Analog Signals

[mocolt]

Does anyone feel IP Cam should include an Analog Video Connector for Analog Signal output?

[Administrator]

Analog is helpful on a camera. ACTi is one manufacturer that is providing Analog on almost all their cameras as they are trying to bridge CCTV with IP.

I know of several installations where the customer is using both IP and Analog from a camera.
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[bosco123]

I'm in the security business and have seen the move to ip cameras. My problem is setting up these cameras (focus, view) on a lift 20 feet in the air. Without a laptop or a second person on the ground at the headend its impossible. I would like to use a devise that would plug into the rj45 jack, pass thru the power to the camera and break out the video to my analog viewer. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how this could be achieved? I realize it would take digital to analog video conversion also ip addressing. OR what's the cheapest laptop around that would still serve the camera install/service purpose. That would minimize the drop factor.

[40th Floor]

Use a PDA to set up the position/focus. If the cam has wifi that's easy enough. If not you'd need a PDA that has a CF slot and a CF-ethernet card. Used to be most PDAs came with a CF slot, now, not so many. The iPAQ 210 is one model that does. You can get a CF ethernet card at

http://socketcom.com/

http://www.socketmobile.com/products/network-connectivity/10-100-ethernet/

I've had one of those (regular, non-rugged) for about 8 years now. Two, actually.

Or, I suppose you could just use a laptop. haha No need for special connectors or analog viewers, just plug the cable ends in.
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[bosco123]

Thanks for the quick reply. I see what your saying. The problem I "see" is the tiny screen/resolution of a pda. Have you use a pda to focus an ip camera?

[40th Floor]

[bosco123]

I'm looking around the net at the 211 and cf card.... might be the way to go. I'll need at least 5 for the guys in the northeast so I want to get a good system at a reasonable price.

Thanks again for your input

Jerry

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

[geolt3]

I really like to have the analog video connector so I can connect and use my digital focus meter to the camera. I point it in the general direction and either use my wireless laptop or pda to fine tune the coverage area and then use the analog port and meter to focus the camera in exactly. It's a pretty good system and I now refuse to buy an IP camera without one.

[bosco123]

I hear ya !! Unfortunately it's a corporate/sales decision and I have zero input.

[geolt3]

We have used both the AVIP NC1600 camera and Hikvision IP cameras. They are both in good in their own way. The NC1600 is a great bang for the buck but the Hikvision IP camera has got a great picture and a back up SD card and uses the H.264 compression saving lots on bandwidth for other cameras, but it costs a bit more. You can check out the camera specs at the website we bought them at, www.wirelessoutdoorcam.com . They're both good cameras and have the analog port, the Ethernet port, digital inputs, digital outputs and RS485 connections.