CCTVmofo

tmartin, you are correct with your assessment. Baywatch has the right idea with the PVR. The only issues that you are going to run into with that option is getting the video off. However, if you go with the right PVR (make sure it has composite video out) this should not be a problem.

Getting a good time lapse recorder is the first part. I would recommend a 1280 hour time lapse VCR. Many manufactuers make them and you can find them through your local cctv dealer / distributor or on-line. The other part is a Multiplexer. I have had much experience with this particular type of problem. Right off the bat I can tell you that my clients have had a 75% success rate with what I am about to tell you. If the tape you are trying to watch comes from a store that has a multiplexer of any kind you will also need a multiplexer to "decode" the tape. Just putting the tape into a VCR will not work unless you properly configure the VCR with a multiplexer. The mux that I have had success with is from Dedicated Micros. The problem is that all multiplexers are a little bit different. Each compny uses their own protocols. This means that a tape made with a Sanyo multiplexer may not neccessarily playback in a VCR hooked up to an Everfocus. The reason why I have recommended Dedicated Micros in the past is because they basically invented the mux. Therefore, most other mux's are desendants of DM. This is not always the case which is why this only works 75% of the time. The most effective way that I have been able to resolve this problem would be to take a recorder in to the actual system that you are trying to play the tape back from. Meaning, if you have a crime at Wal-Mart then you would take a recorder with you to Wal-Mart and make the tape off of their system. Simply take a standard 8 hour VCR with you and plug it in to an output on their equipment. Play back the tape and record on your VCR. This is effective if you are only archiving the event. If you are archiving the entire tape you will definitely need a Time Lapse VCR. The problem with doing it this way is that you are going to lose some quality. You will be taking an image that has already been compressed and compressing it again. If you do go with this method then try to use the VCRs highest quality settings (i.e. higher frame rate). You may also want to look into an 8mm recorder like Sony's old ZBOX2. These have a much better recording resolution than standard VCRs. You can also go with a single channel DVR, but that opens up a whole other can of worms and my fingers hurt. If someone would like to take it from here feel free. I'll be back tomorrow if you need anymore help, you can always PM me and I will be happy to personally help you.

Check out this link to fact check Spytown: http://www.tekstaroptical.com/faq.html This is where he got the instructions on Back Focusing. In the future, you should be more up front and site your resources. It is more helpful to everyone in this forum to just point out the site instead of trying to take the information as your own. In this case, you would have done a better service by just forwarding us to the original site which actually has a lot of useful tips and tricks. Something to consider...

If it is not amplified then you will need a DA. I would recommend replacing the splitter completely with a Distribution Amp. You are looking for an 8 x 1 DA. Give a call to compu video. Tell them what you are trying to do and they will give you their model numbers: http://www.compuvideosystemsinc.com Good Luck.

Nuvico has had many problems with the XG series. My recommendation is to return it from where ever you bought it from as defective and purchase instead the DV Turbo model also from Nuvico. It has a CD burner and is 30FPS per camera and is probably less expensive than the XG. As far as your current problem, you need to purchase a Cat5e CROSSOVER cable. This is different from a regular Cat5e cable. The pin-out is different. Once you do this it will be like setting a local area connection, except with no router in between. If you have any further problems from there call Nuvico and ask to speak with either Luke or Mike. They have an "intimate" relationship with the XG series as they have had to field many complaints such as yours.

Does the Splitter amplify the singal 8 ways? Phil

Does he already have video distribution hardware installed in the home? The reason for the question is, you cannot just run multiple lines from one camera. You will either need to use what is called a distribtuion amplifer or a video modulator. I would recommend the modulator. It will take your video feed and put it on to a channel on your cable TV service. Look for models from manufactuers like Channel Vision or Channel Plus. A distribution amplifier will allow you to take one camera feed and send it down multiple coax runs without signal loss. Look for models from manufactuers like Pelco or Compu-Video. Any inexpensive IR camera will work. Take a look at models such as these: Digimerge DCB100032 American Dynamics ADC722WP Lastely, Does he want to be able to speak to the people at the gate? If so, he may need an intercom system. Let us know...

