X10 Community Forum
📸Cameras & Camera Software => Legacy non Wi-Fi X10 Cameras => Camera General Discussion => Wireless Cameras(non IP) => Topic started by: ross guyer on January 04, 2005, 12:18:22 PM
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I have a boat load of X-10 equipment,
several cameras and other related wireless
devices fro X-10.
Shortly after I went to broadband and
extablished a network and installed a phone
system all using the same 2.4GHz frequency.
Changing the cameras to different channels
makes no difference. The interference is
beyond the ability to make out a picture
from the camera.
Any possible advice before I put all this
stuff out on Ebay??
Thanks!
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Ross,
More then likely it’s your phones causing
the interference with the cams. Are
they “spread spectrum” 2.4GHz phones. Most
people, who want to continue using their
wireless cams, switch to 900MHz or 5.8GHz
phones. This is a fairly common problem
amongst the X10 community. Try
disconnecting/un-plugging the phones
completely, see if that clears up the issue.
http://www.accessx10.com
Come join the X10 community!
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Thanks for the quick response.
I have unplugged my base unit and I ended
up having to turn off my wireless network
as well. I primarily used the video sender
and receiver but haven't been able to for a
couple years now. I also have about 6 of
these phones so throwing them out isn't
really an option. But as I said, the
wireless network also caused enough
interference that you couldn't use either
the camera or the video receiver/sender.
I'll probably do an inventory and just sell
it. Since it has been 2 years, I figured
taht X-10 had found some solution since
more and more use of 2.4 ghz in wireless
networks is growing. Thanks anyway though!!
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Ross,
You can generally adjust the wireless
channel at which your wireless network
operates. I have a Linksys Wireless G setup
working fine with the X10 2.4 wireless
devices.
http://www.accessx10.com
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Its the phones. I have to totally unplug
the base unit go get rid of the
interference.
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It sounds like using a 5.8GHz phone will
work. Is there a technology to stay away
from with these phones, like the spread
spectrum? Do you have to use a 5.8GHz non
spread spectrum to work with the wireless
cameras?
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I haven't been able to use my cameras or
video sender and receiver since I purchased
the 2.4 ghz phones and then my wireless
network just added to the interference. I
have too much invested in phones to just
switch to 5.8ghz. Look for a truckload of X-
10 products on EBAY coming soon. LOL
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There has to be a ton of unhappy people that
have 2.4GHz technology. I am curious if it
is only the spread spectrum technology and/or
is there another technology that is used on
the 2.4GHz and the 5.8 GHz. I think I am
going to go to Best Buy and purchase a 5.8
and try it out. I know my 2.4 spread spec
does not work with the wireless cameras.
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From what I read, 5.8 is fine but
unnecessarily expensive. Consumer Report
seems to recommend 900 mhz as a cheap and
efficient alternative.
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My camera is mounted up against an outdoor
lamp.
Does anyone know if putting aluminum foil or
any other type of sheild on the back side of
the paddle antenna of an X 10 camera will
stop other RF or electrical interference
signals?
Thank you.
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You guys are really making me feel good about
this box that was just delivered. Are you
reading X-10 ??????????????? or just
delivering the plastic?
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Sorry Bob, I have no clue what you are
talking about. The only issue I have
mentioned in this thread was the
interference from my 2.4GHz phones. If you
are interested in purchasing any X-10
cameras please let me know.
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Interference these days on 2.4 Ghz is rampant !
The following are steps to help eliminate your interferences:
To get your X-10 2.4 Ghz wireless camera working properly,
first unplug all Cordless Phones and Wireless Networks,
take out batteries of wireless Thermometers and Caller ID
devices, and any other wireless device in your home,
that you suspect may transmit on 2.4 Ghz.
Now check your X-10 Camera.
If the picture is good, then you can continue by plugging in
your other electronics one step at a time. Each time verifying
that the picture quality has not changed. Sooner or later you
will discover that something was interfering with the X-10 Camera.
The next step is to try each of the four X-10 Channels A thru D.
This must be done by setting the slide switch on BOTH the
Receiver and the Transmitter. After trying each combination
of the four channels, and you still have a interference problem,
here are your options;
If the problem was found earlier to be caused by a Cordless Phone
then you need to replace this phone with either the old school 900Mhz
or the newest band of 5.8Ghz Cell Phones. One very important point,
All 5.8 Ghz phones are not equal. There are 5.8 Analog, and 5.8 Digital, and 5.8 Spread Spectrum.
No matter which phone you chose, make sure it says "Wireless Network Friendly" on the box.
