rory

to start with, a 8" LCD (TFT) monitor, prices around $500, so the larger part of the cost will be there. If you can get one with 2 video inputs (mon A and mon B), that will save cost on the switcher. Totevision LCD - 8" #LCD800N http://www.spytown.com/tot8lcdmonlc.html this has 2 video inputs, and you can purchase a flush mount kit. Note though, not cheap, but same as those with just 1 input. As for cameras, if you dont want to spend too much, and easy installation, a 6mm bullet camera would be best. You would need a low light EXview fixed lens 6mm. (4mm is cheaper, but 6mm would be better for the distance you want) http://www.spytown.com/provcvc6800e.html If the street is on the left or right of your driveway (?) then a 4mm would be better, as it is a wider lens. http://www.spytown.com/provcvc637ex.html If you want color in day, BW at night, Provideo has a CVC-7700DNV bullet camera, with a varifocal 4-8mm lens, so you can adjust the focal lenght at time of installation. http://www.spytown.com/specprovdayb.html True Day night (color switching to BW) is never cheap, but this bullet will be cheaper either way. There is also Fixed Vandal Proof Mini Domes, day night, but they cost much more, but are more vandal resistant. For a home, it could be overkill. BTW, a black and white only camera will cost alot less. http://www.spytown.com/cvc-130r.html Rory

Hi Ill check them all out, thanks for the info. Are there any sites that list all the IP camera Sotfware solutions, just deal with the software side of it, instead of all the hardware that is out there? Maybe something worth getting started? Also, any ideas on what is used to connect to the IP cameras? Developer wise, like in the instance that you want to make your own software? Thanks Rory

Hi #1 - do you need vandal proof, or can you just mount a traditional camera with a mount? If you need vandal proof, or resistant, you can optionally use a Vandal Resistant Mini Fixed Dome camera, with a varifocal AUTO IRIS, 4-8mm lens. This should cover you, and you can adjust it at time of installation to zoom in on the box if you need to. If the boxes are just 2 feet away, a 4mm lens probably is not wide enough, so youd need something like a 2.5 -10 mm varifocal lens, so you can adjust it. Take into consideration the glare from lights onto the top of the boxes, but you should be able to make out the letters somewhat ok. Either way you would need a high resolution, color, 480TVL, or even the sanyo 520TVL camera. Also which camer depends on what type of lighting you have there, if it is too dim, you would need a low lux Color camera, and if it is even darker, a BW, though not sure BW will pick up the letters. depends on the colors and their back grounds. Main problem is that a box 2 feet way may cause alot of glare on the camera as it self adjusts. Lighting is the main factor in whether or not you see the images, or if you get glare, etc. Interesting to see if anyone else here has done this type of App before, if so post some feedback, id like to know for future use. Rory

also, switcthing out an Everfocus 16 channel for a DVMRe CT in the next few days, will have some time to test that DVR out, and will let you know how it goes. As far as I know, the everfocus at least is designed for remote video, with browser based software, think I demod it one time ago, will check it out again.

Hi AV, We actually called Pro Video, and supposedly spoke to the technician in that DVR-16/IP area, and I was asking him questions like, I want to play back recorded video over the lan, but he is saying, oh yeah, I gues there is no way to do that. Basically he said, and we did this and it DID work, have to use the CDRW built in, record the video you want, then play it back using the DVR play back software which is included. Now this playback is pretty good, same quality as Kalatel (cheap cameras used so hard to tell), but still cant play back the recorded video over the net, or save a chunk of recorded video over the net, to your remote PC. when i say net, that goes for LAN as well. He even admitted, for the price, you loose some features other more expensive DVRs have!! Anyway, strange thing is, in the actual manual, there is a section explaining the use of another software program, much like a GUI like WaveReader, or other softwares out there for DVRs, for the play back, etc, remote view etc. BUT, its not on the CD. It sais download the software, exaclty as i just wrote it, but not where to download it from. It has images also, but the tech at Pro Video sais there is no other software!! The book has Speco Technologies on the front of it, so Im going to scan that page and email them it, asking where do i download this software from, and why is it not on the CD, and why do the techs not know about this software ... Ill let you know what conspires, its a $1500 machine, need to be able to sell it to someone, current features, cant sell it under my company name, may have to sell it to someone that just wants a basic DVR, 16 channel. Another thing, Gain is by default way too high, and the image quality on a CCTV monitor, does not match other muxes I have used. Wierd thing is, I am using one of their 9 channel color muxes on another job, just as video output to a second monitor selection on 1 monitor, for some hidden cameras, and the quality is better, and the gain is normal, totally different menu setup, etc. I guess it is built by a different company out of Asia! All kalatel muxes & DVRs have the same set up look and fields. Rory

just did some work on a RF modulator today, with 4 plasma TVs, some 20' Regular TVs, and a big screen TV (60'? it was huge), and a 30 some inch regular TV. The smaller ones and the regular ones gave a good picture, the plasmas were good if you stood back from them a bit, I guess thats how they are meant to be, 1 full screen image of the beach area looks great though at that size! )) these are 6 year old Plasmas though, NEC & Fujitsu, mixed, different locations, still would like to try some new Plasmas/LCD.

