X10 Community Forum
📸Cameras & Camera Software => Legacy non Wi-Fi X10 Cameras => Camera General Discussion => Wireless Cameras(non IP) => Topic started by: STI2NR on March 26, 2010, 02:39:00 PM
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Seeing as though they charge a heavy premium price for a Sentinel setup and I am unemployed, I came across an idea.
I am very technically/fabricator saavy so this would not be hard for me to do.
I wanted to know if anyone has replaced the low definition cameras with high def PTZ cameras and reused the wireless function of the x10 sending unit.
I have plenty of extra cameras laying around so I do not have an issue ripping into one to see what it would take to make an "ultimate camera".
Last night I took both of my vr31a's and made good use of an some old Linksys wirless routers antennas. I can get a clear signal for the most part now. I am however waiting on some 9dbi antennas to clear up the last little bit of interference I am getting.
You can see my cameras streaming at http://sti2nr.camstreams.com/
Please let me know of any thoughts/ideas you may have or if there is a link to anyone who has done this mod before.
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It's really quite a simple mod you are trying to do.
The camera portion is a small board right behind the lens.
There are several wires coming out of it.
Red: +12v DC
Black: ground
Yellow: video
White: audio
Blue: video return
The lower unit is the video sender. Just connect these wires to your new camera. The power supply isn't much. 80 ma total. That isn't too hard to replace, either. The tip is positive constant, ring is positive switched by X10 line commands, and barrel is negative.
Good Luck! ;D
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That was the info I was looking for.
Thank you so very much!!
Now to scrounge ebay for a webcam with HD.
I also need a weatherproof bubble for it.
Thanks again for your help!!
Do you know by chance what all the 3 dials do inside the base???
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I haven't messed with the pots. I have been burned too many times trying to fiddle with inner controls like that.
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Are you sure the voltage going to the camera section is 12v ??
Searching the wiki it says the voltage going to the camera is 5v which would be perfect for any usb camera on the market. http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/XC18A
I purchased this camera and am going to do some experimenting. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220574620259&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
My hopes are that the circuit board will swap right over into the original x10 housing so all that I have to do is some desoldering/soldering.
I have a couple of questions though. Normally a microphone/video signal have both a positive and a negative yet you say there is only one wire for audio and 2 wires (video/video return) for video. Are you able to elaborate on this more????
Please let me know what you think!!
Thanks for your time!!
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Are you sure the voltage going to the camera section is 12v ??
Searching the wiki it says the voltage going to the camera is 5v which would be perfect for any usb camera on the market. http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/XC18A
The wiki says: Supply Voltage for Lens 5V DC, Power Requirements 12 VDC, 80 mA
I have used the cameras on a 12 volt (battery) power supply. I have also used a non-X10 transformer as well. I used 12 volts.
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Lens being what I am changing out. The voltage drops where?? I am going to disassemble a camera today and test it with my meter. I am going to assume the voltage drops inside the base. We will find out.
On a sidenote I modded all of my cameras for night vision so please excuse the red hue on all of the cameras.
;-)
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Are you sure the voltage going to the camera section is 12v ??
Searching the wiki it says the voltage going to the camera is 5v which would be perfect for any usb camera on the market. http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/XC18A
The wiki says: Supply Voltage for Lens 5V DC, Power Requirements 12 VDC, 80 mA
I have used the cameras on a 12 volt (battery) power supply. I have also used a non-X10 transformer as well. I used 12 volts.
So you wired 12 volts DIRECTLY to the camera portion or the entire base?? I bet you anything the voltage in the wires coming out of the base and going into the camera portion is 5 volts. ;-)
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If you look in the base, it appears as though the tip voltage (of the 1/8" power supply plug) goes directly to the camera assembly, giving it constant power, and the ring + voltage stops at the transmitter, giving it switched voltage.
I'd have to agree with Dave - It's 12v. It may be dropped right on the CMOS board.
A meter will tell you right quick, though! ;D
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..... So you wired 12 volts DIRECTLY to the camera portion or the entire base??
I didn't disassemble anything. I wired a car [like] battery to a fixture that the camera could plug into. I was only creating a Mobile Observation Platform (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft9-yxNb47Q). My idea was... it didn't matter where I placed a camera... I would need one somewhere else.
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If you look in the base, it appears as though the tip voltage (of the 1/8" power supply plug) goes directly to the camera assembly, giving it constant power, and the ring + voltage stops at the transmitter, giving it switched voltage.
I'd have to agree with Dave - It's 12v. It may be dropped right on the CMOS board.
A meter will tell you right quick, though! ;D
I would assume the usb cameras for a computer would drop the voltage on the board as well if such is the case. I will find out here in a bit when I take one apart after lunch.
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I seem to remember that same Ebay camera you sent the link to, coming in a non-PC, 9-12vdc wall block model as well...
I think the USB supplies 5.5vdc, not 12v.... ???
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I tested the power going into the cmos board as 14.4 volts with the 12 volt power supply attached. The actual lens/screen is 5.2 volts.
The usb camera I purchased will be getting modified. It was only 7 bucks. Small price to pay for research and development.
We shall see. ;-)
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What I did for the baby-cam is remove the IR filter and add a board of IR LED's. It gives me good night vision. If anything, the IR LED's I have are too bright.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Security-Camera-10-LED-IR-Illuminator-Board-Plate_W0QQitemZ170431708091QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ae857bbb (http://cgi.ebay.com/Security-Camera-10-LED-IR-Illuminator-Board-Plate_W0QQitemZ170431708091QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ae857bbb)
This was the IR board I used. I took the switched 12v power off the base and wired it to the LED board. It has a light sensor on it which turns it off when there is external light.
