Tag: Microphone

Categories
Knowledge Support Cloudvue Cloudvue Cameras Support Illustra Categories Products

Connecting an Analog Microphone to a Cloudvue C2C Camera

Cloudvue’s cloud-based recording solution provides the ability to record and playback audio. Many models of Illustra IQ cameras configured for Camera to Cloud (C2C) recording with Cloudvue’s services provide audio capabilities. Check your specific Illustra IQ camera model to determine audio support.

Considering audio quality, refer to manufacturer recommendations and guidelines on microphone selection and installation placement.

<br>

Camera Terminals

When examining your Illustra IQ camera, locate the I/O terminals. Determine which terminals are used for audio input. Examples from different models of Illustra IQ cameras are pictured below.

In this image, the icon with the triangle on the right is the positive terminal. The spaced lines on the left indicates ground.

<br><br>

Microphone Wiring

You will need a microphone with a pre-amplifier capable of producing a line level output that can be connected directly to the camera’s audio inputs.

If using a mic level output microphone, you will need a mic pre-amp to boost the audio to line level output for connection to the rear audio input terminals. Some microphones on the market have built-in pre-amps and others may require an external pre-amp.

There are many analog microphone options on the market. This article will focus on the Louroe Verifact A microphone used with an APR-1 single zone base station since it is a very commonly encountered device.

Looking at the back of a Louroe base station you will see that there are terminal inputs to connect your microphone to the base station and RCA style jacks for input and output.

The terminals on the microphone and base station are marked A, B, and C. Connect A on the mic to A on the base station, B to B, and C to C.

Since the audio output from the Louroe base station is an RCA jack and the camera does not have RCA audio inputs, you have two options. You may strip the wire end of a common RCA to RCA audio cable or purchase an RCA to bare wire cable. These may be found online and have already been striped and separated for you.

Connect the RCA connector to the audio output of the base station. With the bare end of the wire you’ll connect the conductor wire to the positive audio input terminal. In most cases this will be red. Connect the ground wire to the negative/ground audio input terminal, this will usually be black.

<br><br>

Preparing the Camera

Prior to changing the camera to Cloudvue Mode you will need to enable audio functions.

NOTE: Audio recording is restricted by law in many areas so this is disabled by default. Check the laws for audio monitoring and recording in your area prior to use since these can vary from video recording laws.

If your camera is already in Cloudvue Mode you will need to factory default it, then log into it as you would a standard IP camera using your web browser. Follow the camera manual’s steps for factory defaulting the device and accessing it within your web browser.

  1. Navigate to the Audio page, under the System menu.
  2. Check the box to Enable Audio.
  3. Select ‘External’ from the Input Source drop-down (only applicable on select models).
  4. Check that the Input Enable box is marked.
  5. Adjust the Input Volume level as needed.

After enabling audio, you will enable Cloudvue Mode.

  1. Navigate to the Maintenance page, under the System menu.
  2. Select the Cloudvue tab.
  3. Enter the Cloudvue Partner and Cloudvue Data Center as directed by your Cloudvue dealer before clicking the Apply button.

<br><br>

Cloudvue Audio Configuration

Follow the steps listed elsewhere for adding video devices to your Cloudvue account.

From your Cloudvue Settings page, select the Devices tab.

Beneath the C2C Settings section, click the Audio tab. This tab features a volume slider, which you may need to use to adjust for your installation. Note, the checkbox beside the Mute setting is disabled, stating it is in the ‘Off’ position. This is the default behavior and allows audio to be recorded. Checking the box, changing it to ‘On’, will mute all audio and nothing will be recorded or heard.

<br><br>

Audio Playback

The Archive search timeline in Cloudvue does not require that audio channels be selected and does not display audio on the timeline. When playing recorded video, the associated audio will automatically be played back with the corresponding video and is included with saved clips.

