Lolo Wolf

No problem Scorpion.....Im having a rough day my leukemia is acting up and I may have to go back on chemo.... makes me grumpy...I enjoy this forum cause we all try to help each other best of health to you.

laugh out loud? Next time a contractor dumps a load of concrete in a footing for a load bearing column make sure some one aside from the plant has a quality assurance to the spec on the proper slump and density before you put your name on it same goes true for any electrical install be it low voltage or high its all voltage, point being if you are going to install and troubleshoot, having the ability to correctly test and the tools to do it follow your reputation. Example: today a lot of so called car mechanics are just part changers/sellers seems like a lot of cctv work is the same....just trying to help the poster.....have good day

Is this a indoor system or are there cameras/wire running outdoor....if it is groundloop, you stated that the system was ok then developed this problem...ground loops are unpredictable they can come and go with moisture, and other enviornmental factors. You maybe getting current flow on the shield of the coaxial cable, have any new devices been thrown into the mix since the original install by your client? such as protection circuits or nearby ac switches been added anything power related, has cabling been disturbed or moved in any manner? In so far as cable and terminations it may pay to run a test of the suspect coaxial cable(s),a complete frequency scan within a ten mega-hertz bandwidth not just looking for a full 1volt peak to peak signal as many people do with a hand held, employing a frequency generator and a oscilloscope determine the true condition of the coax in service. Troubleshoot these types of problems one at a time, go to the cam/cams in question direct with a monitor is a start as suggested and observe the quality of the signal then work your way back to the headend/equipment if you dont have the tools or time to perform a qualified field test maybe try using a active or passive ground loop corrector try to isolate the dropped cam/see if that clears up the problem, investigate all your conections again look for any source of physical damage or improperly seated conectors anything touching etc...I recently had a entry cam modulated through a cable service working fine for two years, the client upgraded to digital and aside from the freq changes channel insetions (worked around that issue) a mystery ground loop problem showed up....installed a jensen VB-1bb isolated the signal and cleaned up to normal.

I agree with Rory "even the best cameras on the market have occasional problems, and that goes for Extreme's also" However beyond all the hype and claims Ive found over the years a few brands stand up for themselves in quality and support. Things have changed within the manufacturing sector on a global scale touching all consumer goods from electronics to autos etc, profit driven slick sales work and indeed flooded markets including CCTV products. Truly a good tech can make any camera perform well even a cheap OEM bullet at least to its limitions but Ive had less call backs hangin Panasonic and Extreme for my applications which are mostly outdoor harsh sites. Branded or not seems everything these days originates from common ground with a few exceptions. I retired after 36years of heavy/highway/tunnel construction before getting into CCTV and one thing Ive learned is very often you dont get what you pay for as a lot of members here use as a catch phrase. You only can try to get what works over time and hands on trial in the field with research/feedback from respected sources and information that peers can offer. David Elberbaum hit it right on target with his commentary although he was pumping some good pr for his company (Elbex) , but still a lot truth in his observations: http://www.cctv-focus.com/cctvfocus37_unravel.pdf

I think you mean the EQ 550 T / EQ 550 D Polestar Camera ..... havent used Everfocus gear in years but the spec looks interesting if you hang one let us know how it performs

Extreme EX14 D/N or BW you can also get with a varifocal lens if needed and built in IR or without and use a external IR, just installed one for a client set up (outdoor application) with a external UF100.....good picture better after contacting Extreme and locating the adjustments for the auto iris...cam performs well without IR in dim light as well... your application indoor maybe look at Extreme line of ....I would stay clear of the wizkid line...Nuvico has improved got a good pic with the new SD- 3895N you can tweak it a bit (menu driven access with cover off) dont like their domes their new mini PTZ has benched well for me.....also look at Panasonic low light domes excellent performers Extreme and Panasonic more money but in short... they just work and work well (you didnt say if the cam needs to be discreet if you do go with a IR remember the glow...720nm bright red...850nm faint red...940 invisible, depending of the layout of the room and how much image you want to recover setting up a external IR with a good quality BW camera will allow you a lot of flexibility if you are seeking critical ID and security observation I would really consider the Panasonic and Extreme line)

Yes pretty sure thats a branded OEM TBT mini(TS-PTZ10) good cam has performed well.... Rainbow sells them too

How about fabricating a functioning industrial cold box thermometor with cam... Grainger and some other vendors has some black faced mechanical temp readers ,you could mount the the thermometer in a small plastic watertight nema box attach to the wall. conceal waterproof pinhole cam in there, wire it up to code and you are set to go. Wouldnt look outa place in a cold storage room.

Look at Nuvico (I am benching their new MS-Z10 before install, just now running about 22hrs so far so good) and have used another Mini from TBT http://www.tbtcctv.com/ has performed well... branded by a lot of Vendors also a another interesting link: http://www.miniptz.com/product.html Of course there are several small compact IP/network PTZ that can be put in enclosures....I have used some of the full size PTZs from acutvista their early models had problems with firmware but the newer QMD perform well for D/N operation havent used their mini... had issues with their older SSD line but the latest QMD is a marked improvement in D/N operation note that Fan is standard for most outdoor Mini ptzs however some you have add on a heater board

Ive found that whenever you are setting up in a bar/club it pays to install a secondary covert cam isolated from your main system that only you know, it can be a self contained unit with its own built in flash/memory for record You can check the unit on a late nightly/day basis when closed. This is added insurance if anyone tampers with your system as well you can also install a cheap gutless puter or VCR and wire it up so it appears functioning with lights etc. and then install your system in a secure cage or lock room. In so far as cams I would go for higher than 380TVL....agree with Scorpion most cash business problems start from within.