The only problem I ran into is the 80ma wall block for the Xcam won't power the LED's, camera and video sender. When the LED's went on, I got a messed-up (technical term) picture. I solved it by using a ninja power supply.
I'll try to add pictures later.
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I would love to see the pictures!!
You have given me some great ideas!!
Thanks for this message board big time!!!!! ;-)
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So after surfing the web all day yesterday I purchased this ptz cam http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190387843588&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I want to be able to include this cameras video output in my x10 setup. I am going to cut the camera off of a receiver but am unsure of which wires I need to terminate on the balun plug. I bought these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170436242981&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I would assume that the yellow wire coming out the the transmitters base would be going on the + side of the connector but where does the - side connect?? Is it the blue wire??
Also I am going to wire in a microphone as well, which wires on the transmitter do I use for that??
Thanks again for all the help on the boards!!
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As per my initial description, and this thread: http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=13139.msg73205#msg73205 (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=13139.msg73205#msg73205)
Connect the Yellow & Blue from your video transmitter to the 'video out' of your new camera.
Connect the White & Blue from your video transmitter to the 'audio out' of your new camera.
Power your Dome camera.
Power your video transmitter.
You should be all set... ;D
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I was hoping you would respond Ny!!
This was what I was thinking as well but just wanted to make sure. I can assume the yellow=+ (center pin on BNC connector) and blue=-(jacket of BNC connector)? The microphone hookup would be self explanatory. Do you think I should use an amplified cctv microphone or do you think a standard one would work just fine?? I mean I have 80ma and 12volts dc sitting right there I might as well use it huh?? I was thinking this one :
http://cgi.ebay.com/Security-Mic-Microphone-For-CCTV-Camera-CAM-DVR-SPY-F02_W0QQitemZ250585134403QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a5809b543
I could then make use of the 12v 80ma power supply on the video transmitter.
What do you think??
I should get the dome camera this week sometime. I will post pictures of the setup.
I think you are gonna like it!! Thanks again!
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I don't have any experience with the Ebay mic you asked about... I have had good results with the built-in mic on the X10 units. Outdoors, it's a little tricky, as the wind noise is much louder than any usable audio, other than yelling or car engine sounds. In short, I skip the outdoor audio.
As far as which wire goes where, you seem correct. I have had times where my video didn't look right, and so I switched the wires and it was crystal clear... I swore it should be the other way, and it was much better switched... So I will let you try it. The only thing I can say is that there will be no mistaking it when you hook it up. If it's wrong, it will not look/sound right. I never used a balun, I just terminated the wires right into an RCA or BNC plug, with good results. I never really got the lesson on 50 ohm vs 75 ohm, etc... I could never see the difference in short cable runs. I remember people stressing in video applications, but I generally use whatever I have lying around and have had acceptable results. You would think you'd need 75 ohm shielded cable from the camera to the DVR - but most people, myself included, use cat 3, satin phone cord, twisted pair, or whatever we have laying around... If the video looks bad, we bash X10! ;)
Good luck - and let us know how it turns out! ;D
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Microphones are a touchy subject. I almost hate to mention I can't use a microphone with my cameras in my state. It's against the law. The way the laws were written [decades ago]... listening devices violate a person normal expection of privacy.
In other words... if your snooping around my yard, or even just walking by on the sidewalk.. you wouldn't normally expect me to be able to hear you. And.. of course.. your right to privacy is a protected right and rights don't stop at other people property lines. So your expectation of privacy would be violated by a listening device [microphone]. However... previous existing laws regarding decenticy and disguises means your normal and reasonable [public] expectation... is to be seen. As everyone knows the law requires people to wear clothes in public. Lesser known laws regarding masks and gender related outfits.. predate microphone laws. Hence... cameras are OK.
So I can hang a camera anywhere outside my home that points to a public area. But I can't use a microphone anywhere.
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I thought I just came across a vid article that took place just a few days ago in Washington DC/Maryland area where a motorcyclist was pulled over by a state trooper. The motorcyclist had a camera visibly mounted on top of his helmet. He is now in BIG BIG trouble for recording audio of the stop incident.
r,
eagle
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.... He is now in BIG BIG trouble for recording audio of the stop incident.
I know this stuff can seem a bit strange. And whereas I can't say I fully support the strangeness of the laws... I can't say I oppose the laws ether. I truly value my freedom of speech... and I am not sure I would feel nearly as free to speak openly... if my speech was maybe being recorded.
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Oregon is a "one person consent state". I do not need anyone elses permission except my own if I decide to record cops/trespassers/criminals/whatnots on my property or in my presence.
In my younger years I won a case against a groupo of cops because they impounded my car on the way to work. They said I was creating an "exhibition of speed". I let them rattle on and on in court about what it is I did exactly. I then whipped out my mini tape recorder and played it for the judge. The judge dismissed my case and made the officers pay back my impound fees out of their own pockets.
I know my rights, and I know them well. Those of you in other states, be your own judge. I on the other hand will be recording EVERYTHING!! Even if the law changes I will still do it. ;-)
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I thought I just came across a vid article that took place just a few days ago in Washington DC/Maryland area where a motorcyclist was pulled over by a state trooper. The motorcyclist had a camera visibly mounted on top of his helmet. He is now in BIG BIG trouble for recording audio of the stop incident.
r,
eagle
Post the link. I cannot seem to find it ANYWHERE!! ;-)
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As always, do your homework and find out for yourself what rights you have in your area. Generally you will find out that you can only use a recorded conversation in a court of law if you are a part of that conversation. One person's consent refers to someone from the conversation allowing the recording to be used for legal purposes.
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Whew.
It took a little bit of work but I found it.
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0410/725740.html
r,
eagle