<br>

Categories
Knowledge Support Support exacqVision Server Categories exacqVision Hardware Products

Line Level vs Mic Level Audio

About Audio Signals

Audio signals are not all the same. There are four different types of audio signals:

  • Microphone (Mic) level
  • Instrument level
  • Line level
  • Speaker level

This article will focus on the two forms commonly encountered around NVRs and surveillance equipment, Mic Level and Line level.

Mic level signals, those coming from a microphone, are the weakest. These signals are usually in the range of 0.001 to 0.01 volts. Devices in this range require a pre-amp to increase the signal to line level voltage.

Line level signals, from pre-amps, are stronger than mic level. These signals usually range from 0.3 to 1.2 volts. Consumer devices are on the lower end of that range, while professional devices tend to be on the higher end of the range.

Connecting a device sending mic level output to a line level input will leave you unable to hear anything. The voltage is too low for what the input requires. Likewise, if you connect a line level device to a mic level input the result is clipping and distorted sound that is too loud because it is providing too much voltage for the input. <br><br>

System Audio Connectors

The style of connector used does not necessarily tell you whether to expect line level or mic level signals.

The system board audio inputs on many ExacqVision systems include 3.5mm jacks for line level input and mic level input, as illustrated below. While the terminal inputs for Hybrid systems are line level only.

<br><br>

Audio Devices in ExacqVision Software

ExacqVision IP NVRs will only have audio inputs and outputs on the system board. These connections are found on the same panel as the network ports, monitor outputs, and USB ports on the rear of the server.

Within the ExacqVision Desktop Client software, in Configuration mode, you will find these inputs by expanding the Server name from the navigation tree along the left-hand side. Then expand Configure System and the System Audio node. Click on the Audio Inputs/Outputs node under System Audio to find these devices.

ExacqVision Hybrid NVRs have additional hardware for analog audio/video inputs. Video connections are made by BNC connectors. Audio connections are made via terminal inputs. Some legacy systems could still be encountered that used with wiring harnesses in which both video and audio were connected via BNC.

On these Hybrid systems audio inputs are found in two locations within the Client software. The system board inputs are found, as noted above. The additional analog input terminals will be found by expanding the analog board node on the navigation tree. Modern ExacqVision systems list this as tDVRxxxx. Expanding this board on the navigation tree and clicking the Audio Inputs/Outputs node beneath it reveals the analog audio input terminals.

<br>

Categories
Knowledge Support Support exacqVision Server Categories exacqVision Integrations

Adding a Louroe Digifact IP Microphone to ExacqVision Server

Title

Adding a Louroe Digifact IP Microphone to ExacqVision Server

Description 

How to integrate with a Louroe Digifact IP audio device to your ExacqVision Server.

Product 

  • ExacqVision Server
  • Louroe Digifact IP Device

Solution

Refer to the following integration guide.

Louroe-Electronics-Digifact-IP-Audio.pdf
Categories
Knowledge Support Support exacqVision Server Categories Products exacqVision Hardware exacqVision Integrations

What types of microphones are compatible with the ExacqVision Hybrid NVR?

When using the audio input terminals on the rear of an ExacqVision Hybrid NVR, you will need a microphone with a a pre-amplifier capable of producing a line level output that can be connected directly to the ExacqVision audio terminal inputs.

If using a mic level output microphone, you will need a mic pre-amp to boost the audio to line level output for connection to the rear audio input terminals.

There are many options available in the market. The following is a list of some common choices:

  • Louroe ASK-4 #101 Single-Zone Kit
  • Louroe ASK-4 #102 Single-Zone Kit
  • Louroe ASK-4 #104 Four-Zone Kit
  • Louroe ASK-4 #108 Eight-Zone Kit
  • AKG PZM10 LL Microphone with line level output
  • AKG PZM11 LL Microphone with line level output
  • ETS SMI-9 Eight-Zone Kit

If you choose to use other surveillance or boundary layer microphones with mic level or XLR connection outputs you will need an intermediary device that provides a line level output to use with the audio input terminals.

<br>