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[survey_sez]

I'm disappointed that the XC10A and all of the X10 wirelss cameras work on the same frequency as my wirelss home network. I'd like to use an alternative camera system such as the Third Eye ID801-58. Will the x-10IWatchOut software recognize that system?

[HA Dave]

I'm disappointed that the XC10A and all of the X10 wirelss cameras work on the same frequency as my wirelss home network.

You know... most routers allow to to change the area of the 2.4ghz spectrum it/they use. That makes the routers more friendly to cameras and phones.

I'd like to use an alternative camera system such as the Third Eye ID801-58. Will the x-10IWatchOut software recognize that system?

Any camera you can plug into the VA11A or VA12A should be seen by the software (as it is really the video adapter the software sees). You should be able to get Appliance modules to turn the cameras on and off.... but the "group of four function" used for switching off unused cameras when another camera is turned on... only works with the X10 camera power supplies.

[survey_sez]

Dave thanks for the reply! I've thought about going into the router's configuration menus to modify the channels used, but am not sure which channels to force/deny.

I do know the camera's frequencies are
A = 2.411 GHz
B = 2.434
C = 2.453
D = 2.473

What do I tell the router?

Also - I am unable to use the VA11A because I am running 32bit Windows 7. Can I use an alternative video/USB converter or must I use the VA12A?

Thanks for the help!!

[dbemowsk]

You can look over this wiki link about 102.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) for more information, but here is the low down.

Camera frequency channel A is just below WLAN channel 1, so if you use Channel A, stay above WLAN channel 2 (any channel from 3 - 14).
Camera frequency channel B is between WLAN channels 5 and 6, so if you use Channel B, stay below WLAN channel 4 or above channel 7.
Camera frequency channel C is between WLAN channels 9 and 10, so if you use Channel C, stay below WLAN channel 7 or above channel 12.
Camera frequency channel D is just above WLAN channel 13, so if you use Channel D, stay below WLAN channel 12 (any channel from 1 - 11).

Your router may not show all of the channels.  Many of the US standard wirless LAN routers only go to channel 11.  The closer you get the camera frequency to the WLAN frequency, the more chance you have for bleed over that will degrade one or both signals.  Since the US does not typically use channels above 11, your safest bet is to put your cameras on Channel D and use a channel 9 or below for your WLAN.

Look at the link I posted above and look at the chart under "Channels and international compatibility".

Hope that helps

[HA Dave]

... Can I use an alternative video/USB converter or must I use the VA12A?

Unfortunately the only "input" recognized by the X10 software.. is the X10 Video adapters.. in your case it must be the VA12A.

[survey_sez]

Excellent info - you have been so helpful! I will try forcing channels with the router and using only 1 camera later. But in order to proceed with that, I also need to solve another problem:

One more question:

I am unable to use the VA11Athat  I currently have because I am running 32bit Windows 7, and I have been unable to get Windows 7 to recognize the VA11A. Can I use an alternative video/USB converter and still have IWatchOut recognize the camera or must I use the VA12A? I have seen generic video/USB converters on ebaY for only a few bucks whereas the VA12A is much more - around $50. I am not sure if IWatchOut needs the VA11A/VA12A in order to operate...Alternatively, do you know how to get the VA11A to work under Windows 7?

[HA Dave]

I have been unable to get Windows 7 to recognize the VA11A.

I believe you. Although I don't use... or haven't yet purchased Windows 7... I would have guessed it would use the VA11A. Maybe someone with more knowledge/experience with win 7 can jump in here... or you could search the forum.

Can I use an alternative video/USB converter and still have IWatchOut recognize the camera or must I use the VA12A? ........ I am not sure if IWatchOut needs the VA11A/VA12A in order to operate...

The X10 software will only work with the X10 VA11A or 12A video adapters.

[Brian H]

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/VA11A

[nybuck]

Hmmm....

VA11A:  Windows 98SE, 2000, XP
VA12A:  Windows 2000, XP, and Vista

It's not looking very good by that link, although I know I've seen posts by people using the VA12A on Windows 7...

Look at this post:  http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=20281.0

Not only do they use the VA12A on Windows 7, but they claim the cheap generic USB video adapter works with X10 software...   

[Brian H]

I would think the VA12A would work with Windows 7, but X10 isn't very quick in verifying this or correcting any problem if there are any. 

[survey_sez]

excellent find nybuck.

i read the post and noticed that the generic usb adapter would work, but noted the complaint about lower resolution. some research revals that the VA12A has a resolution of 720X480, versus the VA11A 640X480 max. so, i will attempt to find a generic 720X480 unit. after that, i will be able to hack the router channel settings...

i'll keep you posted on my luck with a generic 720X480 usb/video adapter.

thaks all!!

[nybuck]

Ya know, I wired most of my cameras due to the WiFi (and microwave oven) interference...

I knew I heard somewhere that 5 GHz was also used for WiFi...  Well according to Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

The 802.11a standard uses the same data link layer protocol and frame format as the original standard, but an OFDM based air interface (physical layer). It operates in the 5 GHz band with a maximum net data rate of 54 Mbit/s, plus error correction code, which yields realistic net achievable throughput in the mid-20 Mbit/s.  Since the 2.4 GHz band is heavily used to the point of being crowded, using the relatively unused 5 GHz band gives 802.11a a significant advantage. However, this high carrier frequency also brings a disadvantage: the effective overall range of 802.11a is less than that of 802.11b/g. In theory, 802.11a signals are absorbed more readily by walls and other solid objects in their path due to their smaller wavelength and, as a result, cannot penetrate as far as those of 802.11b. In practice, 802.11b typically has a higher range at low speeds (802.11b will reduce speed to 5 Mbit/s or even 1 Mbit/s at low signal strengths). However, at higher speeds, 802.11a often has the same or greater range due to less interference.

... And I also read somewhere on here that the so-called "high resolution" VA12A is no better than similar models...  I have 2 VA11A's but I use the 4-input USB and a 4-input PCI-card, so no experience here...  I would say, however, that the limitation does not seem to be the resolution of the video capture, but the X10 cameras' CMOS sensor.....

[survey_sez]

nothing beats wired as far as signal quality. i was really looking forward to the convenience of wireless tho...

has anyone gooten all 4 cameras to work in combination with a b/g wireless router?

[nybuck]

has anyone gooten all 4 cameras to work in combination with a b/g wireless router?

Getting all 4 cameras to work with a wireless router is Easy. 
Getting 4 cameras on 4 different channels would be a trick I'd like to see!   

[generally people use 1 channel and switch between 'em in an X10 setup.  I prefer seeing all 4 cameras with full-motion video.]   

[survey_sez]

maybe you can explain in detail how i can do that nybuck?