UtahNetCam.com Product Blog

Camera Installation at Snowed Inn in Park City, Utah

2010-01-31T12:44:00.006-07:00

Where: Snowed Inn Restaurant and Sleigh Riding Company
Located On Mountain at: Park City Mountain Resort - Park City, Utah
When Installed: January 2010
Link: http://www.snowedinn.tzo.net/

Installation Components:
1. StarDot Technologies - Express 4 Server (SDEXP4 at 4x30fps).
2. 24V Power Supply (AC411UL)
3. Three 24V (Dual Voltage) Mini Domes with Auto Iris and Varifocal Lens 2.6mm-6mm (C540MD2VAI 540L).
4. Two Dome Mounts (MDWMT).

Problems Faced:
1. Lighting: Dark to light situations with strings of small light chains all over the metal ceilings which limited camera locations. Main movement is lunchtime and after dark. It was decided by me and the owner where the cameras would be located. With this in mind I used an Auto Iris Analogue Mini Dome with a Varifocal Lens.

2.Mounting the Mini Dome to the Mounts: I had a hard time getting the Mini Dome to slide into the grove provided by the mount. I called the manufacture with the advice that there may be slight modification to be made for the wires to work with the mount. So I ended up taking them back home. I widened the grove with my utility knife and repositioning the wires so they would work buy cutting an opening wider. It looked great and was ready for installation now.

3.Creating a Webpage for the cameras using the tzo.com built in feature on the StarDot Express Server 6: Usually this is very easy by just adding your assigned Number Key and e-mail address to the server configuration. But I wasn’t working. So after a phone call to TZO we concluded it was a problem the wireless connection from up on the ski mountain. Instead of using the feature on the server I downloaded the TZO software on the archiving network computer and entered the Number Key and e-mail address there, it then worked great. The page will show the camera images as long as the computer in on.

4. Accessing the Router to enable Port Forwarding: I had to get the user name and password to access the router from there Wireless Provider. After that I went to the port forwarding tab on the Linksys Router and added the correct information.

Got a Mac? Here is what to do..

2009-08-08T10:37:00.003-06:00

1. Stardot Tools software does not support MAC’s. Also not their DVR software. You will have to get your own recording software for a MAC. I hear this one works ..

http://www.bensoftware.com/ss/index.html

2. Without the setup software (stardot tools) you will need to log into the router that the camera is connected to, go to status and there should be a DHCP clients table there. That list will show all devices connected to the router. You’ll look for one with a MAC address beginning in 00:30:F4 .. that will be the camera.

StarDot Megapixel IP Cameras Integrated into LuxRiot DVR Software

2008-12-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

StarDot's megapixel IP cameras have been integrated into the LuxRiot video recorder software. StarDot Technologies, a manufacturer of megapixel IP video cameras and servers, specializes in hybrid IP video products designed to ease the transition from analog CCTV cameras to the world of IP cameras. LuxRiot is a Digital Video Recording (DVR) software package designed by A&H Software House, Inc. DVR software is the next step in security camera recording technology, replacing current standalone hardware DVRs and older VCRs.

The NetCam SC megapixel cameras provide up to fifteen times the resolution of even the best analog CCTV cameras. The video clarity goes beyond high definition and is excellent for facial recognition and capturing license plate data.

"One of the biggest concerns about migrating to megapixel camera technology is the amount of bandwidth used," said Vance Kozik, StarDot's product manager. "The NetCam SC camera employs video-on-motion, which puts the motion detection technology at the edge, eliminating the need to continuously send video of an empty scene across the network. The LuxRiot software takes full advantage of this technology, which not only reduces bandwidth but also reduces the CPU load, allowing the software to record additional cameras."

"LuxRiot is excited to add support for the StarDot megapixel cameras," said Frank Calipari, LuxRiot's sales manager for Europe. "StarDot's cost-effective technology solves even the most difficult image capture problems. LuxRiot is looking forward to working with customers using StarDot devices."

In addition to video-on-motion, the LuxRiot DVR software also supports visualization of NetCam's motion and control over resolution, quality and frame rate though the LuxRiot software interface.

About LuxRiot/A&H Software House, Inc.
LuxRiot is a Digital Video Recording and remote surveillance software package for Windows. LuxRiot accepts video streams from IP cameras from all major manufacturers. The LuxRiot client-server architecture allows heterogeneous scalable solutions from a single camera to thousands of cameras. http://www.luxriot.com

About StarDot Technologies
StarDot Technologies is a designer and manufacturer of IP video solutions and has built a reputation on image quality, ease of use and reliability. The NetCam SC security line is sold through US and international distributors and resellers in the security industry. StarDot provides solutions to a wide variety of organizations, including the FAA, NOAA, NASA, Starwood and NavCanada. http://www.stardot.com

Static and Dynamic IP addresses

2008-09-25T19:04:00.000-06:00

When someone manually configures a computer to use the same IP address each time it powers up, this is known as a Static IP address. By contrast, in situations when the computer's IP address is assigned automatically, it is known as a Dynamic IP address.

