Roadwolf

Greetings! I am wondering how critical the wiring needs are for an RS485 2wire control connection? Does it need to be cat5 twisted pair all the way? or could it handle a short stretch of untwisted pair? I have a Pelco Spectra III I am working on controlling through RS485 from an imported DVR box, which has 2wire RS485 out, and supports pelco D and P protocols... Everything looks to be set up properly, however I am still getting no control. The only thing I wonder about, is that the control cable going out to the camera piggybacks onto 2 conductors which were additional unused wires in the 24VAC supply cable. I wonder if that would cause it to not function due to noise? Likely huh? That sucks because there is really no room in the conduit for another cable And since I am running this from NET300's I cant use coaxitron to control it.

I am used to working with Pelco at work, but that isn't an option for my home. Any decent suggestions for a server run NVR system, or a standalone system, which can interface well with many brands of IP Cameras? I have a variety of Samsung PTZ's, Lorax cameras, and a few off brand IP Cameras kicking around the house, as well as some analog cameras which I have IP encoders for. I am looking for something I can maintain myself, not something that uses some cloud storage, or off site interface. Thank you for suggestions

I have a Foscam FI9828W which I just got from an online vendor whom isn't much help. Have been trying to set it up with either iSpy or ContaCam. But obviously first I need to set the camera up. I log into the camera and get to the login screen. I try to download the plugin, which can download and install (it is entitled: IPCWebComponents.exe) but doesn't seem to do anything. I tried using Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. The Foscam help on this topic, informs me to simply DRAG the plugin download file into the AddOns portion of Firefox, however that isn't working, and this is an .exe file, not an Addon file. I am a little stuck.