Soundy

he's talking about the VFL-20s not the VCM-24VF I realize that, that's why I pointed out that this is a VERY generic manual that's obviously designed to be included with a number of different cameras.

There, cleaned up the mess. Play nice, ladies. And thanks for the review - we do appreciate all the time you put into it

Do you have a rough budget in mind? Are you looking for covert cameras for the interior? There are a number of IP cameras that can record to existing server storage, if you want to go that way... or if there's a "spare" computer around, you could set up an NVR using something like Exacq or Milestone or a number of other packages.

If you have to connect to the camera to view the footage back from the NAS, I'd say it's probably doable with another Mobotix camera, or at least one of the same model - otherwise, what would happen if the camera failed? You'd effectively lose all your footage.

Interesting... searching that term brings up a Google link to "sunellsecurity.com" or something, but the site appears to either be a fake, or have been hijacked (probably the latter).

I've used the multiple-switches setup in a large warehouse before, it works fine. Fiber will probably be cost-prohibitive. There are plenty of other types of ethernet extenders out there, using both Cat5e/UTP and coax to achieve upwards of 1200m; most of them don't require PoE. Some examples here: http://gemelec.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=68&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

This manual that's included with the VCM-24VF is 54 pages, titled "Super High resolution 600TVL Owner's Manual", contains instructions applicable to a wide range of different cameras, and packing lists under five categories: "General Dome Camera (A, B Type)", "General Dome Camera (C Type)", "Vandal proof Dome Camera", "Flush Dome Camera (Flush Type)" and "Flush Dome Camera (Surface Type)". Every CNB camera I've installed has included a similar manual; a few have included the pamphlet as well. So again, if your packaging does not include everything it should, perhaps you should check with the seller.

we dont class a ptz that you have to set the optical zoom by hand and only have digital zoom as the controlled. thats why we say there not true PTZs Where does it say that? The specs say "128 Presets with titles editable; pan/tilt, lens positions, and zoom adjustable" - bad Engrish not withstanding, that sounds to me like the zoom is remote-adjustable, especially in context of the bit listed below: The specs below say "Built-In Samsung Module 100x Zoom (10 x Optical, 10 x Digital)" - seems pretty clear to me.

this post was offered for those who are not so called "experts", it was posted for those like myself who are new to the field, and still searching for answers... true it isn't a True Day and Night, but nowhere does the specs state that it has a "fixed IR cut filter" A fixed IR cut filter is assumed unless otherwise stated. All color cameras use them, otherwise the IR light will negatively affect color balance and exposure. The camera should have come with a short lead with a yellow RCA jack on one end and a small plastic two-pin connector on the other end. This plugs into a matching port on the interface board inside the camera. The manual shows the cable on pages 8, 9 and 10 as "Service Monitor Cable". The diagram on page 33 shows the port, labelled "f - Service Monitor Connector" and states, "Use service monitor connector to set camera angle and focus while installing." It doesn't take an "expert" to read the manual. If the camera did not include the cable or manual, you may want to make sure you're buying from a CNB authorized seller.

Of course it's a "true" PTZ - it has pan, tilt, and zoom functions and thus fits the definition. However, tom IS correct that it's probably not worth the bother. At 36m on a 1/4" sensor, 38mm WILL give you about a 3m-wide field of view, but you likely won't get very good picture at night, and if you use it very much, there's a good chance the mechanicals will start having issues within the year.

Self-tapping screws and pipe clamps.

The "zoom rating" on a PTZ refers only to the ratio between the shortest and longest focal lengths. 10X zoom could be 3-30mm, it could be 10-100mm, it could be 30-300mm. BTW, be sure to determine whether the "zoom factor" you're looking at lists *optical* zoom specifically. Many PTZ cameras (cheap and expensive) extend the range by implementing digital zoom, which essentially means cropping the image electronically and then blowing up the cropped area to fill the screen, which doesn't give you any greater detail. It has its places, but the actual optical range is the only thing that really relates to image quality.

The VFL-20S isn't listed as a "true day/night" or ICR camera, why would you expect it to work any better with IR?

