rory

Hi Yes, you can run a wire for each TV, just using RCA connectors direct into the TV inputs. you can use telephone 2 pair wire for short runs, or double up for longer, or speaker type wire. Get 1 piece of RCA cable with connectors on, cut it in half, use one on each end of wire, tape or use terminal plugs. Or just get a long enough lengtht of RCA cable. Also, yes, Screens would be best, depends on the windows though, what type they are. We have so many different types here in the Bahamas being used. If the screens are on the outside I wouldnt recommend it, they false alot. Another option would be indoor beams across each window. Optex has a flush or surface mount one. Blinds/curtains sometimes cause issues with these, so depends. You can also use beams outside to cover a whole set of windows and doors. Motions used for back up either way in the main areas. Glasss breaks where glass can be broken to get in. In other words if the window doesnt open at all, then a glass break would work there. It is pretty easy to install. Though you may want to get a pro in the area to do it for you, to avoid false alarms or imprpoper setup. Wiring is the part I hate! If you wanted send me a copy of the plans, types of doors and windows, and I can send something back to you. You could go over what you want then take it to them, or buy it yourself and install, depending on what you decide. I would not actually do the alarm for you or sell you anything, just helping out by giving some ideas on parts to buy/use. Alot of companies use Ademco, whether it is First alert, or others with their names on the Ademco products. Rory

dont worry, with shipping and duty, it ends up costing me landed in Nassau approx $500.

Hi First off: 3 PTZs at $1000 dealer price each, thats $3000, and that is on the low end (US). Second: You can run PTZ on coax no problem. I would use the same PTZ as the DVR though. In other words, if you buy a Kalatel PTZ, use a Kalatel DVR, etc, makes things simpler. Some DVRs dont have support for other brand DVRs. Geo, Kalatel, Phillips, and other well know DVR brands do have support for most well known PTZ protocols. All or most DVRs have PTZ and Remote capability. Geovision has it also, with the additional purchase of the receiver from the manufacturer. As for turning the lights on, the alarm can do that no problem, easy. Camera Motion detection turning lights on at night, another issue. Motion Detection only works if their is adequate light or if you are using IR to drive cameras in pitch or very low dark light. The alarm can do whatever you want it to do, depending on which system you get; do you have an idea on which system yet?? I have installed/serviced Ademco for past 8 years. As far as monitor the cameras from the TVs, you can easily, using a RF modulator, but cannot control the PTZ without a keypad from the PTZ manufacturer. Easy though on the cable side, you just use a RF modulator with 1 RG59/6 coax to where the main cable TV comes in, use a filter for the channel line, and you have that line of channels blocked, set a channel to view the cameras on using the mod, you are set to go. Eg. ChannelVision sells Filters for different channels, for example you can get one that blocks channels 71-74, then using the Modulator device, just set which channel you want to view it on. Moving on, DVRs or Any CCTV splits the screen in 4, and then goes to 7, 9 etc depending on the device. Certain ones will do say 4, then sequence the last 2 on the bottom right picture. Quad (4 way) without that feature only shows 4. If using cable TV and a mod you will see whatever the CCTV device is set to, eg. quad, 9 way, sequence, etc. Front Door:Aiphone has good systems for this. Or if you dont want to spend that much, or dont need many stations, you can go cheaper and still get a good product; Provideo has a 2 station system; eg, with 1 camera/audio station (B/W) and up to 2 monitor stations, and can add 1 more camera/audio station, for low cost. Aiphone has the PTZ and color solutions. Samsung has a couple low end ones also, also many more brands, eclipse, etc, low end. Aiphone is a higher end unit, and worth it. But not neccassary for a normal home. I normally sell provideo in low end applications. You mentioned prewired for windows, do you plan to use contacts or screens, etc? This is the CCTV forum, but if you like I can help you choose an alarm system. Rory

http://en.asmag.com/supplier/content2.php?id=240 check out their info on here. Products are on the right side. Rory

in the US around $350 dealer. Thats why Im considering using all the Sanyo Day Night cameras and fixed domes instead of GE's and others, they are simply cheaper, and do a good job. Ive used the Sanyo Day/Night vandal resistant dome also, works good, not as neat looking as the GE's but if it works and is $100+ cheaper, its worth it. Im still carrying GE's other cameras, like color & BW exviews, wide dynamic, etc. I have to look and see if Sanyo has a cheaper Wide Dynamic, not sure. Rory

