survtech

Which model of Spectra IV and how low is the light level at the camera? If you have the Color/BW head (DD4CBW35), they come from the factory set to switch from color to B/W at "dusk". You can change that by getting into the menu: Dome Settings > Camera > IR Cut Filter > Auto - and- Auto IR Level > Dark By the way, you could get the same problem if the camera is not suitable for your TV system, ie: a PAL camera on an NTSC system.

We've used these with good results: CVP1012WA

It doesn't work that way with video. You can't just boost the signal, then split it passively like you can with RF. With video, you have to actively split the signal to two or more outputs; each having the same 1 volt p-p signal and with a 75 ohm load impedance. That's where a distribution amplifier comes into play. Unfortunately, it's going to cost you. An example device would be a Pelco CM9760-MDA. They have 16 inputs; each feeding 4 outputs. But they sell for well over $1000 and have other functions you might not need; like time/date/title insertion and cable length compensation. There are a few similar units on the market; I think GE Security used to make one. Or you could use 12 individual 1x2 DAs.

Are you saying HDMI is better?

RG179 is good to at least 100 feet.

I don't know if they still are (the case is different), but the Ganz IP cameras used to be rebadged Areconts. It has the same specs as the AV1305.

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Nonsense. RS422 and RS485 are, for all practical purposes, identical from a CCTV standpoint unless you need bidirectional communication. Since PTZ control is unidirectional, there is no difference. Both RS422 and RS485 are balanced data transmission with 100 ohm termination. We use both the CDU-T's and the KTD-83's throughout our systems to distribute PTZ control to around 200 Pelco Spectra II, III and IV's from a Pelco 9780 matrix and they work just fine. We have CDU-T units in our control room and the KTD-83's co-mounted in the field with power supplies and "66" punchdown blocks. They both work flawlessly.

They'll work with any RS422/485 signals. Technically, they're not amplifiers but signal distribution devices but they will allow longer runs if placed midway. The cheapest device would be the KTD-83.

RS422/RS485 is supposedly good for distances up to 4,000 feet using proper cable (twisted pair or shielded twisted pair). Are you daisy-chaining them? If so, make certain you turn off the termination on every unit except the last one in the chain. GE Security Kalatel KTD-83 RS422 Data Signal Distributor (http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/site/GESecurity/menuitem.f76d98ccce4cabed5efa421766030730?selectedID=530&seriesyn=true) Pelco CM9760-CDU-T Code Distribution Unit (http://www.pelco.com/global/en/products/analog-systems-controls/range-presentation.page?p_function_id=10502&p_family_id=10276&p_range_id=5536)

Keep in mind that most cameras draw quite a bit more power than alarm systems, other than maybe the siren/bell. Take a 16-camera system, for instance. The average fixed analog camera draws around 4-5VA (watts) so 16 would draw maybe 80-100VA. PTZ cameras can draw up to 20-30VA. And that's just for indoor cameras. Outdoor PTZ cameras with heater/blowers could draw up to 80VA each. That's a lot more battery than could fit into a power supply enclosure. Then you have 24VAC cameras. They would require an inverter power supply and even more battery power. We use Altronix power supplies but there are many others. They are available with individual fuse, circuit breaker or PTC outputs with a bewildering variety of options. http://www.altronix.com/

Matt, while I might agree with you, there are cameras out there that basically meet the specs for 720p and 1080p. The Honeywell HD3MDIP we are testing, as well as a number of others are 1280x720. In that respect they are 720p. Could they be hooked directly up to an HDTV? It would depend on the TV, but likely not in most cases. To qualify in that respect they would have to have either Component or HDMI outputs. None do that I know of.

Many manufacturers use a 1.3MP chip to build 720p cameras. 1.3MP in 4:3 aspect ratio is actually 1280x1024, hence the 1.3MP designation. The manufacturers of 720p cameras don't use all of the vertical pixels.

You can always braid them sort of like this:

No, but I have been known to lose control of a roll on occasion! Seriously, wire/cable pulling is a pain in the butt. Spools require reel cart or caddy and someone to tension the cable spool or it tends to backlash and snarl or come off the roll. Spools also are not suitable for pulling from within a cable tray. Boxed cable tends to knot during pulls and get stuck in the box. We're going to try West Penn's "Advantage Box" to see how easily that unspools and if it can be placed in the tray. Here's an idea for an invention if someone has the inclination and time: design an anti-backlash mechanism for cable caddies.

Here's a better way:

To which I add this thread!

AAE ASIA ADULT EXPO 2010 August 20-22 at The Venetian Macao - Resort - Hotel

We've been running our cameras on Altronix power supplies for over 15 years. They tend to put out 28VAC +/-, even under load. We have hundreds of 24VAC cameras attached to those supplies that have been in continuous use for over 10 years (installed in 2000). I wouldn't worry about the voltage. If you are still concerned, put the power supply on a variac:

What proof do you have of that? http://www.govtech.com/articles/104994 - The Dubious Link Between Wireless and Cancer GovTech http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/" - Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects." - WHO Fact sheet N°304, May 2006 - Electromagnetic fields and public health

Where's the Casino Surveillance group?

Marshall Electronics sells lenses for board cameras. Here's a link: http://www.mars-cam.com/optical.html

Even cheaper:

I wouldn't be so certain that method will work with FIOS (or with U-Verse, for that matter). You might want to call ChannelVision and check with them.

I've demo'd the Cisco Sypixx product (now Cisco Video Surveillance) and was totally unimpressed. Cisco doesn't have a clue how to make products that are either user-friendly or flexible enough for this market. Witness the unnecessarily complex programming required for their switches and other products. That complexity translated into their CCTV offerings as well. Another shortcoming of Cisco is their attitude of "We have the only way to do things!" that makes them totally stubborn and inflexible in their approach to product design and marketing. In the design area, they tend to think of everything from a proprietary point of view: preferring complex systems that require highly trained installers and programmers to set up. I believe that may be part of their philosophy, whereby they make profits from training and certifying installers and administrators. In the marketing area, Cisco prefers to bludgeon prospective clients with the attitude of "We're Cisco. What else would you need?" While this may fly in the IT world, where Cisco has the reputation and adoring fanship of a majority, in the CCTV business, they are just another company trying to sell an overpriced and underperforming product. Sorry for the rant, but I really resented the attitude Cisco people exhibited when I went to their factory demo. They surrounded me with marketing types who approached my many technical questions with that attitude!