ccolvard

Holiday greetings! I have a mall that rents spaces to individual tenants that want 1 camera (some want 4) to view/record activity in their rental spaces. There are 600 tenants, each need the abilility to remote view, playback and record events. This sounds like a PC based system with network access, hovever, I have no experience with these. Can you guys help me figure this one out? SPECS: 1. Multiple users accessing remotely to view, playback & record. 2. Expanable system up to 200-300 users (caameras). 3. Remote administration. 4. Remote security only allows user to view their cams/image files. Please let me know your ideas and comments. Thanks, Chris Colvard

Hi Rory: Which Kalatel 16 do you recommend? This sounds like a low cost option that will work. Do you know if I can add my own hard drives to these units? Where can I get more information on these DVR's and remote software? Is it GE or who? I like the ability to add more imbedded DVR's as I go. Anyone had any experience leasing something like this to users like this. I was planning on charging a set-up (installation fee), plus a monthly fee for the number of cameras at the location. All feedback is welcome. Thanks again!

Thanks Larry!

Hi Larry: Please let me know what you need so I can have access to dealer site. Thanks,

FredB: Instead of quoting these customers SBC $29,95, quote them SBC home networking $59.95. It will work if they are not rebooting Speedstream modem all the time. 2Wire (SBC Home Networking) does not change the public IP address upon reboot. It allows web servers (Stand Alone IP DVR's) and port routing to a secure non-browser port 80 access. It is a modem, wireless hub and router in one box. No problem.

Just trying to provide a work-around here for cheap customers. Usually the only people accessing the DVR are cusomers who don't mind switching IP addresss using speedstream. Haven't had that problem with 2Wire. I've done it and it works. I explain to them that if they never want to worry about changing the access IP then they need a static IP address. My experiance is that SBC charges about $70.00 per month for static. If the cost is only $15.00 month then tell the client to get it! At that price we're wasting time here. At this point I have no more input on this thread.

FredB & Rory: Fredb: Using speedstream, if you disconnect the modem & router it will reset the IP lease and probably change the public IP address. Have not tested speedstream with unplud and multiple reboots. If client has to do this often, have them switch to home networking with built-in router allowing web servers, costs about $30.00 more per month. Using 2wire (Home networking, which allows web servers) the public IP address stays the same, tested and works. Rory, you would be right under conditions that you have stated. However, there are server broadband networks here that allow DSL/Cable access to have their own servers. These providers know that a dedecated IP address is require and let subscribers maintain them if they know how to do it. That does not mean that they advertise it or have any documentation on it. It does mean that they do allow it. That's all I can say. It's diffenet with every ISP.

Except that SBC (US) and several others will allow a public IP address setting in their modems. I'm not sure if they dedicate the addresses when users have this setting an then map them via DNS to the assigned address or what. All I know is that I have set up a dozen or so DVR's and several web servers on the SBC network and the IP address have not changed once the setting was done at the modem. This has been done with 2wire & speedstream modems with no public address changes in over 1 year. Not all ISP are like this, but SBC is one of them and I have proof that it works.

FredB: I'm not sure where it is but one of my clients was able to find it on his XP machine last week. Within 15 minutes I had his Speco online. Scan your program directories an look in anything related to SBC or Speedstream. This could also, be under diagnostic or admin tools.

A public address is maintained by SBC for users of game, ICO and other software that require a static address. Which means they allow a user to specify this address for their applications. We benefit by having a pubic (ACCESSABLE FROM THE INTERNET VIA THEIR DNS SERVERS) to point to our DVR's. Here's how it works. Yes, SBC allows public IP addresses. Although, they never publish the fact. The IP address of your specific modem is in the managment software for the modem. It only changes when and if the modem is re-booted. Otherwise, it renews (on the same address), if you've got a stable connection, there is no need to re-boot. 2wire (SBC home networking) has a built-in router that allows port forwarding from a stable public IP address. I think you are reading too much into your understanding of dynamic IP addresses. Each connection to SBC has an IP address. They will and do allow these addresses to remain under certain conditions. Please find the managment software to determine your modem connection IP address and other components. Once you've done that. I need to know what DVR your are using and basic cofig parameters for your router and it will work. Thanks,

Hi FredB: Go to the Speedstream managment tools and locate the IP address of the modem? (Incuding subnet, gateway, DNS1 & DNS2) Look for any information on making the IP address a public address. I'm not sure which speadstream (5100? Need to know!). There may not be anything about but if you see it, check public IP. What DVR aare you using? How if the config set up? Can you specify ports, etc... Your router must be set to allow Internet access through the IP address via port forwarding. Keep it flowing and you'll be up and running.

