Best Way to Test Cameras

[Launam 0]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for a way to test my security cameras to see if they work.

 

Here's some background info:

 

I recently bought a new home, these cameras were already installed, so I'd like to use them if possible. I'm not sure of the make/model but I do believe they're NTSC since I'm in the US and they also have BNC connectors so I assume they're analog. They were connected to an NVR and I also believe these were installed/operated by a security company, who has not been very helpful when it comes to getting information about the installed security system.

 

 

I bought a PC capture card but I don't get a signal and I'm not sure if this is due to the cameras or the card (I'm leaning to the card/drivers/software). Here's the card I bought:

 

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428993/8_Channel_H264_PCI_Card_with_Mobile_Phone_Viewing

 

I'm trying to avoid going out and buying a DVR (I'd prefer to connect them to my home server) so is there a way I can grab a TV strip a coax cable and MacGyver it to a BNC connector and get video?

 

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[SunnyKim 2]

NVR, according to your term, sounds the cameras are IP cameras. Check how these cameras and your NVR is connected, ethernet cable or bnc cable? But the PC card expects analog NTSC cameras to be hooked on.

[myiicu 0]

If your cameras are standard analog with BNC connectors, you can connect directly to composite video input on monitor/TV to view and test.

Many monitors/TV have RCA connection for composite video input, so you will need a BNC to RCA adaptor.

 

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=104&cp_id=10430&cs_id=1043002&p_id=4127&seq=1&format=2

 

If you want a reliable system, keep the DVR capture card and PC separate from your home server...

[Launam 0]

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

NVR, according to your term, sounds the cameras are IP cameras. Check how these cameras and your NVR is connected, ethernet cable or bnc cable? But the PC card expects analog NTSC cameras to be hooked on.

My mistake, it's an HVR not an NVR.

 

If your cameras are standard analog with BNC connectors, you can connect directly to composite video input on monitor/TV to view and test.

Many monitors/TV have RCA connection for composite video input, so you will need a BNC to RCA adaptor.

 

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=104&cp_id=10430&cs_id=1043002&p_id=4127&seq=1&format=2

 

If you want a reliable system, keep the DVR capture card and PC separate from your home server...

Instead of waiting for the adapter you linked or paying $8+ for one from a local store I ended up stripping an old RCA cable and connecting it to the BNC connector, ugly but it worked, as do the cameras.

 

Why do you say to keep the DVR separate from my home server? The plan was to have it record to its own HDD.

 

 

So since the cameras work it must the something with the card/software it came with.

 

The card shows up as "JVSC890 Device" under "Sound, video and game controllers" in Device Manager. This makes me think that the driver installed correctly and it's the software that it came with that's bad.

 

Can anyone recommend some software (preferably open source or something that has a freeware/trial version) that might work with this card?

 

Thanks again