Re: Re: CCTV with XBox

[Martin Howell <martin.howell@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks chaps, looks like I misunderstood - I thought that the X could
be
hacked to a more or less complete linux box, but maybe I made too many
assumptions.  No worries, I have enough spare bits to build a 'real' pc.
Any suggestions for suitable cameras for in/outside?

Thanks
Martin

Paul Gale wrote:
> I've not heard of that either - but that doesn't mean it doesn't
exist!
>
> I have a geovision system and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it - the
features and software are outstanding. You could go entry level and get a
cheaper card but you still need a reasonable mid-range PC for this. The
bigger the card (i.e. more cameras), the higher spec PC you'll need.
>
> Alternatively, you could look at ZoneMinder which is a great bit of
(FREE) Linux based software. It's nowhere near as feature rich as the
geovision cards/software but is very capable. You'll also need to do a lot
more configuring and find suitable capture cards for the cameras although I
think there's a Linux/ZoneMinder pre-built distribution available?
>
> Paul.
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
>> noel_pilot
>> Sent: 04 January 2007 18:03
>> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
>> Subject: [ukha_d] Re: CCTV with XBox
>>
>> Hi Martin,
>> AFAIK I've never heard of an xbox modded or otherwise being used
for
>> cctv?!  i might be wrong but in all my trawling of forums i've
never
>> seen it mentioned.
>>
>> You might be able to get a web browser working on an xbox and
>> theoretically view ip cameras but i wouldnt be overly confident
about it!
>>
>> most people on this list i think will reccomend geovision, it
requires
>> a pc to be on 24/7 but has many many benefits,
>>
>> i don't have it myself although i'd dearly love to! so i'll leave
for
>> others to explain the ins and outs :)
>>
>> Noel
>>
>> --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, Martin Howell <martin.howell@...>
wrote:
>>> A recent spell in hospital, leaving SWMBO alone at home, has
brought
>>> forward my plans for rigging up external and internal cameras
around
>> the
>>> ol' homestead.  I'm attracted by the idea of using one of the
50 quid
>>> Argos Xboxes as a base, because its a) cheap, b) quiet and c)
small-ish.
>>>
>>> I have no experience with these boxes, so I could do with some
guidance
>>> from those who have done this kind of thing before.  My
>> understanding is
>>> that in addition to hacking the 'Box, I will need a TV (or a
monitor
>>> with some kind of TV/VGA adaptor); a wireless bridge or
similar hooked
>>> into the 10/100 port (I already have a wireless network
running round
>>> the house), and some kind of keypad/keyboard to be able to
steer the
>>> beast. It will also need some software to monitor the cameras
and sound
>>> alarms and start recording when movement is detected. A couple
of
>>> immediate questions spring to mind:-
>>>
>>> - what do I need to do the hack the Xbox, and where is the
best
>> place to
>>> get the bits from?
>>> - any suggestions for suitable cameras and monitoring software
-
>>> ideally, the cameras would be wireless IP to minimise the
plumbing and
>>> allow them to be seen from other PCs on the network
>>> - can I use the speakers from the TV for sound from the
cameras, or
>>> would I need to rig up separate speakers?
>>> - what are my options for a keyboard of other input device -
the box
>>> will only be used for this purpose, so don't really need a
full
>>> keyboard/mouse arrangement
>>>
>>> Lots more questions in the pipeline, no doubt.  I have a
soldering iron
>>> and a selection of suitable hammers, so am not afraid to take
the lid
>>> off and start hacking about, but I need to understand the
scope of what
>>> I'm getting into first - what looks like a cheap solution may
end up
>>> being just as expensive as building up a PC from bits in my
junk box.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Martin
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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