survtech

I agree. They are probably nothing special. We've been using the Ganz ZCD-series domes with built-in NVT baluns for years.

You might try a good WDR (wide dynamic range) camera, like the Panasonic WV-CW Super Dynamic series.

Probably the software. RS485 is usually either go or no-go. If you wired it wrong you would not be able to control the PTZ at all.

With baseband video, they are equally important because they are basically the same. Coaxial cable attenuation at higher frequencies is primarily a function of cable capacitance. At lower frequencies, the DC resistance of the cable plays a much more important role. That's why CCTV cable needs to be copper/copper. Copper has a much lower DC resistance per foot than steel. For instance, while RG6/U copper-copper has a nominal DC resistance of 6.5 ohms per 1000 ft., RG6/U with a copper-clad-steel center conductor and foil/aluminum braid has a DC resistance of 28 ohms per 1000 ft., making it usable for runs of only 100 ft. at best. Since baseband video is primarily a low frequency signal, the DC resistance has a much greater affect on the cable's ability to transport the signal. That's also why RG6 can transport video for longer distances - its 18 gauge center conductor and larger diameter shield has a lower DC resistance than the 20-23 gauge center conductor and shield with less copper in RG59. For instance, while West Penn 815 RG59/U has a DC resistance of 10.1 ohms per 1000 ft., their type 806 RG6/U only has a DC resistance of 6.5 ohms per 1000 ft.. RG11/U can go even farther, with a DC resistance of 2.6 ohms per 1000 ft. At the other end of the scale, you have RG179/U (WP 825), also known as mini coax. It has a DC resistance of 30 ohms per 1000 ft. and should not be used for runs longer than 100 ft. Cable capacitance does have some affect on the higher frequency component of video. That's why the distance ratings are not linear. The DC resistance would affect the sync signal of the video more than the resolution since the sync is 60HZ and the higher resolution part of the signal is the highest frequency, as high as 10MHz. The color reference signal (color burst = 3.58MHz), is also affected more by the cable's capacitance. A poor BNC connection, being high resistance, will cause the video to "lose sync" but have less affect on the color or resolution.

We commonly use Computar 1.8-3.6mm and Pelco 1.6-3.4mm varifocal lenses. The 1.8-3.6mm can give a horizontal field-of-view of around 105 degrees and the 1.6-3.4mm around 110 degrees. The effect is a bit fisheye but it is useful for some situations.

80 degrees horizontal (width)? With a 1/3" sensor, you would need a 2.8mm lens. 2.1mm for a 1/4" sensor.

According to their website, they do offer discounts to qualified dealers.

And why is that? Are you suggesting that fiber is as cost-effective?

3 Ohms per 10 feet of cable sounds awfully high to me. For instance, West Penn 815 (RG59/U) specs are 10.1 Ohms/1M' Nom.. That would be approximately 0.1 Ohms per 10 feet.

He might be able to use the cable I linked to. That is Direct Burial 600V Tray cable. Otherwise, he would have to at least use flex conduit between the control and the connector and install the connector in an electrical box. Hardly anyone uses those Pan/Tilts any more because of those and other issues, including the speed of the motors: "High Speed Pan Movement (12°/sec ±1°)"

Because he can't! Pan/Tilt systems like the Pelco PT270P are only the motors, no electronics. The 6-wire cable actually provides the power for the pan and tilt motors. There is a separate control box and the 6 wires run from it to the P/T head. The connector on the unit has 6 pins for the motors (the other pins are unused): 1. Common 3. Left pan motor 7. Right pan motor 6. Up tilt motor 5. Down tilt motor 8. Ground By the way, PT270P's are quite uncommon. More common are the PT270-24P and the PT280-24P. The big advantage is that the motor power wires are low voltage (24V). They also make a 230V unit (PT270P/230). The PT280 series includes lens control, video and and camera power connections on the main connector and a cable harness and connectors for those functions. PT270-24P PT280-24P

You're correct - the head is 120VAC. The problem is that 6-conductor, 600V Tray Cable (what you need) is quite expensive. I know the control head is 120VAC but code requires the cable to be rated higher. Here is a link: http://www.westpenn-cdt.com/index.php?option=com_cable_finder&func=SearchSec&section=600_Volt_Tray_Cables

Our resolution standard has always been table games. With any analog camera we've tested we are not able to tell the suits of cards 100% but there are subtle differences. When we tested cameras in 2001 or 2002, the best we could do was about 40%. That was using claimed 470-480 line cameras. By 2005 or 2006, with the advent of the Pixim chip, we were able to up that to maybe 50%; not a significant difference. Testing some of the newest cameras with stated 520-540 lines of resolution, we have been able to up that to around 70%. 330 to 380 line cameras approach 0%, as expected. We're waiting on a Panasonic demo that claims 600 lines... Of course, megapixel solves that problem but the ones we've tested have other issues - poor light sensitivity and low frame rates for two.

