them using the mouse requires a double click and it doesn't always work well. Trying to do it with the remote is a nightmare . The unit won't send snapshots via email when an alarm is triggered. Apparently the latest firmware allows this now but, from one user's experience so far, it still doesn't work. I haven't updated yet so can't comment. Using the remote is generally good but not great. Using the arrow keys to move the mouse pointer is a real pain. Thankfully most of the commonly used functions are on dedicated buttons. Updating the units time can be done via the internet which I have managed to get working. However if you want it to update to BST then you have to tell it the dates! I'm not sure why you have to specify this as every other device I've seen with network time sync doesn't require this information. There is also limited setup via the remote software. Some options are not available and you have to use the VGA connection locally to have full control. There is also no TV output except for the spot monitor outputs which, as mentioned, have limited display capability and you can't control the unit from these. They simply show the live output from each camera. An alternative connection option apart from VGA is needed especially for the home user who wants to integrate the system into a whole house video distribution. Using the VGA connection for this is not ideal. A composite out connection or similar would be useful. Overall the unit has worked well but it could be so much better. I think most CCTV DVRs tend to be designed round the business/commercial user and are therefore not ideally setup for the home environment. Just my observation from using the unit for several months. Hope that helps.

I've now tried the DVR VGA connection on a large LCD TV with VGA input and I have to say the quality is NOT as good as that fed directly from the SPOT monitor output. The picture from the SPOT monitor is crisp, clear and akin to what you get from the camera if plugged directly into a monitor bypassing the DVR. The VGA output on the other hand is slightly grainy with loss of crispness and colour rendition. It's good but when compared against the SPOT output this appears better. It's just a shame there's no control over the SPOT output except speed of rotation of the images.

Well from what I've seen here in the UK it's more common to have the foil shielding than not. Speaking with both trade suppliers and installers here they all use the type of cable I'm using. Of course the shield could short the central conductor if poorly installed but removing it from around the central dielectric will avoid this. The foil provides more robust protection against EM interference. The only possible issue I can see is a change in impedance of the cable with the addition of the foil as well as the copper braid. Anyway apart from the crimping issue I had which was down to poor technique on my part the quality of the images seems 100%.

Sorry I still don't understand. Peeling back the foil shield is easy but provides additional protection so please tell me why its better without it? What possible additional problems can it cause? The shielding provides additional protection from interference. Provided the centre conductor is not compromised the shielding can only enhance the signal quality. Perhaps you'd like to explain the technical aspects behind why this cable performs worse than the cable you've displayed???

Most of us actually use RG59 with braided copper shield... foil shield is bad, mmmkay? I suspect that's a lot of your problem there: without the extra thickness of the braid, there's not enough thickness for the crimp to clamp down on. It's even worse if the center conductor is copper-jacketed steel or aluminum... which seems to often be the case with foil-shielded coax. I'm not sure you're talking about the same cable as I am. This is RG59 plus power designed specifically for CCTV use and purchased from a professional CCTV supplier who only supplies to the trade. The cable is made up of a solid copper central conductor surrounded by a foam dielectric. The dielectric then has a foil shield over it. On top of the foil shield is the copper braid outer conductor and then finally the insulating jacket. As far as I'm aware this is the best construction method for RG59 as it has the least interference.

Thanks I'll try stripping the sheath a bit shorter. I'm using connectors designed for RG59 and the cable is definitely RG59. One other query. Do most people strip the foil sheath off as well or leave that around the central insulator before inserting into the central barrel?

Thanks Soundy. I think I'll run the video & control over a single CAT5 but power the camera locally from the garage supply.

I'm thinking of fitting a PTZ camera for a home setup. It would be mounted at the bottom of our garden on the garage. I know I could use fixed cameras but like the idea of PTZ for 'playing'!! I have been looking at the Concept Pro VHSD-810EXT which is a CNB camera but branded as Concept Pro in the UK. Any comments on this camera, good or bad? The camera will be connected to a Averdigi EH1008-4 Nano DVR. In terms of RS485 connections can I use CAT5e to connect the comms from the camera to the DVR. The distance is around 50m from the garage to the DVR in the house. Thanks in advance.

the concept is the only ptz we use . in 3 years sent 2 back. as for as connecting to your dvr. it is a direct connection. (on back of your dvr last 2 on the green strip are for ptz control) just set both dvr and ptz to 2400 so you have control over with moblie phone. only problem videcon are trade only. Thanks. Luckily I have a trade account with them.

Hi andy. avermedia touch monitors are good if used with the CMS software or the SA dvr/nvr but for the cost i would just stick with a good wide screen. i will post you a link to my supplier for monitors. £60 19in hanspree 5 years warranty. Perfect Tom, many thanks. Look forward to getting the link.