Post by thread:[OT]: PC based video surveillance?

I want to install a video surveillance system. My first thought was a VCR and a small BW camera, but I was wondering if a PC would make a better system. If so, is there any software/hardware packages out there to put together a small and simple video surveillance system based on a PC? All and any info about video surveillance systems are welcome. Thanks John -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

part 1 1891 bytes content-type:text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 (decoded quoted-printable) Hi, I guess the simplest solution would be to get hold of a �10 web cam and attach it to a PC, then use the software to grab images every n seconds. Of course, leaving this kit lying around is easy for thieves/the targets to smash up when they break into premises, so it might be an idea to FTP the pics to a remote site (via a simple script) to prevent the loss of evidence (if you have a net connection). Dan (Embedded John Pearson <spam_OUTxeroTakeThisOuTCMC.NET>TakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU> image moved 15/03/2001 03:46 to file: pic21896.pcx) Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list <.....PICLISTKILLspam@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU> Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list <PICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU> To: .....PICLISTKILLspam.....MITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: Subject: [OT]: PC based video surveillance? Security Level:? Internal I want to install a video surveillance system. My first thought was a VCR and a small BW camera, but I was wondering if a PC would make a better system. If so, is there any software/hardware packages out there to put together a small and simple video surveillance system based on a PC? All and any info about video surveillance systems are welcome. Thanks John -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics part 2 165 bytes content-type:application/octet-stream; (decode) part 3 144 bytes -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

Were I in your shoes I would look for two programs (hopefully with source code): First, a simple video processing program which detects changes from frame to fram in video. When it detects significant changes (say, a certian percentage of the picture changes color or brightness between 5 frames, etc) That program starts the second program which does video compression. I might recommend divx (they are coming out with an mpeg4 version as well, but I don't remember the name...) at http://www.projectmayo.com/ The video compression is so good you may not even need the first program (since divx compares the frames first and only stores the changes) You would still need a method to capture video. USB cams can only be a few meters from the PC, so I would suggest you go ahead and use regular video cameras (color pinholes can be had for under $50[US]), and send the composite to a video capture card on your PC (cheap video capture is also less than $50[US]). Use one PC, and either have several cards, one card that has several channels, or one card and an external video switch if you want multiple cameras. -Adam John Pearson wrote: {Quote hidden}> > I want to install a video surveillance system. My first thought was a VCR > and a small BW camera, but I was wondering if a PC would make a better > system. > > If so, is there any software/hardware packages out there to put together a > small and simple video surveillance system based on a PC? > > All and any info about video surveillance systems are welcome. > > Thanks > > John > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics > (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

> > I want to install a video surveillance system. My first thought was a VCR > and a small BW camera, but I was wondering if a PC would make a better > system. > > If so, is there any software/hardware packages out there to put > together a > small and simple video surveillance system based on a PC? > A couple of months ago I bought a WebCamGo 3 from Creative Labs. With the camera comes a software package called "Video Blaster WebCam Control" which allows to monitor what the camera sees and "taking pictures" when changes are detected in the image. You can record also sounds and even short video sequences. The immediate application for this program is, of course, for video surveillance. Hope this helps Joan -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

Take a look at http://www.x10.com They have an assortment of cheapie devices/systems for this with wired & wireless cameras & USB interfaces. (smarthome.com would be another but a bit pricier). http://www.supercircuits.com sells better quality cameras. Ask on the comp.home.automation newsgroup as these guys play with the stuff. I'm looking for a cheap video capute card for a P2 233 myself, like to find an old All in Wonder card or such cheap. Kev > I want to install a video surveillance system. My first thought was a VCR > and a small BW camera, but I was wondering if a PC would make a better > system. > > If so, is there any software/hardware packages out there to put together a > small and simple video surveillance system based on a PC? > > All and any info about video surveillance systems are welcome. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

> > I want to install a video surveillance system. My first thought was a VCR > > and a small BW camera, but I was wondering if a PC would make a better > > system. Considerably superior but why limit yourself to only one camera ? > > > > If so, is there any software/hardware packages out there to put together a > > small and simple video surveillance system based on a PC? Yes, but what Country do you wish to operate this equipment in ? TV Standards and Shipping are two factors that cannot be ignored. Regards Chris -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics