Compatibility

[Guest Garysparky]

Hello all

Over the years as a small electrical contractor we have fitted many small stand alone observation systems usually the Philips VSS we

[Guest PaulR]

Are the cameras line fed down co-ax or is it multi-core with the telephone type connector at the end?

You might find that your time taken/labour cost to do adapt the current system to utilise a quad will outwiegh the costs of a new system.

[Guest Garysparky]

Are the cameras line fed down co-ax or is it multi-core with the telephone type connector at the end?

You might find that your time taken/labour cost to do adapt the current system to utilise a quad will outwiegh the costs of a new system.

36935[/snapback]

The cameras are fed down the co-ax

regards

Gary

[Doktor Jon]

Whilst it's quite true that you can't, or to be more accurate, probably wouldn't want to start fiddling with line powered gear, it is in theory technically possible to modify the internal workings of most line power monitors.

Basically, the four video (only, without power supply) signals derived from the cameras, can usually be stripped off the circuit board where they are normally fed onto the input side of the switcher board.

Although as a technical exercise, a bench engineer could probably do the mod. quite quickly, in practice, a] it would be questionable whether it's worth modifying a unit probably past it's 50% lifespan, and b] any modifications to equipment would in theory require new documentation and testing to allow compliance and a CE mark for the various EU directives (low voltage, electromagnetic etc.).

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think about 'line powered' equipment?

[Guest]

...

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think about 'line powered' equipment?

36967[/snapback]

As this example proves, it is nice idea, but non-working in long run.

I count it as DIY and CRAB.

[Guest PaulR]

It is possible as you say, but it will cost your customer so much in labour that he might as well upgrade.

[Doktor Jon]

Not so long ago, there were a number of very respectable branded line fed cameras on the market, which apart from producing excellent pictures, were also very useful for situations like temporary installations (e.g. covert cameras in the ceiling), and distant remote camera locations where pulling through extra power cables could be technically challenging or seriously expensive.

The idea of line fed is certainly not new. At the end of the '70's, I used to use a terrific quality package manufactured by Sharp, which despite the somewhat crude technology (by modern standards) used to go on for ever (well almost ) provided you knew how to 'tickle' them in the right places.

As far as I'm aware, with one or two exceptions (I think Sony and Panasonic still offer a couple of 'LP' options), most of the remaining cameras using multiplexed power supplies are unfortunately rather sad.

Bit of a shame really; I suspect there's still a market for quality Line Powered kit, if only someone could manufacture it at a reasonable price. £ 100 + for a power supply is rather taking the 'you know what'