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Thanks for the reply. These cameras are all 12VDC so the sync issue should not be an issue. I did find out today today that a Everfocus DVR has a VGA 800x600 output. So as I understand it, I could plug in the PAL cameras and get output on this VGA output. Now here is the twist. I can seem to find a VGA monitor that will operate on a 800x600 resolution. So can anyone suggest a source for or a manufacture and model of such a monitor?? And here I thought this was going to be easy. Thanks in advance. Les

See my previous post on the 26th of Nov. All still seems ok. Les

As per your request here is the latest. Well the problem persist. Had some high humidity with rain and all uglies. Domes had lots of condensation at the bottom. Not sure where or how it is getting inside. I decided to try a different process. 1) Removed electrical sealant (aka dum dum) from conduit entrance to dome. 2) Used hair dryer to warm and (try to) dry out enclosure. 3) Used hair dryer on desiccant pack to drive out moisture (if any) [Did not at the time have any replacements] 4) Resealed conduit opening with GE Clear Silicon as well as other possible areas. 5) Used hair dryer on desiccant pack, enclosure and dome during close up and seal process. 6) Tighten all screws (very tight again) 7) Ordered a supply of dessicant pack for future. They change color from blue (dry) to pink (wet) so it can be seen when they are ready to be changed. It has been a bit over a week and all seems ok. Hope you all have a good week. Les

The stuff I was referring to could not be found in the bottom of my van. It is there..... just can be located. So I stopped at HD today and picked up some more. I found it in the electrical dept. It is labeled "Duct Seal" and is a 1" x 2" x 7" bar of grey "DumDum". Sealed up the cameras and all should be good. Thanks for all the good info. Have a good rest of the week all.

IMHO Great Stuff.................. Very messy for a small area that may need to be opened in the future. Caulk....................... May dry to hard unless you are talking about silicone type bathroom caulk. Coax Seal Tape......... What is coax seal tape?? Is that a brand name or a byproduct?? I was considering what I call DumDum. It is a soft pliable grey gloop. Always stays soft, fills where you put it and will come out when you want. DumDum is not the name on the shelf. I am not sure exactly what it is call officially. I think it is in the plumbing aisle. If anyone knows what I am talking about is there any detrimental effect in using the stuff?? TIA

Just courious, what is/are all using to seal the conduit??? Anything special??

Thanks for the input. That seems to be the plan. Even though it will cure the problem I am still curious as to why it condensed to the "inside" of the dome. May require the Mythbusters to explain the phenomenon. Again Thanks for the response. Les

Will not work on tv(VHF). You need to connect to a Video Input connection to get a picture.

I know how to use Google very well.. And thats how I found this Forum. But if I had no other choice then id Google "pipe bending" or whatever and teach myself. But basically I only wanted to know how the techs on this forum would go about getting pipe ran. Hire someone? Or DIY... Personally I would hire someone cause I feel as if they would do it Better, and Faster. Not downgrading myself by saying I cant do it as good with lots of practice, but i've seen piping that electricians did... And it looked very neat! I understand your thinking. And if it is a big job and needs conduit I sub that out as well to an electrician that can bend good pipe. But my point is that conduit bending is not that difficult when you LEARN the tecnique. Mr. Benfield made the video for bending conduit easy to understand. And if you follow some basic rules even the small conduit runs become easy and do look neat. Would it not be more profitable to make a few proper bends yourself than to call someone else to do it?? I'm not trying to sell the video to line my pockets. It is just a great learning tool. Hope this helps in some way. Good luck.

im not too good at it... PVC isn't so bad cause its easy to cut and bend All kidding aside Education is a wonderful thing when used. Google the following. Benfield conduit video Then buy the video - watch the video - watch the video - watch the video. If you are not sure watch the video 4 times. It is well worth the money invested on the first job you do after. Get the Benfield Manual as well if you like but the video is much easier to understand. Trust me "Been there and done that"!!!!! You will be sooooooo glad you did.

Ok, I know this has been somewhat beat to death before since I have read most of the post on the subject. But inquiring minds need to know. All things being equal such as 95% braid for both RG59 and RG6. And that the center conductor has a slight size difference between the the two. In pricing I have found that some distributors price the RG59 higher than the RG6 and some the other way around. Is the only preference in using RG59 over RG6 or vice versa that one is easier to work with as it relates to stiffness??? My real questions is for CCTV what is the real difference that make you use one over the other. Is it Price per foot?? Availability from Dist.?? Easy to work with?? Better signal due to size of center core?? Or just your habit because that is all you ever used??? All of the above?? Non of the above?? Other? Comments appreicated. TIA

Sorry for the delay in response. I had already did the checking on specs and they are all 95% non plenum. Some may be have gold leaf for footage marks. Haven't placed my order just yet. The next project is not for another few weeks. Have a good weekend all.

