Thanks For Helpful Info

[nortsyl85 0]

Have been watching this site for a couple years, finally decided to join. I have found some good tips here from all around the world.

 

I have gradually built up a system for my residence over past 18 months with 16 ch D1 DVR, currently using 10 cameras. Except for DVR I accumulated components and cameras mostly using auction sites when I could find good prices on quality items. Cameras are mostly professional grade name-brand 540 line, auto iris etc of various styles. Have learned a lot, am now very happy with the operation of the system and gives great peace of mind when I have to travel away from home.

 

I am an electrical engineer but my professional work is not related to video security. Thanks again for a professional and useful forum.

[bpzle 0]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

Care to elaborate on your gear?

 

Is it safe to say you're a "D"?

 

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=23923

[nortsyl85 0]

DVR is Intellicam XLA, I had opportunity to preview recorded D1 video and was happy with it, and could get it discounted when they introduced the new G4 version. So far it has been very reliable. Currently using I TB of storage which seems to be plenty for my application.

 

Indoor cameras are mix of Pelco, Samsung, Ganz, Panasonic and one no-name IR camera in the garage. Mostly box cams but one dome and one bullet. Outdoor cams are American Dynamics domes except for one Hitachi IR cam. All cams are auto-iris except the garage. All are varifocal lens except one in a small room that is fixed 2.6mm. All are rated 540 lines. All the cams were bought over a period of time whenever I could get low price, surplus new and some used. Light is provided for the outdoor domes by 4 IR motion detector floods.

 

I am recording all 10 channels at D1 res and 7 FPS. All are using motion detect trigger. I built the power supply for the cams from a surplus 10A switching regulator. I have one of the contact inputs on the DVR wired to my house alarm system and programmed so it can send me an email if the alarm is tripped.

 

So far the whole thing seems robust and reliable. I installed it so if I need to sell the house it can be uninstalled quickly leaving only a few blank switchplates inside the house and a few capped plastic electrical boxes outside.

[bpzle 0]

Wow, that's pretty slick!

 

That's a VERY interesting group of cameras you have there... big name and no name!

[jacobbob 0]

I am wondering how you hooked your alarm system into the DVR. I have a LYNXR alarm keypad/panel.

 

They only way I see to hook it into the DVR is by attaching into the external bell/siren circuit so that when the alarm system triggers the bell it would (supposedly) trigger an alarm in the DVR.

 

The webpage for the alarm system manual is :

http://www.nassecurity.com/manuals/ADEMCOLYNX.pdf

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks

[rory 0]

I am wondering how you hooked your alarm system into the DVR. I have a LYNXR alarm keypad/panel.

 

They only way I see to hook it into the DVR is by attaching into the external bell/siren circuit so that when the alarm system triggers the bell it would (supposedly) trigger an alarm in the DVR.

 

The webpage for the alarm system manual is :

http://www.nassecurity.com/manuals/ADEMCOLYNX.pdf

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks

You should upgrade to a better alarm system, the LYNX was a disaster that Ademco came out with, we used, hated, got shouted at by clients for installing, and finally stopped using them as quick as we had started. Much better systems to use even from Ademco (Honeywell), or others, and ones that might give you the extra features you want.

[nortsyl85 0]

My alarm system has a DPTD relay output that you can use to control other devices. I connected a twisted pair (one pair of wires inside a standard piece of telephone cable) between one of the relay normally-closed contacts and one of the normally-closed alarm inputs on the DVR. In my case, that is all there was to it other than programming the DVR to do what I wanted when the alarm contacts opened.

 

On your alarm system you do not have a relay output. What I would do is use an opto-isolator and hook its input in parallel with the bell output of the alarm, the output of the opto would go to the DVR. That takes a bit of electronic knowledge, though. Another way is to get a low-current 12 volt reed relay and hook in parallel with the bell output, then use its contacts for the DVR. Make sure not to exceed the 120 MA limit of the bell output. The contact current rating of the reed relay is not important for this application. Don't try to hook the bell output directly to the DVR, you will likely burn something out. The connection needs to be isolated.