Squiffy

I'm pretty sure I had the same experience with earlier versions of Video Viewer. It's probably down to some Windows DLL not being of the right version to work with Video Viewer. BTW, the reason I haven't updated to SP3 on my netbook is simply because it's not really necessary for the use I have for it and I prefer a clean install (or slipstreaming a service pack into the original OS) rather than applying a service pack to an existing installation. So far, this is the only program that's failed to work and I can always use Video Server E anyway. > I am still trying to figure out what the FLIP was designed for, or what situation one would use it. New Zealand and Australian users? (groan)

The program simply just doesn't launch, there's no error message or anything displayed.

Thanks for that. It's a pity my AVC787 doesn't also stream the audio (I see no option for that in Video Server E, but this program does) BTW, does anyone know if this only works on XP with SP3? It runs fine on my main PC (XP SP3), but not on my netbook (XP SP2), so I guess that's the case, but confirmation will be useful.

That was my first thought, but I didn't realise MOV supported metadata overlay.

I've always achieved good results with 4U MP4 Video Converter, it supports MOV to WMV, although I haven't actually tried that. http://www.mp4-converter.biz/ When you say the time and day get wiped, do you mean the frame is cropped or the compression renders the text unreadable?

I added a touch screen to my net book long ago (an old Asus eeePC 701) and you'll find a lot of useful advice and guidance on the EeeUser forum: Touchscreen running under Ubuntu: http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=8026 In my experience, while drivers are available for Linux and Windows, it's a lot easier to set up a touch screen using Windows (XP). Also, there's often a 'dead' area around the border of the screen, where the touch screen doesn't respond. This is only a problem if the active icon area is at the screen extremeties. Note this is for adding a touch screen over an existing LCD screen (which is a quite cheap way of doing it), if you want a touch screen and LCD unit already built, then Google should offer plenty of advice FWIW, here's a demo of this mod: http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2007/12/asus-eee-pc-with-touch-screen.html

survtech points out the most common primary causes, in my experience the most common is the PSU and usually the electrolytic capacitors. Before giving up and disposing of a 'dead' camera it's often worth just replacing the main electrolytic capacitors in the PSU. You should also inspect the PCBs for dry joints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDtoZzIOTw

I really like the Sarah Palin one too

If anyone's interested, at long last I've now discovered a UK source. If anyone requires one (the IR remote control and IR receiver) feel free to PM me for the seller's details.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218225/Internet-game-awards-points-people-spotting-crimes-CCTV-cameras-branded-snoopers-paradise.html "The 'Internet Eyes' service involves players scouring thousands of CCTV cameras installed in shops, businesses and town centres across Britain looking for law-breakers. Players who help catch the most criminals each month will win cash prizes up to £1,000."

Sounds like dead pixels to me

Not CCTV in this case, but terrestrial aerials and satellite dishes. I'm sure many here will appreciate their fine work though... http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/roguesgallery/view.html

> I usually find it is the home, or business owner that does this kind of work! At first sight you tend to assume this kind of work was done by the property owner and are ignorant of how it should be done properly, or just content to 'bodge' it, as long as it works (albeit in the short term). But then reading the captions you realise that they were done by so-called 'professionals'. I guess most of them will be window cleaners who, as they already own a ladder, consider themselves adequately qualified

I had no luck uploading a jpg here yesterday, I suggest you try a free image hosting site and link to it.

> Judging from the grammar and diction, I want to say England... but I can't believe it The UK it is...and believe it...lol Those kind of, er, 'professional installers' are sadly plentiful here, they just take the money and run

FWIW, this is what I consider to be good design of a CCTV camera. In terms of this thread I mean it's not going to have its longevity reduced by its own physical design. Obviously, being a typical box type, it's not compromised by having to be particularly small. Note how all 4 boards are kept well apart, there are no boards on top of each other, which obviously would add heat to the the upper board. The PCBs all interlock with each other, so the connectors will never become loose. As someone who's involved with electronics servicing, it's nice to see something these days that is so easy to take apart. You can also align it (well the video processing section at least) in situ, no need for any special 'alignment rig'. http://yfrog.com/5jlilinboardsvideocomponej

> If he could do all that then he probably could just build himself a new DVR out of household electronics lol - it can be difficult to fit a trimming capacitor as described, even for someone used to such things, so it's a shame that manufacturers/designers cut costs in these ways, what was a straightforward tweak becomes a major hassle. Probably the most practical solution would be to replace the crystal if it's as described and increase ventilation to keep the internal circuitry less prone to thermal drift.

Maybe If the option Soundy suggests isn't available, then it's usually a matter of a reference oscillator (usually a crystal) being slightly misaligned. In the past, such circuitry would have a small trimming capacitor alongside the crystal, but as a cost-cutting measure, it's usually just fixed capacitors these days. Replacing one of those capacitors with a trimming capacitor and then aligning it exactly on frequency would be required. If the crystal isn't metal encapsulated, then replacing it with one that is will improve long-term stability (less prone to thermal drifting).

I bought a remote controlled video switcher from Maplins many years ago which has correct VBI switching between sources. There's no scan or OSGs. This is something similar: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=33162 I don't know if it has the seamless switching desired, but you could always take it back if it doesn't

As Soundy points out, a flashing LED would make a lot of people think it's just a fake camera, so it might actually have the opposite effect. Personally I would suggest prominent signs indicating the use of 24/7 CCTV recording instead.

> Know nothing really about auto-iris , apart that there is DC and Video drive. Understand its better to use DC ? See here: http://www.rapitron.it/guidaobaiE.htm

The obvious thing that springs to mind is that the PSU may be inadequate, check that it can supply enough current at the specified voltage. When the IR LEDs switch on they'll increase the current drain, which, with an inadequate PSU, may drop the voltage to the point whereby the camera fails to function properly.

BTW, the camera in use here was just a cheap and cheerful CMOS camera temporarily mounted for test purposes, since been replaced by a CCD camera with separate IR illumination.