Neuros Technology Forums

Hi,

The outside diameter is 5.5mm. Neuros use a connector that has spring contacts to grip the center pin which is around 1mm diameter. If you look in various catalogues you should find a 5.5 x 2.1 connector that has a yellow tip, this is shown on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_plug

I guess the actual connector can accomodate a variety of center pin sizes up to about 2mm. In the UK the dc power connectors can be purchased from Maplin, either singly or as a set with a flying lead. Neuros can probably provide a digi-key part number but their outrageous postal charges make them unpopular in the UK!.

If you are using the R2 on the move then get the right angle version. A small piece of tape over the lead will keep it in place.


Cheers

Pat

Hi,

Looks like a useful device. It is almost an inch narrower than the R2 so that would solve my current problem of trying to fit this into a 110mm pipe !. Also a USB connector means that my waterproof housing can stay sealed for data transfer. I look forward to more details coming out soon.

I will be interested to see if they really can get 640x480 resolution at 1Mb/s onto a 1Gb card !.

Cheers

Pat

Further to my last....

Neuros have now posted the correct file for the 0020 firmware update so anyone else who thought they were going nuts can be assured of their sanity.

I am glad the autorecord feature now works but I realise that this will not really benefit people who want to use the R2 as a stand alone recorder without the remote control. It's a shame the unit cannot wake up from "off" when a video signal is present. The remote is required to switch the system on and then the autorecord works fine. No matter, anyone who wants to use it as a security device will be well pleased. 

I guess this news will also be welcomed by Ex Navy as the Olson device will still be required by anyone that wants total control through a single switch.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

Maybe I spoke too soon....

I have just installed all the updates up to 0019 with no problems. Trying to upgrade to 0020 causes the R2 to hang and there is no sign of the "clock" to show that the process is taking place. Have tried this 3 times now.

Can Neuros or someone else please confirm that this update can be installed.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

Neuros have finally posted a patch for the R2 which enables the autorecord feature. I thought the news was worthy of a new topic !.

http://www.neurosaudio.com/support/support_MPEG4_R2updates.asp

This should open up usage of the R2 away from the living room. I hope that people will contribute details of their projects through the forum, perhaps Neuros could create a download area for video clips.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

I am trying to squeeze my R2 into a c0ntainer but the compact flash card protrudes just a bit too far. Can someone who uses a memory stick duo please tell me (exactly) how far the card sticks out from the front of the R2.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

It sounds like the FAT (file allocation table) has ben corrupted on the CF card. Recording slow speed information allows the card to store a block of data, close the file and re-open for the next block. I am guessing that with video this process may only occur occasionally or not at all until the recording is physically halted.

USB memory sticks and card type storage devices all carry a warning not to unplug while data is being transferred. Removing the power is effectively the same as unplugging.

Sorry to state the obvious but you really should take measures to secure the power connector. A simple piece of tape would be better than nothing. Also consider replacing the dc power connector with a right angle version to make securing even easier.

The data on the card may be recoverable using one of the many utilities available. Just search Google for something like "compact flash card data recovery" or similar.

Also be aware that a 5V pack will eventually drop below 5V and not leave sufficient "headroom" for the Neuros regulator to supply the 3.3V(?) required for proper operation. Running the R2 under these conditions is not a good idea and you may eventually damage the unit. I would always reccomend checking the battery voltage on a regular basis.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

The video clip does not look to be very good quality and plays at a bit rate of 659kbs. This is much lower than the 900+ available on the highest Neuros setting so I would imagine that you will get better results. Naturally a higher resolution camera will give a better picture and there are some excellent 520 line cameras on the market.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

If you have scart connections:

The lead with SCART connector marked Video IN connects to the Video OUT port on the recorder:

4 pole connector - from body to tip
Body - Red conductor - scart pin 2 - audio right
Next - GND - scart pin 4
Next - Yellow - scart pin 20 - video
Tip  - White - scart pin 6 - audio left

SCART connector marked Video OUT connects to the Video IN port on the recorder:

4 pole connector - from body to tip
Body - Red conductor - scart pin 1 - audio right
Next - GND - scart pin 4
Next - Yellow - scart pin 19 - video
Tip  - White - scart pin 3 - audio left

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

You may find this interesting.

From www.cameras4sports.co.uk

Used by those that want to power the bullet cameras from the bike battery rather than rely on batteries which may fail just when you need them most!

A lot of people hard wire equipment to the bike battery, however, this will, over a period of time destroy the bullet cameras as whilst they have a tolerance of 8-15volts, they require a regulated voltage and not 'spiked power'.