Which looks better to you, typical television or cctv? It depends. SDTV and CCTV can look about the same. But there are too many variables to make a fair judgement. OTA broadcast TV is bandwidth-limited to <4.5MHz, which is approximately 300 lines, so a good CCTV camera with proper lighting and a high-quality monitor can actually look better. HDTV is another animal.

Define cheap. We tested a number of passive baluns using an FM Systems CM-1 Camera Master with both 1,000 ft. and 1,500 ft. of CAT-5e. We tested NVT, GVI, VideoEase and Video Baluns Unlimited baluns and there was virtually no difference in performance. Here are the first results of our tests of passive baluns: Source: Ganz ZC-DN3039NHAT with built-in NVT passive balun. Cable Length: Approximately 1,500 ft. total CAT-5E consisting of: ** Camera to Punchdown - Approx. 270 ft. West Penn CC2418 (Siamese 2-pair CAT-5E plus 18/2 power) ** Punchdown to Punchdown - Approx. 1,200 ft. Berk-Tek 25-pair Cat-5E Trunk Cable ** Punchdown to DVR/Monitor - Approx. 30 ft. ARM Electronics CAT5E1G (Cat-5E 4-pair) Measuring Device: FM Systems CM-1 Camera Master Vigitron VB1001M Sync level 023 IRE Luminance 070 IRE Composite 093 IRE Color Burst 001 IRE VideoEase Sync level 023 IRE Luminance 069 IRE Composite 092 IRE Color Burst 001 IRE Video Baluns Unlimited BL3265 Sync level 023 IRE Luminance 070 IRE Composite 093 IRE Color Burst 001 IRE GVI VB59SPSync level 023 IRE Luminance 069 IRE Composite 093 IRE Color Burst 001 IRE For reference, here is the data from the same camera using a Pelco TW3004AR active receiver: Sync level 039 IRE Luminance 147 IRE Composite 187 IRE Color Burst 027 IRE Here are the second results of our tests of passive baluns: Source: Ganz ZC-DN3039NHAT with built-in NVT passive balun. Cable Length: Approximately 1,000 ft. total CAT-5E consisting of: ** Camera to Punchdown - Approx. 70 ft. West Penn CC2418 (Siamese 2-pair CAT-5E plus 18/2 power) ** Punchdown to Punchdown - Approx. 900 ft. Berk-Tek 25-pair Cat-5E Trunk Cable ** Punchdown to DVR/Monitor - Approx. 30 ft. ARM Electronics CAT5E1G (Cat-5E 4-pair) Measuring Device: FM Systems CM-1 Camera Master Vigitron VB1001M Sync level 026 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE VideoEase Sync level 026 IRE Luminance 087 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE Video Baluns Unlimited BL3265 Sync level 026 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE GVI VB59SP Sync level 027 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE For reference, here is the data from the same camera using a Pelco TW3004AR active receiver: Sync level 036 IRE Luminance 150 IRE Composite 187 IRE Color Burst 024 IRE Here are the third results of our tests of passive baluns: Source: Ganz ZC-DN3039NHAT with built-in NVT passive balun. Cable Length: Approximately 1,000 ft. total CAT-5E consisting of: ** Camera to Punchdown - Approx. 70 ft. West Penn CC2418 (Siamese 2-pair CAT-5E plus 18/2 power) ** Punchdown to Punchdown - Approx. 900 ft. Berk-Tek 25-pair Cat-5E Trunk Cable ** Punchdown to DVR/Monitor - Approx. 30 ft. ARM Electronics CAT5E1G (Cat-5E 4-pair) Measuring Device: FM Systems CM-1 Camera Master Taken Directly at the Camera (no baluns) Sync level 038 IRE Luminance 121 IRE Composite 160 IRE Color Burst 033 IRE Vigitron VB1001M Sync level 026 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE VideoEase Sync level 026 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE Video Baluns Unlimited BL3265 Sync level 026 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE GVI VB59SP Sync level 027 IRE Luminance 088 IRE Composite 115 IRE Color Burst 007 IRE ! NVT Passive Transmitter Hooked Up in Reverse Sync level 027 IRE Luminance 090 IRE Composite 117 IRE Color Burst 006 IRE For reference, here is the data from the same camera using a Pelco TW3004AR active receiver: Sync level 036 IRE Luminance 150 IRE Composite 186 IRE Color Burst 024 IRE Notes: ! = We took an NVT passive transmitter from another Ganz ZCD-3000 series dome camera and hooked it up in reverse for this test. A short BNC cable was soldered to the PC board where it would connect to the camera's 75 ohm output. This is the same camera we tested previously in our second test. We did re-test with all baluns used previously but added a test directly at the camera and a test with the NVT balun. There is no model number on the NVT balun used since it is a module soldered to a PC board, not a stand-alone NVT balun. However, it is very likely that it is the same product as their low-end passive baluns. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overall Notes: As you may have surmised, there are literally no measurable differences between the four baluns, since +/- 001 IRE is basically the meter's resolution limits. Also, the picture on a high resolution JVC 21" color monitor shows no discernible differences between the four passive devices. On another note: On the first test at 1,500 ft., there were very obvious defects in the passive-passive video quality as compared to the passive-active. The picture was "washed out" and high brightness areas showed color fringing (rainbows of color) in them. The signal was strong enough to record a useable picture on our DVR system (Honeywell Enterprise). On the second test at 1,000 ft., the defects were far more subtle. The color fringing nearly disappeared; the washed out contrast improved immensely and the recorded video was nearly perfect. Conclusions: * There are no practical differences between the baluns listed and likely few differences in any reasonably well-made passive baluns. * Since the picture quality at 1,000 ft. was very good, I would say that the generally accepted limit of 750 ft. passive-passive is both valid and practical and at 500 ft. (the longest run inside the casino) it is comparable to RG-59 coax. * Since we did not test using other cable types, our findings only apply to the above listed cable types. * We have also used the following CAT-5E cables inside the casino with similar results: ** Arrow Wire 09LR-350EA4-6 CAT-5E 4-pair ** Arrow Wire 09-E5EA25-8 Cat-5E 25-pair

