Alert Security Systems

[Cyclops]

Struggling with "what to purchase" question -- have looked at other options with "megapixel" capability but none provide the bang per buck of the alert series. The closest I can find that checks off my wish list without modification comes in around $600.  So, being an avid (perhaps rabid) DIY'er a couple of questions for anyone re the 750e --

1)Want to "defeat" the internal night vision LEDs and use external power IR spot/flood with motion detection (issues are operating range,  uniform illumination, and near field specular reflections). To this end black tape would work but that's 2W or so year after year. Can I just pop the case and clip out the LED string without impacting the IR filter in/out function? (I know -- but at this price point trashing the warranty is not a big deal).

2)From ReedF's forum answer I know the night vision LED's peak around 850nM -- the real question, however, is what does the (night vision mode) sensitivity look like vs frequency? -- ie given the choice of any  frequency from (say) 800 to 1000 nM what do I pick?

3)Along the same lines I would like to modify the lens system to take (say) a varifocal 4mm to 10mm C or Cs lens. This of course is a real Pandora's Box -- modify case, get new IR glass from Edmund Scientific, machine spacer, pickup auto-iris signal from PC board, how to handle focus issue, etc. -- problem is I don't need a (135 degree?) wide angle lens. For my application (rooftop @ 50 feet) I need a longer lens and much less FOV.

 4)What is the worst case bandwidth requirement for each Ethernet connection? This has been touched on in the forum but I am not able to find any hard numbers.  In particular, if I am running 6 @ 750e thru the same switch would the output ever be throttled using just a 10/100 POE box?  (10/100/gigE out boxes are available for not to much more).

Along the same lines if I am uploading to PC from just the uSD card (assume class 10) does the camera uProcessor (or other) limit me to around real time (ala Tivo Desktop)  or what? ie, time for 6xReal Timex6 uSDx32Gb/uSD when I get back from vacation is going to be a truly gruesome amount of time (and no! I do not wish to leave the PC on while I am gone). A dedicated very low power PC would work, but adds complexity and cost.

 However! if someone has been able to get a Tivo S3 to record (I do leave this on full time) over the Ethernet link or even using some "box" to get to 720p (light) via the co-ax, that would be really, really sweet.

5)And finally, I am going to use CAT6 from camera to switch. However, the end bell weather seal "needs" ribbon for a proper seal. So is the supplied Ethernet ribbon cable (to wall power line injector) a standard RJ45 M to M straight cable? in which case I will just use a FM to FM inline, straight connector with some sort of shrink tubing seal, 

Has anyone used the Ethernet over power line blocks to remote their (Ethernet) type printers? I will have lots of these left over and need to find some home for them.

[vbillings]

Since you are asking questions about how the camera will operate once it has been disassembled, I don't know how many on the boards will be able to answer some of your questions, but I can take a crack at a couple. @4 - the system works well using HomePlug only which has much lower bandwidth than a PoE switch does so I highly doubt that a 100Mb switch would ever throttle your feeds. @5 - others on the forum have talked about this and seems to work fine. You can use a FM to FM adapter and then use your own cable. If you decide to address 1 and 3 I think you should post pictures so we can see how it all works out

[Cyclops]

vbillings -- Thanx for your reply.  I have ordered one 750e from *** (which is now on sale thru 21 Oct). In the fullness of time (i.e.,  I have no idea when) will document my success/failure for this forum to consider.

                                                        Regards, Sam

[pdituri]

I would like to get a follow-up to Cyclops' first question.  I mounted the 700e outdoor camera indoors (I know, I know - I have my reasons) in my bay window to take advantage of the night vision feature.  The camera is pointing outside through the window.  However, when the night vision kicks in, the IR reflects off the window turning it into a mirror and blocking the outside view.  Instead of the outside view, I get a picture of the blinds behind the camera.  Other than mounting the camera outdoors, is there a way to block the IR light coming from the camera, either by disabling the IR light (which I am aware voids the warranty) or physically blocking the camera's IR light with a piece of duct tape?  Thanks for your help.

[eisenb11]

@pdituri

Why don't you just turn off the night vision? My 700e has an option for that in the settings although I've never used it.

i don't believe that you can get night vision to work if you're pointing through a window because the IR from inside reflects back in while an outside IR light source would reflect back out.