HI: If he is using SBC with the 2wire setup, it doesn't matter. If he's using speedstream it needs a router. Even the cheapest DVR's will work, Samsung, Speco, etc... Put in a static local address, map from public address via port. Been there, done many times.

Hi FredB: SBC will work, I have done it several time. Need to some specifics so I can help you. What SBC modem is it? (speedstream, 2Wire, etc...) Is there a router, if so what is it? Let me know, you are almost there.

Hi Rory: Do your cams have built-in GF protection? If so, it's not a problem. If not, switch to samsung, they have it built-in. (Never a problem with them and they are comparably priced here in Dallas) This would only apply to cams mounted on metal or grounded. I really don't thing it would be a problem any as I have on had it happen to me when the cams were grounded. Grounding to earth may still present a problem if the potential is different between the 2 ground rods. Better to play it safe and keep all remote cams from ground via mounting or enclosure. If they are mounted to wood (no ground unless wet) you should not have any problem at all.

FredB: No, I mean IP address accessable from the Internet to your PC. Who is your broadband provider? What is the name of your broadband modem? It all depends what your provider will let you do, but in the US, SBC, Comcast and many others allow it.

Most broadband providers will allow a public IP address setting in the modem. The router can forward an IP request from the public address to a specific port and local (LAN) static IP address. This allows you to put a static local IP address into the DVR (using a specified port other than port 80 - web browser default) and the router will forward from the public address even through a browser interface. Find the software that manages the broadband modem and change the setting to allow a public IP address. Then configure the router software to forward the request to something like 192.168.1.10:700 on the local network. Also, make sure that you find a setting in the router software to allow WAN access to the specific DVR address and port. Be careful about giving all IP addresses full WAN access. Only give the public IP address & port pointing to the DVR WAN access. Remove any firewall logins and let the DVR user management handle security. This will work will work with most DVR manufacturers. Worst case is that you use a dynamic DNS host to map to the DVR. Hope this gives you some ideas.

We have just installed a system (Cat5/Baluns) using Pro-Video CVC-695AM cameras at the pedestrian gates and Samsung SCC-131AN for overhead. The Samsung's are powered by 24v AC and Pro-Video's 12v DC. Transformers were installed at buildings closest to camera location, but located on different buildings and the control room (DVR) is in a different building. The Samsung's are working perfectly, but I've got what appears to be a ground loop problem with 12v DC Pro-Video cams. All of the Pro-Video cameras have vertical scroll that is the same on each of the cameras. (The Samsung’s have built-in ground fault isolation.) Is this a ground loop problem with 12v DC power? If not, what should I be looking for? If so, can I isolate the ground at the DVR & monitor to resolve the problem or do I have to use a blocker in between the Pro-Video’s and the DVR. Does the ground carry through the DVR & monitor if I use an isolation transformer on both of them? Thanks,

Yes, the main ground to the building was disconnected. I explained the problem and told the project manger what had to be done. This enabled me to charge a change order to solve the problem and earn some $$ for my time. Not all problems have to be a crisis. Some time we just have to be creative. Thanks again for your help!

Solution Found: 1. My installer removed the rubber screw brackets and grounded the cameras to the wrought iron gates. 2. The building electrical system (upon inspection) had the main ground wire to the panel disconnected. All ground for the entire control center building was running through the earth ground established by ignorant installer at 3 camera locations. After, help from you guys and several other resources was able to isolate one camera without ground and it worked perfectly. Later I had the project manager have his electricial connect a new ground (6' solid copper to electrical system) and entire issue was resolved today. Moral: Learn from any reasouce, then use common sense to work through the issue. Thanks for your help!

Hi Again: Thanks for the quick replies! I have tested each run (at camera & termination) with hand held monitor and images are good. I know PV cameras are grounded because they are mounted on wrought iron security gates. I thought it was a ground loop problem because all of the PV cams were scrolling at the same rate and frequency. Transmitters/recievers will cost me about $800.00 (US) before labor for the 4 cameras. I'm looking for a solution that is much cheaper. It's not clear to me why isolating the ground (at the DVR & monitor) and terminating the run at the DVR, wouldn't break the ground loop. This would be accomplished by installing Tripp Lite Isolation Transformer that costs about $90.00 (US). ( http://www.tripplite.com/products/product.cfm?productID=226 ) Am I off base here? If that's not possible has anyone used GB60-UTP (by FM Systems)? The cost for 4 channels is only $350.00 (US). Any advice or comments would really be helpful. Thanks,