Kentucky Area Paranormal Society

[YerLizard]

What a good kind to use? I've got a Q-See from Walmart, that works reasonably well with an extra IR illuminator. I bought it so I can see my pool in the summer.
It's a CMOS camera. I was thinking about upgrading. Just wondering what I should be looking for.
Thanks

[GrimReaper]

This is the model I use:
http://www.closeoutcctv.com/ProductDeta ... =CL%2D34SH

And this is the one Dave uses:

http://www.closeoutcctv.com/ProductDeta ... e=CL%2D80S

[biddle]

I use this model. Its also a Sony and I have had nothing but excellent results out of it.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/ ... 0_11934333

[YerLizard]

I've seen that one and wondered about it. have to find out more about it!

I've been scanning ebay and checking out other sites. It looks like most are made by the same 3 or 4 companies and then rebranded

[Phantom]

Most of them are either Sony or have Sony technology in them.

[YerLizard]

I bought 2 new cameras. One is a 3.6mm wide angle sony 1/3 ccd with 48 ir leds for $51 shipped off ebay. The other one is a 6.0 mm longer shot 1/3 sharp ccd with 35 ir leds, $45 shipped off ebay. Both camera give outstanding video in 0 lux conditions, really bright. I bought video baluns that use cat5e network cable for power and video. 2 magnavox dvd recorders
new off ebay for $50 each (havent arrived yet) I used a dvd recorder for the Waverly Experience and liked the way it worked out. up to 6 hours on a dvd, and just changed them every 4 hours or so. I'm thinking about a dvr eventually, but I kind of like the idea of being able to put the recorders near the camera and not have to run as much cable in a place like waverly. I'm also toying with the idea of using wireless units 2.4ghz 1 watt units. I also picked up a K2 unit.

All in all I think the equipment should work well. Everything is from Ebay. It's pretty much my superstore. I sold off a bunch of silver bars and rounds to fund it all. For the cameras, dvd recorders, baluns, k2 unit, connectors and cat5e cable, it comes to around $300. So i'm happy.

[Phantom]

Sounds like you found some good stuff at a very reasonable price, man!!

[Ghosthiker]

One of the biggest things to keep in mind when looking at IR cameras is to try and get the 1/3" ccd, not the 1/4". You'll get better sensitivity. Also the higher the resolution, the better. Many inexpensive models are around 420 - 460 TVL. Try to find 480, 520 & up for clearer pictures. Looking at the links that others provided, I would say that most use the 1/3". Sony chipsets are the most common and many consider them the best overall.

If you do look at DVR systems, look for the total fps (frames per second). Most models being made now, in the commercial market will exceed 30fps. At a CCTV class I attended, they informed us that the human eye sees at about 23fps and big screen motion pictures are at about 27fps. So if you use a recorder with 30fps and 4 cameras, you'll get 7.5 fps per camera. That could be a bit choppy when you are trying to review something. I like to stay at least around 15fps. My DVR is 12 camera capable with 30fps per 4 camera card, but I have never used more than 6 cameras or 2 per card to keep the frame rate up high enough. Since I work with commercial CCTV systems, I have also accumulated some older IR cameras that the LED systems work but the camera is out. I use these to extend the IR range, especially in hallways. I have set a camera at teh end of teh hall and added an additional illuminator halfway down the hall so that at the hall's end, there is still plenty of light. You might find a local security company in your area that would sell you old cameras for this. Cheaper than buying additional illuminators. Plus extended range illuminator generally operate off of 120VAC, so you need an extra outlet available.

[Phantom]

Great advice!! We tell folks this all the time. Be SURE that price doesn't make you choose the wrong thing.

One of the biggest things to keep in mind when looking at IR cameras is to try and get the 1/3" ccd, not the 1/4". You'll get better sensitivity. Also the higher the resolution, the better. Many inexpensive models are around 420 - 460 TVL. Try to find 480, 520 & up for clearer pictures. Looking at the links that others provided, I would say that most use the 1/3". Sony chipsets are the most common and many consider them the best overall.

If you do look at DVR systems, look for the total fps (frames per second). Most models being made now, in the commercial market will exceed 30fps. At a CCTV class I attended, they informed us that the human eye sees at about 23fps and big screen motion pictures are at about 27fps. So if you use a recorder with 30fps and 4 cameras, you'll get 7.5 fps per camera. That could be a bit choppy when you are trying to review something. I like to stay at least around 15fps. My DVR is 12 camera capable with 30fps per 4 camera card, but I have never used more than 6 cameras or 2 per card to keep the frame rate up high enough. Since I work with commercial CCTV systems, I have also accumulated some older IR cameras that the LED systems work but the camera is out. I use these to extend the IR range, especially in hallways. I have set a camera at teh end of teh hall and added an additional illuminator halfway down the hall so that at the hall's end, there is still plenty of light. You might find a local security company in your area that would sell you old cameras for this. Cheaper than buying additional illuminators. Plus extended range illuminator generally operate off of 120VAC, so you need an extra outlet available.