Re: Dream system to monitor new driver?

[Matt Ion <soundy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

qdn wrote:
> Build a computer and mount in the trunk of the car.  Have a 4-channel
> DVR with one or more cameras.
>
> Problems:
> 1. Have the computer boot up when power is on via DC/AC inverter.  How
> do you set so the motherboard boots up when power is applied without
> having to push the "on" button?

Most computer have an option in the BIOS setup (usually under Power Management)
for how to handle loss-of-power - either to remain off, to return to the
previous state, or to power up regardless.

> 2. Once the computer booted up. I would auto run the DVR software and
> assume start recording to the hard drive.  When the driver shut of the
> car at the end of the trip, we would loose power and the computer would
> died which would corrupt the video file.  I need a way to stop the DVR
> gracefully after the engine is off.

Most UPS (UNINTERUPTABLE Power Supply, not "universal" as many claim... aka
"battery backup") units will connect to the computer via USB or serial port, and
with installed drivers/software, can signal the system to shut down gracefully,
either immediately upon input power loss, after a set period of time, or when
the battery discharges to a certain level.  They generally have several outlets
that feed off the battery, so you could run the cameras off battery as well, and
keep them recording for several minutes after the car is shut off.

Another poster had a better suggestion though: look into a dedicated mobile DVR.