kaysadeya

Received the Kodicom 516 today and was disappointed to discover that the Channel 1 input is dead. Swapped the camera inputs around and all of the other inputs seem ok. Checked the BNC connector for Channel 1 on the unit and it looks ok (at least on the outside). Before I send the unit back, is there anything else I should try? The manual doesn't offer any information for troubleshooting this symptom, so I doubt it's a configuration issue.

I'm cool, as long as you don't eat me.....

Perfect sense. Thanks! That supports the American ethic: "Bigger is Better."

I'm currently looking at the Sanyo VCB-3524. It will be for outdoor use, so I'll need to addd a housing and AI lens (probably fixed at 4mm). Questions: * Is this a good camera? Anyone with direct experiences? * What other high-quality options are there in the same price range for an outdoor application?

Rachel, As someone also configuring a home surveillance system, I suggest you focus on quality and plan to expand. You have a good budget, so make sure you don't "cheap out" on the cameras and get a DVR that can handle more inputs should you decide to expand in the future. Other things to consider: Do you want your cameras to be low profile or in-your-face? For example, you probably don't want the neighbors pointing to your cameras and spreading gossip that you're running a crack house, or something. There's a place for different camera styles. In my configuration, the goal is to keep the front yard low profile (e.g., discretely placed domes) and the backyard high profile (e.g., big-assed, high-quality cameras in housings).

Sorry, I have to say this: Though I think that video and robotic technology is some of the coolest stuff, it's not very "sportsmanlike" to hunt deer or boar with a robotically controlled long-range rifle. Of course, then there's that "Day of the Jackal" thing too...

Thanks Cooperman, I saw your earlier posts about len sizing. I'm looking for a DC-powered AI lens. My application would call for a focal length of around 5mm (at least with a 1/3 lens), so I'm not sure how that would translate to 1/2. I've noticed that the varifocal lenses are more-or-less the same price as a fixed focal lens, so I'd probably be looking for something in the neighborhood of a 2.8 - 12mm (again, I don't know how that would translate to 1/2").. Do you have any specific recommendations for a CS mount 1/2" AI varifocal? Will consider getting an adapter for a C-mount lens.

I was thinking that a 1/2" would be "better" than a 1/3", such as the VCB-3384 (hey, I'm an American ). Assuming I can find a decent lens, would a basic 1/2" camera have better performace (e.g., resolution, contrast, low-light image) than a 1/3" camera?

A *really* annoying website, but the specs are probably there somewhere... http://www.ktncusa.com/main.htm

And "the box" takes slow burn screw fuses. Ok, you guys need to get out more...

To report back on the 'rolling lines' problem... It seems that rerouting the video lines (no more snake pit) eliminated the problem. The BIG BLACK WIRE doesn't appear to be a factor.

For a pure B&W, this looks interesting: http://www.spytown.com/vc2430a-24.html

'~' = Approximately. Rory, what camera do you recommend for the following purpose: * Outdoor (weather-resistent and auto iris). Will consider a separate housing. * Day / Night (nice to have color during day and B&W at night. No need for a built-in IR illuminator -- will use either motion-activated floods or separate IR illuminators). Like you, I'm also into quality (on a budget, regretfully). Ideally $200 +/- I'm still trying to understand how to configure a remote-controlled varifocal lens through a DVR, but a feature like that would also be nice, if possible. To get an idea of what's available on the high end, I'm currently looking at the Vicon VC565DN, which is beyond my budget, but looks interesting.

Interesting idea. I would assume that, if your phone supports a browser, it would work.

Rory, any experience with this one? The WZ15N also looks interesting.. Do you have other recommendations for a ~$200 high-quality, low-lux, weather-resistent camera?

Yes the 1/4" x 1/4" works for the F connector just fine (I did 2 of those today). I also figured out some cuts for the RCA that appear to work: 1/2" x 3/8" (the latter being the exposed center conductor). However, rather than pushing the braid back over the outer jacket (as you do with the F connector), I found that scrunching it up 1/4" back from the exposed center conductor seems to work best. If I don't get any responses from T & B or Sargent next week, I'll have to experiment with the BNC cuts. If I have success on either front, I'll post the results here.

I haven't yet used the BNC connectors, but I have some RCA connectors (for RG59) that fit the compression tool. However, I've had spotty success with the RCAs, mostly because I really don't understand how far back to cut the cable jacket and how much center pin to expose. From the looks of it, you have to expose a longer center pin with the RCA than you would with an F connector. The RCA connectors aren't cheap, so experimenting is expensive. It would be out of the question to experiment with the BNC connectors, at $5 a pop. I've sent emails to both Thomas & Betts and Sargent. I'll post whatever information I can get from them on this topic.

I'll let you know if the connectors fit my tool. What I really need though are instructions (I'm pretty sure the splicing for BNC and RCA s different than with 'F' connectors). Rory, yes the snap-and-seal are designed to create a weather-proof connection. The connectors are just really solid, so I use them everywhere.

3195CT. Have you tried it with the BNC connectors? I just ordered the connectors and assumed they were compatible with this tool: http://www.mjsales.net/items.asp?FamilyID=426&this_Cat1ID=266&Cat2ID=38&Cat3ID=31

Does anyone know if there's such a thing as a dome enclosure that houses two cameras? I'd be looking for something weather-resistant.

Links?

I found the following: http://www.ncplus.net/~teslainc1/dc521.htm http://www.mljhiddencameras.com/dc521.htm Are there any recommended units with better resolution? Hi quality images are important.

Rory, Can you post a link to a supplier?

Yeah, my wiring diagram....

Rory, I wish I could blame hurricanes for the problem, but I'm in CA.. I'm going to reconfigure all of the wiring this weekend (passed that Big Bad Black Wire in the storage room). If the problem persists, then I'll troubleshoot as you suggest.