You may also want to think about getting the JV series of the Nuvico DVR. This particular model allows for a hot-swappable hard drive. This will allow you to experiment with different hard drive sizes. I am not sure if they still do this, but Nuvico used to allow their Dealers and Distributors to replace the internal hard drives at will. If this is still the case, I would recommend going with either the No hard drive option or the 80GB version and putting in your own second HDD. They are simple IDE HDDs and the installation literally takes 10 minutes at the most and will save you a lot of money. In either case I always recommend a very large hard drive on the Nuvico DVRs. They have a problem of recording at night even when there is no motion. Depending on the cameras that you have the DVR will detect the grain generated from the cameras as motion. This even occurs when setting the sensitivity level all the way down.

I like the Fujinon - YV5X27R4BSA2L Here is what the manufacturer says: Designed for day and night operation, the YV5x2.7R4B is the widest-angle (2.7-13.5mm) vari-focal length lens available for this application. Specialized optics provide crisp color images in daylight and black and white images in darkness - without the need to refocus. The YV5x2.7R4B has a focal length range of 2.7 to 13.5mm, an aperture range of F1.3 to T360, and a 100 degree angle of view at 2.7mm. Enjoy!!!

American Dynamics ADC722WP. 330 Lines 12 IR LEDS CHEAP CHEAP, but good image quality

The Speco DVRT4IP is a very good, inexpensive DVR. It comes standard with a 160GB hard drive and CD-RW. Very nicely laid out menus and front. Comes with an IR remote. The only problem I have with the unit is the frame rate. Most other DVR's in this price category come with a minimum 60FPS. This unit only comes with 30FPS. Other than that, I have recommended this DVR to many customers and have gotten none back, defective or otherwise.

As far as I know, Nuvico's XG series uses H.264.

The Sony SSCE-473 might also be a good choice. 540 TVL with a good lux rating. Dont forget an important factor. If you are going to get a day/night camera you should consider getting a day/night lens. If you do not focus properly with a standard lens, when the camera kicks over the b/w you will receive an out of focus image. A day/night lens will correct this. Usually, with day/night cameras and standard lenses, you would have to wait until dusk to focus. It sounds to me like you might be taking these up and down a lot and might not have the luxury of waiting around for optimal lighting condition Fujinon, as well as Tamron make these type of lenses. In my experience, Fujinon has a wider selection. Both manufactuers makea 2.8-12mm version. Proper focusing techniques will solve this problem with a standard lens. However, these day/night lenses cost close to the same as their standard counterparts. You will probably benefit from the peace of mind they provide since you will be taking these up and down a lot. Hope that helps!!!

To begin with, I would refrain from using your current computer to do your Surveillance recording. The only time I recommend using DVR cards is when the customer has a dedicated PC. DVR cards are extremely processor intensive and the Hard Drive will be constantly running. This makes your computer suseptable to crashes. Should you try to do anything else while the computer is recording you will greatly increase the chance of a crash. On top of that, any applicatoin you run will move veeeeerrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy sssssssssllllllllllooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww. I would recommend purchasing instead a cheap stand alone DVR. Speco sells a simplex model (simplex = recording or playback, cant do both at the same time) with an 80GB HDD for around $650.00. Model number = DVRx4/IP. You will not get the nice GUI interface like you would with a PC based DVR solution, but you will get a far more reliable and stable system. For the camera, I would recommend a simple board camera. The a really inexpensive and are a desent quality. You can find b/w models for around $50.00 and color around $80.00 from the more reputable security companies. For your application i would say to go with either a flat pinhole lens or a conical pinhole. The conical is a little bit raised off the camera in a cone shape. This makes your life easier when mounting behind objects. Please leave a post letting us know if you need any more help.

apologies on the slash . copy and paste doesn't always work to my advantage... i certainly wish i did design work for spytown... i happen to like working with them. That is why they come so highly recommeded from me. Not to metion the low prices, good customer service, and fast shipping... It's not like i am trying to push my own stuff in this forum, *cough cough* (not that theres anything wrong with that... ). I thought i was doing everyone a favor by sending links to a reliable source. I thought the whole point of this site is to help people find the equipment that they need? Herm, you hit the nail on the head. They have the most products than anyone else online. And to be honest, i think the only other source for CCTV equipment that is bigger than spytown is ADI. You go and deal with them if you want to. Maybe next time i'll give links to cctvproducts.com, or surviellance-video.com and let you get tortured by them. But then again that might be considered creuland unusual punishment. one more thing... dont ask for links to the equipment that you want people to recommend and then make accusations.