X10 Community Forum

📸Cameras & Camera Software => Camera General Discussion => Topic started by: mistacandy on February 18, 2009, 03:36:17 PM

Title: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: mistacandy on February 18, 2009, 03:36:17 PM
I have four cameras spread out throughout my home and one receiver. The picture is fuzzy on two out of four of my cameras.  I was wondering if there is a way to attach another antenna to my cameras. Also, i will not buy another product from x-10 (that means a video sender/extender).

I am satisfied with the two cameras closer to the receiver, but there are two that pass through walls that are not so great. If i got all of them to work X10 would be defiantly worth it. I just installed the motion sensors today and they worked perfectly. I would like to say that X10 should consider an antenna that is not as directional like the current ones. Personally I don't care how large the antenna is, but if it works.

Also, I have a cordless phone, a wireless router, and many of my neighbors have them too. (we can receive signals from neighbors routers) It is safe to say that it is now a wireless world...

Thank you in advanced.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Brian H on February 18, 2009, 04:09:21 PM
Have you checked for interfering things like 2.4 GHz cordless phones and network adapters?
Are the cameras in different directions from the receivers antenna?
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: HA Dave on February 18, 2009, 04:14:37 PM
.... when something sounds too good to be true, it is...  Also, i will not buy another product from x-10 (that means a video sender/extender).

It makes it tough to be helpful when a user registers and then posts one gripe...

There are hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of satisfied X10 camera customers out here.. that IS TRUE

Setting up a wireless multi-camera system does require a little expertise. Maybe your layout isn't configured well... to fully exploit the technology you selected. Here at the forum we are volunteers.. and users... just like yourself. A polite request for help can go a long way around here. But I don't have a clue as what I can do to help you.... with your complaint.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Brian H on February 19, 2009, 06:43:04 AM
More data on your setup would be a plus in getting you answers.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: mistacandy on February 20, 2009, 09:40:14 PM
View modified post on top of page...
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: HA Dave on February 20, 2009, 10:32:01 PM
mistacandy sorry to see you seem to have a vision problem. You should change your settings in control panel (look at ease of access center).

But I am glad to see your happy with your setup now.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Knightrider on February 20, 2009, 10:33:44 PM
Dave,
I think the OP needs a link to some of your antenna mods  ;)
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: HA Dave on February 20, 2009, 10:38:52 PM
I think the OP needs a link to some of your antenna mods 

I think the OP just wanted to rant.... and has a vision problem and couldn't see that we are also users... that just wanted to help.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Dan Lawrence on February 20, 2009, 11:00:09 PM
I have four cameras spread out throughout my home and one receiver. The picture is fuzzy on two out of four of my cameras.  I was wondering if there is a way to attach another antenna to my cameras. Also, i will not buy another product from x-10 (that means a video sender/extender).

I am satisfied with the two cameras closer to the receiver, but there are two that pass through walls that are not so great. If i got all of them to work X10 would be defiantly worth it. I just installed the motion sensors today and they worked perfectly. I would like to say that X10 should consider an antenna that is not as directional like the current ones. Personally I don't care how large the antenna is, but if it works.

Also, I have a cordless phone, a wireless router, and many of my neighbors have them too. (we can receive signals from neighbors routers) It is safe to say that it is now a wireless world...

Thank you in advanced.




BTW, you NEED to turn your router's firewall NOW any your neighbors need to as well.  I have a wireless router and the firewall is turned on. 
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Brian H on February 21, 2009, 06:25:22 AM
It is safe to say that part of the problem could be 2.4 GHz interference from other devices or an antenna issue. With some of the cameras on the back side of the original directional antenna on the receivers.
I don't have the links but do remember seeing mods for the cameras antennas.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: hawk1 on February 21, 2009, 08:59:32 AM
the fuzzy part sounds like it may be out of focus, have you tried adjusting the focus ring on the camera's?  Also you may try to put the antenna on the receiver flat.  Some users have found that be putting the antenna flat it receives alot better with multi-cams.

