survtech

Spectra III's are noted for burned out power supplies. Although I've never troubleshot one to component level, I do know that the cooling fans go bad so it's very possible more than one component overheated, although that is rare for ceramic capacitors. Typically, they will short out if their rated voltage is substantially exceeded. That could happen with a nearby lightning strike. Not having a schematic and a component location diagram, I can't speculate.

Now that the social amenities have been dispensed with: VLC Media Player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html) is about the most versatile. Oooops, sorry! Too much chit chat....

Define "slight". 200ms? 300ms? more?

TLS Electronics / Time Lapse Supply - http://www.tlselectronics.com/. Look in the PTZ parts lists for various PTZ manufacturers. Typical price for the camera is $250 for color. A bit less for B/W. They carry most of the Hitachi camera heads. The Pelco parts section alone lists 18 different camera heads http://www.tlselectronics.com/dcparts_pelco2.shtml). Keep in mind if you are swapping in a different camera head from the original, you may have to also replace/upgrade the PTZ's firmware - not always do-able.

For analog cameras, you can use one pair of a 4-pair CAT5 for each camera. Run the four pair from the DVR to either the closest camera or a mid-point between cameras. Then splice additional CAT5 cables out to each camera from there. You could even run a 4-pair with all 4 cameras to the first camera, splice the remaining 3 pairs out to the second, splice two of the pairs onto a 4-pair from there to the third camera, etc. Splices can be done using beans or IDC splices (Telco). For analog video, it is not absolutely necessary to use punchdown blocks. Just try to maintain twist as much as possible. The biggest issue there is power. If you run separate 18/2 power for each camera, you could follow the above method. However, if you want to run power for the cameras on the same UTP as the video, you will not be able to run 4 cameras on a single 4-pair. Most likely, you would need one 4-pair per camera, depending on total distance from power supply to camera. For IP, look at the NVT EC1701U devices. They can run up to 4 IP cameras on a single 4-pair, with POE, depending on distance. Here is a link: http://www.nvt.com/content.php?type=template&key=productfamily&ckey=eo2

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In casinos, we mostly use manual iris lenses on box cameras. For one thing, changing light levels are not an issue and for another, we prefer the control a manual iris lens gives. Yes, with many auto-iris cameras and box cameras with auto-iris lenses, you can control the iris through the camera software but the control is not as fine as you get with a manual iris. In many casino applications, it is necessary to perform focus with the iris fully open to obtain proper depth-of-field, then close the iris more than would normally be desired for other applications so that a specific area or scene is clearly displayed; for instance cards laid out on a gaming table. This is often done to compensate for lighting issues.

If you want to backup everything - O/S, software, etc., use drive imaging software. I've used Acronis True Image with excellent results, but there are a number of others, including Symantec Norton Ghost and Paragon Backup and Recovery. Those are programs you buy. There are also freeware and shareware programs like Macrium Reflect Free, DriveImage XML and Clonezilla.

What you see will be limited by the weakest link in the chain.

You could home run both, as you suggest, but you don't have to. What I was saying is this: KBD Tx---------PTZ-1 Rx-----------PTZ-2 Rx----------PTZ-3 Rx----------etc. Termination "off" on PTZ-1 and other "middle" PTZ(s) and "on" at end PTZ. There is no connection between the Tx and Rx ports in a PTZ so by hooking Tx of PTZ-1 to Rx of PTZ-2, you "broke" the daisy chain. Your only connection at the PTZ end should be at the Rx, so you would have two wires connected to the middle PTZ's Rx port - the one from the controller and the one going to the next PTZ. Maintain (+) to (+) to (+)... and (-) to (-) to (-)... all the way to the end.