Modulation is good in a house where you cannot run new wires, but quality is not as good as direct into the video in port of the TV, which is still not as good as a CCTV monitor, but good for what it does. Provideo has a cheaper 6 output distribution device. Depends how many you need to send it to, kalatel (GE) has larger ones, that do 16 and can be rackmounted to do more, using extra cards, etc. They get pretty expensive, but do the job. When you say IR, do you mean a simple remote for the TV or Mux, or what? Not many high quality muxes have IR remotes, which is why I ask. You could run Cat 5 for keypad controllers, which control the mux. The keypads arent cheap, and will need to be the same brand as the mux. Alternativelty, you can install a mini PC with Lan at each TV location, (sweet if they are plasmas), and using a wireless keypad w/mouse ball (like used with WebTV etc, you can switch to the PC input on the plasma, and connect to the DVR and control the cameras like that. Maybe someone else has an idea in using the LAN method. As for conventional, the keypads, hard wired are the only route I know of, you can run them up to 10,000 feet from the Mux (Kalatel (GE)), or link multiple muxes also. You can link multiple muxes, keypads, etc. But if your IR Remote is working for you, then stick with it, it will be the easiest and less expensive way to go.

been there, done that. I don't know about those cams, but I don't skimp anymore on the camera. It's just to vital on a system to skimp on. I'll pass on jobs if the budget doesn't allow for a good camera. the client will just be let down and will reflect back on you no matter how many times you told them it was a cheap cam. My .02 same here

does any one know what the quality is on todays Plasmas using RCA in? I have tried it on a 5 year old Fujitsu Plasma and quality was like it is on a LCD monitor, very bad, compared to a CCTV monitor. Has the technology gotten better in this respect, and are there particular types of plasmas to use to get the best quality? Im talking CCTV not PC monitor. Thanks Rory

2.4Ghz is not that good, 900, 1.2 or even better, 5.8ghz. the other questions, dont know, then a DVR with IP is essentially the same as a web server, but just with a DVR? I see what you mean though, but then you have no stand alone machine, which is what most people in security would like.

Some good news here, i have a client that is interested in setting up a business here, in conjunction with a US home theatre company, who also manufacturers Plasmas & LCDs, for home theatre and CCTV, all high end only. So will be some good stuff if we finalise it and do start it up Full showroom etc. They will have to train me in the home theatre as I dont know much about that area.

Yep, the software actually has a choice for chinese or English.

finally arrived, dont buy it if you need it quick, or even kindof quick, or anyway, took like a month to get here, or longer. Will post updates here on what i find out after testing it.

Ok, basically if you want a good remote video option, do not buy this one, its okay for local video, as its a mux, and DVR, but the software side is terrible. They have almost no instructions on what software to actually use to view it over the web, and then finding a browser based option, when you change things it actually changes the views on the monitor itself, so you are controlling it, if you hit play, the local operator sees it playing also. Also video quality its very bad. The mux video quality is also about 3/4 the quality of the Kalatel dvr and im sure others. Anyway, just my 3cents, sell it for a local DVR, but for remote, stick to something that is proven and simpler to use. Another comarison, it comes with one manual, which you can barely recognise the image examples to see what software is used for what and they dont tell you which is which at least for the remote video side so it makes it almost impossible (there are several small software programs on the CD). Whereas the DVMRe CT i just hooked up, in 1% of the setup time of this one, 1 remote software program, has 4 manuals/operating sheets, quick start guides/archiving details and more, and high quality images of software, connections etc. so even a DIYer can hook it up in only a few minutes; instructions are clear and simple. All in all, you definately get what you pay for.

hermin do you have the remote software for eclipse, id like to try it, but there is no link on their site. Also, what kind of price range are you talking about, say the 4 channel with remote view? Thanks Rory

check out Provideo, thay also have cheap no frills DVRs and a large range of decent low cost bullet cameras. Ill have to take a look at the eclipse DVR section, I think I was thinking of everfocus, another cheap manufacturer, and heard their DVRs are not that good, and support also.

www.videotransmitters.com

do you mean something like no-ip.com? i put one on a router, port forwarded to it. i dont like no-ip though, i prefer to pay the extra couple dollars for a static ip. no ip just emails you when your ip changes, but the computer running it has to be on all the time. ive heard some routers have this built in, havent tried that yet. When i do ill write it into my custom software, so the IP is automatically entered so the user doesnt have to keep changing it. Rory

eclipse is one of the cheapest products on the market, id stay clear of them when it comes to cameras.

yep, that sums it up.

