StanLee2066

What size screens (CRT vs LCD) are you comparing? What is the output of the camera - is it standard NTSC (480i) using composite?

Looks like a really clean professional job. Well done! Thanks for sharing

I wouldn't worry about that. I've sent items in for warranty work in the past and they always specify they don't want you to send any of the included accessories, including cables. They just want the main item. It is odd though that they would send you a cable with such a unique connector and expect you to find the mate. All the cameras I've had either just provide a single connector that plugs into the camera and expect you to add your own wires, or provide connector to camera with wires that are open ended so you can add your own connector/block.

Thanks for the compliment Hitch. I spent all lf last summer installing those pavers. Wish the camera was installed at the time - would have made for some great time lapse video! I also thought about ACTi, but already had an Axis and didn't want to complicate things. They seem to be very good value for the money.

You have a choice of using amplified or not. There is actually one already provided with the camera, but just can't see it working that well inside the dome. I've got my outdoor lights on one of those switches with astronomical clocks. Works like a charm! Mine is set to turn off at midnight. I might just get IR to turn on with motion after that time ... or just use a 3-5W LED. This should be just enough for me to see myself in when coming in late and should also provide just enough light to recognize someone approaching the door. This shouldn't bother the neighbors.

Not quit clear how you have it all connected, but 40 meter HDMI cable run is pushing the limits. Try a 1 or 2 meter run as an experiment to see what happens.

Here are some pics from my front door camera installation with microphone. I'm using the ME52W microphone from Olympus. Got it directly from them for about $20. I chose this because of the 'stuby' design and can be easily removed, its directional which helps avoid background noise, can be rotated/angled and even comes with a cute foam cover to help with wind noise! It works really well, however I tried other microphones I had lying around and also got good performance. Here is the package ... The mic ... The audio plug mounted under the soffit (purchased separately) ... The mic plugged in ... you can see the mic just above the left side of door ... And just for fun, the view from the Axis p3364 max resolution about half hour before sunset ... during the day when the light is really bright, the day picture looks even sharper. I'll try posting one too. and at night ... This is with a single 8W LED bulb in a lamp over the door out of view. you can see some light reflection from it. This is also at a gain of 12db - it can go much higher even lighting up the scene more. But I prefer this more natural look.

Thanks for backing me up survtech. The original poster never mentioned how long the cable runs needed to be, and I figure for future proofing in applications such as HD-SDI it couldn't hurt due to the much higher frequencies. Mr. the toss is entitled to his opinion, but there is no need to be such an AHole about it.

I've got some Axis p33 series and record directly to NAS - but have tried the SSD too. Works perfectly. I use the ACC computer program that Axis provides for free to monitor multiple cameras and recordings. Also very simple to use and works great. All my front door recordings are event based. I record at max resolution and 30fps and get about 20g per week. Set to auto delete after a week but can obviously go longer. Certainly reliable and hardy ... no problems yet. I've also setup a microphone at the front door and am really surprised how well it works. I wouldn't setup without it now. I can post a couple of pics of mic installation if you like.

If it's for CCTV then start by using the correct cable which is RG59 RG6 and RG59 both have 75 ohm impedance and so can be used interchangeably. The RG6 also has better shielding and lower loss. The only disadvantage is that it's slightly thicker/more expensive. If those aren't concerns, the RG6 is the way to go.

I'd post this in the "IP/Megapixel Cameras and Software Solutions" since your question is more specific to IP camera setup info and these types of questions are often discussed there. There is no harm in running the cameras on their own network, and there are certainly major advantages. Only you can say how busy your main network is and if it's really needed. If you plan on continuously streaming 10 cameras however it certainly seems like a wise move. Kudos to you for great planning. You should mention which cameras you have. I've got a few p33 series cameras in my home. They record directly to NAS - the onboard SD works great too, the only NVR software I use is Axis's own ACC which I find works great for viewing recordings and monitoring multiple live streams. it's free and works for up to 16 cameras. There are many other 3rd party choices though. Perhaps others can chime in. I've often thought of trying out hardware NVR myself, but for my uses would only consider it if they provided direct video out to a monitor from all my cameras. Unfortunately I haven't come across such a device. Also, a 250' HDMI run is to long, but could work with repeaters.

