Numb-nuts

Sorry Matt, I can't be bothered....

This is why I start running cable from the camera rather than from the DVR "John, can you pass me up another center pin for a BNC please."

That won't stop you dropping the compression plug. I like to terminate the first plug whilst I am on the ground, then take it up to the camera or junction box. Thats why I start at the camera end of the run and work back to the DVR.

Adam the thugs around here would steal a diamond saw from a construction site and cut it away at the foot. Still, we mustn't be pessimistic must we?

That is not a box or Body camera, that is a common outdoor IR Camera. Box or body is the traditional style of camera which has a separate lens selected according to it's operational requirements and fitted via C or CS mounting thread. It usually has a n outlet to power auto iris lenses.

Those are quite a wide range of dimentions. You can use this lens calculator to work out the lens you want. Don't forget to adjust for actual distance to target by using pythagorus' theorem for right angle triangles. i.e. a² +b²= c² But I'm sure most of you knew that, I just mention it so nobody is embarrassed to ask. This is only really important when specifying a fixed lens, but with a varifocal lens, it doesn't matter quite so much. You will want an f stop of 1.3 or greater, to get a good depth-of-field and it should be IR correcting Auto Iris. I'm sure I'll take some stick for stating pythagorus' theorem for right angle triangles, but there you go...

Thanks for that, I think I am going to have to give this some serious consideration before I start spending more money on equipment. I already have a netbook so I will see if I can utilize that somehow.

I had already thought of using a wireless netbook but it's a bit difficult up a ladder isn't it? I;ll have to change my mobile phone then. I was looking at this item

How do you guys use to position and focus IP cameras that don't have a local video ouput?

AWESOME! I want one now.

Well some people might Not mentioning any names you understand!

I am of the opinion that those are just BNC plugs with a two wire connection for video from a board camera or a coax cable. I can't imagine them being too effective as a balun. A reliable pair of baluns can cost from $3.00 or even less if you look hard enough.

Yeah that is plenty. Those files should be overwritten in a couple of months. Why worry? Do I sense a little pride creeping in here

MIne is a very common one 3.5" screen Cat5 tester, multimeter, colour bar generator and PTZ analyzer, 12v DC supply and bump resistant jacket. It apparently also has audio tester but I've never used that. It all comes in a carry bag which is padded and all the leads are there too with charger. Very useful for setting up on screen menu settings, varifocal lenses and camera positioning. I just wish the screen was a little larger but overal, it has saved me heaps of time and is one tool I couldn't do without. I paid around £200. with fast delivery over ebay. Best £200 I ever spent. There is a cheaper version without the multimeter and some other functions. click the image to see the ebay item Actually, this one doesn't look too bad for the money ebay item 200675674660

Good choice.

Backup the camera configuration through PSS? Wow, now you got me, I've never used the PSS for my system as I have a Macintosh. It has only become available recently but I haven't bothered as the DVR is set up adjacent to my computer. I am sure someone will know the answer to that one. By the way you select the areas you want to trigger recording (in transparent red) not the areas you don't, and mask is the wrong term as it refers to privacy masking, say when your camera overlooks a neighbour's window, then you would use a privacy mask. Regarding the deleting of specific files, why bother, just let them roll on and be overwritten. If you are trying to preserve HDD space I wouldn't worry unless you are expecting a LOT of trouble. I am guessing that you have a 500GB or larger HDD? If you are that worried about HDD space, you should have bought a bigger drive. A DVR is not like a home PC where you want to preserve space for files, if some event occurs you will know within a day or two. Provided you have that capacity before overwrite takes place, you should be alright and will know approximately when to search. You can make regular backups to DVD or external HDD just work out how often you will need them before overwrite takes place.

Simply ask the retailer if you need to order BNC connectors for those cameras. I doubt they'de sell you something you really don't need. Besides, Box or Body cameras rarely have RCA socket it's nearly always BNC. If you are using pre made cables they often have a RCA plug so then you may need BNC adaptor. I didn't mean to create uncertainty in anyone's mind but wanted to make the point as we aren't being specific.

