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[logan1]

(This is not meant to bash X10 or X10 products in any way.)


I purchased this system a week or so ago and just had it delivered today. This is all that came with my purchase.

1   Wireless PC Transceiver   CM19A
1   Multi-Camera Instructions   IN47A
1   INSTRUCTION SHEET   IN53A
1   XCam2 Primer   IN80A
1   Security Surveillance Decal   MM022
1   Security Surveillance Window Yard sign   MM023
4   EagleEye Motion Sensor   MS14A
1   Small Wireless Transceiver   TM751
1   VCR Commander II   UX23A
1   Xray Vision USB Converter   VA11A
1   PAN AND TILT KIT   VK74A
2   Small Video receiver WITH audio   VR42A
4   Wireless Night Watch B/W camera   XX20A

I had reasonable expectations about the system, but I think I'll shell out the extra money and get a different system. Here's why....

When I opened the box I was excited about getting my 4 camera system up and running. All I wanted out of the system was a reliable and easy to operate 4 camera system to monitor my home and a small fenced in area that my dog plays in while I'm home. I have a motorcycle and I planned on using 1 camera to monitor my bike. The distance between my longest run and my receiver is only ~30 feet. After noticing that my kit didn't come with a remote control, I called and the polite customer service rep told me that my Ninja Pan 'n Tilt Kit came with a remote that would work. I went through the instructions several times and I still can't get all 4 cameras to work once I push the respective button. The only way I can see them is if I turn the others off (unplug) and just leave one on.

I went through the trouble shooting techniques and nothing. I ended up getting 4  XCam2 B/W cameras. I chose these because I really needed cameras that would work in low light situations. (My residence has flood lights and dusk to dawn lights) Well I could only get these cameras to focus grainy at best. (I even tried unplugging my 5.8GHz cordless  phone and wireless internet. I would be able to deal with the poor picture quality if I could only control the cameras via remote. I'm pretty crafty when it comes to electronics but if I'm doing something wrong please let me know. If I knew what I know now, I would have went with a 2 camera hard wired kit from another company and saved myself the headache!

Does anyone know where I can buy 2-4 B/W or color cameras that I can plug into a receiver and remotely flip through the cameras on my TV/VCR? I don't think this is unreasonable. I just want solid gear that works when I need it and performs a few simple functions.

[HA Dave]

I purchased this system ...............delivered today.

1   Wireless PC Transceiver   CM19A
1   Multi-Camera Instructions   IN47A
1   INSTRUCTION SHEET   IN53A
1   XCam2 Primer   IN80A
1   Security Surveillance Decal   MM022
1   Security Surveillance Window Yard sign   MM023
4   EagleEye Motion Sensor   MS14A
1   Small Wireless Transceiver   TM751
1   VCR Commander II   UX23A
1   Xray Vision USB Converter   VA11A
1   PAN AND TILT KIT   VK74A
2   Small Video receiver WITH audio   VR42A
4   Wireless Night Watch B/W camera   XX20A

I went through the trouble shooting techniques and nothing.

Yeah.... I Love X10 stuff! The setup you purchased is AWESOME. I know X10 advertises like everything sets up in 20 minutes (or LESS)... but that's a LOT of (great) equipment you've got there. I've done a LOT of X10 stuff over a period of years.... I'd need a at least a weekend to set all that up... likely longer.

Hang in there! We're all in this together.

[logan1]

I'm gonna disassemble everything down and try hooking everything up one more time in the early morning. I really hope I can work out these bugs or even buy another part if I have too. I really want these cam's to work for me. I guess I'm just use to military "Barney Proof" equipment.
If things still don't pan out I'll return the gear, lick my wounds, and start shopping for a replacement. I need security cameras that are "good-to-go" and solid. It would be awesome If I can use my X10 cameras for my application.


Thank you Dave!

[Jim Clark]

logan1,

Welcome to the forums.  In my opinion none of the X10 cameras work well in low light conditions. To work really well in low light conditions you need a camera that has an IR emitter. I got several of these at Wall Mart and they work great.

As far as the kit you purchased it should work with the exception of low light conditions. If you need help getting it set up and working post exact descriptions of the problems you are having on this forum and I am sure you will find the help you need. 


PS:   Just as a start make sure that the tm751 is plugged in and set to the same house code as the cameras. Make sure the unit codes of the caneras are within groups of 4 (1,2,3,4) (5,6,7,8)

[Brian H]

The wireless cameras use an addressable power supply. You may have noticed the house and unit dials on them. Cameras are normally only one on at a time to prevent them interfering with each other. To do this the power supplies are in groups of four. Same House Code and Units 1-4; 5-8;9-12 and 13-16. Turn one of the group on the other three go off with no extra commands needed.
The pan and tilt bases also follow the power supplies. If more then one is on all of the ones on will pan and tilt at the same time. I have not tested preset positions so they may act different.

Did you try all four channels? On the chance one maybe clearer?

[PajamaGuy]

Great answer Brian! 

I've also found if one of the 4 cameras is too close to the receiver, it can override the others - sometimes just "adjusting" one camera's antenna will cause the others to clear up.

Speaking of cameras - I have one Low-Light B/W that really WAS low-light, and my wide-eye color wasn't very good at all in low light.  Something changed - now the B/W isn't so good in low light, but the wide-eye is much better in lower light.  Could any of the settings in PREFERENCES affect the reception?