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🖥️ActiveHome Pro => Plug-ins => iWatchOut/iWitness => Topic started by: Gilbert on May 31, 2008, 02:38:30 AM

Title: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: Gilbert on May 31, 2008, 02:38:30 AM
Hello everybody,

I try to install/deploy a bunch of wired cams, hooked on the same 110V plug (a multi 12V adapter). Those cams are already used by another progs/hardware (an aviosys linux box and a xp software on a separate server).

I want to use those cams with ahp and all the plugins (already installed).

On ahp, I see only the ninja and the cam hooked to the usb (va11) adapter and I'm wondering how to connect those cams to ahp...

I can use a Y cable or an electronic splitter to keep the signal at it's best.

The power supply is not a X10 unit and this unit is always ON (because of the other server and the direct recording).

So, my final (and only) question is : how can I plug and use those wired cams with ahp and use the x10 features (combined with the x10 dispatcher software already running), aka take picture based on RF activity ? The ideal result will be the use of the cams with both softwares and their respective advantages.

Gilbert
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: HA Dave on May 31, 2008, 09:40:44 PM
................The power supply is not a X10 unit and this unit is always ON (because of the other server and the direct recording).

So, my final (and only) question is : how can I plug and use those wired cams with ahp and use the x10 features (combined with the x10 dispatcher software already running), aka take picture based on RF activity ? The ideal result will be the use of the cams with both softwares and their respective advantages.


You can (I do) use a non-X10 camera/power supply and yet turn it on/off.... by just plugging the power supply into an appliance module.

You might be able to turn a video feed on and off using a Universal module. I have never done that... but I think it should work.
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: Knightrider on May 31, 2008, 09:47:11 PM
Some fancy macros and this little number ought to do the trick: http://www.shed.com/tutor/avs/avs.html
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: HA Dave on June 01, 2008, 03:56:41 PM
Some fancy macros and this little number ought to do the trick.............

Thank You Knightrider.... for motivating me to get off my duff and try out my theory about using a Universal Module for turn a video source On/OFF.

................You might be able to turn a video feed on and off using a Universal module. I have never done that... but I think it should work.

I have had this discussion before.... and I believed.. that a Universal Module (UM506)  (http://www.x10.com/automation/um506_s.html) could and would switch video. So I tried it out myself here... and sure enough... I can now say I Know it works.

I simply skinned the outer insulator back on a video cable... exposing the outer shielding (bare copper wire), but left it intact. Twisted it out slightly to expose the inner insulated (video signal) wire, which I cut. Then I bared about a half inch on each end and attached to the Universal Module.

Since the cheap video cable I used had two male ends... I used an adapter to make one end female. I set the dials to a desireable House/unit code.... and now the always ON video signal can be removed from your line by turning the Universal Module OFF.

Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: Knightrider on June 01, 2008, 04:06:03 PM
Hey Dave_x10_L,
Don't thank me -- you're the one that had the gumption to try out your theory.  Only thing that would worry me is the um506 putting some RF interference in the line, but as this has been tested, I'll put that idea to rest.
It's the members here who volunteer their their time and equipment that make the forums great!
(+1 to DX10L!)
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: steven r on June 01, 2008, 04:29:56 PM
...I have had this discussion before.... and I believed.. that a Universal Module (UM506)  (http://www.x10.com/automation/um506_s.html) could and would switch video. So I tried it out myself here... and sure enough... I can now say I Know it works....
A ditto on the thanks. While we had talked about this idea before, I hadn't followed through on it so thanks for testing it for us. It looks like I have a project for next week.
That's a helpful I mean an "increase rating" from me.
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: Gilbert on June 06, 2008, 12:25:23 AM
................The power supply is not a X10 unit and this unit is always ON (because of the other server and the direct recording).

So, my final (and only) question is : how can I plug and use those wired cams with ahp and use the x10 features (combined with the x10 dispatcher software already running), aka take picture based on RF activity ? The ideal result will be the use of the cams with both softwares and their respective advantages.


You can (I do) use a non-X10 camera/power supply and yet turn it on/off.... by just plugging the power supply into an appliance module.

You might be able to turn a video feed on and off using a Universal module. I have never done that... but I think it should work.

Hello Dave and thank you for your answer.

EXTRACTED from X10 website :

After you've added all your cameras, simply click on the "Go Live" button to view live video. Once in video mode, you can switch cameras using the convenient camera tabs or click the split-screen view to see them all.

How can I add all my cams without all this tricks ? I need to keep all my cams running (power ON) for my DVR. So, I can't stop them (even once by once) and I can't cut off the wires... Hmmm, except if I split all data cables and switch ON the signal with a UM506...
OK, but how should I connect all those cams together ? with a 4 in 1 rca ?
But in any case, I won't be able to see all the cams together (like in a DVR, or even like in the X10 website)...
Annoying...

BTW, this is my picture of the day : my new roofcam, ninja and anaconda, all protected with a 1$ transparent plastic jar.

Gilbert
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: HA Dave on June 06, 2008, 05:05:43 PM
....................OK, but how should I connect all those cams together ? with a 4 in 1 rca ?

Gilbert you can use 2 or 3 of the 2 to 1 RCA connectors.... others do.

LOVE the "roof cam" where did you find the jar?
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: Gilbert on June 06, 2008, 06:32:34 PM
Hello Dave,
good idea for the 2 in 1 into 2 in 1 into 2 in 1 ...  -:)

The jar ? Dollarama (http://www.dollarama.com) : a canadian el cheapo store ! With some rain-X on it to avoid rain drops !
Title: Re: wired cams / ahp / iwitness / ninja
Post by: HA Dave on July 12, 2008, 06:33:53 AM
I bought Me a jar.... and ordered me a ninja!