I'm not sure I understand. Isn't the cable pictured the one that came with the camera? If so, there should be a location to plug it into the camera itself. And yes, you could simply cut and strip the other end directly to an audio plug. However I would terminate all the connections to some type of terminal block first.

Thanks for proving my point. You're just a salesman.

That's total crap. I paid between $900 to $1400 Axis cameras that buellwinkle has reviewed on his site. I would hardly call that 'budget', and their cameras are also used quit extensively for commercial installations. Avigilon is appearing to me to me much like Apple - it's all about marketing. And so I agree, there is no reason to have their products reviewed. It would dangerously expose then to the fact that there are better products out there for the same or lower price!

Are you crimping theRG6 connector to RG58/59 cable by any chance?

In my opinion no. To me, it's a typical view most people have from there balcony. It's mostly trees too. People like to look at people, traffic and general activity. There's just not enough of that in your view. If your camera was smack downtown on a high tower with min 180deg view you possibly might have a chance, but even then I'd still be doubtful ... once again, just my opinion. Nice looking neighborhood though.

It has a mechanical IR cut filter which engages at night. This gives it potential for viewing in complete darkness when used together with proper IR. Not all cameras have this. They've essentially provided the technology in the camera so the IR can be installed as an 'add-on' by the user. I do agree however that the term 'day and night' camera does leave the impression to a buyer that the 'night' part works right out of the box.

This device would do the trick. http://www.geovision.com.tw/english/Prod_GVIPDecoderBox.asp

Axis has three main dome series PTZ - AXIS M50 Series, AXIS P55 Series and AXIS Q60 Series (all megapixel). If I recall, one of them has a smoked dome as an included accessory (like my non-PTZ dome), and the other two provide a smoked dome as an optional accessory. Go to the Axis website and check the datasheet of a particular series. You will see this info in there. Axis has decent support. I would ask their opinion on how/if using a smoked dome would affect the quality/performance of the camera.

That's weird. My megapixel Axis camera arrived with a clear and smoked dome. I tried both and didn't really notice a difference at all in picture quality. Perhaps the it's not that 'smoked'? From close range I can still see the lens a bit.

Have you considered a NAS? I've been using the DLINK DNS-323/325 for years and have been extremely happy. Works perfectly and well priced. You can get an add-on application for them (free I believe) called 'Surveillance Center'. It's an Embedded NVR (network video recorder) that supports real-time monitoring, recording and playback of surveillance video using select D-Link Network Cameras. Supports up to 4 D-Link network cameras.. Is this the kind of thing you're looking for? Since you already have some dlink cameras and are reasonably happy with them. I can see how they would be fine for looking at pets. Just an idea.

Are you hoping to make the Axis work well in complete darkness like your Foscam? You're asking for the impossible. No camera is capable of that - they all need some form of light. If adding IR is not something you are prepared to deal with at the moment, you can always provide regular lighting. A very popular option that should get you going is to get one of those external flood lights that are motion activated and only turn on at night.

What about this: Wide viewing angle of 134° (they also have 187° model). Both are good in low light. It's about $500, so quite affordable for the quality. http://www.axis.com/products/cam_m3006v/index.htm

I use 4:3 at my front door and 16:9 to cover my double-car garage entrance. You should choose whatever fits the scene best. For viewing, it's typically set to 5 or 10fps. This eases the burden on my system when viewing multiple cameras in split windows. I'm just looking at grass and rocks most of the time anyways! As for recording, it's always set at the maximum my cameras can do which is 720p @ 30fps for 16:9. I paid for it, so why not use it? The cameras are set to record on motion and I only collect about 30g of recordings a week. This is not big deal these days, and certainly no burden on my gigabit LAN.

Holly crap, even for 120AC the code around here is 18".