The regulated 12V Power Supply Unit (PSU) is very compact, measuring just 8.5 (L) x 5.5 (W) x 2.5cm (H) and comes complete with an on/off switch & led light.

The cable length from the unit to the battery terminal is appro 1m, with one of the dc plug outlets also 1m, and the rest approximately 20cm, to enable the unit to be placed in many locations, e.g. or for the motorcyclist, under the rear seat.

Please note:  Connecting a bullet camera to your vehicle battery may result in 'noise/ interference' on the video footage.  The PSU purely regulates the power to stop damage to the bullet camera and will not magically get rid of any interference. (Though we are working on it!) Some motorbikes produce the interference due to the ignition spikes, other bikes do not. Unfortunately we cannot be held responsible for any interference caused by connecting the cameras to the bike battery, though we will do everything we can to try and help / offer a part credit if you wish to return the item.

Tip: If you do experience any interference on the video, try using a ferrite around the Av leads of the camcorder. Most camcorders are supplied with these they usually just snap on the av cable. This solution will also be substantially cheaper.

They offer a regulated PSU for £75 which seems expensive but should remove any worries about breaking your system.

You may want to think about using a rechargeable battery pack to remove any possibility of supply noise/spikes. RFI may still be a concern so a suitably placed ferrite will help.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

Just to get the ball rolling....

The R2 requires a 5V input so you will need to find a regulator to reduce the 12V supply from the bike. A simple solution is to use a BEC (battery eliminator) which should do this for you. Google "BEC" for more info. I would suggest that you do not apply power to the Neuros until the bike is running.

The equavalent of a wired remote for On/Off & and Record will be available from Olson shortly so watch for posts from Ex Navy.

580 lines will give a better picture but you will get very good results from 460. If you can afford the 560 then you will not be disappointed.

No case to my knowledge until Olson system is available.

Autorecord - frustrating delay waiting for Neuros to get this function to work. At present it does not function however I see that Joe posted in the bugs & enhancements that a solution may be in the pipeline. A few of us have built devices that get round the problem but it was work I could have done without. If Neuros succeed then the autorecord will be far simpler than an add-on pseudo remote control.

Hope this helps.

Pat

Hi,

I have posted information regarding a remote control replacement on my website. I am not offering any hardware, just a few items that would have been usefull to know when I started looking for an alternative. If you want a finished device then wait for the Olson unit. If you can put together a simple circuit and a bit of programming then my details will alow you to manufacture your own.

www.microft.co.uk

Click link to Neuros on navigation bar.

Cheers

Pat

Thanks Ex-Navy, I am 100 miles from civilisation at present and did not have scart adaptor etc to hand. It would seem that R2's for the UK market are supplied with scart connectors but to my mind rca would be a better choice. Oh well at least I know now.

I have read your posts regarding the auto record feature, do you know if Neuros have fixed this yet ?. Also if I generate an external control signal what delay (if any) is required between commands/simulated key presses ?.

My application is on a small catamaran so I hope to just provide a single control to start/stop recording.

Cheers

Pat

Hi,

I have just received a Recorder 2 via sendit.com. No problems with service but I find that the recorder is supplied with wired scart leads instead of RCA connectors.

This is very inconvenient and I have asked Neuros to explain why the connection system has been changed from the advertised connectors. I am posting this to advise any other would be purchasers to hang back from buying from sendit.com until this has been sorted - unless you specifically want scart of course. I am not implying any problem with sendit.com as they just ship whatever is supplied to them.

I will almost certainly replace the scart connectors but do not have the mini jack connection diagram. Can anyone supply this info ?.

Also it has occurred to me that this connector may be the same a used on camcorders so my existing panasonic lead may function. Anyone tried this ?.

Incidently sendit.com charge UK100 for the recorder, the lowest price around.

Cheers

Pat


 

Hi,

Following on from my feedback post regarding the supply of SCART connectors instead of RCA types.

If anyone is interested the connections are as follows:

Two SCART to 4 pin connectors are supplied.

The lead with SCART connector marked Video IN connects to the Video OUT port on the recorder:

4 pole connector - from body to tip
Body - Red conductor - scart pin 2 - audio right
Next - GND - scart pin 4
Next - Yellow - scart pin 20 - video
Tip  - White - scart pin 6 - audio left

SCART connector marked Video OUT connects to the Video IN port on the recorder:

4 pole connector - from body to tip
Body - Red conductor - scart pin 1 - audio right
Next - GND - scart pin 4
Next - Yellow - scart pin 19 - video
Tip  - White - scart pin 3 - audio left

Cheers

Pat