What kind of batteries are you using? Cameras draw a relatively high continuous current so at the very least you should use high-quality Alkaline batteries. If they don't last, try Lithium batteries; they are designed for power hungry devices.

We have 470, 480, 520 and 540 line cameras and can't see any difference in resolution between RG-59 and UTP.

Are you saying UTP can't handle the bandwidth? That would be a stretch since CAT-5 is rated to at least 100MHz and CAT-6 is rated to at least 250MHz.

You can use CAT-3 (Telco cable) but the signal will be more prone to noise and the distance is more limited. There are times when Telco cable is the only transport medium available and you use what you can. By the way, it is twisted-pair; there's just not very many twists.

I've been wondering that as well. The pips are no problem to identify with several analog cameras, including the Pelco C10 series, Ikegami ISD-A30 series and many others. The keys are proper lighting of the table and disabling camera AGC. Suits and value of face cards are a different story. At best, we can ID approximately 70% of the non-face-card suits with any non-megapixel camera. I've seen some previews of a new Panasonic camera that claims 600 lines of resolution and have asked for a demo. I'll report my findings here or on ipvideomarket.info.

Yes. Not at all. No. In fact, that would adversely affect the image quality since it would change the impedance of the cabling. It might cause ghosting, etc. I'm not sure I understand your question. With baluns, connect the same color of a pair to the (+) side of the balun at each end and do the same with the (-) side.

The longevity of cameras varies widely. There are so many variables that affect this that it is hard to make general statements. Electronics that are subject to high temperatures will have a severely reduced lifespan. Cameras that are installed outdoors in hot climates will never last as long as cameras installed indoors in temperature-controlled environments. Engineering and marketing decisions play a huge role. If a device is designed with a 10% voltage tolerance on capacitors, for instance, it will not last as long as one with a 50% tolerance. Of course, capacitors with higher voltage limits cost more than the lower ones. The same is true of nearly ever part in a device - camera or otherwise. Although most companies tend to build products to specific price points, the best companies engineer those products with conservative designs that will last longer than a more agressively design product. The best companies have management that cares enough about their company's "goodwill" that they give their engineers some latitude to build a well-designed product and the engineering staff that knows how to do so. Unfortunately, there are many who don't. That said, I would expect a well made camera to last at least 5 years. We have Pelco and Sanyo cameras that have been in continuous service for over 9 years. I've also seen the same longevity in Ikegami and Elmo. The size of a company doesn't necessarily equate with the reliability of its product, though. I've had bad experiences with both Sony and JVC cameras. Sony, in particular, is high on my short list of manufacturers to avoid!

It has to do with the cable's DC resistance, capacitance and attenuation. Here is a link to a West Penn pdf on the subject.

Yes, you can use twisted-pair for RS-485 control. There is no need to use a hub if the PTZ's are either close to each other or in a line. You can daisy-chain as many as you want as long as you turn off the termination on all but the last one in the chain. If that is not possible, Pelco makes a product called a CDU-T that is for RS-485 signal distribution. Also GE/Kalatel makes a product called the KTD-83 that does the same job.

RG-59U copper/copper (100% copper center conducter and 95% or better copper braided shield) is typically good for up to 750ft. Some people may recommend more or less but that is the most common. RG-6U of the same type may be run up to 1,500ft. Do not use CATV (antenna) cable, which typically has a copper-clad steel center conductor and aluminum foil shield. Baseband or composite video (analog CCTV) has a frequency range of approximately 30Hz to approximately 10MHz. Most attenuation specs are for high frequencies (10MHz, 100MHz, 1GHz, etc.) so they aren't really usable for CCTV.