VisionTech camera (VC20LW43) installed!

[electron]

I finally had the incentives to mount my VisionTech 0 lux camera (Halloween), so I decided to try Martin's advice, and run some cat5, then run power from my server room to the camera over 1 pair, and the video signal over anoher pair. The length of the cable is 127ft, and the picture is perfect! I measured the voltage, it's 12.49VDC at both ends, so that won't be a problem either. I am not using any baluns for the video signal, just 2 RCA connectors. I know some had doubts that this could be done without any baluns, which is why I posted here

I attached a snapshot, it's a little bright as the sun is hitting the lens, and I don't have the shade installed, but it still doesn't look bad at all. The camera works pretty well at night too, the only problem I am having are the IR led's, which have a red glow, attracting bugs, setting off the motion detection in my webcam software, as they come really close to the camera. I might do a full review on this camera later, pics of wiring can be posted if desired, I just have to take some when I get home.

 

[Squintz]

Id like to see a night shot. This is my main goal.. I want to get a cam that looks great at night.

 

[Skibum]

No offense.... but the need for baluns is quite evident in the posted image.

Post the same image using co-ax, or baluns.

 

[Squintz]

For those who dont know what a Balun is like me.

Balun

<electronics> A transformer connected between a balanced
source or load and an unbalanced source or load. A balanced
line has two conductors, with equal currents in opposite
directions. The unbalanced line has just one conductor; the
current in it returns via a common ground or earth path.

Privided by: www.dictionary.com

 

[Rupp]

Dan,
I would love to see a night time picture and full write up on how you wired it.

One other question. Why the camera youu chose and not this one?

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...7&cat=27&page=1

 

[electron]

Ski, that's how the image looks when a small TV is hooked up directly to the camera. Remember I had the morning sun hitting the camera, and no sun shade was installed. The webcam software hasn't been tuned either. Maybe baluns will help, but it's a large expense just to find out if it improves the picture a lot.

Rupp: I bought this camera when Martin got them first in stock (many months ago), it was one of the 2 camera's he had that could do between 50-100ft IR range.

 

[electron]

Ski,

I am getting some emails with snapshots taken when there was some motion earlier, and the pictures look 'interlaced' almost, is this because I don't use baluns? I don't see this issue when looking at the live video feed, but that might not mean anything.

 

[Skibum]

Nope... that is probably cause you are in 640x480 for the capture card, or do not have deinterlace running.

 

[electron]

It's a Pinnacle PCTV card, using the composite input and VisionGS software. I will have to do some more research I guess.

 

[Skibum]

I'm not speaking about the image itself, but what appears to be video ghosting and reflections.Post a link to a full sized image please... !

 

[electron]

that is a direct capture, click the attachment, and it will open the original size one.

 

[electron]

here are some more pics, keep in mind I still need to figure out the correect settings and might need baluns (there is some ghosting in the b/w pics). I have no street lights, and I live in the country, so there is no 'ambient' lighting.

all lights off:

x10 floodlights on:

exterior garage lights (the same as my porch lights):

 

[electron]

Here are pictures of the wiring:

server room:


garage:

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Just curious on a couple of items:

Why are you running power over the long Cat5 cable and not just plugging the wall wart near where the camera is?

Also, why can't you run a length of RG-6 (75 ohm coax)? Did you already have the Cat5 installed between the garage and server room?

 

[electron]

I have plenty of Cat5 in stock, and it's easier to run than RG6 (only had a few feet anyways). I only have 1 outlet (and it isn't close enough) in the garage as the builder never finished it, and the outlet is usually in use. Since I am going to install a structured wiring panel, I want to centralize all my power needs for my camera's and motion sensors.