survtech

Did you have to return the Spectra IV or do you still have it? I would bet the Spectra III has an internal power supply issue. There is basically no difference between the two dome drives that would show up as you describe if both dome drives were working correctly.

Geutebruck, Dallmeier and IndigoVision are the three competing systems that we will be evaluating over the coming months. Our Geutebruck supplier would be SSI (Surveillance Systems Integration) in Roseville, CA (near Sacramento), Las Vegas, Tulsa, OK and Seattle http://www.ssicctv.com/. Geutebruck's west coast factory rep is Warren Associates http://www.warrenrep.com/ My take: Geutebruck GeViScope/GeViControl/GeViSoft is great for IP but their analog encoders leave something to be desired. Their MPEG4CCTV codec is not very efficient - it requires bitrates of 4-5Mbps to produce video with equivalent quality to that of most other encoders running at 2-2.5Mbps (4CIF/D1 @ 30fps). Thankfully, Geutebruck is open enough that they can utilize other brands of encoders, including the ones that tested best: Axis Q7406/Q7900 blade encoders and Bosch VIP X1600-XF. We also liked their Pilot keyboard/joystick and their scenes/cut list feature that allows the user to save video from multiple cameras over different time periods in one clip.

I agree with the other posters. There is a huge difference between spot and flood when lighting any area. Since CCTV cameras tend to exaggerate differences in light levels, the camera will tend to kick up the gain for dark areas and wash out the lighter areas with narrow (spot) beams. Switching to a wider flood will more evenly light the area but at a somewhat lower level in each section. Still, that might eliminate the problem. It will also depend on each camera's capabilities. In my experience, lighting should match lens FOV. If you have a wide angle lens, you need to use wide angle lighting to evenly light the area. You can use narrow angle lighting for more distant areas if you are zoomed in on them. Also, the lights should be mounted near the camera (or vice versa). Aiming a camera at a light source is a sure way to create problems viewing a scene.

Yes, you should either copy the flat files from the CC1 to floppy and import them into System Manager or just do all programming in System Manager and copy the flat files to the CC1. In either case, System Manager (at least the later versions) allows you to program all ports, change settings and even program the MDA. It takes a bit to learn but is well worth it. You can't make major config changes via System Manager hooked up to the serial port. But you have to use that method to change keyboard programming, however. http://195.70.43.12/Pelco/c1559mf.pdf Here is the exact text from the manual: "TRANSFERRING SYSTEM SETTINGS TO THE CC1 If you make changes to the *.psm file, you must transfer the updated system settings to the CC1, as described below. NOTE: If you do not make any changes to the system settings that were customized for you at the factory, you do not need to transfer system settings to the CC1, because this has been done at the factory. The CM9700-MGR provides the following options for transferring system settings to the CC1: Live Update : This option can transfer many incremental changes to the CC1, but it cannot transfer all of the system settings. The following types of changes are not supported: • Adding or removing devices • Changes to macros and messages • Certain “node” level changes If you attempt a Live Update after making changes that are not supported, an error message will inform you that you must use the Export To Configuration Files option. NOTE: The CM9700-MGR also provides an option for updating MDA titles. Refer to "Using the Update MDA Titling Function to Send Camera Titles to CM9760-MDA Units" in the "How to Add a CM9760-MDA Master Distribution Amplifier" section for instructions. Creating Configuration Files for the CC1 (Export to Configuration Files): Use this option to configure a completely new system or if the Live Update process ends with the “Live Update feature can NOT be performed…” message. The process consists of the following tasks: • Using the Export to Configuration Files feature in the CM9700-MGR software to create a set of configuration files for each node in your system. These configuration files can be saved to floppy disks. • Copying the configuration files from the floppy disks to the CC1."

Lots of argument there. Some say terminate with a female and use a patch cable to the camera. Others say it's acceptable to terminate the camera end with a male. You pays your money and you takes your chances. Many: One Visit Media Hyperline Markertek Canare Do a web search for "BNC Patch Panel" or "Coaxial Patch Panel".

Terminating to RJ45 plugs is usually frowned on. Handmade male RJ45 connections are a common source of problems. Better to terminate to jacks (female) and use M-M patch cables.

Except it's not necessary to program the system through the DOS interface. The CM9700-MGR program eases the job considerably. Copy the flat files from the CC1 to a floppy, import them into the System Manager program, edit whatever you want, make new flat files and load them onto the CC1; then just restart the CC1 and you're in business. You can even have multiple sets of flat files with different filenames on the CC1 - you just have to edit the autoexec.bat file through DOS Editor and change the name of the files it points to. The later versions of CM9700-MGR even automatically prevent conflicts and assign the next SERCOM port in line when you add devices. No need to remember which port does what. My only complaint is the requirement to use floppy disks to transfer flat files back and forth. You'd think they would find another way. Although there are no DOS drivers for USB interfaces, there are drivers for CDROM drives. Or maybe use the RS232 port.

I'm very familiar with Pelco 97xx matrices. What are your questions?

