MetzLyov

Here is something very interesting that we have been using for a while that I did not find in any threads... http://www.cognitech.com/ This company makes video enhancement and processessing software... I initially saw this package in a casino, where there were enhancing video clips and improving the picture quality from 50% to 90% better than the original clip... With little more research, found out that usually when you go through this process, it normally erases the "water mark". However, in this case using this software, it retains the authenticity of the video, thus it is admissible in court systems... This software packages are not cheap and they run few thousand dollars per license, but the results are excellent. Several of larger customers have been using them for few years and with outstanding results... Not sure the software scheme they use for such enhancments, but I always asked, why DVR manufacturers can not use this same technology to provide this major enhancements?? Anyone ever used this company's video enhancment software yet? Any of your customers ever asked for this type of a help before?? Levon

Larry, I wish you best of luck for this forum! Levon

Steve, you use BNC connector only with RG-59 coax and you can not use it with any pair of wires... If you intent to use your wiring that came with your system, the only way to do it is with video passive baluns... Otherwise, it will not work! As for a DVR, I can suggest to stay with embedded system. It is simpler to operate and easy to work with. May not have all the bell and whistles that PC based systems come with, but they are durable and last longer.. Do you know how many days of recording do you need? There are many to choose from, but I am sure cost is the factor, therefore one that I can recommend is this one: http://sanyo.com/industrial/security/digital_video_recorders/index.cfm?productID=450 Let me know if you need anything else. Levon

Steve, do not hold your breath on this... Certain manufacturer do this purposely so that any addition or change will require you to purchase only their hardware... I think talking to Sams Club will be total waste of your time. The manufacturer will not give you this information, as they know that you want to "break" into their design with something else... If it is a 6-pin as you stated, chances are that one of the pairs is the power, second pair is the video and third pair is a data wires (sometimes they use this to transfer voice). This is not a magic, it's just a wiring system they use to transfer all the power, the video and the data. Now, if you really have to do this knowing the fact the manufacturer will not give you the diagrams, then roll your sleeves and lets do this one bit at a time, if you are up for it... You will need a video passive balun, volt/ohm/current meter, few cutters and connectors.... The key when you are testing these cables is to find the voltage pair – most likely it is a 12VDC or 24VAC... With voltmeter, test these pairs to see which one contains this voltage. Once found, mark it as your voltage. Then, have the passive balun on hand while testing the other pairs. Make sure that you have another camera on hand with its own power supply if possible or use the identified pair as your power source. Once you connect the second pair through the passive balun to the live camera, watch if you have the video and if not, then it is the third pair... That is it! We have done this type of conversion for one of our customers who was using Bosch combo equipment and it worked like a charm. Chances are that if you feel this is difficult and that you may not be able to pull through, then do not do it... Also remember, any modifications to the cables resulting to a damage of the equipment will render your equipment out of warranty, so be very careful... Good luck! Levon

Where is DATA??? Hey man, do not make me come out to East Coast and drag you back to this forum This forum is not the same without you... Get back in the game now! Levon

Larry, so what is your decision? As you can see that there are so many opinions, some based on facts and some based on fiction. You are the administrator and the owner and everyone gives you that. But if this thread means anything to you, this shows that there are some issues that you need to decide and implement... Some are with you and some are not based on your initial assessment. I firmly believe that this thread should not have gone as far as it did, had you just found a happy medium and that is what I think you should do. As a member, I'd like you to compromise and find such medium where everyone feels safe and comfortable and doing so, you can calm down everyones fears. Therefore, we all are waiting for your decision! Levon

Dan, why do you think that we have any animosity towards Larry?? If you take our comments as a form of animosity, then you will have problems with many posts in this forum, as there are always agreements and disagreements on everything. We are in America my friend and everything is based on debates, discussions, agreements and disagreements and that is what is happening here and nobody is here to put Larry down... Nobody has any issues with Larry, but we are all entitled to our opinions for the better of this site... When was the last time that anyone was asked to help and we refused? I know that Data has done a tremendous job and assisting in many cases, but we can not help if we do not know what is going on... I can tell you that Larry has been in contact with concerns before, but he believes that he is handling the situation just fine and we have no reasons to question that... Lets stick with what Data asked and not go any different ways please... You suggestion is in line with what we are asking... If it is possible to have the best of both worlds then that is even better.. However, when an explanation is given as a justification why certain section can not be private, that is where out debate is... I personally will stand behind on everything that I stated, because it is based on facts and not assumptions! As for your last paragraph, lets not bring politics or religion in our discussions please. Neither ever solved or will ever resolve any differenced that anyone may have! Levon

Steve~, let me interject few of my points on your personal observations: I do not think you read and understood what I stated. If Larry's assessment is correct to leave the forum public would make it “search engineâ€

Rory, I concur!

