nocturnal59 0 Posted January 22, 2010 Just wondering what you guys use to troubleshoot camera, cable and dvr problems? thanks steven Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted January 22, 2010 Portable DVD player. $30 off Craigslist, works as both monitor and signal source. Multimeter and 75 ohm terminator is handy for testing some coax problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nocturnal59 0 Posted January 22, 2010 thanks soundy, how do you use a 75 ohm terminator to troubleshoot a cable? the terminator on google looks like it plugs into a tv or something Steven Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) They look like this: All it does is place a 75-ohm resistor across the pin and shield of the connector. Put that on one end, meter the other end - you should see ~75 ohms. See infinite - it's open (broken wire or connector). See 0 ohms, it's shorted. Edited January 22, 2010 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bike_rider 0 Posted January 22, 2010 I use one of these testers. Different color terminators so you can term multiple ends, go back to the head and figure out which one is which. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted January 22, 2010 ^Those are great too. I have something similar for Cat5 testing. The terminator is just a quick and dirty way to check whether a cable is working or not, and 95% of the time it suffices for coax Come to think if it, the Cat5 tester IS a CCTV testing tool, for my purposes, since it's used almost entirely with IP camera wiring I have this one (the full TP607 kit, with 8 termination modules): http://www.jdsu.com/products/communications-test-measurement/products/a-z-product-list/lanroamerpro-cable-tester.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hardwired 0 Posted January 22, 2010 One of our guys swears by the Rapport 337 tester it is nice, monitor, multimeter, signal generator, and PTZ controller... I spend more time using this one, the Test-Um NT750 kit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted January 22, 2010 One of our guys swears by the Rapport 337 tester it is nice, monitor, multimeter, signal generator, and PTZ controller... I've seen those, I'd love one... $$$$ tho! I spend more time using this one, the Test-Um NT750 kit. Looks pretty similar to mine, but with the signal-tracer wand... and a bigger screen on the main unit? More graphic mapping, or just more info display? The TP600 has tone-generator function as well, which I've used with my regular fox-and-hound kit's wand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hardwired 0 Posted January 22, 2010 Yeah, the Rapport unit is pricey, but it's sort of the Swiss army knife of testers, a lot of times you don't need much else... As far a the Test-Um NT750, it has a display that adds a few good features, like showing DHCP results, PoE power presence and voltage, flashing the link light on a switch it's connected to, and two of the units can ping each other... I had the kit you have first (which does work fine, too), and kicked it down to one of the install guys and got the 750 kit.. Actually, my most recent test equipment purchases have been the Ubiquiti AirView2 and 9 cheapie spectrum analyzers, considering how much wireless I've been doing recently. Thinking about getting the Aaronia HF-6080 Handheld Spectrum Analyzer, But it's over 2K.. Not bad for a spectrum analyzer, but probably not in the budget for a while... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monitor Your Assets 0 Posted January 22, 2010 Portable DVD player. $30 off Craigslist, works as both monitor and signal source. Multimeter and 75 ohm terminator is handy for testing some coax problems. Ditto on the portable DVD player and multimeter. I've been thinking about getting one of these. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted January 23, 2010 I use both of these every day for every job. http://www.jdsu.com/products/communications-test-measurement/products/a-z-product-list/validator.html http://www.flukenetworks.com/fnet/en-us/products/IntelliTone+Toner+and+Probe/Overview.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUn%2cPresentationUnsupportAndDownloadsAboutUssupportanddownloads This is next on my list. http://www.axis.com/products/cam_t8412/index.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brownleaf 0 Posted February 6, 2010 Soundy, sorry for being stupid,but how do you use a portable dvd for testing? wires? power? thanks JW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted February 6, 2010 Well, you need one that has a video or A/V input... then you need the appropriate cable. Most that have that feature will come with the cable, usually with yellow/red/white RCAs on one end and a mini-TRS on the other end (looks like a mini headphone plug, but possibly with an extra ring). Since most cameras use BNC connectors, you then just need a BNC-to-RCA adapter. The player should have its own rechargeable battery, so that takes care of power. For mine, I also created a DVD with various test patterns - most cases, just a JPEG that I made a 60-second video file from. Then I can use the DVD as a signal source as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 6, 2010 Just wondering what you guys use to troubleshoot camera, cable and dvr problems? thanks steven Our CCTV engineers are each equiped with a CCTV test monitor with inbuilt video level meter (colour burst, sync and video level), a seperate battery operated test card generator, multimeter, cable length meter, portable 'scope, large CRT monitor for back focus, and laptop. They also have access to colour measurement tools, light meters, the cable test tools detailed by others on this post plus fibre optic and radio test kit. To deal with the move to IP we have invested in network test tools and software. Hope this helps Ilkie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 7, 2010 A CRT monitor is a MUST have. If one focuses with a small LCD they will never get a good focus. Also at least a Basic Meter. Additionally, one can look at the FM Systems "Camera Master", it has a focus meter, no monitor needed. (never used it personally, cant afford it) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronbo 0 Posted February 22, 2010 ya too right, just the only thing with a crt is its hard to take them to the top of a ladder with an external camera i did try attatching a battery to a portable 6 inch monitor but was still to heavy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 22, 2010 ya too right, just the only thing with a crt is its hard to take them to the top of a ladder with an external camerai did try attatching a battery to a portable 6 inch monitor but was still to heavy. Unless I have a zoom lens I normally pre focus it in a controlled environment. As yes carrying them up ladders can be a pain . I use to carry a 13" TV up the ladder though .. LOL .. but the 9" CCTV monitor was much easier (its blown now, need a new one). Problem with most 13" TVs now, hard to find, and then they dont always have the handle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailbone215 0 Posted February 22, 2010 I use a Sears Craftsman torque wrench to properly torque my twist-on BNC connectors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ak357 0 Posted February 23, 2010 I use a Sears Craftsman torque wrench to properly torque my twist-on BNC connectors. That funny Can u make video tutorial plz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted February 23, 2010 I use a Sears Craftsman torque wrench to properly torque my twist-on BNC connectors. That funny Can u make video tutorial plz " title="Applause" /> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bpzle 0 Posted February 23, 2010 " title="Applause" /> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
