Hello,

Does anyone have any suggestions on camera options for the IntelliTouch Screen Logic setup? In the manual, Pentair only mentions a handful of Panasonic models; all of which are not practical for my customer's yard. In addition, they just look cheap/unprofessional. The technicians and I can't really understand what Panasonic could have an edge on for Screen Logic that any other company wouldn't have. We're just assuming it's because Panasonic is paying the big bucks for Pentair to use them as an exclusive. Has anybody here used any other models/brands for their backyard setup, or do you have an understanding of the technology that is required for a camera to be compatible?

I'm sure the video is standard NTSC so the only thing that could be special is the PTZ control, if it's a PTZ camera. Most cameras use standard RS-485 for PTZ control but Pentair might use some special protocol that Panasonic understands.

What are the model numbers they recomend? We can look them up and see if they speak some special language.

The models recommended in the manual for Panasonic are:

BL-C1A
BL-C111A
BB-HCM311A
BB-HCM331A
KX-HCM110A
BB-HCM381A

www.panasonic.com You can punch in the model numbers in the upper right hand search, and it pulls the model right up, then you can check specs from there. I did notice the very wide range of network protocols that these cameras can work off of. After checking out a handful of Canon cameras, I see there's quite a difference in compatibility.

Those pages don't tell you but from a little digging they look like they use the industry standard RS-485 protocol for PTZ.
What other cameras are you thinking of trying?

Well, all I'd really like to use is a dome-style mounted camera. As long as it looks nice! Our clientele are on the much, much higher end, and the Panasonic cameras listed don't look very nice. The Canon cams I looked over yesterday were significantly superior in appearance. I've never had to dive into camera technology until now, and it's making my head spin a bit.
If I'm understanding correctly, it's not exactly a network protocol issue? I spoke with a Pentair technical specialist for these automation systems, and he initially said that the listed Panasonic cameras were chosen because they communicated with ScreenLogic™ more easily. Due to the fact that most installers aren't familiar with networking, and accessing settings from a router via a browser complicates things. I have a feeling that was supposed to make me say, "Oh, yeah. You're right, that's too confusing!" However, I asked what other cameras would work, as networking would be no issue for our techs; his reply being, "Well, uh, there's nothing else that I'm aware of that can work." Sounds like Panasonic and Pentair are new best friends with benefits.

Of course there's nothing else he's aware of that will work. You should have asked what others wouldn't work with their system. I bet the answer would be there's nothing else he'd be aware of that wouldn't work. Though he probably wouldn't tell you that.

I'd say get a camera that you like from a place that you can return it to and have the techs try it. I bet they work.