yep, sounds good, anyway to make life easier and still make money, is worth looking forward to Unfortunately we dont have any wireless internet here as yet, the local communications company is a government monopoly, and have set laws against almost anything, unless you pay them a fortune in fees. So much for tax free! :-0 I do have a connection with a local company who has been setting up wireless internet, but its on the hush hush, and they primarily do inhouse wireless or hard wired networking. Hopefully once things take off, this will all get better. Then I can start looking at Wireless IP camera solutions. You realise though, US casinos and the ones located here governed by the US casino board, still have set requirements, and they are still stuck on Tape. I have read it is different in other countries, I think it was a casino in Austrialia actually that went digital using Ultracks DVR Solutions, was in an atricle I read on the Ultrack web site a while back. I dont know, I came into this when Tape was still being used, and still is by some, but though it is somewhat reliable, it is still tape, and can be damaged. Thing with digital, you can still archive to DAT tapes if you wanted to. Not my area of expertise though, but Im sure DVR knows this side. One thing about Kalatel though, Im sure others in the name brand area, I asked about software for Pocket PC, they have nothing yet. Ill have to buy my own Pocket PC, and write my own, when I can afford one, unless someone wants to send me a used one!

ill leave that up to you , let me know how it goes ) Just got a DVMRe-CT in replacement of a StoreSafe today. It looks cool. Its much thinner than the StoreSafe, almost 1/4 of the size, longer though, looks like a mux. Maybe they are built by different departments? The DVMRe has been around alot longer than the StoreSafe. The DVMReCT has much more features, and is currently 60pps. More of an industrial looking device than the Store Safe, but the main thing ai like about the StoreSafe is its compact size for Lockboxes, and its stand alone. But the DVMRe is definately a different monster. Ill let you know how it goes. May even open it Also got a Provideo DVR-16/IP, havent tested it yet, havent even seen it yet, my colleague got it in today. From starters, remote software is a task, and seems it is only browser based. It has local network playback etc, but for over the internet, the only options are browser. Havent hooked it up to the cable modem yet, he sais later on tonight. Its definately not close to the ease of installation and remote use of the Kalatel, or any other products I have seen, including DVR cards. The manuals say things like for remote video, just enter your IP information, but dont say what info, nor what program, and dont say you must enter it into a browser! It only has that one line, enter your IP information to view remotely over the internet ...where are these guys made again, Sungwang or something like that right, originally i mean. Anyway, will let you know how that one goes also.. Really though, I was surprised to see how much it looked like the guts of one of those old HP desktop PCs, remember going inside them to change hard drives etc and was hell! Can win 95 run on power PC chip set? They only list a couple RTOS's that are supposedly supported, but like i said, give it a whirl. I AM stuck on stand alones, and Kalatel right now because of the great support and wide range of products, but not stuck on the StoreSafe, depends on the app. If this provideo proves ok, then ill sell it for home or cheaper retail users. So far the software is 'almost' the worst I have seen, or morseo the hardest to set up and very bad instructions, but we will see what i find out by tomorrow (10.30pm here). I was told the actual hardware device itself was easy to install, by my colleague, it almost self installs, its RTOS linux. And I DO understand how we have to run XP to be able to use most of the current Codecs, its been the norm with MS from '95 days, everytime they make a new OS, hardware writers change their specs. Dont worry though, im not even close to switching to mac, i still like my windows, any version. yes I know how to trim it down to look and operate like older windows, my concerns are more towards non techs who have all the default settings and call me to fix the worms they get; granted most are using an Instant messanger program and that just makes things worst (trojans). As for my usage, I just have had a faster system and more luck using windows ME, that can all change in the near future with newer hardware though. And whats the deal with Server 2003? Is that happenning or not? Never used or seen it yet. Rory

Getting vertical lines, going to the right. They are actually slightly slanted to the right also, yes, like a forward slash, not quite as slanted though. This is with a fixed mini dome. Any ideas? If the camera is pointed straight up, it seems to go away, but when you point it down looking more towards the ground, the lines come in again, looks like interference, but dont think it is. COuld it be the power cables loose on the power board, if so any ideas on how to fix it, without sending it back?? They are 24VAC also. The Monitor and mux is in the same outlet, the cameras are on a 24VAC 8 channel fused Power Supply, in an outlet on the opposite side of the wall. This is tested with direct into monitor without the mux (DVR). Rory

got it guys. thanks. Turns out was not a ground loop, but just the wires that go direct into the board for video, must have been loose. I Unplugged and put back in and the lines are gone now. Weird .

ive finally got my parents using the update on their XP computers. I take out auto update as its just something else to slow you down when you are in the middle of something. Personally, I have never had to update windows Me. Im not saying id use it for a pc card DVR streaming video 24/7, as no, its not designed for that, but id definately not use XP. 2000 or linux a better choice. I opened up a damaged (by shipping) StoreSafe the other day, reminded me of the Old win 95 Hewlett Packard desktop PCs, those mini ones with everything compressed into it. Definately hard to work on inside, anyway, partss are not PC parts so nothing I could do anyway. Memory looked similar, different type though. Hard Drive looked the same as IDE, but I didnt check it to see exactly. It is supposed to be SCSI, maybe it is. Anyway ...