Soundy

You could always look at a hybrid system, like Vigil - just connect your existing analog cams directly, then migrate them to IP cams as necessary. You're right, an NVR at its most basic just accepts the video stream and writes it to disk. Beyond that, it needs to catalog the video and store the information in a database, so the VMS (video management system) software can later search the video effectively. On the whole, the actual NVR function doesn't require a lot of power; it's the searching, indexing, and decoding of the video playback that takes most of the processing, and that's where your VMS comes in. Vigil combines NVR and VMS into one interface, so whether you're working with all-analog, all-IP, or a mix, the interface is exactly the same - no learning curve as you move from analog to IP, no need to work with two different interfaces. And you're right, the big difference in VMS software is the features - search, export, analytics, display options, etc. If you've ever used GeoVision - their "search" function isn't really much of a search; it's a clunky method of selecting date, time, and camera, all separately. Vigil's search is far more intuitive, cleaner, and more powerful. I can't speak for Exacq or Avigilon, as I haven't used those, but they've gotta be better than GV.

^You'd still need either a separate run for each floor (or each few floors), which would add up to a thick wad as you approach the bottom floor... or you need to "daisy-chain" down each floor, at which point distance really isn't an issue.

Don't get too hung up on framerates - unless you're going to record fast-moving objects like traffic, you're not generally going to miss much at lower speeds. Check some comparisons here: http://www.panasonic.com/business/security/demos/PSS-recording-rates.html

The obvious solution is to use IP cameras and/or IP encoders. That way a single thin cable can carry the feeds from every camera down to the guard house. This. Baluns or UTP video hubs will work well, but you still need sufficient conduit per floor - you'd need 19 wires going to the second floor, 18 to the third floor, and so on. If you don't have the room for that, a single run floor-to-floor with a switch on each floor will be pretty much your only option.

FWIW, I've tried both *existing* versions and found JVSG a lot easier to just pick up and use without needing to dive deep into the documentation. All the features don't mean much if they're confusing/difficult to use.

I've done similar on a number of occasions. Standard 4" octagon box attached to the ceiling or a truss/beam with a sutiable cover plate - most of these plates have a knockout for a 1/2" fitting: If you're mounting to a tile in a T-bar ceiling, you could use this box, and a nice "finished" cover plate to keep it looking clean: When assembling it, I suggest drilling a hole in the conduit for the locking screw in the fitting to slot into, so help ensure things don't come apart.

Sounds a lot more like crosstalk - when you send a control signal up the line, its magnetic field is inducing a signal in the video line. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable#Individual_twist_lengths Maybe try using brown for video - it's the largest difference in twist pitch from the green. See if that at least changes the interference, if it doesn't get rid of it. Actually, you could try brown on one camera and blue on the other, and see if that changes both of them... even if there's still noise, if that at least alters how it looks, that will confirm the source of the problem.

I doubt it's BECAUSE you used Cat5. In other words, there's nothing with using UTP that would inherently lead to a problem like this. If my suspicion is correct, there may be inductive interference as a side-effect of the specific pairs you used (just out of curiosity, which pairs DID you use?) If it's a ground loop, that's possibly an issue with having used baluns (not necessarily caused by their specific design or cost). However, the fact that it only happens when you're controlling the cameras, and only on the two with the longest runs, would make me think that's not the case. Question: you say it's just the two cameras with the longest runs that are having this issue? Does controlling one put interference in both of them? What happens if you disconnect the video and/or control for one - does the other still exhibit the problem?

The pairs in Cat5 are all given different twists specifically to avoid inductive interference between them, but it's still possible it's happening over the length you're running, especially if the two pairs you're using are close to the same twist spacing, or a factor thereof... again, try using a different pair for either video or signal (but not necessarily both).

Hmmm does the interference happen ONLY on the camera that you're controlling, or on certain others at the same time, or all of them? It sounds like interference is being generated by the control signal, but that SHOULDN'T be an issue with baluns/UTP... possible that a ground loop is being created when the control signal is sent, although that seems unlikely. You might try using a different wire pair for video and/or control... uh, you ARE using only one pair for video, yes? (We've seen a couple instances before on this board where someone was using two separate pairs for video, which caused weird issues).

If every camera has its own PSU, then a ground loop shouldn't be an issue. Pics or video of the interference would definitely help.

I don't know how useful IR would be for spotting water leaks... you might be better off using white-light LEDs. Then again, a thermal camera would probably work even better... pricier, but I would think it would do a better job at picking out even the smallest water leak. For the cost of a PTZ, though, it might be cheaper just to put two separate cameras looking down the tunnel from the same central location, or slightly spaced out so their views overlap.

Screenshot might help, or even a video clip... seeing the type of interference might give us idea as to the cause.

What make/model are these cameras? Are you running 12VDC or 24VAC? It's not uncommon with many 12VDC-only cameras to get ground loops when using baluns, because the cameras tend to share a common video and power ground.

There used to be a few old multiplexers that ran power over the coax, but they would only work with a few specific cameras designed to receive power that way. The only current analog systems that run power and video on the same cable are the cheap-cheap package systems that use a multicore cable with power, video and audio... but with those, you're usually limited to using the same brand of cameras and DVRs together, as most of them use proprietary pinouts. Other than that, there's at least one NVR I know of that has an internal 4-port PoE switch and you can just plug up to four IP cameras into it... but you're getting a LOT more expensive with that (starting around $2000 for the NVR, I think, plus $500 and up per camera). If it's more a matter of just using one cable, you can use Cat5e/Cat6 (or any other sort of UTP) with baluns.... but you will still need a separate power supply for the cameras.

If you're just making an extension (male-to-female cable) the pinout shouldn't matter, just wire all the pins straight through.

Not bad... says right there, though: "Capture 640 x 480 JPEG images"

"1U" really isn't enough to go on - it could be one of several hundred different devices. A better description might help - any labels or markings on the machine, any names or anything from the screen... maybe some photos of the unit itself, and/or its screen?

The next version for PC will be available in January. We will start the public beta testing in 2-3 weeks. I cannot tell right now when iPad version will be ready. Probably in Q2 or Q3. I have had the honour to have a preview of the new JVSG software. This is definitely the best software you could purchase for your CCTV system designing. JVSG is offering the best solution for the lowest price of any CCTV design software. What's a guy gotta do to get a look at the beta?

Tom, just wear a disguise if you go...

AFAIK it's just the Canadian Home Depots that are discontinuing the Tek4 line; pretty sure the US stores still stock the full line, probably at full price. Really, even at list price, they're pretty nice tools. I have three of the utility lights, four of the flashlights, the multimeter, laser plumb, stud finder, screwdriver, power supply (charge iPod or phone from the Tek4 battery), and two of the quick-chargers.

List was originally something like $170 for the Ryobi scope... we got them for $65, if memory serves, including a battery and charger. We've been stocking up on Tek4 tools as the Home Depots here drop their prices - some stuff gets cheaper, other stuff doesn't... varies a lot by location. Only thing I wish they did that the others do (the Costco one above, plus the Milwaukee and Dewalt ones, and various others) is the ability to record stills and video to SD card... but all the ones that do that run $200 and up. Some day...

Hmm, I know Vigil will do points 1, 2, 4 and 5... and SHOULD be configurable to do 3, with its I/O support. It would need to receive data from the access control system itself for 2 and 4, but it supports a wide range of formats and as long as the access controls can send data via network or serial, it should be workable.

Except the original monitor will also be supplying power to the camera, and if you don't wire it right, the camera could get friend... he's better off just replacing both and being done with it.

That's a hybrid DVR.