TV

[srooks]

I picked up the DTA 50 to convert from analog to digital for the TV we have in the kitchen, and I ran into an issue with viewing the security camera video we have for 8 security cameras.  The industry standard is that the camera system broadcasts on analog channel 59 and digital channel 998 (which Rogers actually sets aside as "SEC01 - Lobby Watch Channel").  I have 3 TVs with HD and standard digital boxes and can view digital channel 998 fine, and I have 3 TVs with just analog and can view analog channel 59 fine.  However, the DTA 50 will not allow me to view digital channel 998 (even though this is an industry standard security digital video channel), and of course analog channel 59 is filtered out.  What is weird though is that there are 4 other allocated digital security video channels 988 to 991 (SEC1 to SEC4) that the DTA 50 does allows me to see, but to change the security system to broadcast on one of these digital channels is a huge pain.  If anybody from Rogers is listening, I like the DTA 50 for the improved picture, but can you please change its firmware programming to allow the industry standard digital security video channel 998 to be viewed and not just the digital channels 988 to 991.  I already have 3 digital rental boxes and do not want to rent a fourth, and I would rather not go through the pain of switching the broadcast from 998 to 988.

Thanks.

[leman]

I think you are out of luck with the dta and the security cameras,  the DTA only displays a digital signal so you will not be able to see the ch 59 feed which is the same as 998, the sd and hd boxes that rogers uses maps ch 59 to 998, in other words 998 is analog, it is not digital.  If you had a digital only HD box  such as cisco 4642 you would not see anything on ch 998.     The easiest thing to do is to get an analog capable box for the tv or 2way splitter, one output to the dta and the second to the tv and switch inputs on the tv when you want to see the camera feed...video 1= dta and ch 59 on the tv tuner for camera.   

Good luck.    

[Pauly]

your cameras are analog ntsc.  the rogers stb only picks up digital qam video camera signals   u need to either convert your camera to output digital qam modulation on the frequency the roger stb picks up, or use your tv built in analog ntsc tuner and tune into 59 with your tv dial, not the converter box.

[srooks]

Pauly,

Actually I just checked with the manufacturer of the CCTV modulator - Logenex - and the box I have, the SCFM-59, muxes the camera video feed into the cable system as both a digital QAM signal for channel 998 and an analog signal for channel 59.  The issue is that the Cisco DTA50 has been programmed to allow digital channels 988 - 991 (which I am guessing are for Rogers new security system) but not digital channel 998 which is a standard for Lobby watch security cameras.

[Pauly]

im gonna check ch 998 tonite and see what qam its mapped to on my end, i also have one of those digital box u speak of at a relative house and i will reply bnack

[leman]

@srooks

I just looked up the specs on the logenex site.   The unit deletes channel 59 and inserts your camera feed.  The set top only maps the analog 59 to 998 which is also an analog channel.   Nowhere in the litterature does it mention that the SCFM-59 converts the camera feed to a QAM.  

I have also checked on my hd4250 on ch 998 page 1 of the diagnostics show 147mHz analog for that channel.    

hope that helps.    

[srooks]

Both of you are likely right - I spoke to a tech support guy, but he was not an engineer.  However, I also get the camera feed on channel 994  - is that a true digital channel or analog pass-through?

[srooks]

The strange thing is that the Rogers channel lineup for my area for the DTA 50 lists the following:

http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PTV_PROG_LANDING

Maybe they are are allocating security video channels that are broadcast as digital QAM.

59     Lobby Watch Channel 1

67     Lobby Watch Channel 1

988   Lobby Watch Channel 1

989   Lobby Watch Channel 2

990   Lobby Watch Channel 3

991   Lobby Watch Channel 4

[Pauly]

that sucks that it does not work.  but it should still work if you connect a coaxial cable to the RF input of your tv and tune channel 59. i know its tedious but it still works.

[leman]

I imagine that they would be converting many appartment lobby cameras to a digital QAM to allow the DTA's to show that channel on 988,989,990 or 991.   You would need to find out the frequency that they are using and aquire the equipment to convert and inject the camera feed which may be costly.