kaysadeya

Rory, Since you've had a lot of experience with Extreme IR Illuminators, I hope you can help with a question. I picked up a used UF500 illuminator. Works great, but that bad-boy *really* heats up! How hot should these units get? Mine gets almost too hot to touch. Also, do you know where I can download an instruction manual? Extreme doesn't appear to have manuals available on their website. On a related topic, I also received two WizKid WZ12s. While they're no way as strong as the UF500, they work fine for up to about 50 feet. My only complaint is that there doesn't appear to be a way to change the bulb, if they even have one. So I guess you just throw away these units when the burn out.

Do any of you Bosch people know if the LTC146 series domes have an IR filter? I'm getting serious about investing in a couple of these cams, but they need to work in conjunction with IR illuminators.

It's ok with me, but I'm just here to trade information.

Why is the identity of this camera being kept secret? I thought the purpose of this forum was to share information.

Ok, thanks. I can find a number of cheap hardwired controllers on ebay. Bought a Pelco MLZ6DT I'm waiting to be delivered. From the looks of the wiring diagrams for the controller and zoom lenses, it looks like there won't be any problems. However, my ultimate goal is to be able to control the zooms by means of the DVR remote control from any monitor in the house. I might be able to use the alarm outputs as Rory suggested, but I don't think that would match up with the PTZ controls on the menu. An option might be to remap the PTZ controls to the alarm outputs, but I haven't had the time to dig that deep. There's a lot of information out there on RS-422 and RS-485, but most of it is focused on manipulating digits rather than switching current. Seems like a simple enough task technically; but you wouldn't know that from the prices the CCTV manufacturers charge for their special-branded RS-422 hardware. Either I'm underestimating the challenge or the RS-422 control units are a great profit center for the manufacturers.

Yes, from Comcast you can get a HD DVR for $10 more per month. Pretty sweet deal for HD freaks, when you consider the only HD DVR alternative is buying a DTV box for around $1000.

If the camera has a back-light compensation (BLC) switch, set it to ON.

I'm drilling down to the UPS portion of my installation. Requirements are: * Load: Approx 600 watts (DVR, 12 cams/AI lenses, 5 IR illuminators) * Runtime after power fail: At least 30 minutes * Ability to replace the batteries after they age. The solution I'm currently looking at is an APC BR1500 + BR24BP (extra battery): http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500 http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR24BP Comments? Alternatives?

Yes, the price seemed high to me too. Do you know where I could get one of these units for around $75?

Yes, I'd consider this option if I could build a box that accepts the RS-422 signals from my DVR to control the zoom/focus/iris. I don't want to control each zoom with a separate joystick or button combination. If the above is possible, I'd need a clear idea of what components to assemble. I'm not much of a "hardware guy," but not afraid of a little solder. Sounds like you've had some experience in this area. Do you have any pointers to the parts and how to assemble them? Anything to get a kick start would be helpful.

Right, I'm looking for some sort of external receiver/decoder/controller (aka "box") that translates the rs-422 signals and switches a 9v current to various contacts. I assume there are some very basic boxes out there that do this. I've seen a few boxes on the web and ebay, but it's not completely clear this is what they do. For example: http://www.eaaao.com/choicecycle/78170 http://www.securitymax.com/detail.aspx?ID=215 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5753882332&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48634&item=5753881487&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Good idea. Another general topic would be intercoms (audio and video). I have one that connects directly into my phone. Very cool.

7kMI, You don't need new cameras to use a DVR. The cheapest option is to just drop a single channel DVR in place of the old VCR and you're in business. You can then expand at your own pace after that. However, before running out and buying a single-channel DVR, I'd encourage you to budget and research a DVR with 8 or more input channels. There's too many details to go into here; but trust me, you'll be happy with such a setup in the long run.

If I were you, I'd keep the mux and buy a single-channel (or more) DVR. For not much more $$$, you get a much a better, more reliable, and low-maintenance recording solution. Been there with the VCR and will never go back.

I haven't received the camera yet, so I don't know if the adapter is include or not. Do you kow of a good source for c-mount AI lenses?

bump

A chronicle of my saga: http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1392 If you have any questions, send me a PM.

I need to do this in reverse: adapt a modern 4-pin C-mount AI lens to connect to an older 3-pin Ikegami 4224 camera. Is there an adapter for this or do I need to do some creative wiring?

I guess this answers my question: http://www.altbeta.com/index.php?pid=4&note=1 Assuming a voltage drop of .96v is acceptable, I can run 18awg 50' between the transformer and distribution box. BTW, there's good stuff here: http://www.altbeta.com/index.php?pid=4

They don't appear to have a dual-voltage power supply. Also, I can only find one supplier and their prices for P3 units are similar to ALTRONIX units: http://www.eyetechdigital.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=30

I currently have one of these Elk-PD9 power distribution modules: http://www.eyespyvideo.com/powersupplies/pwr-9dc.htm Contrary to what I said earlier, the transformer/plug outputs 12v 1.5amps. Each output is individually current protected. A couple of questions: * Could I extend the line between the transformer/plug and the distribution module 50' using 18awg? * Is this unit sufficient to power four cameras with DC-powered auto iris lenses (let's just say four Sanyo VCB-3384s)? I'll be installing some high-quality Bosch cameras in another location and don't want to take any chances with the quality of the power supply, so I'll be upgrading the central box to a dual-voltage unit. I'm currently looking at the following two units: http://www.spytown.com/dualvol12vol.html Anyone with an opinion on which is better? Are there other alternatives I should be considering?

Here are some links: http://www.securitycameraworld.com/DVRFAQ.asp http://www.telexper.com/telexper-en/faq/faq.htm http://www.eyespyvideo.com/faq/multicamfaq.htm#question9 http://www.eyespyvideo.com/faq/cctvglossary.htm#dvr http://www.eyespyvideo.com/faq/dvrfaq.htm

Switch to wine. Older is better.

The answer to the last part of your question is yes. Others here have much more knowledge than I do on this topic, but I believe most or all DVRs record each input channel to a separate file on the disk Very cool stuff. Once you've used a multi-chanel DVR, there's no going back to a VCR.

Got a Casio EV-570 today. Tried it out on a couple of cameras and it works fine. Small screen; not very good for viewing TV (which it was made for); but you can tell from the dots on the screen when the camera is in focus. Not a bad solution for $100. Didn't want to pay the $250+ for the mini-monitors from spytown. No doubt the dedicated mini-monitors are better, but the Casio does the job.