Static IP addresses get manually assigned to a computer by an administrator. The exact procedure varies according to platform. This contrasts with dynamic IP addresses, which are assigned either randomly by the computer itself or assigned by a server using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Even though IP addresses assigned using DHCP may stay the same for long periods of time, they can generally change. In some cases, a network administrator may implement dynamically assigned static IP addresses. In this case, a DHCP server is used, but it is specifically configured to always assign the same IP address to a particular computer, and never to assign that IP address to another computer. This allows static IP addresses to be configured in one place, without having to specifically configure each computer on the network in a different way.

Costs for a Static IP address
All West Communications: $25.00 Setup & $10.00/month
Comcast:
Qwest:

Linksys Router Configuration

2008-09-22T11:05:00.004-06:00

RE: StarDot Technologies Express 6 Server with 6 High Res Dome Cameras for Brothers Bikes in Heber City, Utah
I "Logged In" to the Router and first see the above "Set Up" page. Then I clicked on the "Applications & Gaming" link across the top of the page. I now come to the page below."

More to come soon on how to give your server or camera its own "Web Address" by just checking a Box in the Advanced Configuration. CF

Qwest Actiontec Modem/Router

2008-09-22T10:42:00.000-06:00

RE: Star Dot Technologies Express 6 Server with 6 High Res Dome Cameras for Brothers Bikes in Heber City, Utah.

I "Logged In" to the Qwest Actiontec Modem/Router. Then Clicked the "Port Forward Link" on the Left Side List. I typed in the configuration data as seen above. Then I saved the new data. Since the Actiontec is connected to a Linksys Router, I now need to go configure it also. You can Click On the photo to get a bigger & clearer image.

Router Port Forwarding & Port Triggering

2008-09-09T20:26:00.000-06:00

“View Anywhere at Any Time”. Very true, but it is actually not as easy as it sounds as I have found out lately. It is easy to view and configure your camera or server from your network using the Star Dot Tools free software that comes with the camera. But to gain access outside of your network you need to configure settings on your router. This means you need to log-on to the router using a user name and password.

Port Triggering is an advanced feature that can be used for gaming and other internet applications. Port Forwarding can typically be used to enable similar functionality, but it is static and has some limitations.

Port Triggering opens an incoming port temporarily and does not require the server on the internet to track your IP address if it is changed by DHCP, for example.

Port Triggering monitors outbound traffic. When the router detects traffic on the specified outbound port, it remembers the IP address of the computer that sent the data and "triggers" the incoming port. Incoming traffic on the triggered port is then forwarded to the triggering computer.

Using Port Forwarding / Port Triggering you can make local computers or servers available to the Internet for different services, to play Internet games, or to use Internet applications.

Port Forwarding is designed for FTP, Web Server or other server based services. Once port forwarding is set up, request from Internet will be forwarded to the proper server. On the contrary, port triggering will only allow request from Internet after a designated port is 'triggered'. Port triggering applies to chat and Internet games.

There is a bunch more information at http://www.portforward.com (but watch out for the hidden Google Ads everywhere). I will be configuring a Linksys Router with an Express 6 Server soon and will update the Blog with some helpful tips. CF

Network (IP) vs. Analog Cameras

2008-08-24T13:57:00.000-06:00

Advantages of the Analog Cameras
Usually they are cheaper than Network (IP) cameras. However, prices on IP cameras have been continuously declining.
There is more analog hardware available for the special applications.
There is an abundance of existing analog installations.
Security dealers and installers have a vast experience installing analog cameras.

Advantages of the Network (IP) Cameras
Existing local network infrastructure (CAT5 and WiFi) could be used for the installation.
Comparably less cabling required then with an analog installation.
Network cameras have built-in motion detectors and compression engines, which enables the DVR Server to use a minimum of its computer resources, therefore, the same computer can also be used for other tasks.
There are no requirements on CPU or chipset manufacturers, since Network Cameras do not require any additional hardware to be installed in to the computer.
There are Network (IP) cameras with very high resolution (1.3 Megapixels and more). Analog cameras are incapable of achieving such resolution.
Network (IP) camera installations are highly scaleable and upgradeable. There is no need to buy and install additional video capture boards for the DVR system in the event you want to add a camera or increase performance of the system.
Any analog camera can be converted to a network camera by using a Network (IP) server.
There is no geographical limitation for the installation.
Effective offsite recording (either by itself or in addition to onsite recording) eliminates the possibility of destruction of the video medium due to deliberate actions or an accident (fire, flooding, etc.).
Some of the network cameras also can be used as a webcam to serve as an advertising engine for a business.

Express 6 Server Price Reduced

2008-08-11T19:59:00.000-06:00

This should be the best price around at $570.00 with free shipping.

Cameras Recomended

13.CAM-VBLC2 High Resolution Color Bullet Camera at $149.00
14.CAM-VDOM High Resolution Dome Camera at $189.00

or the Block Camera with a variety of optional lenses.

Netcam XL 640 vs. Netcam MP

2008-08-11T19:36:00.000-06:00

The main differences are:

Netcam XL 640 (Image Size: 320x240) Cost: $570.00
Netcam MP (Image Size: 640x480) Cost: $650.00

What about Auto-Iris?

Netcam XL (yes and it is faster)
Netcam MP (no)

What is Auto-Iris?

The lens has a wire that plugs into the side on the camera; all you need to do is check the Auto-Iris box on the Image Tab under Advanced on your configuration page.