garethnboyd

I have a potential client with a rather extensive existing surveillance system(smaller correctional facility), who is getting quotes for labor to service it's deficiencies. Typically we don't come in and do work on larger pre-existing systems that we didn't have a hand in installing, though of course we do have a standard hourly rate for labor. When giving a quote of this nature, is it customary to give a "per technician per hour" rate? What sort of method should I use for putting together a good rate for something like this?

I have a Digimerge DH200 series DVR that is beeping and throwing what seems to be an error code on the D-3 LED on the board. Any experience with this? It will be a day or so before I can get on site to troubleshoot(and tech support won't talk to me unless I am there). Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions before I get there. Thanks

I have an A-HD system with 10 cameras installed. Distance from DVR is less than 300ft on the longest camera. Video is good, but I am experiencing a slight distortion/wobble at the top of a few camera images. Doesn't look like a ground loop problem(but I could be wrong). My only theory is that the cable is possibly getting some interference from a power cable that it may be in contact in the attic. Any ideas?

That certainly seems to be what I am experiencing. Are there any readily known solutions to this issue? I checked the nextchip.com site, and the only option I see is to contact Korea about it.

I have a client who would like dash cams installed in all of his fleet vehicles. Preferably with 360 coverage of the front windshield, driver, passenger, and back seat. Needs to be integrated into the battery so the employees can not easily disconnect. I see lots of cheap dash cams online, but few that seem to fit this bill. are there any systems that you fine folks might recommend?

Has anyone used this DVR?: DVST-HX-960H-16 http://www.unixcctv.com/_e/HX_Series/product/DVST-HX-960H-16/H_264_full_D1_960H_16channel_real_time_recording.htm Does the i-Cens Central Management Software work with this DVR?

So I have a maglock and power supply located maybe 30ft from one another. They function fine, and I'm using a 12v power supply. I have to tie into a fire panel which is about 600-700ft away. Ordinarily I would just splice into the positive wire from the power supply and rout through a normally closed contact at the panel. This distance has me concerned however. Being as I'm not sending both wires that long distance(only the positive), will this situation be an issue? I normally use twisted pair when doing this sort of thing, but I haven't done something at this great a distance from the power supply and lock. Should I use thicker wire? Any advice is appreciated.

So the panel is a Silent Knight(by Honeywell) There are two boxes, one large one small. Large: SK-5208. PN: 151205 RevB Small: 5495 Sorry it took a few days to get that. I was out of town. I appreciate the help.

Will do. Thanks for the help. I will let you know that model number as soon as I can get eyes on it.

Well the client just wanted a simple buzz in system with a maglock, so I was just using a 24vdc wall plug. Direct power to the lock with a couple buttons and REX devices(including a timer and PIR sensor) set to simply break the circut when pressed/tripped(all on the positive side). I'm starting to think I may have gone too simple though. Not sure on the fire panel, I know it's an older model. I've been in touch with the company that handles the panel, and they will actually tie in to it. I don't want to touch their stuff because I don't do fire.

Where can I get one of these relays?

By auxiliary relay are you talking about my REX devices? Or is this relay something that allows me to overcome the distance issue? Sorry if this is an ignorant question.

I have a client who wants the ability to buzz in people coming through one single door, and one set of double doors. No card access or anything, simply an armed/disarmed system with two buttons at the receptionist's desk and two push button exits. Thing is, im not sure how to have a delay on the button press(to allow time for entry/exit) without involving an access control system. If I use toggles, then I have to hope people remember to reset them...which likely won't happen. Trying to keep costs low.

Awesome. Thanks!

Hi all, I own a small new installation company, and was just wondering what were some important items to include in a standard CCTV installation contract without video monitoring? Are there any websites out there that have good templates?

Are there distance limitations when sending 12VDC along coax with a Siamese cable? Is the normal operating cable length for video in RG6 or RG59 the same for the integrated power?

Anyone have any experience with Geovision Access Control? I just did my first single door system, just to kinda experiment with the technology. How does the GV stuff compare to say the HID Global? I went with GV because I have experience with their CCTV interfaces, and figured there might be some similarities.

So I've got a 16ch DVR set up in a main office building. 5 cameras are installed on this building and function just fine. There are 3 cameras on 2 outlying structures located about 200ft from the main building that houses the DVR. I have RG-6 running the distance in an underground conduit. Whenever the 3 outlying cameras are connected to the DVR I get no video from them, but a lot of interference on the whole DVR(and a certain camera from the first 5 in particular). If I connect these cameras to a test monitor instead of the DVR(still using the distance cable runs in the main building) they seem to function fine. I installed ground loop isolators on the coax lines, but still don't get any video. Any ideas?

Power on the 3 outlying cameras is local to those cameras. I get distortion on the DVR even when no power is going to those cameras and the BNC is touching any metal on the back of the DVR. I will be on site tomorrow to try some things, so we'll see. Cat5 really isn't an option here. Why would it be better for just 200ft? I know it has some distance advantages over coax, but I wouldn't this run to give me any trouble. Thanks for the input

So after getting my tech to reposition the ground loop isolator to the camera side instead of the DVR side, I now get video. The video is really warped though. Any chance the (lower end) ground loop isolator just isn't stripping off all of the transient voltage? What if I put two ground loop isolators on one line? Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.