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Grant <emailgrant <at> gmail.com> writes: |
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> I'd like to use 2 or more video cameras to monitor 2 locations over |
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> the internet. Each of the locations has a Gentoo desktop running |
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> 24/7, and they are on the same local network. Zoneminder looks very |
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> powerful, but is there something simpler that I wouldn't have to set |
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> up mysql for? How would you select cameras for this? USB, ethernet, |
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> wireless? I like the idea of a camera that doesn't run its own |
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> software and instead relies on the Gentoo system for that, but I think |
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> that will limit me to USB and it's 15-foot cable maximum? |
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Hello Grant, |
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First off, the amount of bandwidth consumption by the streaming video, |
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is of paramount concern. The bandwidth consumption between the different |
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technologies is HUGH. |
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Currently, the most efficient algorithms for video compression, is the |
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new H.264 (aka Mpeg4-AVC). For Video surveillance, use the simple profile. |
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I can run 2 video cameras at about 10 frames per second over a 56Kbit |
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Frame Relay circuit (with full CIR). |
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I believe the closest thing for Gentoo would be an offering by vlc |
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or x.264. Go find the ffmpeg dev lists and see what is the latest |
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thing that is recommended (currently supported). Most folks that |
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are successful with this, are embedding their solution into a product |
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for sale. You have to really dig to find a workable, open source |
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solution. Maybe there is something else, but, I'll bet it's a |
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bandwidth pig. H.264 is very asymmetrical. It requires tons of |
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processor resource to encode, but not so bad on the decode end. |
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The profile details that a particular project (or vendor0 uses is |
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often a well guarded (trade) secret. |
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Alternatively, you can purchase a 4 channel encoder that accepts NTSC |
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(or PAL) camera inputs and streams to a windows based PC. You set |
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an ip address and gateway and away you go, totally routable. |
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A simple setup will set you back about ~1K. |
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Zoneminder does not support h.264 (the last time I checked ...months |
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ago). It good for a campus setup, but if you are going to route |
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(stream) video across a WAN (or the Internet) H.264 is the best |
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solution. Robust and reliable. Stay away from "ip cameras"; no |
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standards and all technology is closed to inquiring minds... |
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Use H.264 in your keyword searches.... |
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hth, |
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James |