Larry, Thank you for your reply to a very important topic. If I understand your answer correctly and you can correct me if I am wrong, are you overruling the member's consensus? You being the administrator and the owner of this website allows you to decide the future of this forum, and I can give you that. What about the ideas and the suggestions that members are making for the better of this forum like what DataAve recommended? If these type of suggestions do not meet your long term goals for the forum, then please clarify what does? I think your approach is incorrect, if I may stress at this point. You as an administrator are very much dependent on the members input and members who are keeping up with the content on what is really happening. Without these members that invest a lot of their own time and resources, your forum is just that, a simple forum that will not carry any weight nor produce any results. There may be few dozen active members in this forum that carry 99% of the workload and you want to overrule them all, because you own it or administer it? Think about that for a moment! Lets take a look at your 2 main reasons to turn down the consensus: 1.“Search engines will not sign up so the forum will never be indexedâ€

"Closed Systems" means that the manufacturer uses specialized pin configuration to transfer power, video and data and that the only way you can add anything within this system is to buy the additional components, i.e. cameras, monitors, quads, dvrs etc from the same manufacturer.... No drawings or any information available to figure out any way to use some other piece of hardware. Bosch as an example has this type of product line called Observation Systems.. I also know that many other manufacturers came up with their own packages... I personally do not like anyone of them, as it restricts on expansion of your choice of hardware and rather forces you to use only what they have... Think of a network that works only with a one manufacturer components and that it will not work with any other brand makes... I think Steven has a "closed system" based CCTV package. Now, dependent who the manufacturer is, we may be able to get the pin outs or how to add a different product lines... Levon

Steven, which brand and the product code are these cameras? As alanb stated, if it is a "closed" type of system, chances are that you can not convert or to add anything else except what the package components available... I am saying "chances", because were able to convert certain type of systems before (Bosch sepcifically)... The brand and the product code will determine if you can do it or not. Levon

Bill, you point is well taken... Levon

Bill, I thought they already ruled the world Or may be not, since Linux is giving them a lot of problems Or may be there are better solutions out there other than what is avail from Microshaft? Levon

Basically, the outdoor housings from all the majors will last.... We started using the housing from the following company in the recent months and they look great so far www.videotec.com These housing look different and come with many different styles... Their explosion proof housing are great and are more cost effective than what is out there... Levon

Data, that is a very steep price.... Over $500.00??? Did you already buy it? I can tell you that if you were to test this Mini-Dome against Panasonic WV-CW474 series that comes with SDII technology as a standard equipment, the results will blow any comparible equiment out of the water.... and it costs less than that price... I wanted to state the same for Bosch Phortress (LTC 1261/21) series, but because of no costs savings, I rather stay with Panasonic model... Levon

Paul, experience, persistency and can do attitude will get you there... and sometimes dump luck Levon

B-Tron power suppies are good and comarible with Altronix.. The only advantage going with PTC vs. Fused is that if there is a short, you reset the PTC instead of replacing the fuse... Levon

Data, I can hear you loud and clear... I already voted and fully support your assessment. I think everything should be hidden unless someone logs in and becomes a member! Levon

Nope, we all are in the same league in this forum Levon

Sorry man, I meant Sony... Levon

Bill, yes I am talking about the company that starts with letter "p" and ends with "o"! I did not make comments on their product line, rather their unprofessional business ethics. I am sure you had a great success on their products and nothing I say can change that nor that is my intention. However, when you are involved in projects that take few hundred of their domes, switches, over 1,000+ cameras, etc., then you will realize their true colors... There is nothing they carry that I can not replace with better and more cost effective equiment from major manufacturers! I have done it numerous times and I will continue replacing their equipment or taking our their spec out of as many designs as I can... Just remember, as long as you are buying their equipment from a reputable distributor, then you are fine. However, once you have a drop ship substantial amount of equipment from their Clovis, California location, then watch out.... They will do what it takes to capture YOUR customer! They may have mellowed down in recent years realizing that nobody will put up with their scrupulous business tactics, but it is too little and too late for me anyway... Levon

I do not want you to change your perception about them, but I want our members to know the real company behind it, rather the hype that they created... Just because they donated 1 million dollars worth of equipment to New York after 9/11 does not constitute any change of heart from my part. That investment actually went very far, where President Bush mentioned their name in one of his speaches.... and because of it, somehow everyone should bow down.... no going to happen! They my have a decent product line and they may have a good technical support, but all that is useless if their professional conduct is in question... They have been screwing many out there and somehow, they are able to get away with it and do not know how. Many do not have a choice, as their product line is all they sell.. However, once you fully understand the product lines from other majors manufacturers (i.e. American Dynamics, Bosch, Panasonic, Sanyo, GE Security, Ganz, Mitsubishi and several others) and realize that you can do much more than what P...o offers, then you will be in much better position to offer more to your customers! Levon

Rory, unless you are a super human (which sometimes I think you are ), the human eye can not see the difference... Data, which Sanyo model will you be using? If it is not a true day/night, you will not improve the picture quality... Levon

Enjoy slamming who (the word almost came out of my mouth)? Yes my friend you do not know why and it is not called "slamming", it is rather called Vengeance. Chances are that you are not buying equipment directly from them, rather buying it from one of their distributors.... How will you feel if your manufacturer takes your customers away by circumventing you in a multiple times and tries to take your food away from your own family's table? Will you continue working with them and will you promote their products? Will you give such a company another chance? I have replaced more of their hardware throughout this industry than you installed them. By the way, their equipment is crap and if they did not back it up with a good technical or customer service support, then it would have found itself in the buttom! They do not make anything. They OEM everything. I am sure you will not buy this brand if you had the same experiences! I hope you do not have similar experiences, but you never know... This company is very well know to pick and choose their favorite distributors and dealers and they always play very dangerous games. Regardless how good their products are, they are missing a very important factor - that my friend is called professional integrity. Levon