If you were ever wondering how to properly connect multiple PTZ cameras together, so have we! We have much experience in the electronic field, but there seems to always be a better way of doing something. Sometimes we even have to sit back and learn. We have been fiddling around with PTZ cameras this month and we came across this topic. We have seen and read on the Internet that the best way to network PTZ cameras is to daisy chain the PTZ cameras together and then run one CAT5 pair to your RS485 input on your security dvr or PTZ controller. However, as you can see this diagram above indicates that the best way to really control multiple PTZ cameras is by a RS485 distributor (receiver). Our team initially said that we need a device to recieve all the PTZ cameras and use a switch, operated by the user, to highlight which camera they want to control. Aside from all the RS485 inputs you would have to setup, this is really the best and most organized way to get multiple PTZ cameras to work.
Today we are taking a closer look at the the internals of a PTZ camera’s brain to indicate what dip switches are and what they do for a PTZ camera. So if you have not noticed there are two blocks of dip switches, both which set addresses for your PTZ camera to work properly. Most end-users that purchase these cameras are unaware that you have to set these baud rates first in order to properly gear the camera to communicate and work with your security dvr. We certainly hope this image gives you a better perspective about how to set each switch to an “on” or “off” position to achieve the right setting. Most security dvrs today use the Pelco-D protocol. So when you get your PTZ camera in, you need to make sure that you carefully take the dome casing off the PTZ camera and examine these DIP switch settings in order to confirm that your camera has both address matched up with that of your PTZ controller or security dvr.
PTZ security cameras have a very unique setup in from the very start. They have power, video and data connection to deal with. But how does provide power to their PTZ security cameras? There are two ways to really do this. You can power independently or you can use an AC power distribution box. There are also some other hybrid solutions, but they require an AC to DC power converter and then splice your cable to connect a power supply box. We do not recommend this fabrication unless you have some serious experience as an electrician. However, there is one other way to power your PTZ camera and that is buy using CAT5 video baluns that have plug and play setup features and allow you to use a regular 12VDC power transformer and the camera’s balun changes the voltage back to AC and from AC to DC for your local power supply. If you decided not to use video baluns for video, power or data, then you are left with RG59 cable. It would be wise to use cable that has video and power in the same jacket so you are not having to deal with running lines for video and power. However the end pieces on PTZ camera are in a block terminal form. There are screws that must help secure any 2.1mm pigtail adapter to connect the power to the PTZ cameras. The block terminals are best peace-of-mind solutions, because you never have to worry about your ends coming un-done over a few months to some years. Here is a example of what we are illustrating::
Here you can clear see the terminal for both power and data. This is where if you had RG59 with video, power and data wire in the same jacket, that you just match up the correct connections and fittings. When running power back to the security DVR, all you need to do is once again match up the right terminal on your power supply distribution box. Or if you are using video baluns, there is an adapter plug-in where you can use a regular 12VDC power supply transformer and let the balun regulate the AC to DC and DC to AC power conversion for your PTZ camera. Both ways are very good options, all you have to decide is on total plug and play or manipulating your own BNC and power lead ends for your CCTV applications. Video baluns offer that plug and play mentality because they have a port that takes Ethernet RJ45 connectors. However, this is overall a new and upcoming standard for video and powering of a PTZ security camera.
If you are looking for another way to view your security cameras, a CCTV color quad is the way to go. The unit we feature here has some special abilities like it has the ability to freeze frame, has alarm inputs, motion detection, and many other features. This is the best you can do, before you can actually purchase a security dvr with a hard drive. If you have a T.V. then you are set, all you have to do is choose which way you want to transmit your signal. With the right connector, you can either use a RCA to BNC setup and use your T.V.s RCA inputs or you can use a coaxial cable and use your T.V.s analog input to run your quad to. After setting everything up and installing your cameras, you can switch to video 1 or video 2 to view all feeds from your security cameras. Again this is very popular option for beginning CCTV surveillance setups. This will great for any residential home or small business application. Many home owners use this setup to watch their front and back doors. If you are looking for a discount option to CCTV then this is certainly the best option.
Along with new quads, multiplexers, and time lapse vcrs, we have also added Sony CRT monitors. We have three different models listed on the site and in stock. These CRT style monitors are top quality monitors for their purpose. We have 12 inch, 14 inch, and 20 inch monitor sizes. We feature a black and white version with 1000 TV Lines and our color versions are 500 TV lines. These are the Sony Trinitron fine pitch models. They are of the highest quality and there are many ways you can use them. Normally, to connect your security cameras you would use a security dvr’s platform and come off the dvr’s output to the monitor via analog signal. You can use a piece of coaxial cable to do so. If you are not looking to record, then you can use a quad processor (4 cameras) or a multiplexer (more than 4 cameras) via analog to the T.V. and just view your cameras at real-time. Another great thing about these CRT monitors is that you can stack them and form a giant survey setup. Some applications call to have one monitor per camera. Depending on the intensity of your surveillance needs and security, you may find that you want each camera on it’s own monitor. DVR software will allow you to rotate between cameras or multiplex them all at once, however, this is not the way for different CCTV applications. You can network your monitors through the use of a multiplexer setup and have each camera have their own monitor and input to a recording device using a receiver or special matrix setup. However, if you are looking for the highest quality in playback and real-time viewing, then you will want to invest into a color Sony Trinitron CRT color monitor.
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