VST_Man

no offense taken..............just like you stated.it's fun..... Rory, cab I send you my before's and afters to show the differences between my eye/monitor and the meter? I'm currently working on installing my very own WEB server so I won't have t be so pissed off at the comercial version of the free ones.........got everything but the software (WEB Edition 2003). Will be my first "Server" so if anyone has some tips on how to set it up for use in storing video's, ect. please send it my way. Other wise I'll just wing it.

IP camera's are the way to go on this......I should have been more specific, but, the overall cost of a Analogue camera compared to a IP camera is not that much more. you can also get a WEB server for the analogue camera's. compared to mining, the low cost wireless is still a decent option. I've even used the cheap Dlnk IP cams and got pretty decent pics and recording. It's not a 5k project but it will do the job. sorry if I was not specific on that info..............

I forgot one other great reason.........I will be able to "TRUST" othetr installers to get it right the first time. Can't tell you how many time I've had to readjust someone else's focus jobs. The CM-2 will keep it simple and the results will be the same for who ever uses it. oh, and it does the back focus toooooooooooooo

toys? I'm always going to try to stay instep with technology so that my end product installs blow away the competition. You never stop learning in this field so I have to spend money on R&D in order to be able to offer all the clients needs. and, the CM-2 can be used as the standard for installing and troubleshooting problems. On installs I can instal perfectly and ensure that the camera's have no problems. On troubleshooting I can quickly determine simple things first and move onto repairing it quicker. I've had bad camera's that looked good on a monitor at the DVR but when connected they sucked..........................the CM-2 has the potiental to read the signals and tell you if there is a problem; ground loop, luminance, sync, ect. The manual also explains what reads are good and bad and the effects if bad. And there is a 1-800 on the back of the CM-2 if you have any Q's...................maybe I should sell these? I'm convinved. I've used it for several days now. Even went back to old customers to readjust cams. In everycase the focus was increased (with no monitor) and when I went to look at the result, both before and after via recorded, the pic was better. no tweaking back and forth, looking, straining to look at all corners of the monitor, ect.......just connected, adjusted to the highest reading, done. and the best part is my clients are calling me to tell me thanks, camera's look great!

- wireless will work with high gain antenna's, routers, and access points. I put a previous post/reply here that helped another do this.....maybe that person can reply here with results, equipment used, ect. - is the parking lot cement or blacktop? If blacktop you can trensh it and repair it. cement is a hassel...... - any exhisting telephone wires between building that are NOT USED? If yes you could use them for your video. if it were me I'd buy a router with wireless, a access point with wireless, high gain antenna's, and then test your possible install locations for signal strength, ect. If it all works your in biz to expand and integrate. 100ft is no big deal for cheaper wireless.............unless there is a mountain in the way.

I would not be as worried about the rating as I would about light'n............ube sure to use surge protection..... - why not go wiresless? how far a distance? ditchwitch's are rentable and smarter!!!

yes....................

I'm not good at the uplink stuff....and the free sites are way too messy. I can provide a login/pass, PM me.

Baluns add to the overall cost. I'd use RG-59 siames (video & power) Camera's? I like the EX9100 from CCTV imports. Has IR, filter, and highres. good camera with all the basics that work well. Camera locations? you are on the right track. Just make sure you take the suns movement into the mix BEFORE you mount.

Matt, you have my number........we talked yesterday about Zaxby's......

it is a video camera test meter that measures focus, sync, luminance, composite, color burst, and ground loop.

budget drives everything so plan your build on actual avaiable cash BEFORE you start shopping. As with everything, quality and money can't live without each other..............as long as you know what your buying.

link......call Caterina CM-2 has a grond loop tester now.......everything else "should be the same". My only complaint now is that trying to hold it and focus is slightly a balancing act, but still worth the investment. I'm planning on adding a neck strap so that if I decide to drop it it don't break before my butt does. But it works pretty nice.

yes it integrates. The pic is extremely high res and the digital PTZ is also unique. They are very nice but they obviouly unique in application also. I have tested one, the 1000 with a computar low light, worked great. The 3 seperate "zoomed" pics also worked fine. As I see it, these would work great once positioned and set..after that the PTZ function would MAYBE used. I have a armour dome, the 3000, coming in today. I'd like to use this for entry and exit are's where I can get the overall pic and then use the 3 digital zooms to get better facials.............clients want to get faces and I think this will get "in thier face". The armour feature makes it possible to bring the camera lower for perfect level shots.

agreed..................

used it today on a chain. basically took a reading on the meter BEFORE I adjusted it. In all caes the focus was increased by 100 -200 on the meter and the pic was noticebly cleaner and crisper. also used the ground loop feature which was easy and quick.

connected audio today...........both WEB and client work perfect.

can you post the video............I'm a chees head from Wisconsin and need to see the power of................

got it today. nice package; tester, UTP module, & case so far I played on the bench with 2 camera's. it completely focus it better than I could have; fat fingers, bad eyes, and no patience. did a quick field test on a outdoor box camera WITHOUT a monitor to double check it and it did a great job....no monitor needed. if you hate focusing and refocusing buy this thing. sames you a bunch of time and effort and it gets it right the first time. advice.....ALWAYS install the camera at the location; get your angle(s) and field of view THEN do the focus adjustment as the last adjustment; the meter reading represents the actual area of view so it makes sense to mount it first. as far as adjusting in low light to get the best reading I will let you know if the adjustments I made in daylight today are able to get any better on the meter. I do have a #5 welders lense so I will try that also. will also use it on bullets and board type to see how it works. pretty sure that it will work everywhere I need it to. If you plan on buying it ask for Catrenia at FMsystems. I get NOTHING for this, I am just passing who I think you should call based on the service I received from her.

the CD55 (DNV is low light) series is decent.....have one running non-stop for 2 years with no problems.

Dell has the Power Edge series onsale right now............til the 8th..today http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_server?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

Just purchased one for a chain. Installing next week. Looking forward to the "hands-on".

save yourself some time and goto Staples and buy them a new budget PC.............let THEM pick it. Parents and PC's? I spent a week getting my pops set up with DSL service, a router, new PC, wireless laptop & cam, and after I got all working well he unwired it all and reset it to his original configuration because the laptop did not have a wire on it and it was not "dialing out". Yes it worked. He then went into the PC's and deleted programs and files. Lessoned learned; never extend your "expertise" to your Parents & fly them to Hawaii or Vegas instead. You'll save time and money.

you can set the PC/Server to turn on after power is restored.............in the BIOS settings. I've replace only 1 APC and it fried due to an "overload" by the customer....had a zillion things plugged into it and when the power dropped it literally blew. Line conditioner? Yes and no. Most APC's and UPS's have software that monitor the supplied AC voltage in and I've yet to see any stats on one that makes me want a line conditioner type. Guys like Rory may need them based on his poor AC supplier but here in the states the AC lines are normally pretty stable. I've never lost equipment to lighting or power problems....knock, knock Water is the biggest problem.

anywhere from 50 on up. dip switches are in the dome, not on the rs. yes on the Dome.........PM me if you want a source.