the toss

You can get a unit to run 2 cameras over the same coax. They come as a pair (send & receive) but not particularly cheap. See your local CCTV supplier. The one I use is called a "VDS video modem system"

that would depend if you are talking about the lens or the housing and also if it is glass or acrylic

I think a little bit of perspective needs to brought to this analogue Vs IP discussion. To start with we will dismiss D1 & 960H because they are redundant. Lets confine ourselves to IP & analogue HD (cvi/tvi). Start at the image sensor - there is no difference between the two. At the moment higher def image sensors are used for IP simply because the higher resolution can be transported. After all IP (internet protocol) is simply a signal transportation method. Its big advantage is that the signal can be manipulated via software. Tvi/cvi on the other hand is similarly a signal transportation method using 32/64 bit QAM. As (if) the technology is developed then the higher resolution sensors will be able to be taken advantage of. Really it is a mistake to call tvi/cvi an analogue signal because it is in fact a digital signal but not in accordance to the internet protocol. The difference between 3Mp & 5Mp is really irrelevant because you would barely notice the difference on the monitor. Where it really matters is with the image processing software. With more pixels comes more information and that information can be extracted via software if it is good enough (the old CSI zoom & enhance) For the average end user there is not much to differentiate between the two other than price. The utube video shown by Boogieman is nice and crisp but it is still only "observational" quality so in the end the difference between HD analogue and IP will be crisp unuseable video or slightly hazzy unuseable video.

It will work & is indeed the most logical way of doing it given you are using AHD

What is the brand of the TV

Agree - get a different brand from a different supplier

CVI = composite video interface TVI = transport video interface These are both HD analogue systems. You could have a recorder with its associated cameras for each block & then network the recorders on the LAN back to the admin block. But really this situation is tailor made for IP cameras

640tvl (pal) 580 tvl (ntsc)

While I am no expert on networking & IP systems it seems to me that if centralised monitoring & control is required and networking infrastructure is in place then an IP system would be a no brainer. If you have decided (for whatever reason) on an analogue system , then given the low price of analogue DVRs your current plan may work out by using CVI/TVI.

Also helps protect against voltage gradient damage from near lightning strikes

As long as you have done as you describe there should be no issue. You say you connected to the TV's RCA. I assume it WAS the TVs "VIDEO IN". The signal is only 1Vpp @ negligable current and so is incapable of generating heat. I cannot offer any other help on your problem

A surge protector only protects against "dirty" power, it will do diddly squat against a lightning strike. The best you can do is to insulate the camera from any metalic structure & keep cabling well away from any metal structure - which can sometimes be quite difficult

I would guess at the light sensor in the camera is faulty & it thinks it is night time thereby switching to IR. For it to happen in 3 of your 4 cameras seems to be stretching it a little. Maybe caused by a power spike? If it is under warranty get them replaced. This is why it is so important to get a reasonable warranty when you buy entry level gear.

Keep in mind that there are two standard centre wire diameters. 0.7mm and 0.9mm. If you dont get the connectors that suit your coax you wont be able to crimp the centre pin. Also when you insert the coax with crimped pin into the body, make sure it locks in ( you will feel the click)

That would depend on the building practices in your area. Where I am the timber framed houses before WW2 were mainly built using toungue & mortice framing which didn't involve noggings so the wall cavities were open from top to bottom. After WW2 every dog & returned soldier would build their own house out of whatever materials they could find. People who where farmworkers or accountants before the war were suddenly builders after the war and not many standards were adhered to. These houses can be a nightmare to cable. More recently, standards are strictly enforced and timber framing should have at least one horizontal nogging. If it is a brick/veneer construction then the perimeter brick walls will have a cavity all the way down

That is a standard 75 ohm BNC . If that is the lead from the camera then it is the first one I have seen with a female fitting instead of the male

I assume you are in the States so policing proceedures may be different. I would've thought that if a complaint has been made (by you) then it would have some process whereby you get feedback on what is happening. Have they even talked to these students. That is usually enough to defuse the situation and if they haven't then you need to ask the question "why". If you need cctv evidence you need quality or it will be dismissed as unreliable. Some second hand cctv gear becomes available but it is usually second hand for a reason ie crap equipment.

" plugged in correctly " ? Are they wireless or not?

50^ coax is physically different to 75^ coax. 75^ BNCs will fit on 50^ coax but not the other way and the compression aspect may be compromised

For long-ish runs you would be far better off using 24Vac cameras. Voltage drop is hardly a factor with 24V cameras

Why dont you try taking some asprin. What has asprin got to do with ghosting you might well ask? ............ About as much as ground loop isolators have.

Careful of your terminology Jerome - You probably mean switcher so one channel can switch between multiple cameras. A splitter will result in both cameras displaying their video over the top of each other

I would like to start up a discussion on the pros & cons of IP & high def analogue ( CVI/TVI/AHD). I feel that there is a large amount of (flawed?) misconception about these technologies. Some people think if the letters IP are missing then it must be low quality junk. They seem to be captivated by the IP God & refuse to entertain the possibility that it may not be all it is made out to be. So come on & give over your thoughts and opinions - I'm sure there is lots to learn.

Ghosting is seldom caused by power issues. If it really is ghosting (as against something else) then it is a result of signal reflection. Think of it as an echo. This will generally be caused by impedance mismatch or poor termination proceedures. I really dont understand your statement about ghosting from right to left. If you have an image transferrence from another camera it is not ghosting. You really need to be careful about how you describe your problem if you are seeking help via a forum (or post pics)

Considering all the different makes/models of cars all with different fixtures and sign writing etc you are looking for some pretty amazing software for a VMS