Sawbones

You have a model number for this? Sure. I'd probably start with one of these base stations (this one does four remote monitors... they also have model that does eight): http://www.startech.com/item/ST124UTPE-Converge-AV-4-Port-VGA-over-Cat5-UTP-Extender.aspx And the appropriate receiver for the remote end: http://www.startech.com/item/STUTPRXL-Converge-AV-Long-Range-Receiver-for-ST124UTPE-and-ST128UTPE.aspx Realize that you need one of those receiver units for every spot where you want to plug in a remote monitor. If you'd like something a little more "integrated," you can get one of their built-in wall units: http://www.startech.com/item/STUTPRXWAL-VGA-Wall-Plate-Video-Extender-Receiver-over-Cat-5.aspx

I hadn't heard about that deal in several years... thanks for the reminder. I think the current see-thru clothing controversy is the airport scanners, which aren't really a camera at all. They're a sort of microwave radar in the millimeter-wavelength band. I don't believe anyone has even come close to developing a handheld model

Not true for long distances. For long-distance distribution, HVDC systems are less expensive and suffer lower electrical losses than AC. AC is easier to step up and step down. Best, Christopher I know it's used somewhat in Europe and Russia... but for the purposes of the OP's question, I think he might have better luck with AC, since we're not using voltages anywhere near what you're talking about.

Are you using 12V DC? Try using 24V AC instead of 12V DC, and see if that doesn't fix it. There's a reason why we use AC current in the United States (aside from Nikola Tesla ultimately winning his famous battle with Thomas Edison). AC carries much better over a distance than DC.

Agreed. I have had no problems with ANY PoE switches and Acti cameras... and I've used Netgear, Trendnet, Cisco, etc. As long as it follows the PoE spec, it should be fine. What's Acti's beef with Netgear?

Unlike the pros on here, I'm a DIY guy myself... and I started with an analog system. I've since gone completely IP, and I haven't looked back. Everything is either a formal IP camera (Mobotix or Acti), or analog attached to a camera server that converts the analog into IP. It all runs to a server rack and into a gigabit Cisco PoE switch (yes... I'm one of those guys with a rack in his house). It goes from there to a six-terabyte DVR/NVR (built by me, natch). The video output from the DVR is further distributed over Cat5 to several TVs in the home, such that I can simply turn them on, click the "source" button, and have a beautiful tiled view of my cameras. Just based on what's been proposed so far, I'm not sure how much confidence I'd have in your contractor. Not to knock them, but some of the camera choices... the dimissal of IP-based system (I can't fathom that... the image quality in most light conditions beats analog eight ways to Sunday)... the insistence on Coax... I'm just not sure these guys have done enough of this for a job that size... and you have a sizable job there, as well as the financial budget to do it right. Consider getting a few more estimates. I'm not a pro, merely an educated amateur... but even I don't like what I'm hearing.

You can use Acti's software if you have an all-Acti install. I haven't used lens filters on any of my Acti cams. You ideally want your cameras high enough that they can't be reached without a ladder, but not so high that all you see is the top of peoples' heads (unless you're really not concerned with face shots). As for the PoE, I'm using a 24-port Cisco PoE switch in my rack at home, and it works like a charm. Recommended.

See? That's why I'd rather shoot. Stabbing seems so medieval... haven't we, as a society, evolved past using edged weapons to settle disputes? A gentleman would insist on pistols at 20 paces.

Ayup. Guess people will start carrying KA-BARs .

Madness... nanny-state run amok.

It's not silly if you sell knives. It's great for business. Guns, bullets, knives ... sales always spike on internet chatter like this. Best, Christopher Sure... I absolutely agree, and there's nothing wrong with it. Everybody's got to make a living

