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kaysadeya

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Posts posted by kaysadeya

  2. Posted

    kaysadeya,

     

    I'm suddenly thinking sledge hammers and nuts.

     

    If you just want to control zoom and focus, would you consider making up your own direct drive box?

     

    One switch for (each) lens selection, two switches for zoom and focus, a bit of multicore to each lens, and a plug in regulated power supply unit. If you don't mind messing about with a soldering iron, you could make a controller in a couple of hours. You wouldn't really consider relay drives unless the cable runs were excessive.

     

    Just a thought.

     

    Yes, I'd consider this option if I could build a box that accepts the RS-422 signals from my DVR to control the zoom/focus/iris. I don't want to control each zoom with a separate joystick or button combination.

     

    If the above is possible, I'd need a clear idea of what components to assemble. I'm not much of a "hardware guy," but not afraid of a little solder. Sounds like you've had some experience in this area. Do you have any pointers to the parts and how to assemble them? Anything to get a kick start would be helpful.

  3. Posted

    Right, I'm looking for some sort of external receiver/decoder/controller (aka "box") that translates the rs-422 signals and switches a 9v current to various contacts. I assume there are some very basic boxes out there that do this. I've seen a few boxes on the web and ebay, but it's not completely clear this is what they do. For example:

     

    http://www.eaaao.com/choicecycle/78170

     

    http://www.securitymax.com/detail.aspx?ID=215

     

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5753882332&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

     

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48634&item=5753881487&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

  4. Posted

    I plan to experiment with a variety of cheap powered zoom lenses I'm getting from ebay. I have wiring diagrams for the lenses and control of the zoom and focus operations appear to be a simple matter of applying current to one contact or another.

     

    My Kodicom DVR appears to provide a PTZ control through an RS-422 connection. Most of the limited information I can gather from the manual relates to expensive off-the-shelf, preconfigured PTZ cameras. Does anyone have suggestions on how to configure a homebrew solution that enables control of zoom/focus through the RS-422 / RS-485 protocol?

     

    This is probably a robotics 101 topic, but I'm just getting started on this stuff.

  6. Posted

    7kMI,

     

    You don't need new cameras to use a DVR. The cheapest option is to just drop a single channel DVR in place of the old VCR and you're in business. You can then expand at your own pace after that. However, before running out and buying a single-channel DVR, I'd encourage you to budget and research a DVR with 8 or more input channels. There's too many details to go into here; but trust me, you'll be happy with such a setup in the long run.

  12. Posted

    I'm drilling down to the UPS portion of my installation. Requirements are:

     

    * Load: Approx 600 watts (DVR, 12 cams/AI lenses, 5 IR illuminators)

     

    * Runtime after power fail: At least 30 minutes

     

    * Ability to replace the batteries after they age.

     

    The solution I'm currently looking at is an APC BR1500 + BR24BP (extra battery):

     

    http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500

     

    http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR24BP

     

    Comments? Alternatives?

  15. Posted

    I currently have one of these Elk-PD9 power distribution modules:

     

    http://www.eyespyvideo.com/powersupplies/pwr-9dc.htm

     

    Contrary to what I said earlier, the transformer/plug outputs 12v 1.5amps. Each output is individually current protected.

     

    A couple of questions:

     

    * Could I extend the line between the transformer/plug and the distribution module 50' using 18awg?

     

    * Is this unit sufficient to power four cameras with DC-powered auto iris lenses (let's just say four Sanyo VCB-3384s)?

     

    I'll be installing some high-quality Bosch cameras in another location and don't want to take any chances with the quality of the power supply, so I'll be upgrading the central box to a dual-voltage unit. I'm currently looking at the following two units:

     

    http://www.spytown.com/dualvol12vol.html

     

    Anyone with an opinion on which is better? Are there other alternatives I should be considering?

  18. Posted · Edited by Guest

    The answer to the last part of your question is yes. Others here have much more knowledge than I do on this topic, but I believe most or all DVRs record each input channel to a separate file on the disk

     

    Very cool stuff. Once you've used a multi-chanel DVR, there's no going back to a VCR.

  19. Posted

    I currently have 4 cameras in various locations connected to a central 9-output 12v power supply. I need to power an additional 4 cameras about 50' away, but they will all be in the same general location.

     

    Due to constraints with my conduit size (hopefuly that wasn't another joke for you Brits.. ), I'd rather not have to run a separate wire for each of the new cameras, so am considering the following two options:

     

    * Run a single 18awg wire to the power supply to feel all four cameras.

     

    * The power supply has the transformer in the plug, so the output is 24v (I think) which then gets converted to 12v in the box. Would it be reasonable to use 18awg to extend the length of the power cord between the transformer/plug and the box about 50'? I'd then get another, dual-voltage power supply for the central location.

     

    Are either of these options reasonable, or should I just bite the bullet and run separate power lines for each camera?

  20. Posted

    Got a Casio EV-570 today. Tried it out on a couple of cameras and it works fine. Small screen; not very good for viewing TV (which it was made for); but you can tell from the dots on the screen when the camera is in focus.

     

    Not a bad solution for $100. Didn't want to pay the $250+ for the mini-monitors from spytown. No doubt the dedicated mini-monitors are better, but the Casio does the job.