Your welcome and best of health to you. (and the cat)

http://www.eclipsecctv.com/Surveillance_Camera_Scanners.html

I cant vouch for these products but I think they are within your budget in so far as a pan tilt scanner and controller http://www.eclipsecctv.com/PTZ_dome_controllerECL-CN910.html I got a cat that is 16yrs old and he is the boss... living with four dogs(2 alaskan malamutes, german shep and a rottie!)

Well for what you are trying to do, a Mini PTZ may work....wouldnt mount it to low to the ground though....google Mini PTz and take a look at some of your options and price, there are dealers on this forum too that carry them...also look at outdoor P/T only cams....Speco has one as well some other brands... perhaps you might want to check out some of the IP cams if you want to go that route.... I set up a TOSHIBA IK-WB15A for a client that wanted to eyeball two lamas in a pen away from home but it only does 112° pan, 54° tilt, but had auto patrol built in, web server and poe...retail prices arent too bad for them... for a mini ptz and low end controller (retail) you will have to shop around...for price or maybe just go with a decent lowlight IR outdoor bullet or dome with a wide lens and try to get as much territory as you can...how about a small garden fence...chicken wire, gotta be careful with cats/dogs being tied out for extended periods of time... you always run the risk of them getting bound up bad, or hurt themselves in frustration tryin to wiggle loose, anyway good luck

You may be better off using a dedicated Mini PTZ or a Outdoor rated P/T cam there are several on the market....considering the costs of a decent outdoor scanner and mounting your cam to it either way you would need some type of control or at least the ability to program the speed.... however there are some cheap Mini Pan devices (plug and play) that do 350 degrees and speed approx 5 degrees/sec but I would stay clear of them...need more info on your application...environmental conditions, placement....wire/ps access etc...Ive used some Mini PTZs (OEM TBT) with IRcut low light etc... a lot of outfits sell them now branded and Nuvico has a new Mini PTZ that replaced their older model....I am waiting for one now .... I mostly use Minis for gated entries with alarm set that zooms into drive area on motion/door box switch....you cam buy a cheap mini PTZ controller and then set your cam up to do what you want...tours/pattern/auto scan etc lot more flexible...just a thought, your seeking a pan only device leads me to believe you only want to use the cam for observation and not record because without a control interface you would not be able to stop and view the incident or event, if thats not the case better to set up multiple static cams and place them to view specific targets

Often displayed as *Mirror* function switch in the cam menu

If that was in most major american cities he probably would be runnin the other way chasin the person that grabbed the cam he left behind on the tripod.....

A microburst is a very localized column of sinking air, that produces damaging divergent and straight-line winds that are similar to but distinguishable from tornadoes which generally have convergent damage. Ive seen a few lay down ponderosa and douglas fir like they were toothpicks.

Make sure you order the Extreme PSU for the setup...... I know you stated that this is to be mounted on the house so note that those IR units get very hot and make sure your setup is mechanically sound It is not uncommon to see microbursts here and fast wind driven storms all seasons....

I remember when my Pop gave me and my brother a Brownie Starflash camera when we were kids....optical direct vision finder and that pop of the flash....man the technology and the minds that create never cease to amaze me....thanks for the links....best of health to you

Thanks for the links....wonderful pics

A little off topic but a R&D buddy of mine that dabbles in astronomy sent me this link from a project in Hawaii.....1.4 giga pix..great for lookin at purse snatchers in outerspace.... http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/press-releases/GPC/GPCflash.html

Ok Ryan, if you are going to layout and install soon remember the weather out here and also due to the very bad fire season we had this year there is a lot of bear and cats that have relocated themselves closer in to undisturbed areas. A bear you may.... see... lots of elk and deer but a cat will be lookin at you a long time before you ever knew it was there. I have installed and worked in lot of the lake areas....Seely/Swan Kalispell... Glacier.....built some custom log and timber gated/tele entry systems with cctv for some california based corp clients up there.... dependent on how far you are in, when in the field...private property, backcountry, wear a sidearm and let people know where you are working. Good luck

With your unlimited budget I would not waste time with the so called "military ir" retail websites...most of those products are touted for the consumer like toys and gadgets as well a lot of the devices are so called military surplus and outdated technology if you want to get serious with the spec on your application look at professional industrial/law enforcement gear...be aware of the laws which apply to so such sales a vast majority of such equipment is regulated by the US state Dept under ITAR title 22 considered ARMs traffic you maybe checked to insure that it is for domestic use only not for export. Take a look at FLIR systems: http://www.cvs.flir.com/security/products/ptzcameras.cfm From reading your application I really think you should do a walk through and try differnt IR light sources .. (my original suggestion Extreme IR, you may be surprised how effect their units are when placed properly incojunction with quality cameras) secondary cams as well, I really dont think there is a magic bullet here for a one cam do all for what you are trying to achive. Consider placement.. distances.... scope and review the planes that intersect one another to get a proper handle on working with IR you really need to take the time and energy to lay it all out to achive a professional setup....dedicated cams designed for your nightvision application would be the best route instead of adding more gear into the mix with a night scope adapted to a camera....just my 2cents....good luck

Panasonic has a very interesting Template matching algorithim built into their new PTZ the specs look impressive although I havent checked one out yet, I did try to spec one out for a client but they opted for mini ptzs instead, I am considering one for myself though.....Ive had very good results with panasonic gear in the past maybe take a look.... http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=104548&catGroupId=14470&surfModel=WV-CW974