MasterVision_Tech

Hey Guys, Im looking for a external interface that has the capability to send out a pulse or voltage(trigger) when a decibel of 140 or higher is reached. Gunshot detection is the name of the game here. The industry leader is a company called ShotSpotter but their prices are out of range for the average consumer. Ive been looking for different alternatives like a sound meter that would measure up to 140db but have been unable to find a device that would. Does anyone have any ideas? Maybe an existing device that I could tweak and run it into the alarm inputs of a DVR? Thanks, Josh

What solutions have you come up with to accomplish this ? I was trying to find something that worked on an analog phone line and would have a relay on board to release the lock after the right code was entered, but I am having trouble finding such a device. I am open to the idea of a network/internet based solution, but I would like for my user to be able to call a number, enter a code and release the lock. Most of the solutions I've found only work from inside the building and do not allow calls from the outside to trigger the device. Is someone sitting on gold out there ? What have you used that has been successful for you ?

Just wondering what everybody is doing as far as IP setups on customers current networks. I know its better to build a separate network for our systems, but is anyone getting really deep into the networking as far as separate IP network, different sub nets or VLAN's for the cameras and seeing any benefit over network traffic ? I have a few camera's on a customers network (The network has been built from the ground up so I have alot of the newer tools available to route traffic) but the cameras seem to lag or sometimes "drop" from showing on the DVR itself. I know this is an issue as far as data transmission on the network but it is very hard to explain this to a customer who is not "tech savy". What are you guys doing when the only option is to just add the IP cameras to the network or is it mandatory for you to build a separate network just for the cameras ?

Reference : Cisco RVS 4000 -http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9928/index.html NetGear Switch - http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/unmanaged-desktop-switches/gs116.aspx Eclipse IP20MP - http://www.eclipsecctv.com/outdoor-ip-camera-IP20MP.html DVR - Nubix HDX - http://www.eclipsecctv.com/NUBIX16HDX-security-DVR.html Engenius EOC-2610 - http://www.engeniustech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=89:outdoor-access-points-client-bridges&id=287:80211g-outdoor-high-power-600mw-bridge-access-point-with-dual-antennas&Itemid=123 Enenius EHN200 - http://www.engeniustech.com/index.php/business-networking/outdoor-access-points-client-bridges/9338-enh200-

@Soundy - Once again thank your for the prompt reply, as always you are most helpful Sir. I see the setup that you currently have for your DVR and I was planning on doing this same setup at another site with two NIC cards. Do you have the NIC @ 192.168.2.x pointed at the 10.0.14.254 gateway ? And I would assume that your clients on the 10.0.x.x gateway can access the DVR on 10.0.14.201 correct ? Regarding the traffic... To be honest, I really do not know what the cameras are pushing out at far as the traffic at this point. I will give you as much information as I know and you can determine it from that point. I have been looking for a monitor tool that would let me know how much information is being pushed across the network. I tried to pull the topology, but it was showing incorrect and that may be part of the problem...the router was not even being shown as connected in the topology but I will have to looking into it to see if that could be the issues. I do not have the time to map out the topology nicely but I can write it out for you : Gateway - 192.168.1.1 - Cisco RVS 4000 | | | | | | Local Server @ 192.168.1.250 | | | | | | Linksys Wifi AP @ 192.168.1.213 | | | NetGear 16 Port Gig Switch - Unmanaged I have EU devices connected at the switch side... 2 Workstations, 1 Printer The majority of the devices on the switch belong to me. 4 IP Transmitters (Max-500) 1 DVR (Nubix HDX) 2 Engenius Receivers (EOC-2610 & EHN200 for the IP Cameras on the other side of the lot) 2 IP Cameras connected at one site of the lot 3 of my cameras are wireless running on Client Bridges on the other side of the lot. I use Eclipse IP20MP IP Cameras. I know how you feel about the eclipse brand Soundy and I am looking to switch to a different vendor after the issues that I have been having with the HDX and IP20MP's. Camera Settings To make it simple, the 3 cameras that are wireless shot across the lot on the 2 Engenius antennas that are connected to the switch at the main office. 2 more IP cameras are directly connected to the switch also. The DVR is also connected to the same switch along with 4 Analog/IP Transmitters. Plus the EU's workstations (2-5 at any given time), Server and Printer. The cameras also send digital pictures back to the server via FTP when a certain area is triggered. The 4 IP Transmitters also do the same. I mean its simple, but sometimes I get the drop on the DVR display even though I can still see the cams via IE and ping in CMD. I could setup the VLAN through the AP (Engenius) and through the router. The RVS has multiple capabilities in this area. @ The Wire Guys - We are still the IT department for this company. The network is still small and I'd rather fix this problem now rather then later. The company is still expanding and the next phase will be adding a few more workstations and connections to the server (VPN with Remote Destop and Image transmissions across the VPN to be stored on the server.) The VLAN's seemed like a good idea to me to separate the traffic and I still may go this way just to keep things simpler (for me at least, I understand this). @ssmith10pn - The main connector is the NetGear Gig Switch. Not all of the device on the network operate at Gig speeds but most of the hardwired are patched directly into the switch. The only thing that plugs into the RVS4000 is the Netgear, Linksys Wifi AP, and Server

