C4talyst 0 Posted August 3, 2012 Hi Folks, After asking this question on a few other forums I think I've finally found a place with the knowledge I need to get this issue resolved. I bought a house recently that has a security camera mounted over the front door. The camera is powered by a single coaxial cable that carries both the electricity and the video signal. The video signal is modulated so that I can view the camera on our tv's. I would like to be able to view this camera on my smartphone so I purchased an Axis 2401 on ebay thinking it would do the trick. So far the Axis is not detecting any video signal and I was wondering if it's because the signal is modulated. I know the camera and the Axis server work independent of each other, how can I get the video feed to come through to the Axis? Is there some form of demodulation I could use so that the Axis will recognize the signal? The whole-house wiring is a UStec system, if that helps any. Your expertise is greatly appreciated; thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C4talyst 0 Posted August 4, 2012 Just purchased an RF demodulator on ebay for $85. Will post back if this does the trick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted August 4, 2012 So far the Axis is not detecting any video signal and I was wondering if it's because the signal is modulated. This is exactly the problem. The best solution is to tap the video signal BEFORE the modulator (assuming it's not built into the camera, which is unlikely). ust purchased an RF demodulator on ebay for $85. Will post back if this does the trick For that price, you could have just replaced the camera with something that gives you a standard composite-video output, or with an IP camera that you could access directly from your smartphone. For that matter, for the cost of the Axis encoder and the demodulator, you probably could have just added a megapixel IP camera to access directly from your smartphone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C4talyst 0 Posted August 4, 2012 The modulator is built in to this camera, unfortunately. I have a network of poe/ip/megapixel cameras around the house that I installed when I moved in. My preferred replacement for the front porch camera would be an outdoor panasonic w/ ptz capabilities. I spec'd that at $500 so I'm still saving some money. Also there is the matter of wiring...I'm not certain I can run a new cat5 cable to the front porch, even though the coax already runs there. There are a lot of turns and tight fits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C4talyst 0 Posted August 10, 2012 Hey soundy have you ever messed with a weird setup like this? I purchased the demodulator and set it up and I'm still getting a "No Video" message on the Axis 2401's screen. The demodulator has an rca output from which I have a cable running into an rca-to-bnc adapter, and then into the Axis 2401. I thought this thing would be the ticket... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C4talyst 0 Posted August 11, 2012 The demodulator actually did the trick...Axis 2401 is now seeing the feed and I can get it on my phone. I didn't realize the camera was sending the signal out on so many channels...I just needed to change to one that was not being used by any tv's in the house and it started working. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
