CCTV newb needs some very basic questions answered....

[debennett2 0]

OK, sorry for the elementary questions but here goes:

 

I acquired several old cctv cameras for free. They seem kinda old but they are free (i.e. Sanyo vcc-3974, 15-cc25v-1 unknown brand, vdc-2324 sanyo, vdc-3824 sanyo, ik-537a toshiba, Spektrum m132, and a few more).

 

1) If these work, are they worth using at all? Possibly for my home?

 

2) None of them have lenses. Can I test them out to see if they work without buying lenses?

 

3) Can I just buy a 24vac wall transfomer from radshack and splice the cable to test these out and plug into a video input on my tv for vide with a bnc-to-rca adapter?

 

4) Can I ADD pan/tilt functionality to these cameras? If so, is it worth it?

 

Sorry for all the newbish questions but I just want to start out on the right foot. If these cameras are worth trying out and work, I'd like to setup a PC DVR system....fingers are crossed. Thanks!

[VST_Man 1]

1. yes, keep it to personal and not biz

2. no.buy a lense

3. yes, but look around your garage for any 24vac power supply..cut the cable and add what you need. free is for me!

4. yes, no......in the long run a true PTZ is worth the money spent.

 

old CCTV equipment is like old stereo equipment.... you can have it at home and get away with it.

[debennett2 0]

Thanks for the reply! OK, now that I know I need a lense, do I need to buy one specifically made for my specific model or are they a little more generic than that? I know they make different types for different applications (farther away, wider angles, fisheye, etc.) but I don't know if I can get away with buying most any lens or not based on brand and not model? Any ideas? Thanks!!! Semper Fi.

[Cooperman 0]

debennett2,

 

Before you start spending money on lenses, there is one old trick you can try just to see if the cameras are working.

 

If you can get hold of a piece of cooking foil ( I think you'd probably call it aluminum foil ) and smooth it out, then cover the front of the camera with it, make a tiny pinhole right in the centre (sorry, center!) of the lens mount and then set up your power supply and video cables to test if it's working.

 

You should be able to produce enough of an image to see if the cameras are working electronically, but you certainly won't be able to capture license plates at 100 yards

 

The Sanyo VCC 3974 is the 24v version of the '3972' which I used to use by the bucket load. It's a good solid little camera, and although it's a few years old now, it should produce good quality images with the right lens fitted.

 

There is a large range of optics available, and so choosing the correct lens for the job, will depend specifically on what you want to do with the cameras. Do some initial basic tests first, and then post back.

 

Incidentally before I forget, if you have a small phillips cross head screwdriver, remove the side panel from the '3974' (I can't remember which one - make sure the camera is NOT powered up when you do this!), and turn on the small switch which is marked "EI". This will enable the electronic iris function, which will correctly expose the image for your given lighting conditions.