Thanks Guys. Once again you are on it ! My searches were not turning up anything to promising. Soundy, I like you second link. I may check that out if I can't find out any more information about this http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/376743583/GSM_Remote_control_box_Big_power.html Tom I like your idea also. Even in the alarm industry, we are turning away from using traditional phone lines as everyone moves over to VOIP and cell phones as their primary means of communication. I am really interested to see what else I can find out about the product that I linked above. I like the idea that the device does not answer the phone but instead rejects the call and triggers the relay. It seems as if you could just load a SIM card in and not worry about paying monthly for the minutes if they are never used. Sending a SMS will trigger the second relay...great concept. Soundy what do you think about it ? and Tom was this device what you were referring to ?

Hey everyone, Thanks for taking the time to read this and help me figure this out. I just wanted some other opinions on what the problem might be, so don't be afraid to speak up ! Project: 5 Parking Lot Camera Cams : Eclipse ECL-640 Power: 24V Power Supply 1 AMP Wiring - Video Balun (passive) (One 4 port and One single) using CAT5 for about 300'-350' --> Then to RG59. Longest run on RG59 is about 300' additional feet. Power is being run over the RG59 so longest run there is also 300' to camera. Problem: When I go inside to look at the DVR feed, I show faint lines running across the screen. It shows this way for four cameras. If I add the fifth camera line in, the picture gets very distorted (mostly likely because of an improper wiring job but another tech ran the line). 120V had to be supplied to the site and the electricans came out to do the job. I can tell you that the power board for the cameras, has not been grounded. I have a feeling that that would make a difference on a AC setup, but there was no where to ground the wire onto the board. When I make my return trip, that was one of the things I was going to try to see if that would fix the problem. The cameras are mounted to fiberglass poles (I can be sure of this because most of the dust particles are still in my arms) using a pole mount kit and metal screws. I guess what I am asking is: Do you believe that the power box should be ground and do you think that is the issue ? Where would you mount it ? Personally, I do not believe that it is the baluns. Four cameras are running on one line and the last camera is running on the second line. I have been reading about the ground loop effect, but I don't see where else I could be getting the problem except maybe at the power box. I don't believe that the camera mounts or locations is fault either. Like I was saying before, I'm usually a DC person but the runs were to long for me to run DC. Let me know what you think

