Numb-nuts

I would simply move.

I have only once encountered 25 pair.

Firstly, you do not tinker with the lenses of speed domes, static domes use 12mm lenses and if using a varifocal lens you would well advised to use the manufacturer's setting as these are somewhat awkward to set up. In general the only lenses you will need to back focus are those fitted to body cameras. Tavcom sell a suitable set priced competitively. You will need at least ND1 and ND3 but a IRP (infrared Pass filter) is also useful. CCTV lenses are to the best of my knowledge not made to accept filters so I fix mine with bluTak during setting up.

I am amazed how few installers understand what back focusing is and how to perform it. You need to have the iris fully open so will need some ND (neutral density) filters to reduce the light entering the lens before making adjustments. It should be possible to get the camera to focus continuously through it's range and then fine focus with the front ring on the lens. Any good CCTV book will advise how to achieve this it's NOT difficult but can make so much difference to the resulting image. A set of ND filters will cost from about £45.00. Pursue this and you will be very pleased with the results you can achieve. I do this on all cameras unless the picture is outstandingly crisp, then I don't mess with them.

as far as I know the Air@-EL100 is the only purpose made solution which will work in such situations. With 14 elevators faults can be a huge liability not to mention the potential for law suites should there be an accident with an elevator. Simply explain this to the client and pass on the cost. I have never installed one of these but I know of at least two installations that I have done that have had these retro fitted. Good job I always leave extra capacity. Good luck with your client.

Can't go too far wrong with QVIS in terms of bang for your buck, just watch the spec.

What does the instruction book say?

Oh in that case we should tell him / her everyone's confidential information without further enquiry.

It's confidential information and to ask is to look suspicious. Ig I asked you what times of day there is nobody home at your house would you answer? I don't think so... But then, why would anyone want to know this......

Where's the turning handle?

I am pleased that you have overcome the problem and hope that your apprentice has learnt something. Thats the best way to learn. If he sees that again he will know what he's looking at and will understand why the separator is there. Try an IR camera looking through a window pane at night and this will illustrate the issue. It's a common beginner's error. Another issue you might find a problem with outdoor IR cameras are spiders webs. The IR reflects off them in exactly the same way. If it's a sealed unit. I rub a plain mothballs all over the body of the camera and advise doing this everytime the camera is maintained like cleaning the glass. If its a housed camera I place a mothball inside, keeping it away from the heater. The vapour escapes enough to ward off spiders.

I get it, his brother is a trained mechanic and thought it was a watercooled system and I am guessing that if his brother thinks he can repair them too he's a have a go hero of the worst kind It's the least he can do, I'll look put for them on ebay then

Would have been even better news if they'd given you your money back, but ultimately they upgraded your equipment and that's a very reasonable outcome.

I absolutely love the upside down camera housing with the vent. Of course this is the only way to guarantee that water can get in. I don't often swear but this lot made me so outraged I found myself swearing out loud. I have NEVER seen anything so poorly put together, this install takes the biscuit and I bet his brother charged him a fortune too?

Yep, it's likely that you do not have enough separation between the lens and the IR array. Since Bosch is a good quality manufacturer it is unlikely to be a manufacturing fault so I am wondering if when you adjusted the camera and replaced the polycarbonate dome if you have fitted it back correctly? These are things to check and check again since we are none of us infallible. Failing that I would contact Bosch to see if they have any advice. The foam or rubber ring MUST be in close contact with the dome or all you get is a reflection of the IR as you describe.

I have four with no more capacity to expand unless I buy another DVR and use management software. I only wanted to cover the outside of my home so these are sufficient, one of the cameras is a PTZ and gives me a lot of flexibility to view where I want. It's like anything else, one situation this will work and not in another. My system developed around my operational requirements and it has achieved it's purpose quite very effectively.

My Mother in laws rock cakes?

I can't think of a better use for a jack hammer!

Wrinkle cream!

I mix baluns all the time and have never had a problem. What I mean is I us pigtail baluns at the camera end and boxed 4 & 8 way baluns at the DVR, I gave up bothering to match brands as it made no real difference. Of course I always test them before installation just to be sure but it's never not worked well. If it works well, why question it, is my motto. I only try to analyze when things don't work, then I wan't to now why not.

If you have such a lot of cash to protect, you need to make it as clear as day to employees a that they are going to get caught if they steal, that way hopefully there is little chance they will even consider it and wil go on to be assets rather than liabilities. When I am installing, and staff ask about being spied on I always tell them it's for THEIR protection from thieves destroying the business and from suspicion in the event of cash or stock shortages. They usually go away quite happy and satisfied.

If you have loads of money, why not buy a range of baluns and rip em apart for us all to see?

I stopped at four because I wanted to keep the costs down, but if I let myself loose with cameras I could easily manage another 16 but then I'd have to employ a full time security guard. Considering this is a small place i think one has to be realistic and draw the line somehwere

Next DVR you buy get more channels than you need so you have some spare ones in the event of another lightening strike. Question. How do you protect yourself from lightening strikes when using baluns and Cat5 ? Never really thought of this....

Get yourself a teenager repellent like the Mosquito and don't tell anyone. They are expensive but I bought a couple on Ebay and they work a treat and they sell like hotcakes when I resell them ( no I don't have any for sale at the moment) Either that or install a loud siren close to where thy hang out, (on your property) and just sound it when they gather there for more than 10 minutes or start to target your cameras. I have also found that a strong strobe light make the teens feel nauseous especially if they've just had fast for or booze. I used to have a Friday night problem in the alley next to my house so every friday evening just before their regular arrival time, I used to break 8 or 9 stink bombs in the place they would congregate. Of course sometimes I'd get caught out with them arriving early but when they congregated outside my home I used to set the intruder alarm off which usually works within a minute or two they are GONE. When I put up a Mosquito they stopped congregating outside my house altogether. Just be creative but don't let them see you react. Reacting with a water hose just draws you to their attention and makes the problem worse. React but not in a way they can see. Good luck.