OnQ camodulator: Want to network it.

[iostream212]

My home came with 2 camodulators by OnQ pre installed. For those not familiar with the camodulator it is a security camera whose video output is modulated to allow viewing the video on a TV channel you set. Pretty cool.... 10 years ago. I wanted to modernize it by turning it into a network camera. I took the output and added a BNC to it and plugged it into my Axis network video encoder, but no joy. I wanted to modify it somehow to achieve this result. Any ideas? I can include pictures if that will help. I don't want to replace them because they are discreet and look good mounted outside my home. The video quality is decent enough as well. Thanks guys.

 

[Del91574]

What flavor is the video? Is it up-the-coax power or separate? Is there standard analog video coming out of the unit somewhere?

What Axis encoder? Input, firmware, etc?

 

[damage]

don't you need to demodulate the signal before using it?

 

[iostream212]

Thanks for the replies. The video camera is the power over coax. The video previously was fed into the 3x8 distribution module so all distributed tvs could tune into the camera. The network encoder is the Axis 2400 v. 2.34. It takes a BNC connection for the input. It would make sense to me to demodulate the signal, but I don't know how. Is there a filter or something that I can use?
Thank you.

 

[tmbrown97]

Your choices are to either replace the cameras with others that are similar but not modulated (you can find ways to adapt camera over coax still) or to demodulate then encode for IP with your axis video server. Something like This would do the trick.

 

[iostream212]

Thanks for the link work2play. Went ahead and purchased. Looking forward to get this working. About your other comment: could one use power over coax to provide power to and get video from a regular BNC cctv camera? Thanks!

 

[Del91574]

Usually power up the coax is specific to the cameras themselves, not universal.

 

[tmbrown97]

If you google "power over coax camera" you'll find some specific ones that look pretty similar to the OnQ ones just without the modulator built in. Otherwise, there are products out there like this that'll let you use an analog camera and get audio/video/power over the single coax run.

I heard there were some "smarter" home offerings around the corner - I need to check out your area - in mine they didn't do anything; just the bare minimum of Ethernet (if that). I talked to someone else in the community who got automated lights too but doesn't know how to use them yet (need to go see what they installed for him still).

 

[iostream212]

Demodulator arrived today! Now just need to finish work so I can get it installed. Come on 6:00pm! Thanks again for the link.

When my home was built I wasn't offered any automation options, but could customize wiring. I wish I could have afforded more at the time... wiring between the two stories is just awful. I upgraded the wiring paneI, added phone, data, and coax to all rooms, as well as fans. Home was prewired for security so i terminated all runs and added zones for interior doors. I would be curious to know what lighting system the builders put in as well.

 

[tmbrown97]

Sweet! I bought mine 2nd hand so I wasn't around to customize it. I was appalled that they didn't run anything but a single Coax to the entertainment center! It had the existing 20" OnQ cabinet with the screw on cover - I adapted that to a hinged cover and added a 50" Channel Vision can above it - I was almost positive I was going to have a problem with the Fiber - after I had to remove all protection and snagged it a few times in the process of running it through the inside of the new CV can. For the time being , the coax and ethernet has actually been relocated to a 12U wall-mount rack next to the can so I could put a bigger switch, router, and some other things in there. In the can is just the community FTTH and the M1 so it's more than half empty. When I move out I'll most likely make it all fit nicely in the can and make it all a lot more efficient.

I also ran new wires - some more ethernet runs into the livingroom, entertainment center, etc - wired keypads into the MBR and near the exits, wiring for screamers and motions sensor and glass breaks in the areas where I could; so I'm only stuck with wireless for doors/windows and less common parts of the house. As you noted - wiring between the floors was a royal PITA - but doable. The extra thick walls and empty spaces they left to add the architectural dimension did make things a bit easier.