Soundy

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The problem is, most DVRs have proprietary remote-client/CMS/VMS protocols and you can only use their own software for that purpose. If you have multiple different brands of DVRs, you're probably SOL for having everything handled in one program; you may have to run multiple apps and just find a way to lay them all out on one screen (or maybe two or three screens using multiple video heads). The best bet is if the DVRs all have web viewers and you can load them up in multiple tabs of a single browser window. What brand/models of DVRs are we talking about here?

The vast majority of IP cameras you find will support PoE. The big question is what type of cameras you want (VGA, megapixel) and how much you're planning to spend on them.

I've never used those type of connectors that didn't already have wire tails to simply be spliced/crimped. AFAIK the pins for them simply get crimped to the wires. I can see the desire to use something for quick-disconnect on the camera power, but honestly, unless you're building a (trans)portable system, there should be little need to ever disconnect the cameras - I'd just use standard B-crimps if the camera has wire tails or a barrel plug, or connect the power directly to the camera's screw/spring/etc terminals.

Well, you really have two options... You can go with cheap generic eBay cards, which may or may not be "legitimate", may or may not come with software, may or may not come with DECENT software, and probably won't come with support... Or you go with hardware/software BUNDLES such as Video Insight or GeoVision, in which case the card is usually "branded" to the software manufacturer. In most cases, the legitimate software is "locked" to only work on legitimate cards offered by that manufacturer... for example, Vigil and Video Insight use cards that are virtually identical, hardware wise (same chipsets, same design/layout, etc.), but Video Insight's software will only recognize cards that are "branded" for them. Vigil software, on the other hand, will recognize and use Video Insight's cards (I can unplug a Vigil card and drop in the corresponding VI card and Vigil just carries on as if nothing has changed)... however, you can't buy DIY Vigil hardware/software bundles; they only sell complete systems.

120ips / 4 channels should still = 30ips per camera..

Good reasoning Personally, I like that PC DVRs do tend to be easier to work on, it's a more familiar environment for most users, and it's generally a LOT easier to add more space if you need it - internal drives, external USB/Firewire/eSATA drives, external RAID arrays, etc. The PC-based systems I'm most familiar with are GeoVision, Capture, Video Insight, and Vigil. Of those, GeoVision is the only one I know of that will currently sell you the card and software - Capture uses proprietary hardware and only sells complete systems; Vigil doesn't use "proprietary" hardware per se but also only sells complete systems; and Video Insight USED to sell analog/hybrid systems but AFAIK has recently gone all-IP. Personally, I don't like GeoVision mainly because I find the interface and configuration clunky, and from reading here it sounds like there can be a lot of confusion over what versions of the software are compatible with which versions of the software... but it's a very popular system and you may find it suitable for your needs and budget. Outside of that, we're a distributor for Vigil systems, and I could hook you up with something there, although I don't know if it's particularly what you'd consider "cheap" compared to most standalone systems. However, you take a look at http://www.3xlogic.com if you want, browse the offerings, and PM me if you have any questions about the systems.

Vigil systems can handle it. You could use a Vigil hybrid system, with a capture card that provides a "software multiplexor" output to standard monitors... or use a straight NVR and run Vigil's "HD Viewer" app, that will generate as many different IP-camera views as you want through additional video heads (ie. using one or more dual-head video cards). This option provides far better live views, as it's driving VGA/DVI displays at full resolution.

Then all you need is a DVR card for the PC - it will provide the same BNC inputs. Or get a turnkey PC-based DVR; same idea. Question: how have you determined that you "need" to go a PC-based system? I'm a fan of PC over standalone, personally, so I'm more than happy to say go for it, but I'm curious as to how you arrived at this requirement over, say, a beefier standalone system?

I don't know how many wires your Pano controller uses, but if indeed there is one unused pair in the run, then yes, you can use that for the monitor via baluns. Interference shouldn't be a problem.

Here's an idea: use an IP camera or two (megapixel, ideally), and load a laptop up with NVR software. Then when you get in the car, you just bring the laptop along and plug it in (wire a small switch with the cameras in the car), and record to that. Pictures can then be readily printed or exported from the laptop; if you add an internet stick, you could even email pictures and videos directly out. When the day is done, bring the laptop inside, and back it up to a big external drive. You could pull it off with any $400-$500 laptop or netbook, and probably get away with cheaper $300-$400 Acti or similar "bargain" megapixel cameras... the only other costs would be a bit for the wiring, the switch, and the hard drive. A good netbook will give you well over 4 hours of battery life (opt for high-capacity battery if possible) so you don't need to power it while in the car for a four-hour tour. Other ideas: instead of a switch, use an inexpensive N router, and just use the laptop wirelessly. Most of these have 5, 9, or 12VDC adapters, so it would be easy to rig a voltage regulator to power it directly off the car's system. Ditto the cameras, which are usually 12VDC-powered. For another $200-$300, you could add a "portable" inkjet printer, and print your photos on-the-spot.

