amnon

I got a 22x Digital zoom camera from eBay (KCUSA, No manual The back of the camera has an RS485 (two screws) connector, SVGA Out, BNC Video out, 5 push buttons, one to bring a menu up, and the others are N, T, F, W which control the zoom in and out, and focus, and then a 5 pin control socket. The control cable that came with it has 5 wires, labeled: Red - 12V Black - GND Green - COM White - T/W Yellow - N/F Supplying the red and black with 12V brings the camera on, and it is working fine. The buttons on the back do their job as far as zoom in out. My question, can the other three wires be used to control the zoom remotely. I know I can use the RS485 to control it through a PC, but I would like to know if the wires (which are labeled the same as the push buttons on the back can be used for that. Thanks.

OK, I guess someone has to be the first one to try something So, I decided it will be worth blowing a camera to find out if it can be done. KCUSA support said no, cannot be done. Well, I found out it can, and I didn't blow the camera. Connecting the green (COM) wire to -12 and the White (T/W) wire to +12, zooms in. Reversing the two zooms out. At first it didn't work, and then I thought it may need the leads from the same power supply that powers the camera, and that's when it did work. COM and the Yellow (N/F) wire activates the focus, but since the camera has an AutoFocus lens, I guess I will not need that. Just remember, don't use another power supply, use the power from the same p/s that you use for the camera.

I know I can use the RS485, but I was wondering if I can just use the wires (with a simple switch) to control the zoom. The wires are labeled just like the switches on the back, so I thought they can be used with a remote switch too. No? Here is a picture of the back of the camera, the wires are also marked t/w n/f http://www.deltaforce.net/~amnon/temp/22x1.jpg

Is anybody using a TV antenna rotator to pan a camera? Seems like it would work just fine (if you don't need tilt). These can be bought for under $40.00 and are really heavy duty.

Weeeelllllllllllll ????

Actually, I just tried it on the bench, and it turned 90 degrees in 17 seconds, so that's a little over 5 degrees a second. How fast do the rotating brackets for CCTV turn?

Great, do you have any idea what to do with the wires? I tried shorting the the three wires (t/w n/t and com) in all possible combinations, but nothing happens. Hopefully I didn't ruin the camera by doing so. I would guess I need to apply some power to the wires, but not having a diagram or manual, I'd rather hear from someone who knows

Are there any problems getting a 12V lead from the PC the DVR card is installed in, and powering the cameras?

I have an Axtronix 340 IR camera with 12mm fixed lens. Can one replace these lenses? I'd like to put a 4 or 6mm lens in there. Thanks. .... Never mind... I found out for myself, by taking a chance and doing it, that it is real easy to do.