yeah but you were using 12VDC .. the power boards on these cameras are just really cheap. Actually so are the video boards but anyway .. it doesnt take much to make a cheap camera go out of whack .. i use cheap cameras all the time .. trust me .. there is a big diff between a cheap one and a higher quality one when it comes to what you can do to it. Not saying that is the issue here but worth considering. IDK Rory, some of the Eclipse cameras are pretty good quality cameras. Yes they may not be Pelco, Panasonic, or Bosch but I do believe they hold their own. They do sell cheaper cameras, but some of their high end products are comparable to most of the top brand names. I like using the Eclipse products because they are local to me, I do not have to wait for shipping, and the support I recieved from their staff is remarkable. I am open and do sell other brands, but Eclipse is my first and foremost choice. @ Everyone else - I was able to get the problem resolved, but I was only able to do so by switching back to DC power for the cameras. Im sure my longest run was maybe 500FT but the camera functioned well and showed no problems (IR's activated - 3 days up so far with no other issues). Over the course of the past two projects, I would now consider my self a "ground loop specialist". I will not run another AC camera again unless it is residential / commercial application with only 120V standard. Any other voltage variations and your asking for trouble. This is just in what I have been through and personally if I get the chance to do another warehouse project, It will be split DC at one end and another DC power box at the other end. I tried a number of things to get the AC working without the distortion but nothing was effective. Thanks Rory and Soundy for the suggestions. The cameras kept sharing a ground with the building even though there were not connected to any metal on the building. I was able to get 1 or 2 up and running on AC power connected to different DVR's but as soon as I connected two or more AC powered cameras on the same DVR, the picture went to $hit. Tried lifting the grounds but I came to realize that they were being grounded through the DVR itself. Line isolators and power conditioners on the equipment were no help to the problem. And honestly, I think some of the problem was related to the power supply but I did not have a different brand to be able to test that theory at the time. If you guys have had success with another brand, in a warehouse, with AC voltage with no problems, please let me know. I am open to using someone else if the situation calls for it in the future. Thanks, Josh

I am a professional !!! lol I do not not what could be the issue....the only time I have ever had this problem is when using the 24 AC for power....I do not know what the issue could be. @ Rory - Yes they are the eclipse cameras but when I say that I have never had this issue before except when using 24AC power and in these two warehouses....I will check the lines today to make sure that they do not run across any high voltage, but trust me when I tell you that I made sure they didn't because I didn't want to see this problem again in this installation.

It's possible but I don't see how....I mean the cameras are still geting the same voltage and amperage at the end point. Why would it matter how it's done? Plus that wouldn't explain the reson I had the problems on the original installation. Those cameras accepted 24v and 12v ...

0 for 3 on resolving the problem.... Tried lifting the ground on the dvr, then on the cameras, then on both...nothing Even the power conditioner was no help...I thought for sure that would help. I'll try to put a filter on one of the cameras to see if that helps and I'm also going to pick upa 12v battery to see if it's a power or video loop problem. Any other tips?

@Soundy - I am on the way back to the site to see about lifting the ground @rory - I am probably going to try that next...it's a little incoveient because every camera has a converter on it to transfer the 24v AC to 12V DC. Standard sieamese cable is being used for all cameras..100% copper. And I am viewing the cams off the network. It's worse if I use the monitor off the dvr I also picked up a panamax line conditioner (m4300-pm) to see if that helps

Figured I'd just keep this in the same post since I'm having the same issue but with a different system. Here's the setup.. Problem: varying degrees of horizontal video bar distortion on all cameras 16 channel AC power supply 16 channel DV 2 different types of cameras but all getting the same problem with the bars. I have never had this problem using a dc power supply but this is my second time using an AC power supply and both times I am having this issue. I've read different articles about ground loop isolation and ive tried a few of the steps but it seems as if nothing works. I have used a different camera and get the same problem. I tried disconnecting all but one camera and it shows faint lines but on some of the cameras the lines actually seem to get better when I connect more cameras and worse when certain cameras are removed. Tried connecting the power supply into a different outlet with no results. I believe that the DVR and Power supply are on the same local power. I really don't know what else to try...this is one of my bigger jobs and I really cant mess this up at this point. Has anyone had any success with some of the power conditioners that are available commercially? I wanted to give one a shot but these things are pretty expensive. Any kind of help,thoughts, suggestions, comments or flames are appreciated.

You need to setup port forwarding on your router that will forward all request from outside your network to your dvr. Check in your dvr settings to see what port it uses. Second option would be to put your dvr in the DMZ zone on your router. This would forward all request to your ip address directly to your Dvr. What's the make and model of your router?

