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WOW!!! What a flurry of responses on this "little non recorded camera system with audio" project. Thanks to all that responded. I will be sifting thru all the input to find what will work for this application. Where do I start with my responses to all. First it is for two(2) rooms with a Manager Evaluator to sit at his computer and listen in and view the sessions. Second (Alex) That Video Server was a Prototype and "may" have a audio something connection but it did not have a RCA jack installed for same. Therefore when I looked at it I discounted it working in this application. I did notice on the link you added that the packaged unit does have a audio input. I would have to determine what connector is for the audio and hook up a mic and then see how well it works for viewing body language and speech sync for this application. Thanks for the input. That brings up another thought. I am getting the feeling that it is questionable if feeding this video/audio thru a network due to bandwidth to give proper sync. Is that or is that not going to be an issue?? What will cause this to be an issue?? Slow network?? I realize that a free standing system this will not be a question. But putting this on a network where they will be (as I was told) going to a "paperless office" for recording all info on the server before sending offsite. Would or should this be a red flag in using the network?? As for the rest of the comments as I said above it will take me a while to evaluate the various suggestions. Again thanks for all the response. Very helpful and a bit overwhelming. Later,

Again thanks for all the help but............................... Customer wants something that I did not consider. Been searching but have not found it as yet. I think I have the concept but don't know the parts. So I am here to ask for a little more help. Here is the desire of the client. - Covert color camera with audio. - Installed on their network. - Viewable on a PC. - Listened to with USB headphones. - No recording of video or audio. Now I can see this being a IP camera with audio. Where I am having a problem is finding a covert unit to do it all. The best choice would be a motion detector style with camera and microphone so it could fit in and get the best view of the room. Audio quality is not a high priority. Quality needs to be easily understandable by one person of the conversation that is going on in the room. Room is small, maybe 10'x12'. Video camera in a corner with a 3.6mm lens should capture both the client and counselor with out any problem. Anyone have any additional thoughts on the topic. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Thanks to all for the input. Very helpful. Gives me much better insight. Meeting with the customer on Tuesday. Thanks again.

Ok, so when I saw the PZM note I thought it was a mfg. name. Then I found that PZM is an acronym for Pressure Zone Microphone; it generally refers to a "boundary microphone" in which a small condenser mic capsule faces a boundary. So any chance you guys have a link or model number or something that you would recommend?? I have the camera figured out. But I am not much of a sound person. Thanks much,

Thanks for the response. Patients will be signing a waiver that makes them knowledgeable that their session may be monitored. Recording becomes a much bigger legal issue and they don't want to get involved those problems. The individual that is observing/listen will most likely be wearing headphones so some kind of volume or gain control will be necessary. As I understand, this is to primarily evaluate the performance of the counselor not the patient. Although it could be used the other way. The reasoning for a covert camera is so the the patient will relax more quickly during the sessions without having the eye of the camera looking right at them. The customer has some preset notions of how they want this to work. I just need to find and install equipment that will make that happen. Thanks for your help.

Depending on a number of factors you may want to consider the Optex Redwall line of outdoor motions. Don't let the price scare you. They are very good and worth the price.

Hello all, I have been around long enough and read enough here to know that wireless cameras and receivers are a huge PITA. I got it, I really do. However I have a customer that doesn't and is hard to get him off the idea. What I am looking for is some small cameras to place in a house that would be connected to a receiver that could handle 4 cameras and then send those individual signals to seperate inputs of a DVR for recording. Most of the stuff I have found is either a single channel receiver, which I would need to have 4 receivers or a unit that will take the 4 cameras and output to a single quad screen. Not going to work on this application. As always dollars is a issue here but it is possible it will sure beat running coax on the walls and ceiling of this old house. Again I fully understand the transmission and quality of picture problems. I am just looking for a little direction on a product that may just give me a bit of an edge. This whole thing gives me goosebumps. Thanks to all that reply.

Yea, I think I saw that one somewhere in my searching but it was a dedicated DVR with only 4 channels. This whole things is really starting to twist my stomach into knots. What a PITA. Later

If I can drill a hole at the right spot I could use some "all thread" and bolt them all together. I was just told that a unit like the one I want was available about 8 years ago but they didn't sell so they were taken off the market. Seems like once again I am just out of sync with the rest of the world. Daaaaaaa

Very funny Rory, Alibaba wants a minimum order of 50 pieces on that unit. I would consider it if they had 4 video outputs to either RCA or BNC. But noooooooooooooooo.............................. I may have to waste some perfectly good duct tape. Thanks for trying.

