Soundy

Not entirely familiar with GeoVision specifically, but *.db is generally an extension for database files, not video. You would edit them with whatever database program they're created for (MSSQL, MS Access, dBASE, MySQL, etc. I believe GV uses Microsoft SQL Server. What would be the point of editing these files, though? They contain only search data for the video files.

If you don't mind PC-based, check out Video Insight. I can't confirm myself, but I'm pretty sure their web client is viewable on the iPhone. Hit http://www.demovi.com with your iPhone to test it out.

Damn, where can I get one of those??

You could look at some of the "portable" or "car" DVRs that use flash memory - being designed to run on a car's battery, they're necessarily low-draw to begin with. Or consider cameras with their own onboard flash-media (SDHC) storage.

^Plus, you'd have to take that one line and split it four ways, which would cause significant signal degradation.

Actually, I did find some info on some patents for it, as well as some AverMedia stuff that claims to have voice-triggered recording (which could just as easily be used to trigger an alarm output, I suppose). Thing is, there's very little detail on whether it truly filters out speech from other ambient sounds, or if it's a rough sound-activated system. Try googling "voice detection" (WITH the quotes) and then add "alarm" to the search.

I hate that kind. "Hey, my friend told me about such-and-such, can you do it?" "Uuhhh..." Probably something the friend saw in a movie.

Quoted for truth!

If this person has heard about it, perhaps HE can provide more information... at least a technology name that you can search for? Or is it just something he saw in a movie?

You might be able to run the video through a post-processor that will stretch it proportionately - not stretched in the middle, stretched more toward the sides - but that probably won't work any better (I tried watching a hockey game on a TV that did that once, it was like watching it through a water bottle). So, your only options are stretched video, pillarboxed video (black bars on the sides)... or zoomed, so the top and bottom extend past the edge of the screen. Check out this link: http://www.cnet.com/1990-7874_1-5140690-3.html

It's playing for me in Windows Media Player Classic... but that was installed along with K-Lite Codec Pack, so the codec that's working was probably in there. Oddly, it won't play in VLC. Windows Media Player 10 shows it as "Indeo® video 5.10 Decompression Filter"

You can always feed the output of the DVR into the modulator and watch that on the TVs...

Got any specs on this setup?

You only need to post a question once. http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=17644

How are they being modulated? Do they run via the cablevision system to the TVs so they're tuned on a channel? Do they flip from one to the next? Or are they displayed on a split screen? If they're being modulated onto a cable channel, I don't think you'll find a DVR that will work with that - it would have to have a TV tuner built in in that case... and you'd then either have it flipping camera-to-camera, which would negate the purpose of motion, or you'd be recording the split-screen, which would greatly reduce the quality of the individual cameras. Frankly, no matter which way you look at it, you're probably better off just putting the DVR where the four cameras come in. Get one that has daisy-chained outputs so you can just "insert" it in the existing camera lines and they can then still feed the modulator system.

.asf is a Windows Media format. .avi stands for "audio-video interleave" and is a generic wrapper... the file format itself could be encoded with any number of codecs.

letssled, can you post some clips to a file-sharing service, or a few stills to something like Photobucket? We can take a look and maybe someone can clean things up for you...

As far as connector types, I personally like compression connectors. They're one piece (well, most of them are), lock on solid, and most designs are weatherproof. I've used several different styles, some I like, some I don't... mostly using GEM brand and find they work really well. I tried some that actually had a separate crimp-on center pin, which I found really stupid, since I have to carry two crimpers there (or no doubt, buy their custom crimper). Our ADI/Burtek carries another brand (the name escapes me) that were really nice - the center pin is pushed up inside the barrel so you don't have to "hope" that the center conductor hits it, and then you push it into place along with the wire... those are good but they come in a really stupid plastic tube that you're supposed to use to "squeeze" them out. I've had problems with most standard one- and two-piece crimp designs I've tried... although it could just be that most didn't properly fit the crimper dies I have. I've mostly used the three-piece type (body, barrel and sleeve) and found them fairly reliable. Twist-ons I don't like - partly because they don't hold if you don't strip the cable just right, but mostly because your wrist gets really f'n sore if you have more than a half-dozen or so cameras (remember, each camera is two connectors!)

I posted all the clips captainjack sent me, for anyone who wants to take a look: http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii207/soundy106/CCTV%20Stills/captainjack05/ That cameray ou listed is a PTZ... probably not worth the extra expense in this case. The ability to move the camera and zoom in is handy in realtime, but unless you use some kind of motion-tracking software to allow the camera to do it automatically, it won't improve your recorded images.

Well, "consumer" is your key word there. We're dealing with "professional" and even "industrial-grade" cameras; a consumer-grade recording system is going to have problems keeping up.

Unfortunately most megapixel cameras likely won't handle the lighting in this case (he sent me a few still captures), unless you get into some of the very high-end ones.

IP Video System Design Tool

I don't think you'll find a *new* PTZ for that price, short of resorting to eBay. Might find a mid-quality used one in that range. FYI, BNC connections in CCTV cameras DO carry composite video. You'll find BNC far more common than RCA connectors in CCTV, because they lock on for a more solid connection.

My coworker uses an Archos 5 as his test monitor. Takes stills AND records video. Can also play videos and operate as a signal source. He just records to the internal hard drive, but I believe it also has an SD slot.

Correct. Check your information sources - you state initially, for example, that the domes require 1A each, which doesn't match what the manufacturer spec sheets say. The spec sheet on the PSU is also different (4.2A) than what you stated. As you see, having the right numbers does make a difference! Hey, everyone's a noob at some point The idea with a fuse (and a circuit breaker) is that it will pop and cut the circuit if more than the designated amount of current is flowing. This is done primarily to protect against fire: a short in the wiring, or a failure in the equipment that causes excessive current draw, can cause the wiring to overheat and potentially start a fire. A fuse also provides some protection for the equipment: it can partially protect the camera from power spikes and surges, and it can protect the power supply from burning out if there's too much demand placed on it. Really, you could put a 20A fuse on each channel and they'd still perform their primary purpose, but there's no NEED to do that. Most power supplies of this type, the fuses will be some nominal rating such as 2A or 3A, allowing for flexibility in layout. You can bump any one of them up a bit without concern. Mainly, the higher voltage means less current is required for the same power requirements (roughly, 12W would be 0.5A at 24V vs. 1A at 12V). By extension, you get less voltage drop over the wire run. Also, most (cheap) 12V cameras use a common ground between the power and signal lines, which in some instances can introduce ground loops and noise problems, especially when using a central power supply.