I've seen a mod done and actually have modded a couple of my cameras successfully with an omni antenna.  it was on a remote control airplane site, where they modded the xcam to fly on top of the airplane.  hope this helps ;) found the link!  check this out!  >!

http://www.rc-cam.com/rc-cam4b.htm#rc-cam4_top
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Brian H on February 21, 2009, 01:29:48 PM
hawk1; Thanks for the link to the mod.  :)%
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: hawk1 on February 21, 2009, 01:31:08 PM
Quite welcome!  Glad I could help!  >!
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: mbmisa on May 13, 2009, 12:17:44 AM
Quite welcome!  Glad I could help!  >!

Fantastic! If the original Mickey Mouse ear of the X10 covers 100 feet, how much further can I push the camera with a coax antena?
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: hawk1 on May 13, 2009, 09:36:06 AM
I really don't know.  All of my cameras are well within a 100'.  I do know that I get way better reception with the ones I did mod.  The problem is, that one that I modded I kinda.... well.... burned up with a weed burner!   rofl

If you do a search on the forum for antenna mod you should be able to find some more information.  I now have a different receiver with an omni directional antenna on it and it works great.  I believe that the ear antenna on the cameras are not the problem unless you have it on a ninja base.

I believe if the receiver had the omni antenna then they would work a lot better.  There also some mods on this forum for that.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: mistacandy on June 13, 2009, 01:48:29 PM
I will not turn off my firewall, or shut down my router! Just because I have a security camera doesn't mean I have to make something else less secure! I've had this system for seven months now, and I am still not satisfied. I should have spent my three hundred dollars somewhere else.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: HA Dave on June 13, 2009, 02:26:19 PM
I will not turn off my firewall, or shut down my router! Just because I have a security camera doesn't mean I have to make something else less secure! I've had this system for seven months now, and I am still not satisfied. I should have spent my three hundred dollars somewhere else.

mistacandy I reviewed this thread and all 3 of your posts. I failed to see where anyone even mentioned "turning off a firewall, or shutting down a router".

Thousands of users have found help here... at these forums. But popping on-line every couple of months to post a gripe and say what you refuse to do.. might not be the fastest way to accomplish your desired results.

Have you resolved you RF reception issues?  Are you now attempting to view your cameras remotely over the Web? Clearly stating.. what you have, and what your trying to accomplish, as well as where you are in the process would be helpful to those who want to help you.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: hawk1 on June 13, 2009, 02:59:07 PM
mistycandy, sorry to here you are still having problems.  You don't indicate in your last post whether or not you tried any of the suggestions that we gave you already.  We would hate to give you repeat advise.

The users on this forum are just that, users.  We don't work for x10.  If you have a problem you can do 1 of 2 things or both.  You can call x10 customer support or you can try to be friendly on this forum and have the users here try to help you with your problem.

When you say you've had this system for 7 months, and you've only posted 3 times and those 3 times are just rants and raves about how you wasted your money, then no your probably not going to get your other two cameras working and you should just put it all back in a box and go spend another 300 dollars on something else.

That way when you can't get that to work either you can go to their forum and start all over again.  I am sorry you can't get your system going but your not helping us help you.

My dad told me you always have two choices when you wake up and get out of bed. 1. you can happy  2. you can be grumpy.

Sorry if I sound a little front with you but several users here have tried to get you to calm down and state your problem in DETAIL.  But for some odd reason you refuse to do so.  That kinda tells me that you might be some kinda spammer.  There must be a hundred posts just like this that have already been worked on and solved.  Have you tried looking and searching for the same problem?

So...... If you want help please tell us everything about your problem and we will surely find a solution for you.  Tell us what software, what kinda of cameras, what kinda transceiver, what there doing what there not doing, we already know you have a router which could interfere but you don't have to turn it off.  Most routers have a user setting to change channel that they use.  So just slowdown take a sip of cola and explain whats going on in detail.   We don't give up until you do.
Title: Re: Increase Range on Wireless Camera System.
Post by: Brian H on June 13, 2009, 06:25:32 PM
Read Dan's reply again. He said make sure your firewall was ON for most protection.

More details on the setup are needed unless you have given up. In that case we can't help you if you don't want us to.