Hi Semper,
Sorry for the delay in responding - I'm "back online" again!
Thanks for the detailed description of your system. On my 1st scan or your post I was wondering why you had such a wide array of different cameras but from my detailed read I now understand. However, I am curious why and how you are using so many USB cameras. Doesn't USB have a "distance" constraint? From the "names" of the cameras it sounds like you are covering all sides of your house but how do you get these USB cams so far away from your computer to cover such an area?
Is your IP camera actually outside (for the weather station)? How did you get power to it? I find that the (obvious) need for power is perhaps the single biggest issue in getting a system like this running. My four cameras are all inside but I'd like to add some outside but that requires wiring to provide power so that's the next step. Plus, I'm hesitant to add more cams using WiFi - not sure how close I am to saturating the router - so I'm thinking future cams will need to be hardwired. The "tyranny of the wires"! Are you using/do you have experience with PoE?
The cams I currently have are HD and provide great resolution. (How many times have you watched your local news and seen a video clip from a surveillance system where the police are asking if anyone recognizes the person but the clip looks like it was recorded by a "100x50 resolution" cam?) But, I've learned that four cams at HD1080 pegs my current system at 100%, so additional cams will also require having to deal with that.
Looks like what started out to be just a "prudent" security step to take could easily turn into an onginig "hobby"!
Thanks again.
How do you "apply" a new rule after the fact?
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Semper Vaporo - Posts: 331
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:51 am
Re: How do you "apply" a new rule after the fact?
USB has a limit of 5 meters (16-ft.,5-in.) but you can get more than that in various ways.
Most USB cameras come with a 6-ft cable. To get to the "Drive" camera in the window in the wall next to the computer, I have it on a 6-ft USB extension cable (plug on one end, socket on the other) that is plugged into a 4-port adapter that has a 6-ft cable on it; a total of 18-ft. Also on that 4-port adapter is the "Weather" cam on its 6-ft. cable aimed at the indoor display of the outdoor weather station. (Also on that 4-port adapter is a Bluetooth mouse/keyboard dongle, and it is where I plug in a memory stick to transfer files to/from the surveillance PC, so that adapter is 'full'! And it is running off of 1 port in the PC... And, yes, I am concerned about the power usage on that one poor port!)
I don't know if that 4-port adapter could be on a 16-ft cable and then devices on additional 16-ft cables from it.
For greater distances, I have some "Active Extension Cables". These are 16-ft. long and have the usual plug on one end and a larger pod on the other end with a socket and active electronic components to drive the signal an additional 16-ft. Power for the electronics is derived from the port it is plugged into. Up to 5 of these can be connected in series to get 80-ft. according to what it says on the package (plus the length of the USB device cable and maybe an extension cable for an additional 16-ft. so a total of 96-ft.).
My "South" and "East" Webcams are on 2 cables (each) in series to get to the window on the adjacent wall. And the "North" Webcam is on 3 cables in series to get all the way round the room to the window in the opposite wall. Granted the cables are not tight against the wall nor well hidden, but run under furniture around the room to get to the cameras with the shortest cables possible without making a "tripping hazard".
I have not tried using a 4-port adapter on the end of an Active Extension Cable, so I don't know how well that might work. I also wonder if I could run one Active Extension Cable to a 4-port adapter and then run addition Active Extension Cables from it. There is a limit to just how much power one can suck out of one of the computer's USB ports to power all of this. I have one 4-port adapter (unused at present) that has two plugs on its cable... One for power and data, and one for just additional power from a 2nd computer port.
There are also 4-port adapters available that have an external power connection to not use power from the computer's port at all.
My only IP cam (West) is powered by the AC line and is hardwired to the router. I originally had it connected via WiFi and had it mounted in a window behind curtains. In the winter time (sub-zero outside), when the furnace was running it would be working fine, but within a minute or two after the furnace stopped VDV would disconnect from the camera and I would have to cycle power on the camera (the AC power, not the On/Off in VDV) to regain a connection. I put a remote AC power switch on it so I didn't have to go to it to unplug it and plug it back in. But I was having to cycle power 10 or more times per day, and often lost all video when I as not there (or not awake) to reset it. I decided it was WiFi frequency drift causing it and the router to lose the connection, and that was caused by temperature swings, so I hard wired it to the router and the problem went away.
Yes, I have seen a lot of video on TV that leaves a lot to be desired in the way of resolution. But I have found that for "MY purposes", 640x480 is adequate, so, even though some of my cameras will do much better than that (and there have been times I wish I had used a higher resolution) I have set them all to 640x480 to save disk space and CPU wear and tear.
Most USB cameras come with a 6-ft cable. To get to the "Drive" camera in the window in the wall next to the computer, I have it on a 6-ft USB extension cable (plug on one end, socket on the other) that is plugged into a 4-port adapter that has a 6-ft cable on it; a total of 18-ft. Also on that 4-port adapter is the "Weather" cam on its 6-ft. cable aimed at the indoor display of the outdoor weather station. (Also on that 4-port adapter is a Bluetooth mouse/keyboard dongle, and it is where I plug in a memory stick to transfer files to/from the surveillance PC, so that adapter is 'full'! And it is running off of 1 port in the PC... And, yes, I am concerned about the power usage on that one poor port!)
I don't know if that 4-port adapter could be on a 16-ft cable and then devices on additional 16-ft cables from it.