Under the setting menu, you can set the area for motion detection and the sensitivity (1-6, 6 being the most sensitive) too. There will be movements that you don't want to set the camera recording so think about what areas to select. While doing this pay attention to which camera you have selected before making any changes. My own DVR records on motion detection only and I find it very successful. Lights of cars, trees moving and people passing by can all set the camera recording, but you can tweek each camera over a few weeks. When you are happy with them, don't forget to back up your settings to a USB stick so that if anything happens to your setting, you restore them easily.

As has been said, the correct way to go about things is to work out what the operational requirements are and come back with a proposal, showing how it meets the customer's operational requirements and only then state a price including first year' two maintenance visits, (even if you only clean the camera lenses) and installation and sundry installation items. I like to put in a 10% additional contingency which is not charged in the initial price. If you don't work this way, anything that suddenly needs adding will come out of YOUR pocket. Working to a price is to some extent an obstacle your job is to show the customer that operational requirements have no respect for budgets an if money is the overall operational requirement, then efficiency is likely to suffer. Wishing you luck with this project. My Analogy. If your business needed a 10 ton truck you wouldn't got out and buy a station wagon just because it fitted your budget would you? Of course not, you'd look at refinancing because the station wagon just won't meet your needs.

Analogue cameras do, most IP cameras don't but some have a BNC outlet so that the camera can be aimed and focused with traditional CCTV test screens. Thank heavens for that. If the camera has a RJ45 inlet (usually at the rear but not always) it is almost certainly a IP camera. Sometimes but not so often the video inlet will be a screw terminal Vid+ and Vid- but I have never seen this on a Body camera yet, it's usually PTZ and fixed dome cameras that sometimes have that and some board cameras. I have seen some cheap cameras with a RCA inlet (usually colour coded yellow) for video instead of BNC. I am curious why do you ask?

While we're on the subject of fixings, I was wondering I have to fit a corner bracket for a PTZ onto aluminum / aluminium cladding. Obviously I can't get behind the cladding or I would place nuts and washers. I have thought about using nutserts but have never used these before. Any advice?

Instead of mounting it on a wooden pole, concrete in a steel pole and knock out a damaged mailbox before filling with concrete. THAT SHOULD SLOW THEM DOWN A BIT, I've no doubt that it may cause them injury when hitting it or damage their car. I know it may feel like they are targeting you specifically, but this probably isn't the case in reality. If you see it happen again don't go out or let them see you've seen it happen, that simply amplifies their fun 10 times and then they return to repeat what has already happened. A hunter's self contained prey camera might be an option to consider. Simply lash it to a tree, point in the right direction and wait. You could find a way to fix it so it can't be stolen easily. It records onto a SD card. These are High Definition cameras and produce excellent images day and night. Checkout Brinno cameras. They have a range of cameras that one is bound to fit the bill. Click the image below to go their website where there are no prices, you have to find a distributor in your country. I have seen these on ebay UK they may well be on ebay.com too. MAC100 one of the self contained Megapixel Cameras Solutions from Brinno The name has nothing to do with Apple Computers. ALSO take a look at their time-lapse cameras which might be an option to consider

You're not the only one Jack I use ferrules everywhere now even on my hi fi speaker cables. I also wish I''d bought mine 20 yrs ago. One tip, when using connector block or screw down terminals you can trim the ferrule down a bit after crimping so they don't stick out too far. I always put a little Contralube on the ferrule when installing in outdoor junction boxes it just makes sure they don't corrode easily. I've never had on corrode yet and been using ferrules over a year now. One of my customers specify their use and that is how I became introduced to them.

Regarding my recommendation to terminate Cat5 with chord end or bootlace ferrules here are a couple of clips of how these terminals fit and crimp. As I said Cat5 conductors are not intended to be used in screw down terminals such as those on a balun, the conductors are far too brittle, and if you are using stranded conductors because you have some tight bends to work around then it becomes even more important to terminate with bootlace ferrules. I will make the point that they are not essential, but I consider them a good practice These video clips shows the tool crimping a 0.5 mm² - 24 AWG frerrule (orange) onto a stranded cablble (not Cat5) This is the tool I have and this is the tool I WISH I had and this is the one Jack In Oz is planning to buy Don't ever loan it to anyone Jack, you'll never get it back These terminals are known under these names by various trades Wire end ferrules Chord end Ferrules Bootlace ferrules Not to be confused with Rubber Ferrules or Wire Rope Ferrules

Will you guys stop with the donut thing, you're making me hungry!