Galen, Thanks for the response. I kinda thought I was close to getting it. The current project has some relatively short runs. Longest about 125 feet. Strange thing is I have one Dist. 'A' has the RG6 Siamese priced 18% less than the RG59 and another 'B' that has RG6 priced at 56% higher than RG59. And between the two 'A' has RG59 priced 23% higher than 'B' And then 'B' has RG6 priced 58% higher that 'A'. Granted they are not the same Mfg. of wire but this pricing is nuts. What is a person to do??? Lowest price is Lowest price.

Soooooooo tell me jlader, how does a somewhere in North West Pennsylvania (with no license or ordinace for cctv installs) contractor get a job in Florida in the first place????

Hello all, Does anyone know of a DVR that will work with a Mac Network(Apple)??? Just found out that the one that I was going to use requires ActiveX and apparently a Mac Network does not support that protocal. Any and all suggestions appreicated. TIA

I spent some time Kuala Lumpur in 1967. Was a great city then and I am sure it still is now. Thanks for the response but I may have jumped too quickly when I asked the initial question. I am working with a school district and for got to ask at the meeting on Friday if they had a PC network or not. Started do the research and thought that they might be on a Apple Net so I popped the question here. Turns out that they DO have a PC based network so all is well with the world. Hope this little thread helps someone to ask the question of what kind of network a customer has or not. Thanks again.

Rory, So do you charge extra for each hole or length and depth of cut???

Yea, and we ALL know how much you need the AC in your neck of the woods.

Rory, Remember this. The amazing stuff only happens in Hollywood and in advertising. The only time I ever saw a ceiling like that was in a new school over the Large Group Instruction LGI rooms. Only challenge there was the back of the room the ceiling there was at about 9 feet and at the front was about 21 feet. The LGI was on an incline the ceiling was level. Otherwise most drop ceilings are as you describe. And if the installer was not careful the whole this was racked to one side which make it impossible to get the tiles out with out breaking. But give me a basement with drop ceiling over drywall any day. Later,

I have not tried the Greenlee Cable Caster but I have taken a Wrist Rocket Sling Shot and strapped on "with hose clamps" my spinning reel. Use a lead sinker and voile. It does work quite well in the right application. Above a drop ceiling where the gap is greater than 2 feet and is fairly clear of obstructions it is good. However the distance is only about 30 feet with any kind of accuracy. This is due to the arc of the sinker. As with any projectile there is a arc of the trajectory. Because of the speed and the drag of the line you can only get about 30 feet accurately. If your trying to use it in a open warehouse you can get more distance if you are not trying to get above the bar joist or beams. I once had a 70 foot hallway in a school that had hatches at each end. The ceiling was 12x12 tiles supported on a furring strip frame. The distance about the tiles was about 18 inches with 6 inch fiberglass insulation batts with the paper side up. I had to get wire to get wire to the other end....................................................... Rather than a long Q&A here. I looked in the local Merchandiser Want Ads and found a kid that was selling his big wheel R/C truck. Took the body off strapped on my MagLite and a pullstring. Drove the thing over the insulation to the other end and finished the job. Best $100 buck tool in the tool crib.

The tennis ball works great. Depending on the height of the beams being able to be accurate with the ball is best. I use a light string that will not cause the ball to go off track. If you miss just be careful how you pull it back. It can wrap the beam. Then you have to use the ladder again. Once you get the accuracy the process can be very fast. BTW it would be nice to have a scissorlift but we can all afford one. Les

Hello, Can someone explain the differences between a LCD CCTV Monitor and a LCD PC Monitor other than the obvious connector (BNC - Video). I have noticed that there is a big price difference and was wonder why?? I understand there is a signal difference between the two but the price difference seems to be huge. A little insight would be helpful. TIA

Whoops, sorry.

The answer to your question may be here. http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5771&highlight= Enjoy.

That 'perfect' word will always get you in trouble at the worst times. It really depends on if you are trying to find. The other end of the cable. Looking for an open. Looking for a short. Trying to find the wire in a wall or ceiling. All have a particular technique. I have made a tone generator out of a siren driver. Makes the signal much louder on the probe which gives much better range. Trouble was if the wire leads got shorted some smoke will leave and you can't get it back. That is experience talking. BTW is the server on this board on another planet??? Or is the clock off, way off????