I found the manual online. KBD300 Manual According to what I'm reading and assuming you are using direct keyboard PTZ control, you should be OK assuming you set both PTZs to the same "P" or "D" protocol and to consecutive addresses and either daisy-chain their control ports or use a CDU-T or other code distribution unit. You would then key in Camera 1 to control Camera #1 and Camera 2 to control the second camera. The problems become more intense when you also use the KBD300 to control a switcher, though. Maybe you are daisy chaining wrong? The connection goes (KBD Tx+/-) > (PTZ1 Rx +/-) > (PTZ 2 Rx +/-)... All PTZ's connect via their Rx ports - there normally is no connection to their Tx ports. You are allowed to splice the control cables near each PTZ in a daisy chain, so you can run your twisted-pair cables to near the first PTZ, tie that pair together with one going to the second PTZ and one going to the first (no longer than 3 to 6-foot-long jumper from main line to each to PTZ's Rx), then continue that way for each. Remember, if daisy-chaining in that way, turn the terminations "off" on all middle PTZ's in the chain and "on" on the last.

Are you using RS422/485 for control? Does the KBD300 manual say how to set up multiple devices?

Pelco says "Up to 16 receivers can be wired to a keyboard" in their spec sheet but, unlike many other of their products, they don't have the manual online. My guess is that you have to daisy-chain the two PTZs or use a CDU-T or equivalent and assign each PTZ a different address. Then you would have to go into the KBD300's programming and set both PTZs' addresses and serial data specs. Not sure how to do that without a manual.

Soundy, didn't you know the Bosch MIC-550's are self-installing and self-cleaning. Or at least at $4,000(+) each, they should each come with little elves who install and service the cameras as part of the deal. Joking aside, two features of note: * Reversible eyebrow protects the viewing window from contamination and glare * Long-life silicon wiper eliminates the need for regular wiper replacements Eyebrow?

Although baluns are better-suited to CAT cable (CAT5/CAT6 giving best results), they will work on 20AWG or other cable pairs. The differences are that there might be a bit more noise picked up due to the lack of "twist" in the cable and there may be a slight "ghosting" due to the impedance mismatch. CAT3/5/6 cabling is 100 ohms impedance. Others will not be.

I forgot to add the NVT EoC/PoE system. http://www.nvt.com/content.php?type=template&key=productfamily&ckey=eoc

There are competitors: 1. Altronix eBridge (ip-over-coax) http://www.altronix.com/index.php?pid=2&model_num=eBridge1CRT 2. Vigitron MaxiiCopper (ip-over-coax/UTP) http://www.vigitron.com/ID/12/Vigitron_IP_Video_Transmission_Solutions.aspx 3. NetSys http://www.netsys-direct.com/products.php?cat=27 4. Nitek VRxxx series (ip-over-coax/UTP) http://www.nitek.net/products/extenders.htm ...and a number of others.

The DD53KIT is your friend.

Great minds think alike!

The title of the thread is "What UPS are you guys using?"

Beans CAN be used on stranded wire. We do it all of the time. Strip, twist ends together, squeeze the bean sides to allow insertion of the larger wires, insert wires, then crimp as normal. Works fine on everything up to 18 gauge. Agreed IDC connectors not suitable for stranded wire.

We use a Chloride EDP70PLUS/80 with a Type "C" battery cabinet similar to this:

There is no best that I know of. I would treat IP MP basically the same as I treat analog, with a couple of extra points to consider: key things to look for are the ability to provide 30fps reliably and the ability to provide high quality video under your specific conditions, like lighting, etc. Check for excessive noise (which will cause high bitrates), AGC action (which can cause image overload) and bitrate for acceptable picture. Also look at warranties, replacement policies, etc. My best advice is to work with your supplier and test a few.

Data line termination is the same as video line termination. Signals are terminated at the ends of a daisy chain but not in the middle. Also for most PTZs, it is not necessary to employ bidirectional communications. Unless you desire alarm or some other auxilliary functions, PTZ control only requires one way data flow - from Tx on the controller to Rx on the PTZs. Tx+ (on controller) to Rx+ (on PTZ) and Tx- (on controller) to Rx- (on PTZ) - to Rx+ and Rx- on second PTZ... Termination "off" on all middle PTZs and "on" on last PTZ in the daisy chain.

Ditto. Or these: In a pinch, you can fill most splicing devices with gel yourself. Just go to any auto parts store and buy a tube of silicon dielectric grease. Often used for spark plug wires.