Re: cctv security systems - pci capture cards + software

[Brian W. Antoine <briana@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 4 Jul 2008 18:21:07 +0000 (UTC), Sylvain Robitaille
<syl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>inetquestion <inetquestion@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I have been looking at pci dvr cards, cameras, etc... and wondered if
>> anyone could answer some basic questions I have.  Are all these cards
>> compatible with the various software packages?  All I'm looking for is
>> something that can accept 2-3 cameras and will post the pictures OR
>> video up to a website (and archive it) if something comes into its
>> field of view.  I'm ok with a linux or windows based system.  Any
>> suggestions?
>
>Have you looked at ZoneMinder?  (http://www.zoneminder.com/)
>
>There is a supplier (http://store.bluecherry.net/) that sells DVR cards
>that work well with ZoneMinder, and will even supply a Live-CD Linux
>disc with an optimized-for-Zoneminder Linux installation that you can
>test with (or perhaps even use as is as your CCTV system).  See the
>"shop" link on the ZoneMinder web site.
>
>The folks at BlueCherry were very helpful to me when I needed them to
>be, and the Zoneminder software has been very reliable and very usable.

I'll second the recommendation for BlueCherry.

If you're going to be running more than one camera, spring for one of
the capture cards with multiple capture chips so that you've got one
capture channel per camera.  The cheaper cards where one chip handles
up to four cameras just aren't worth the hassle.  As the chip changes
the channel, you loose sync on the camera for a few frames and the
auto brightness/contrast adjustments take even more frames to settle
down.  This renders motion detection difficult at best.