OK... I read through the 60-page PDF linked above. The "we think this is a switchblade and should be illegal" stuff starts about page 27. They're talking about "assisted opening" knives, not traditional lock-back or "tactical folder" knives. There is a long-standing law in the United States against the importation of switchblades. The sticking point seems to be the definition of "switchblade." I recall switchblades from when I was a teen... you click a button and the the knife springs out/open. The CBP has extended that definition to include "assisted opening" knives. These are knives that ARE spring-loaded like a conventional switchblade, but require you to open them about 30 degrees before the spring kicks in... it's actually a pretty clever design. Here are some videos with the specific knives mentioned in the report: "Outburst" opening system: "Van Hoy assist" opening system: "Tailwind spring assist" opening system (obnoxious music): http://revver.com/video/1348300/colt-firefighter-tailwind-spring-assist-knife/ I can almost see the CBP's point in this, coming at it from a legalese standpoint. Those knives open almost instantly, and look, at least to the layman, like a switchblade. On the other hand, I think the law behind it is silly. I've been in plenty of situations where I needed a one-hand opening knife (up on a ladder, holding something up with one hand, while needing to cut something with the other... out fishing... etc). PLENTY of people have a legitimate need for an easy, one-hand-opening knife. As far as the "weapon," angle... if somebody is worried about the folding knife visible in my pocket? Well... let's just say they've COMPLETELY missed the boat.

Yes, Mobotix cameras are good... very good.

So it does or DOES NOT cover knives that have a little thumb-thingy to open them? If it does, that's only bout 90% of all the popular folding knives on the market.

Dopplganger: I have had the best luck calling Luxriot's tech support. Email requests for issues seem to be slower to resolve than simply calling. Even if I was forced to leave a message on their tech support line, they've never failed to call me back the same day. Their LA tech-support office is the one I've dealt with the most... and they've fixed every issue I've encountered... including offering some helpful build tips for my latest server. When I'm using the client interface, I run one 24/7 on a dual-monitor setup on my desktop at home. I use the ten-tiled view, and F11 it to full-screen size. I can double click on any of the individual camera views to bring that view to full-screen size, and my Acti cams are full resolution (I have three of them in my installation). Another double-click will return it to the ten-tiled view. I'm not sure what the file-download problem is... that's a new one on me. I've never encountered that with any of my remote clients, no matter what version. I'm running a 1.7-version server, and can connect even with 1.6-version clients, and it doesn't download anything at all. I'd call them about that... they may be able to shed some light on it. As for the connection errors, I used to get that too. I couldn't understand what it was doing... so I mentioned it, mostly as an aside, to one of their techs when I was transferring my license to my new server. He immediately asked "are you using your MB's on-board ethernet?" I was... and he was correct about that being the problem. Apparently even server-grade MBs sometimes have trouble with the on-board chips overheating and dropping packets (I was using a board with a quality PCI-E onboard Intel gigabit NIC). When that happens, the server can lose sync to the camera, and show up a weird error in Hex code in that camera window. He said it sometimes takes a while to crop up. I was skeptical, and told him so. He laughed... and insisted that changing to a proper add-on server-grade PCI-E NIC (I'm partial to the Intel PRO/1000 cards... they've never failed me) would fix it. He was right. Call them. They've been very helpful with the couple of issues I've had.

Farmville??? Gah... all that meaningless Facebook grab-ass stuff drives me crazy. I constantly had friends sending me a chicken or a cow... before I figured out you could block that stuff.

If you're looking for dealers, quite a few inhabit this website. I've purchased a bunch of gear from members on this forum. Ask around... but realize that guys can't post prices and/or advertise in regular forum posts, so do it via PM and you'll be a lot happier.

I just use one of the twisted pairs from a length of cat5 to carry the RS-485 data. Regular alarm wire will also work... you just need 2 conductors. Edit to add: I've only used alarm wire for shorter distances... don't know if it would work for a very long run.

Which text is baby blue? I can try to play around with the stylesheet to darken it more. When I click the "View new posts" link in the upper right of the main frame, I'm taken to a page with a list of posts. Maybe it's just my eyes, but the contrast between the white background and the baby-blue post links just doesn't look to be enough (and bravo for sticking to that traditional darker-text-on-lighter-background setup... light text on dark backgrounds is MUCH harder to read) Maybe I'm the only one who is having trouble with it... if I am, don't worry about it.

Mobotix cameras can be viewed from the new Droid phones.

Good upgrade... but is there a way to change the default color of the text on the main page? The baby blue is a little hard to see against the white background. Something with more contrast maybe? A darker blue?

The only problem with that is the newer firmwares don't work with Luxriot... the camera keeps losing its connection to the server. Like several other posters, I had to go back to an older firmware revision to maintain functionality. I'll probably stick with what I have... better an imperfect picture than no picture.

Yep... that's pretty close. I see. Are you going to install the new profile into your camera? When you say "profile," are speaking of firmware? How does one upload a "profile?"

Yep... that's pretty close.

I'll try that.