For greater distances, I have some "Active Extension Cables". These are 16-ft. long and have the usual plug on one end and a larger pod on the other end with a socket and active electronic components to drive the signal an additional 16-ft. Power for the electronics is derived from the port it is plugged into. Up to 5 of these can be connected in series to get 80-ft. according to what it says on the package (plus the length of the USB device cable and maybe an extension cable for an additional 16-ft. so a total of 96-ft.).
My "South" and "East" Webcams are on 2 cables (each) in series to get to the window on the adjacent wall. And the "North" Webcam is on 3 cables in series to get all the way round the room to the window in the opposite wall. Granted the cables are not tight against the wall nor well hidden, but run under furniture around the room to get to the cameras with the shortest cables possible without making a "tripping hazard".
I have not tried using a 4-port adapter on the end of an Active Extension Cable, so I don't know how well that might work. I also wonder if I could run one Active Extension Cable to a 4-port adapter and then run addition Active Extension Cables from it. There is a limit to just how much power one can suck out of one of the computer's USB ports to power all of this. I have one 4-port adapter (unused at present) that has two plugs on its cable... One for power and data, and one for just additional power from a 2nd computer port.
There are also 4-port adapters available that have an external power connection to not use power from the computer's port at all.
My only IP cam (West) is powered by the AC line and is hardwired to the router. I originally had it connected via WiFi and had it mounted in a window behind curtains. In the winter time (sub-zero outside), when the furnace was running it would be working fine, but within a minute or two after the furnace stopped VDV would disconnect from the camera and I would have to cycle power on the camera (the AC power, not the On/Off in VDV) to regain a connection. I put a remote AC power switch on it so I didn't have to go to it to unplug it and plug it back in. But I was having to cycle power 10 or more times per day, and often lost all video when I as not there (or not awake) to reset it. I decided it was WiFi frequency drift causing it and the router to lose the connection, and that was caused by temperature swings, so I hard wired it to the router and the problem went away.
Yes, I have seen a lot of video on TV that leaves a lot to be desired in the way of resolution. But I have found that for "MY purposes", 640x480 is adequate, so, even though some of my cameras will do much better than that (and there have been times I wish I had used a higher resolution) I have set them all to 640x480 to save disk space and CPU wear and tear.
Semper Vaporo,
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AlKoch - Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:14 pm
Re: How do you "apply" a new rule after the fact?
Hi Semper,
I've never done much with USB except plug in a device with a "typical" (short) cable so thanks for all the details on how to extend their range. That can be useful.
Your comments on your IP camera wee also interesting, especially about the WiFi freq. drift due to temperature changes ("sub-zero" - wow!). I didn't recognize what "VDV" is. Is that a reference to a Sighthound facility or something else? Also, would you let me know how what/how the "remote AC switch" is that you use?
As always, thanks for all the useful info!
I've never done much with USB except plug in a device with a "typical" (short) cable so thanks for all the details on how to extend their range. That can be useful.
Your comments on your IP camera wee also interesting, especially about the WiFi freq. drift due to temperature changes ("sub-zero" - wow!). I didn't recognize what "VDV" is. Is that a reference to a Sighthound facility or something else? Also, would you let me know how what/how the "remote AC switch" is that you use?
As always, thanks for all the useful info!
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Semper Vaporo - Posts: 331
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:51 am
Re: How do you "apply" a new rule after the fact?
Sorry... VDV is Vitamin D Video, the original name of SightHound. I started with it a long time ago and was pleased when SightHound bought the product and has been further enhancing it.
There are many brands and models of remote AC switch available. Mine is a Harbor Freight Tools wonder; similar to this one now sold by them (the one I have, like so many el-cheap-o products, seems to no longer be available):
http://www.harborfreight.com/indoor-wir ... 68759.html
It has 3 boxes that plug into AC outlets and devices to be controlled are then plugged into them. My version has a small battery powered 3-button remote to toggle each of the boxes On and Off (it appears the newer version has separate On and Off buttons for each device). The remote has a range of about 25-ft. Lazy bum that I am, I used the other two boxes to control a box fan and a table lamp... "The Life of Riley" for me (or are you old enough to remember William Bendix in that Radio/TV show?)!
There are many brands and models of remote AC switch available. Mine is a Harbor Freight Tools wonder; similar to this one now sold by them (the one I have, like so many el-cheap-o products, seems to no longer be available):
http://www.harborfreight.com/indoor-wir ... 68759.html
It has 3 boxes that plug into AC outlets and devices to be controlled are then plugged into them. My version has a small battery powered 3-button remote to toggle each of the boxes On and Off (it appears the newer version has separate On and Off buttons for each device). The remote has a range of about 25-ft. Lazy bum that I am, I used the other two boxes to control a box fan and a table lamp... "The Life of Riley" for me (or are you old enough to remember William Bendix in that Radio/TV show?)!
Semper Vaporo,
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AlKoch - Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:14 pm
Re: How do you "apply" a new rule after the fact?
Hi Semper,
Thanks for the info on the remote AC switches - that looks useful!
And yes, as far as "Riley" goes, unfortunately I can remember that!
You mentioned sub-zero temps in an earlier post - hope you can stay warm this winter!
Thanks again for all your info & help.
Thanks for the info on the remote AC switches - that looks useful!
And yes, as far as "Riley" goes, unfortunately I can remember that!
You mentioned sub-zero temps in an earlier post - hope you can stay warm this winter!
Thanks again for all your info & help.
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williamjames07 - Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:28 am
Re: How do you "apply" a new rule after the fact?
hi alkoch,
i think david gave you the correct answer of your question which you want to know....
thanks
i think david gave you the correct answer of your question which you want to know....
thanks