http://www.sanyo.com/industrial/security/cameras/special/index.cfm?productID=147 Im using this camera, its color in day, with a mechanical switch over to BW at night, with an ExtremeCCTV.com UF500 840nm IR Bulb, and it works great. I have a 12 mm auto iris lens on it. Proper Direction of the LED makes a huge difference also. In this picture it is not as good a it can be. I dont have any clips of when I DID have both 2 of the Bulbs positioned properly (cleaning staff moved it and 1 bulb 3 years later went dead), but thanks to a new IR job coming up, using multiple of these IR Bulbs, I will definately have a few, looking up 200' streets. This driveway is around 150'+. The IR Bulbs are supposed to do 500', when positioned properly. This is with one of the Bulbs, I just got a second, but I have no clips right now. it uses the Extreme Housing also, with a dual mount for the 2 bulbs and the housing. I originally used an extreme camera but it got fried so went with the Sanyo. Bascially the client has been away for a month. The IR bulb needs to be moved slightly up so to get the glow off of the ground, that will give a further distance. Though it is not such a deal, as they are seeing what they need to in this instance. These are 10 degree bulbs, they come in 60, 30, 10, and spot. 30 or 60 would give a much wider IR view.

not much, never heard of them, though there are probably hundreds or thousands of Asian DVR manufacturers. Try a search on www.asmag.com Rory

If you are use to using 480TVL color cameras, and then go an use a 330 or 350TVL camera, you will easily notice the difference. There is a huge difference in clarity, especially in playback on a DVR. For example, use it indoors on a cash register or capturing customers faces, or an exview outdoors in low light. Rory

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From some recent tests, Linux DVRs are not as stable as they claim to be, very frequent lock ups on several Linux DVRs, cheap ones.

Maybe. To start with, its not a Sony Camera, just uses the Sony Exview, which is nothing new, in bullets. Its a no name bullet. Id go with something that states a manufacturer name, so you can check the manufacturer's specs on it. More than likely, that is 0.003 lux, if they are lucky, the 0.0003 would be the facepate rating. Their is no exact lux rating for cameras, in other words, it is not always exact, just an approximate rating. The 0.003 even sounds a little hopeful in a bullet camera also. Rory

Only certain cameras will work with 920nm as it depends on the cameras spectral response. 840nm is recommended unless you are certain the IR will work with the selected camera. Rory

try a F:0.95 Lens. Also, its not a very low light camera, especially for BW, but then thats why its cheap However, it should see fine at night time, in fairly lit up areas, to dim areas. I have plently 0.1 lux cameras out there, but they dont compare to a 0.01 lux Exview. Sanyo has some good cameras though, I use them in a couple day/night apps.

looks good, only thing, regarding the monitoring station, with alarms, we use recievers, not PCs, that buffer the data if the PC has gone down. Do they have a machine for this for the video, or is it still just the PC? Thanks ROry

Whats the average going rate in the USA, for running RG59 coax siemese cables, like by the foot, and just loose, no conduit (eg. in drop ceilings, attics, etc.) Also, I forget the link, but does anyone know the web site that has all the wiring tools? Thanks Rory

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I love GE's traditional and Dome cameras, and Phillips, but Sanyo has a larger range than they do, with day/night versions, zoom, etc. and better pricing, and Ive already used them as wel lso I know they work. Anyone else tested any Sanyo Cameras?

Price? I dont know of anyone using pelco DVRs, its not that popular.

you could use a pendant mount dome housing, and a compact cs camera.

the reason it does those extra things is it uses a windows OS. Thumbnail search would be nice.

the price all depends on what they are using, 4 channel systems, or the more expensive 16 channel units, hard disk space, etc. Find out how many cameras there are, then you can get an idea from there, which unit they are using. The dealer price on the best Kalatel DVR with DVD, Etc, 160GB HDD, 120pps, is around $4,000. Then there are the 60pps with CDRW 16 channel 160GB, $3,000. The March Networks is similar where they are different in specs, and prices also. To tell you thr truth, I cant remember where i saw the pricing before, but someone on this forum uses their products so they may be able to help. Rory

whats the going US rate for CCTV/Security consultants? Is it like a percentage of the final job? thanks Rory

Anyone got comments on these cameras? http://www.jai.com/camera/products_show.asp/id=39&sprog=uk#318

in that case, dont worry about it, it wll work fine, actually you could get away with a cheaper non day/night Waterproof Color IR bullet, as they work good up to 15-20' with surrounding walls such as a pool wall. Rory

Somehow I missed that, but it is yes. Only problem is, there are no specs to see if it has an IR Cut filter, meaning if there is no filter turned on in daylight, the daytime pictures have an off color, same goes with the cameras I listed above. But dont worry, some high end IR cameras dont have that feature also. I always pick the ones that do though. http://www.cs.unc.edu/Research/stc/FAQs/Cameras_Lenses/IR%20Filter.htm Otherwise, some photos for you to ponder on anyway