The reason is that not all 5.8 Ghz phones transmit and receive in
the 5.8 Ghz range. Look at the specifications in the manual or on the web. Most manufacturers
have downloadable manuals or otherwise post the cordless phone specs on the web.
What you will find is that many Transmit in 5.8Ghz and Receive in 2.4Ghz (or visa-versa), while still calling themselves
a 5.8 Ghz Cordless Phone. The "Wireless Network Friendly" units will all transmit and receive on 5.8Ghz.
If your Wireless Network was found to be the problem, you can search this forum for "Wireless Networks"
and find many posts taliking about interferences and listing the various frequencies of Router and X-10 Channels.
Here's a quick recap of those various posts;
X10 camera center frequencies: (note these vary +/- .010 Ghz)
Channel Frequency (Ghz)
A 2.411
B 2.437
C 2.455
D 2.471
Router Channel center frequencies for 802.11b and 802.11g:
Channel Frequency (Ghz)
1 2.412
2 2.417
3 2.422
4 2.427
5 2.432
6 2.437
7 2.442
8 2.447
9 2.452
10 2.457
11 2.462
First try setting your X-10 Camera for Channel A, and the Wireless Router for Channel 11.
This did not work for me, but the other end did. I set my X-10 Camera for Channel "D",
and my wireless router on Channel 1, and that solved my no picture interference problem.
To change channels on your wireless router, consult your manual or tech support.
There is usually a utility you can run or access on the web, which will allow you to change
the router channels. Just do a search "Changing Router Channels <manufacturer name here>",
and this will get you started in the right direction. Good Luck !
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Nice write-up! :)
Especially the detail about:
What you will find is that many Transmit in 5.8Ghz and Receive in 2.4Ghz (or visa-versa), while still calling themselves a 5.g Ghz Cordless Phone. The "Wireless Network Friendly" units will all transmit and receive on 5.8Ghz.
The 2 included charts are also "Nice-to-Know" Information:
X10 camera center frequencies: (note these vary +/- 10hz)
Channel Frequency (Ghz)
A 2.411
B 2.437
C 2.455
D 2.471
Router Channel center frequencies for 802.11b and 802.11g:
Channel Frequency (Ghz)
1 2.412
2 2.417
3 2.422
4 2.427
5 2.432
6 2.437
7 2.442
8 2.447
9 2.452
10 2.457
11 2.462
You definately get a 'Helpful' from me! :)
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;D NetGuy, your post is extremely good. Very educational.
I have a Uniden PowerMax TRU8866 5.8 ghz 2 line phone system. 1 line is my normal phone service and the other is VOIP.
I have had no interference problems at all.
Your post will be a great help to many. ;D
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...What you will find is that many Transmit in 5.8Ghz and Receive in 2.4Ghz (or visa-versa), while still calling themselves a 5.g Ghz Cordless Phone. The "Wireless Network Friendly" units will all transmit and receive on 5.8Ghz.
...
Panasonic was one of the worst offenders in the 5.8 one way and 2.4 the other. Consequently when they corrected their ways, they added the "Wireless Network Friendly" to their boxes. Uniden, at least in their higher end phones, has never used both 2.4 and 5.8 in a phone. I have yet to see their boxes say "Wireless Network Friendly" in spite of the fact that they've been making a better 5.8 phone longer than Panasonic that has always been WiFi friendly.
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I use wired and wireless cameras, remote video senders/receives, several different remote phones, and I am using my WiFi now. I did have to change the setting on the WiFi, as when I picked-up the (one certain) phone I would lose my network connection.
When getting between the the camera and video receiver with (that one certain) phone the camera image on the TV will distort.
The microwave [oven] will REALLY distort the camera image.
But other than this I am really content with the amount of bandwidth available with 2.4. However, I am careful NOT to stretch the distance for reception of the video devices.
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I had no trouble before I installed the Router. I will try and figure how to change the Router channels. All four positions on the receiver gives me the same result. As soon as I turn off Router the lines vanish.
Thanks everyone
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Did anyone try this product from D-Link called PowerLine HD Ethernet Starter Kit DHP-301 from this link http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=533&sec=0
It might replace the wireless router but don't know will it kill X10 signals over the power line.
VV
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Micowave ovens totally blasted my wireless cameras also.
I went to 5.8ghz phones but still had wierd problems once in a while.
Passing vehicles would trash the video signals once in a while, never figured that one out.
I gave up on wireless cams and hard wired all of mine.
I have rock solid pictures now and better picture quality.
I use security camera software and so the picture has to be solid.
The software detects pixel motion in a camera frame and then triggers an alarm if motion is detected.
Once in a while, I set up a temporary camera on wireless but that's only a temp situation.
Just my .02 on wireless cameras.