Well, neither solution is 100%, obviously... Rain-X claims, I think 90 days between re-applications, but that's on a car windshield where it sees a lot more raid, as well as wipers, so it's being worn down a lot faster. You'd probably get a good 6 months before it would need to be "touched up" in this case. Ultimately though, if blowing rain is a major issue, you may need to look at either protecting the bubble better, say with some kind of shroud... or switch out the dome for an enclosure with its own wiper... something similar to this, for example: http://www.avexcctv.com/product_details.php?category_id=8&item_id=28

Hmmm... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=scanmail+10k+electronic+mail+scanner Leads us to: http://www.armedforces.co.uk/releases/raq407ea6e211c04

You could try creating a bead of silicone on the surface of the bubble, surrounding the lens area, so it will stop the water running down the bubble and force it to drip off sooner. I've also had success with domes in direct weather exposure, by giving them a treatment of Rain-X or similar product.

Sorry to sound dense, but what exactly is a "2 pin nylon line plug"? I'm sure it's something very common, I'm just not familiar with that term. Perhaps a picture of what you're dealing with?

Not just that, he's in Edmonton, where -30C is a balmy summer's day I've been testing one of these as well, not any measurement tests or anything, but it's been preforming well on my bench.

Welcome aboard! Nice to have someone else in the Pacific time zone here

Can you pull the RG6 back inside? Then you could just mount the HighWire indoors and run Cat5e from it to the camera. Frankly, there are no moving parts or anything mechanical to the HighWires, there's no good reason they shouldn't operate just fine at -30. They generate quite a bit of heat on their own, in fact. I think it was elsewhere on this board, someone noted that when a manufacturer lists a lower temperature limit for an all-electronic device, that number is based mainly on the fact that that's simply the lowest temperature they're capable of testing it at. Doesn't mean it won't survive lower, just means they don't have the facilities to test it at lower temps, and thus don't want to "guarantee" its operation.

If you're trying to output computer animations, the PROPER way to do it would be to create your animations in software that can render them to common video formats. What software are you using now to create your animations??

A 32-channel Vigil system would suit all those requirements as well. www.3xlogic.com - several options for cases and configurations, all hybrid-capable. Remote access is via a Windows client and camera view and control access can be controlled via user groups. As far as power-out runtime, anything you do is going to need a BIG-ASS UPS to maintain not just the DVR/NVR, but any outboard storage, the cameras themselves, and if you use any IP cameras, it will have keep the associated network running as well. Either way, that probably means all power for the system will need to be centralized, or you'll need multiple UPS units. One thing about "autotracking" PTZs: it sounds like a really neat idea, but without some highly advanced analytics driving it, it's only really effective if you only have one subject at a time to track. It's not possible for one camera to track two or more subjects moving on different paths, and it's damn near impossible for it to know which one to prioritize. For something like that, take a look instead at a wide-view (180-degree or 360-degree) panoramic high-megapixel camera, such as the Arecont AV8185/8365 models (Vigil supports panoramic de-warping, as well). The camera can then simply record the entire area, and you can "pan/tilt/zoom-in" the recorded video after the fact. As tomcctv suggests, a mixture of analog and IP would probably do well here: basic analog cameras in each client office (look at the CNB Monalisa line of domes - good wide view, excellent low-light performance, best camera for the price by far), panoramic megapixel IP for the outside coverage... general indoor coverage could be a combination of standard IP or analog cameras depending on the detail needed.

With most systems, ANY network access will be via standard Internet Protocol (IP). That includes LAN (internal business network), remote, and mobile. Usually if a DVR has separate "mobile" support, it provides for things like higher compression, resized images to fit phone displays, and a reformatted interface, also to accommodate the smaller display. In the end though, it's all via the same network ports using the same network protocols. Of those systems that DO recompress video for remote viewing, some will actually measure the bandwidth available and adjust the compression accordingly, many will allow the user to select a bandwidth level, but most simply recompress a pre-determined amount and send that out to all remote clients, whether LAN, WAN, or mobile.

The DVR is probably recompressing the video and possibly reducing the color depth as well, specifically for the remote feed. Many DVRs do this to reduce bandwidth requirements. Nothing weird about it, and yes, it is somewhat dependent on brand.

If they won't go for the $1000 price of the NP502, I doubt they'd be willing to shell out for Avigilon.

What kind of battery does it use? Most DVRs and PCs I've seen use a standard CR2032 lithium button cell, which can be had anywhere from $8 each at "specialty" outlets, to a card of 5 for $1 at a dollar store.

Pretty sure that's wrong. All of my 484S domes came with a standard varifocal lens: PLZ 29/27, which is a 2.9-8mm. They can take a 2.2mm wide-angle, and a 15-50 also, but those are not the normal stock lens. Agreed there, I've installed a dozen of these cameras, they all come with the 2.9-8mm. From http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=100037&catGroupId=14474&surfModel=WV-CW484S&displayTab=F "Lens: 2x variable focal lens" (2.9-8mm is actually 2.75x) The marketing brochure actually lists it as a 3.8-8mm (ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/cctv/SpecSheets/WV-CW484_Series_10_06.pdf) which would be closer to 2x. Anyway, all the material I could find on Panasonic's site lists a fairly standard varifocal lens as shipping with the camera...