What are examples of routers that support this feature? Is this commonly supported? I don't think this is supported on the Netgear FVS328 and other Netgear routers. Best, Christopher The vast majority of routers I've used support this... only some old cheap ones I've seen that didn't. Couldn't tell you any makes or models offhand, other than maybe a couple of old Linksys 802.11b models. Looked up the manual for the FVS328, looks like it doesn't do it.

Kinda neat, but what if your cameras only work on 24VAC?

The question is, "suitable for what"? If all you want is a fuzzy overview of activity in relatively small areas, this should be fine, but the lenses on these cameras don't have a very wide field of view. The specs as listed are extremely generic and not particularly meaningful - sounds like any number of dozens of other cheap generic systems.

Red cable is fire designated here so you don't use that. I've used yellow for all mine... but now people are starting to use yellow as well so I might change to another colour... Blue is the generic colour for all data and when cabling for cameras, I prefer to know which cables are mine easily, hence the reason for using a different colour. I was being silly. There's red cable that's not fire-rated - UTP comes in a range of colors. We actually use black most often, as it's easier to blend in most cases.

These DVRs all seem to run at 6/7FPS - not the full 25/30fps. Will that still be sufficient? Full framerate is overrated (pardon the pun) in about 95% of cases. Most people won't even notice the difference between 30 and 15, and most would notice that there IS a difference, but not really click on what it is at 7-10. Check this demo: http://www.panasonic.com/business/security/demos/PSS-recording-rates.html

I wouldn't say NO benefit - depends on the DVR or software currently being used, and whether you have a particular NVR package you really like; there may be an improvement in features or functions. And it does provide a future upgrade path to start adding MP cameras later - could be a good move now if, say, the existing DVR had failed and needs to be replaced anyway: you're basically looking at moving the capture hardware outboard (encoder instead of DVR card). But as tom says, there will be no immediate improvement in image quality just by switching to IP encoders for the existing analog cameras. The resolution is still limited by the cameras themselves.

I don't know about NY law specifically, but I can't see any reason you'd need an elevator tech there just to work within the cab. Working ON TOP OF the cab or within the shaft may be another matter as there would be safety concerns, but inside the passenger area, I can't imagine there would be any concerns.

Yes, good point too. Never heard that term for it. Only camera I've ever seen that came like this was on a Pelco Esprit PTZ. Normally when you see something like this, it's a standard box camera inside a separate housing.

I've used those types... found it more hassle overall to have to terminate the cable in RJ-45s, then extend out the power tails. Since 99% of the cameras we use are dual-voltage or 24VAC and DON'T use barrel power connectors, there's no benefit to that style, either. I just split out the power pairs as necessary.

We're using these almost exclusively now: http://gemelec.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=721&category_id=72&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 The run something like $8/pr. wholesale (I've seen them online for $5/pair), they work great (did a bunch of tests on my bench, no visible difference between these and several models running $20-$30 *each*), and they're small enough to fit easily inside a CNB VCM-24VF's back-box. The only time recently I've used something different was when we used a few pairs of MuxLab four-in-one baluns for a large install: http://www.muxlab.com/products/vec_quad_video_balun.htm

I've seen PSUs develop bad caps as well... we had a run of about a dozen Vigils that came with "Sparkle" brand PSUs, all of which died within about 2 months of each other. Replaced them with new Antecs under warranty Dunno if that was caps or something else (I haven't actually taken one apart to look at it), but that particular brand of PSUs turned out to be very flaky. If memory serves, most of them were 550W-650W, too.

What do you mean by "housed body cameras"? News flash: most professional-grade cameras are not infrared because built-in IR is most often a cheap workaround for cheap cameras that have poor low-light performance. Businesses also often have exterior lighting anyway, so a quality camera doesn't require additional IR illumination. Not sure what this is... No, what I'd need altogether is: Use standard Cat5e and put it in conduit of some sort. Nonsense. Even basic cheap 12VDC-powered IR cameras will work fine over Cat5e, depending on the distance. Depends on what the cameras require. Suggestion: CNB VBM-24VF or VCM-24VF. Work on 12V or 24VAC, work great in low light (no IR required), vandal-resistant weatherproof domes. Red. Not blue. Maybe grey if you can't find the red.