I had a few ideas to do this from some things that I have seen at Home Depot. I would like to mount my cameras the same way that they are mounted at Wal-mart ( http://www.topcameravalues.net/wp-content/uploads/surveillance%20cameras%20at%20walmart.jpg ). If you've noticed how Wal-Mart mounts their cameras, all they use is a U-Bracket to secure the pole but the metal plate that holds it to the beam almost looks custom. I have been looking for this setup locally but I have been unable to find it. Has anyone been an installer/worked for someone who has done an install at Wal-Mart or installed cameras in a warehouse location using drop poles to mount the camera ? What type of bracket or solution did you come up with to sercure the pole to the rafter/L - Beam ?

Soundy, once again you are on it my friend. If you take a look at the way Home Depot mounts their cameras, it is the same as you suggested. I though about using this method, but it would run about $8-$10 a camera. The Walmart cameras use a u-bolt with a certin type of plate to accomplish the same thing. I figured that it would cost less but accomplish the same thing. The proplem is that I cannot find that setup. Plus I can't really use a tap screw or butterfly bolts because some of the beams have wires that sit on them and I would end up drilling through the wires. I could move the wires to drill through the beam but i was also looking for a faster solution that that. @cctvtom - I took a look at the site you suggested, but I couldn't find a solution to use those brackets to mount a pole in a vertical position. Do you have any pictures of one of your installations where you used these brackets?

Yes we did try a know working camera with the same results....personally, I think it was either the cat5 or the baluns.

Just to let you guys know, the problem was never resolved. The closet I could get to a perfect picture was using the In-line signal isolators. I'm going to chalk up the distortion to the length of the CAT5 run. If I ever try this again, I would probably use a shielded CAT5 wire and I don't think I will try to run more than 1 signal through a single CAT5 cable.

I'm starting to get my wire from sewell direct (sewelldirect.com). Their prices are pretty decent. $94.00 for a 1000' spool of RG59.

Probably...thats what I'm thinking..I'm just going to let the customer know what's going on and I'll deal with it. I just hope that that's the problem because I really can't think of anything else....

http://www.cctvoutlet.com/All_Surveillance_and_Security_Products/video-baluns/video-balun-BALDVR.html Were currently using the individual baluns on each end for the cameras.

Well distances only max 400'ft ...well under the marked distance, but I don't see how that would affect the video feed when if each camera is connected individual using the same baluns, gets the signal at the dvr perfectly. No crosses in the lines.. Used the single balun on camera side and it cleared up the problem a little bit The only thing that seems to be working, is using multiple line isolators at the DVR side for each camera. I have at least 4 line isolators on one of the cameras right now and the picture has looked the best it has since i started the install. So my conclusion is that It is a line noise issue but from where I the thing that i can't figure out. Has anyone used a setup like this with the DVR in a IT cabinet? Could i be getting interference from all of the IT equipment? Maybe I should have used a shielded CAT5 cable instead? I appreciated the suggestions and comments guys, I really don't have anyone else to bounce ideas and thoughts off of so this forum is very helpful in that respect.

Sounds more to me like it's a simple four-baluns-in-one-box type unit. Perhaps the OP could give us the exact make and model of the unit. http://www.cctvoutlet.com/All_Surveillance_and_Security_Products/video-baluns/video-balun-B45X4.html I liked the idea of using seperate baluns on the outside connections. I am going to try this before I order the active baluns. And yes I know roy....I am going to try a different camera also. I sent the scissor lift back today so I am going to have to figure out a way to get back up these light poles to change that camera

Yes, we are using the baluns for the video feed on all of the cameras. 1x single video balun at camera side 1x single video balun at dvr side 1x 4port video balun at camera side 1x 4port video balun at dvr side I will see if I can get another camera out to test in in the next few days.

The cat5 is connoted to the video baluns by a RJ45 connector. There is also a place to directly connect the wires into it using push down blocks and I have used both and the problem still persists.