Thanks to all for the input. I will take a couple of hard scrubbing showers when I am finished with this project. That is if it ever happens. One of the challenges here is that the guy already has 4 cameras that are hardwired. So I need to have a 8 channel DVR with remote access. That is no big deal. I was hoping that there was a 4 channel receiver w/cameras that would have each of the camera video on a separate output. I have searched as well and that does not seem to be available. The only solution would be 'as suggested' is to duct tape 4 receivers together at the head end and patch in to the DVR. Already I am feeling the need to go wash my hands. Again thanks to all for the input. I may be forced to just walk away from this unless he decides to allow some hard cabling. Later.

That will do it. Thanks much!!!

Hello all, I understand that a IP66 Weatherproof Camera is well ah......... weatherproof. My questions are where can I find info on the IP66 rating. I have an application to place cameras in a egg processing plant where there will be washdown operations to clean up the area on some schedule. I don't know how the area is cleaned but I have to expect powerwasher of some sort. My concern is that this IP66 may not meet the requirements of a washdown area. Is there a better rating to meet my application?? Any thoughts or suggestions?? Thanks in advance.

Hi all, Would someone please give me a short list of preferred components to meet the following project?? Looking for a PTZ dome to mount on an outside wall. Prefer High Res Day/Night camera with at least 40x zoom. Also interested in software and controller to allow a guard tour macro to be programmed. As a extra bonus software that can track an object (person) in the field of view. Would be great to get all of the above in one system package with software. I know that all of the above is possible but do not know the mfg. or model numbers to the job. A hint of mfg would be great and I will take the ball and get rolling. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all that reply.

Hello all, Has anyone here ever used one of these units from Channel Vision?? http://www.channelvision.com/products/view/427/88 I understand that it can be used to inject a camera video signal into to a Digital Cable system such as Comcast and out onto all TV's in the house. And according to the sales lit. it will not interfere with the Digital Cable stuff. What I can't seem to find is IF the customer presently has standard cable now but MAY go to Digital later will this unit work on the standard analog cable to inject the camera video?? The key word here is MAY go to Digital later. My thought is that if there is the possibility would it not be better to plan for it now?? So my hope is that someone here has actually used this equipment and can share their experience. Will this work, any challenges, hidden issues, etc. Thanks in advance.

Understood and thanks for the input. Very helpful.

Hi sviviani, Thanks for the response. It would seem that a modulator would be needed for each TV that it is desired to see cameras. That could get expensive since each would need to have a IR receiver. That is if I am reading the docs correctly. Can you confirm my thoughts. TIA Les

Hello all, Here is what I am looking for. I know it available somewhere just need a little help finding the pieces. I would like to use a USB Camera for a office covert surveillance. It needs to be recorded on motion and stopped recording after say 10 seconds of no motion. Would like the ability with the software to save the video files to any drive on the network. Needs also to restrict access by means of passwords for end users. Picture quality is a low priority at this time. USB cameras are really cheap but I would consider a IP camera but it needs to be small enough to be easily concealed on a desk. Soooooo anyone have any suggestion to fill the above. Software?? USB Camera?? IP Camera?? As for the software I am not opposed to buying the package. But would like to know that it has the features that I need before the purchase. Anyone with direct knowledge would be a great help. Thanks in advance.

At this point I have not spent a lot of time but sometime on the initial look at and doing the research to this point. Have not decided on what will work best for a price I can live with. Thanks for the input. Les

That is my point exactly. For a two month rental to at least cover my cost and not make profit the rental will be so high that he will say no thanks and I am left spending a lot of time and going nowhere. I may have to get him into a 6 month minimum and a price break if he wants a 1 year. Thanks for the input.

Let me type it a little differently. The customer wants to rent the equipment for 2 months and does not want to purchase or buy the equipment. It is to be installed in a block building that anyone of 75 individuals those in question can show up at any time. Would need to just plug in a go to make it simple. BTW installing equipment on telephone poles is illegal to say the least. Thanks, Les

Not exactly. Answer is not that easy. I have a lot of issues going against me. Customer wants to rent not buy. Customer wants to view in house as well as from home. Customer wants to not have anyone other than himself and one other involved. Customer wants the equipment installed after Midnight. Customer does not want cameras to be easily seen. Customer wants the impossible because of item #1. Thoughts???

Thanks for all the input. Very helpful. Have a good day.

This is a FYI for those that use or will use a Everfocus EHD300/N-1 cameras. It may apply to other models but I do not know that. I received a camera and connected the color coded cable as per to label on the terminal strip. No picture. Long story short the color coded label Red/White/Yellow/Black on the terminal strip was installed upside down. I pumped 24vac into the video out terminals. Bummer. Of course Tech Support never heard of this before but I received a new camera and all was ok. Just wanted to share to minimize others from having the same fate if possible. Have a good week.

Hello all, Just courious. Anyone heard of or know anything (pro/con) about Xanboo IP camera/alarm system for transmission of video to cell phones and other stuff??? TIA Les