atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Security, Alarms and Paging Cables

G'Morning!

I need to add some cctv audio/video cables just in case of future expansion to an existing system.

I should have had no problems looking for them, but, the connectors to the back of the computer are serial/vga connectors, the connector branches out to 12 cables: 8 vid and 4 aud.

Any ideas where I could find something like this?

Thanks a million

The ones you are describing normally are short jumpers that come with the video cards. I have never seen longer ones.

I suppose you could custom make longer cables or use serial extensions, but here is the problem; Since it is for future expansion, I take it you may not be able to get at these cables later. Only video cards use this configuration. If the unit gets changed down the road to a DVR for example, you would require individual video/audio cables again. It is better to run those separate cables now so that any recording unit will wire in with ease.

Always think of the future and don't limit your cabling to a specific brand.

Is is possible to install an empty conduit for future expansion?

Conduit could be possible. But I was talking about those short jumpers from the video card. The video card has two ports, so it can hold 16 cam and 8 aud. I am going to find out today if the software will hold more than the 8 that it already has. We may have to get all new software, can you recommend some that would be good? The way it is is it has one large screen on the software, to watch cash registers, then 7 smaller screens to watch other places. it records to the HD every 1 sec.

from what I have seen if your software can supprot additional cameras then you would actually add an additional card to add more ports.

anthonyh, I can add more cameras I am sure, but the card only has one wire on it right now, another port is blank. All I need to know is where to get one of those cables the takes the connector and branches it out to 8 vid and 4 aud ports. And the name of them too would be helpful lol. Thanks

ohh I got ya...Not to sure I will see if I can find any info for you

thanks

The brand is geovision. found that out.

The connectors you describe are greek to me so I'm no help there, but I would caution you about recording audio. Everybody is running away from that for legal reasons. We used to buy some nice little silent witness cameras that had a mic built in but they are no longer availble. As refrenced in another thread, I am no lawyer, but it is my understanding that the wire tap laws have not kept up with technology. As I understand it, I could break into your house and install a hidden video camera and the only criminal thing I could be charged with is Tresspassing or breaking and entering. Now if I were to add a microphone to that same camera, now I would be in some major trouble. McGyver would probably be a good fella to run that by. I also found some info here https://www.rcfp.org/taping/

Since it is a business I think he has a license to record the cash register areas. But that is a good thing to know, thanks for the information Johnyreb.

It is a small business, and he thinks that the person who he spent very much money to was actually a gray-market installer and had installed some bad (non-licensed) software. I am cleaning that up for him now, so he doesn't get into any troubles. Remember all of the troubles with Al? Installing then disappearing? Well his camera installer did the same thing... Installed, then vanished. Such a bad situation that is.