Hi everyone,
I want to use an old Camcorder as a security camera feeding the composite
video directly into a VCR so that I can record for 8 hours at a stretch in
LP mode. It works great except that the Camcorder's auto shutoff triggers
every ten minutes or so even when powered by a external power pack. How
difficult is it going to be to disable the auto shutoff, and is there a
workaround? I thought it might be feasable to modify an old cassette to fool
the transport mech that it's doing something usefull, but unfortunately I'm
not clever enough. does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any ideas much
appreciated. Also what cable should I use for a video run of around 8 meters
or so?
Thanks,
pete

It would be best for you to have quoted the model number and manufacture
name.

The auto-off feature in most of these is in the firmware that is burned in
to its uPC.

Get someone who is servicing this model, has the tools and service manuals
for this camera, and see if he can do a mod on it to force the power control
circuits to stay on, no matter what the uPC wants to do. Depending on the
design it may or may not work. If the uPC is also going in to a standby
mode, then you may have a camera that is turned on, but will not operate,
because the uPC is in standby.

Personally, I would spend the few dollars, and get a standard security type
camera that is designed for the job you want it to do.

--

Jerry G.
=====


"RubbishRat" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,
I want to use an old Camcorder as a security camera feeding the composite
video directly into a VCR so that I can record for 8 hours at a stretch in
LP mode. It works great except that the Camcorder's auto shutoff triggers
every ten minutes or so even when powered by a external power pack. How
difficult is it going to be to disable the auto shutoff, and is there a
workaround? I thought it might be feasable to modify an old cassette to fool
the transport mech that it's doing something usefull, but unfortunately I'm
not clever enough. does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any ideas much
appreciated. Also what cable should I use for a video run of around 8 meters
or so?
Thanks,
pete

In article , RubbishRat
writes
Hi everyone,
I want to use an old Camcorder as a security camera feeding the composite
video directly into a VCR so that I can record for 8 hours at a stretch in
LP mode. It works great except that the Camcorder's auto shutoff triggers
every ten minutes or so even when powered by a external power pack. How
difficult is it going to be to disable the auto shutoff, and is there a
workaround? I thought it might be feasable to modify an old cassette to fool
the transport mech that it's doing something usefull, but unfortunately I'm
not clever enough. does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any ideas much
appreciated. Also what cable should I use for a video run of around 8 meters
or so?

What model is it?

Some camcorders will stay on if you leave the tape door open, or if you
switch to VCR mode. Others will not stay on whatever you do.

Regarding the cable, any type of coax should be fine for this.
--
Tim Mitchell