  21. Posted

    Rory, here are the answers to your questions:

     

    Q1:

     

    Tamron 3-8mm is f/1.0

     

    Bosch 2.8-10mm is f/1.4

     

    Q2:

     

    Sanyo VCB-3384:

    http://www.sanyo.com/industrial/security/cameras/third_black_white/downloads/VCB-3384_Specs.pdf

     

    Panasonic WV-BP334

    ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/CCTV/SpecSheets/WV-BP330series.pdf

     

    Q3:

     

    As I mentioned earlier, I was thinking about using WizKid WZ30L9s with day/night Bosch FlexiDome LTC 1463/20s. I'll consider 850nm illuminators, if necessary.

     

    WizKid specs:

    http://www.wizkidoptotech.com/products/uploads/PDF2/WZ30L_TS_050121.pdf

     

    Bosch FlexiDome LTC 1463/20 specs:

    http://www.boschsecurity.us/pdf/EN/LTC136x%5FDS%5F74913%2Epdf

     

    As for the telephoto cameras, I don't think I can illuminate the scenes with IR, so I'll have to rely on ambient lighting from street lamps and neighbor's lights. This might be a problem with one location, but will have to play it by ear.

     

    I haven't yet sat down to figure out the field of view and required focal length, but think it will be in the neighborhood of 15-20mm (1/3 format) -- could end up being a little more.

     

    The cameras I'm considering to host the telephotos are:

     

    Bosch LTC0495/20:

    http://www.boschsecurity.us/pdf/EN/LTC0495%5FDS%5F81313%2Epdf

     

    Panasonic WV-CP474:

    ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/CCTV/SpecSheets/WV-CP470Series.pdf

  22. Posted

    So you are just looking for Black and White Infrared Compatible Cameras?

     

    These have Spectal reponses up in the 900+ range so they will work wih invisible Infrared Lighting: I have used the Sanyo with Extreme's IR before:

     

    Sanyo VCB-3574IR - Over 930nm Spectral Range

    http://www.sanyo.com/industrial/security/cameras/special/index.cfm?productID=148

     

     

    GE KTC-540E - 730-1100nm Spectral Range

    http://www.ge-consultantlink.com/Docs/ktc_540E_prd.pdf

     

    AS for Lenses, I prefer Fujinon, but Computar or even Tamron will suffice. Look for IR lenses if you are using just a BW camera. If its a day night you can use either a day night or just a low F:stop lens. The sanyo i used was as simple tamron low f: stop lens, nothing special. Watch those dead cheap lenses though, image quality in Infrared could be even more deteriated with a cheap lens.

     

    I cant find that Bosch camera online, all my search comes up with is in spanish! If you can post a link ill check the IR response, or if you know it post it here .. The pano doesnt say any IR response so id imagine it will only work in the 800nm range not the 900nm range.

     

    Rory

     

    I'm doing two things here, so this may appear confusing. First, I already have the following B&W cameras / lenses:

     

    Sanyo VCB-3384 / Tamron 13VA308AS-SQ 3-8mm

     

    Panasonic WV-BP334 / Bosch LTC3364/50 1/3" 2.8-10mm

     

    Note: the Bosch in the above configuration is a lens.

     

    I'll be pairing these B&Ws up the WizKid IR Illuminators I mentioned. I'm committed to the cameras, but might consider swapping out the lenses if they can't cut it with the IR.

     

    Second, I'm shopping for some really good color day/night domes and 'telephoto hosts' for another location, where color (say of a car) is of interest.

  23. Posted

    Here are other interesting options for the 2 'telephoto hosts' I need:

     

    http://www.spytown.com/tosikhirdayn.html

     

    http://www.spytown.com/savcwidydaco.html

     

    Comments? I'm not a brand wh*re, but am rather looking for the best features, warranty, and support (which implies a big, well-known company).

     

    So far Bosch appears to be the clear winner in this forum, but it's a small group. If anyone else who has experience with these types of cameras has an opinion, please chime in.

  25. Posted · Edited by Guest

    Anyway, just so you know the wizkid IRs only do around 20-30 feet. Extreme's IRs do much more ... hence the difference in price. The WZ12's are nice though, i used on on a job here, plug and play, 12VDC. It was a front door so didnt need to see far anyway, What camera are you using with them?

     

    With the 940nm you have to make sure the camera has the spectral resonse for that. Most will see 850nm, but not all work over 850..

    Rory

     

    With the WZ12's, I'm using sort of a Frankenstein system consisting of:

     

    Sanyo VCB-3384 / Tamron 13VA308AS-SQ 3-8mm

     

    Panasonic WV-BP334 / Philips/Bosch Model LTC3364/50 1/3" 2.8-10mm

     

    I have a few other lenses I got cheap on Ebay and intend to play around until I find a good configuration.

     

    If you have any tips on how to best set these cameras for both day and IR-illuminated night vision, please let me know. Coverage is about 40 feet max, but I can tollerate some drop-off in IR illumination in the last 10 or 15 feet. There's also an option to move the illuminators lower to the ground for more strength with the tradeoff of not getting into some nooks and crannies.

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