survtech

It sounds like a hen?

CAT5 is not too thin to transport audio. Audio line level (2.0V peak-to-peak or around 0.7VRMS) is a bit higher than analog video level (1.0V peak-to-peak). But that's at line level. Microphone (mic) level is on the order of 1000 times less: typically 2mV (2 millivolts or .002V) Unless you use a powered amplifier (either separate or built into the microphone) at the mic end, line noise is likely to overpower the microphone's output; even if you amplify the signal at the receiving end. Also, the nominal input impedance for line level audio is higher (2-10k vs. 75 ohms), leading to less loss per foot. However, capacitance has a greater effect so high frequencies will tend to attenuate faster.

I use my fingernails but there are strippers especially for CATx cable. Because of the very small diameter of the conductors, you have to be very careful not to "nick" them or they will break at the most inopportune times.

I still say that the joystick is the issue. You are able to access the PTZs' setup menus and call presets using the controller, which means communications are there but the joystick part of the controller doesn't do anything. I'm not familiar with the KBD300A itself so you could explore the possibility its joystick settings need to be re-programmed but the fact that the controller does access some PTZ functions likely precludes communications problems; including the MUX.

If you can get into the PTZs' setup menus via , it appears that you do have communication between the controller and the joystick. Can you also cycle through the menus using the joystick? If not, the problem appears to point to the joystick itself.

Check out the Vitek cameras. The VTC-C770WS has all of the features of the big brand cameras (including the Pixim Seawolf imager) at a much lower cost. As do the inMotion 10S1x1L and 11S1x1D, although we haven't had the chance to test and price them yet. According to the inMotion sales rep, they will come with a 5-year warranty, too. The only manufacturer I know who beats that is Ikegami, who offers up to 10-year warranties on many of their cameras.

Or you could try to play the .264 file using VLC Media Player. It just might work. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

1500 meters is quite a stretch for both passive baluns and power on CAT5. Analog video will work well to around 300 meters +/- using passive-passive baluns; to about 600 meters using active-passive (active at either end); and to about 1000 meters using active-active (active at both ends). Power is a different story. Even basic cameras draw enough current to severely limit the distance power can be sent over CAT5; even using multiple pairs for power.

We still use CS-mount lenses. Most box cameras use them and the Ganz ZCD5000-series mini-domes also accept CS. Really, we would much prefer full size lenses. S-mount board camera lenses typically feel cheap, are more difficult to fine tune zoom and focus, tend to have difficulty maintaining focus over the entire scene and are limited in zoom ratios. Fixed-focus S-mount lenses rarely have irises. Varifocal S-mount lenses offer few focal length options and are not easily interchanged.

Yes and no. Properly chosen fixed focus lenses tend to be easier to focus but may not get the exact scene desired, due to the limited selection of focal lengths available. With a fixed focus lens, you may get either too large or too small an area. If it sees too large an area, resolution of the area of interest suffers. If it sees too small an area, you might miss important details. A varifocal lens can be zoomed to view exactly the scene desired but the interaction between zoom and focus makes getting the two right a bit more time-consuming. All else being equal, the picture obtained by properly adjusted varifocal and fixed focus lenses should be equal.

It could be the slip rings. Try panning one of the problem cameras at turbo speed numerous rotations one way, then the other, then see what it does afterwards.

Is there any accompanying loss of video when the patterns start degrading?

I agree with Soundy. The Pelcos store patterns, presets, etc. in internal memory. In my experience (using RS422/485 control), properly functioning Spectras are quite accurate in retaining their memory. For that reason, I would suspect internal issues, most likely the Power Supply or the Receiver/Driver circuits. I would give Time Lapse Supply a call. They are very helpful and can assist you in troubleshooting the problem(s). From their website (http://www.tlselectronics.com/customer_service.shtml) "Please call (888-590-9923), fax (415-380-9088), or e-mail (info@timelapsesupply.com) us if you have any questions." You could also call Pelco Tech Support at (800) 289-9100 (U.S.) (+1 (559) 292-1981 International) or see this web page: http://www.pelco.com/sites/global/en/sales-and-support/contact/feedback-form.page NOTE: Pelco's customer support quality has deteriorated greatly since Schneider Electric bought them (as expected). I think TLS would be more helpful.