Tours and scans reduce the life of PTZs. Pelco even shortens the warranty on some P/T's (though not Spectras) that are run in any type of continuous motion mode from 2 years to 6 months (http://apps.pelco.com/products/dst/Pelco_Spectra_IV_Series_Dome_Drive_manual.pdf "Two years: – Standard motorized or fixed focal length lenses – DF5/DF8 Series fixed dome products – Legacy® Series integrated positioning systems – Spectra III™, Spectra Mini, Spectra Mini IP, Esprit®, ExSite®, and PS20 scanners, including when used in continuous motion applications. – Esprit Ti and TI2500 Series thermal imaging products – Esprit and WW5700 Series window wiper (excluding wiper blades). – CM6700/CM6800/CM9700 Series matrix – Digital Light Processing (DLP®) displays (except lamp and color wheel). The lamp and color wheel will be covered for a period of 90 days. The air filter is not covered under warranty. – Intelli-M® eIDC controllers • One year: – Video cassette recorders (VCRs), except video heads. Video heads will be covered for a period of six months. • Six months: – All pan and tilts, scanners, or preset lenses used in continuous motion applications (preset scan, tour, and auto scan modes)."

Likely age. We had over 100 Spectra II's deployed and cracks in both the pan base and tilt arm are common as the units age.

Most likely, the pan base is cracked or the pan bearing is bad. Check Time Lapse Supply for parts: http://www.tlselectronics.com/pelcospectraii.html

Danny, I read your response with interest. Perhaps you could relay what would happen if one of the NSMs lost enough drives through some catastrophic event like malfunction of a controller or a bad batch of drives. If Pelco uses RAID5, the loss of just two drives in any RAID set would result in permanent data loss - in RAID6, that would require the simultaneous loss of three drives or a controller (in certain controller loss scenarios).

On most camera systems, you can't increase the output voltage. There are equalizing amplifiers for analog video (see Pelco EA2010 here http://www.pelco.com/sites/global/en/products/video-transmission/range-presentation.page?p_function_id=10517&p_family_id=10301&p_range_id=5607), but they tend to be expensive (~$150 each) and you would need one for each channel. You might be better off considering active receivers instead of passive baluns at the DVR end if your cable runs are long enough to cause a drop in the video signal level. They would probably do a better job than amplifying the video signal with amplifiers.

The foil shield won't make much, if any, difference as long as the braided copper outer shield is really pure copper and covers 95%. Foil shielding will not cause ghosting or any other problems. The key problem with most foil-shielded cables is that they also typically use either aluminum or steel or too little copper in the shielding. That makes the resistance of the shield high and has the same effect as using a copper-clad or too small center conductor.

Here's a link to the Spectra III Operation/Programming Manual. http://www.global-download.schneider-electric.com/852575770039EC5E/all/CE3AEF235767FC3E852576380064099F/$File/c2487mb.pdf From your description of the scan stopping randomly, I would guess you are running "Random Scan" mode (Preset 97). Try Frame Scan (Preset 98) and Auto Scan (Preset 99). Presets 92 and 93 set your Scan Limit Stops for Frame Scan. Limit Stops can also be set in the menu: "LIMIT STOPS Limit stops are programmable stops that limit the pan range of the dome. There must be two limits, a left and a right, to define an area. There are two types of limit stops: MANUAL A manual (joystick) pan operation stops when a limit stop is reached. SCAN The dome reverses direction during random, frame, or auto scanning when a limit stop is reached. To set manual or scan stops: 1. Use the joystick to position the cursor beside SET MANUAL STOPS or SET SCAN STOPS. 2. Press Iris Open. 3. Follow the directions displayed on the monitor. NOTE: For the manual or scan stops to work, the LIMIT STOPS setting must be ON. To clear manual or scan stops: 1. Use the joystick to position the cursor beside CLEAR MANUAL STOPS or CLEAR SCAN STOPS. 2. Press Iris Open. 3. Follow the directions displayed on the monitor." Also read about "Scan Speed", Zones and Patterns. Be aware that continuous motion will shorten the life of the mechanical components of any PTZ.

Which Spectra dome drive? The CBW's will work in fairly low light but not real dark. Being a true day/night PTZ, they should work with IR, though I've never tried them that way. AGC limit has little effect IMO. Basically, you've reached the camera's limit.

I can't speak to the rest of your questions but is the correct Pelco 'P' protocol command for accessing the camera's menus.

You should replace the tilt leg. I'm not sure which one is correct but it's either MF61-7051-129C-B or MF00-5561-100A. If you call Time Lapse Supply, they should be able to help you. You probably should also replace the belt, DB00-0012-4085. Again, call Time Lapse Supply. They are very helpful.

So it's the tilt belt, not the pan belt? Check that the tilt leg isn't cracked. Also check the pan base. Both tend to get brittle and crack with age. When you assemble it, it doesn't matter where within the 90 degree plus range the camera is in. On bootup, the Spectra goes through a sequence to determine the position limits.

If you remove the star drive screws, you can get the outer cover off. By rocking the cover back and forth, you will be able to lift it off the base. Double-check the base for cracks in the plastic. That is pretty common and one possible reason for the belt coming off. The base can be replaced, along with the belt. Parts are available from Time Lapse Supply http://www.tlselectronics.com/pelcospectraiii.html.

can you post some footage of this camera He would but it's too foggy to see it.

It's a dome X-Ray camera. Those can see through walls, floors, even clothes. Hope you aren't wearing your codpiece.

It doesn't look like the dome itself is white. More like either dirt/dust or some type of overspray from painting the ceiling. Note the white "specs" on the trim ring.

I guess it must be up to the camera manufacturer how well they integrate the 960H sensors, then. I've evaluated a number of Effio cameras whose resolution on straight analog matrices and monitors are no better than any other 500(+) line rated camera. That includes major brands. Then again, the inMotion in11S3N2D cameras do show improved resolution on our equipment and they use the SuperHAD II imagers.

I haven't found that Effio-chip cameras offer any improvements over cameras that employ SuperHAD II imagers.