900 mhz baby video/audio monitor comparison
phil...@cfw.com
A Comparison of 900 MHz Video/Sound Monitors ***********
We Just had our 2nd child 8-7-96 and also have a two year old. We both are
Ham radio enthusiasts and have played with Amateur TV. When we found that this technology is in the $160 to $250 price range we thought we would give it a try when the new arrival came. Here is what we found out:
FISHER PRICE
First we bought the Fisher Price "Video Nursery Monitor" for about $250. Thought we would go with a trusted name as we have the Sights-n-Sounds monitor also. The video was grainy and blurry with very poor reception when used with the transmitter up stairs and the receiver used downstairs and horizontally 35 feet away. Audio was very static laden. Our audio only monitor works great in the same situation. For the price, I was EXTREMELY disappointed. We were going to take it back, but not before a comparison with the other one on the market.
SAFETY 1st
The other video/audio monitor available in our area is the Safety 1st
"TV Monitor System" for about $160. WHen we were disappointed with the Fisher Price we bought this one. A side by side comparison of the monitors revealed the Safety 1st to be the best monitor regardless of the transmitter used
(either Safety 1st or Fisher Price). The monitor antenna is about 4" tall and the Fisher price is about 20" tall. At first glance one would think a longer antenna is best, right? Wrong !! Here is where the Ham radio knowledge came in handy. I MAKE antennas for my Ham radio as a hobby. Antennas are tuned to a specific frequency and can be designed longer for better receiving ability (called "gain"). I thought that the Fisher price may have been a gain antenna but it 'appears' not to be. Results I saw were that the Safety 1st did just as good a job and the Fisher Price could do no better in any position (This is important fact #1). The Safety 1st Monitor also has a jack on the back to
hook it up to a regular TV with a similar jack. Fisher Price does not have
this feature (This is important fact #2). The Camera for the Safety 1st system is superior in that it has more lines of resolution, hence a clearer picture.
This was evident in the side by side comparison of the camera transmitters
when viewed on either brands monitor. This point by far is the most important thing I observed. Again the Safety 1st camera transmitter is superior by far. We
are returning the Fisher Price model.
My Recommendation?
Go with the Safety 1st “TV Monitor System” for about $160. It is a Superior system and is almost $100 cheaper to boot. The only complaint I have with the Safety 1st product is poor documentation, but they a make up for it with a
toll free number for help.
I hope this helps parents who are seeing this technology for the first time.
Keep in mind a couple of things:
1. Audio can be picked up by scanners just like 49 MHz systems.
2. Video can be picked up also (by other monitors or “Rabbit” extenda TV systems)
3. If you have a 900 MHz cordless phone, it will blank out the video and audio while you hold a conversation on your cordless phone.
We have a new generation of technology that is affordable. This kind of Ham radio equipment would run you about $500 to $1000, but then you could watch
your child across town and so could everyone else.
Any questions? I can be emailed at JackK...@aol.com.
(2nd post - didn't see 1st one come up)
Jack Phillips
Virginia
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