Has the owner "rewound" the video to see the sequence of events? That would be a great clue. If this only happens at night, how cold does the temperature get? Cold enough for any heaters to kick on? I've seen instances where PTZs' power cables and/or power supplies were underspec'd, causing too much voltage drop when the thermostats turned on the heaters. You would be able to see that as a total loss of video for a relatively long period at night, followed by the typical on-screen startup sequence (Pelco Logo - Dome Drive data - "CONFIGURING" - a series of movements - "CONFIGURATION COMPLETE"). If power is not an issue, possibly the cooling fans are bad??? Also, Spectra III's are known for failing power supplies. Pelco makes a "kit" for that: DD53KIT Power Supply Kit, Pelco Spectra III

You read that? I think he also inferred that the testers weren't available yet. "...simple cable checkers will be available even before products based on the next-generation standard come to market." Todd's other claim, that coax fails due to "electron migration" is another joke. The term is actually "Electromigration" and it is highly unlikely to happen on coaxial cable; especially with copper conductors. The term usually applies to Integrated Circuit conductors where there are significant DC currents and high temperatures on very small wires. Aluminum is 5 times more susceptible to it than copper and ICs have used aluminum conductors "due to its good adherence to substrate, good conductivity, and formation of ohmic contacts with silicon." - Wikipedia re: Electromigration Since coax usually transports AC signals at relatively low currents (1V p-p for video @ 75 ohms = ~13mA AC across a 20-gauge or larger conductor), Electromigration is not possible. With his PhD, he should know better! I think the rats have been nibbling on his brain.

How many animals are you spaying?

It will, if the existing coax is Belden 1694A or equivalent.

Except for cooling fans in Spectra II back boxes (Spectra III and IV moved the fan to the dome drive), back box failures are extremely rare. Comm problems tend to be related to cabling and/or the control system. It is possible that you have either incorrect cabling / termination or some other communications problem. What model PTZs and what are you using to control them?

A laugh-a-minute!

I wouldn't agree with that statement. In my experience, I would estimate the following order of system problems in ascending order; least-to-most likely: 10. Cameras 9. Network Hardware 8. Analog Signal Distribution products (Distribution Amps, etc.) 7. Baluns 6. RAID Controllers 5. Equipment Power Supplies (not camera power) 4. Hard Disks 3. Recorder Operating System (Windows, in particular) 2. Connectors And, the number one cause of CCTV failures (drum roll, please): 1. Act-of-God issues (weather, etc.) Camera power supplies: 12VDC, or other DC-output supplies would probably make the above list; 24VAC camera power supplies are basically bullet-proof! Cable (not including connectors) doesn't even make the list!

Well, there's always RG11 and if that doesn't work, hard line.

Brandon, HDcctv should be no more prone to cable failure than analog or IP; all things being equal. Cables typically don't fail, but connectors do. That said, my understanding is that HDcctv cable requirements are more stringent than analog, or even IP. That may be a source of more issues than anyone is willing to admit. According to a manufacturer on LinkedIn, standard RG59 is unable to carry HDcctv signals reliably. They are recommending Belden 1694A or equivalent; which is an RG6-type that costs 3x as much as copper/copper RG59.

I just have to butt in on the latency issue. As a casino end user, I can say that we do use PTZs and they are manned 24/7. In our industry, there are many applications where PTZ latency (or whatever you choose to call it) would be a factor; often seriously affecting our ability to perform our jobs efficiently. 250ms would present severe control problems and 1000ms is definitely out of the question. For instance, in 250ms a vehicle traveling at 25mph would go 9.2 feet; a person running at 15mph would travel 5.5 feet. Obviously, obtaining license plate info or identifying a face would be quite difficult. With 1000ms of total latency, the figures above would be quadrupled. Just following the vehicle or running person that is not traveling in a straight line becomes difficult with 250ms and virtually impossible at 1000ms. I, and many others in the casino industry, have set our sights on the magic number of 100ms. Whether that is even do-able with IP is questionable; despite some manufacturers' claims, and getting the total latency (bi-directional, because an IP system introduces latency in both directions) reliably down to that level appears to be impossible at this point in time. Perhaps when encoder/decoder designs become more robust and with proper (read expensive) network designs...?

Fluke

One of many reasons not to buy into a home with an HOA. Why pay for the privilege of having someone else tell you what you can and cannot do with your home?