ZoneMinder

Pointers

• http://www.zoneminder.com/ - linux camera-based home security software
• http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=04/10/11/1758211 - review
• http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_logitech_quickcam_on_2.6.x_kernel
• Gentoo - zoneminder is available through portage in gentoo!
• motion home page - alternative software motion detector
• UnixGeekTools - other great tools for unix geeks

FreeBSD?

• http://www.demosoft.org/zoneminder/ - port
• info - from Tue Jul 13, 2004
• not in ports tree

Gentoo

• emerge zoneminder
• zoneminder is masked due to need for more testing - see dealing with maked packages
• added line to /etc/portage/package.unmask:

  =www-misc/zoneminder-1.22.0
  

• also needed to emerge apache and php
• emerged xawtv in order to test out tv cards
  • ran into problems running on remote display
  • tried: xawtv -c /dev/video0 -remote -noxv -novm -nodga -v

post-install instructions from portage

=================================================================
POST-INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS
=================================================================

1. If this is a new installation, you will need to create a database for ZM to
   use. Execute the following:

 cd /usr/share/zoneminder
 mysql mysql < db/zm_create.sql
 mysql mysql
  > grant select,insert,update,delete on zoneminder.* to '<username>'@localhost identified by '<password>';
  > quit
 mysqladmin reload

2.  Edit /etc/zm.conf:
  ZM_PATH_BUILD => /usr/share/zoneminder
  ZM_PATH_WEB   => /var/www/localhost/htdocs/zoneminder
  ZM_PATH_CGI   => /var/www/localhost/cgi-bin

  Also set your database settings.

3. Login: http://localhost//zoneminder/zm.php

Default username/password are admin/admin.

=================================================================

Hardware

capture cards

I've been a fan of the brooktree (bttv) tv cards for several years.

• kernel config: "Multimedia Devices", "Video 4 Linux". enable "BT848 Video For Linux"

    # load the kernel module
    modprobe bttv

    # this shows PAL which didn't work, I used NTSC
    zmu -d /dev/v4l/video0 -q -v

• PV-149 - 4 port video capture card
  • fully linux compatible!
  • available at http://www.bluecherry.net/
  • i bought one of these recently and it works great!

Cameras

I've used x10 cameras for this purpose, these cameras are much better. They are also hard-wired, which I prefer over wireless.

• considerations
  • field of view
    • recommend at least 60 degrees, depending on the intended use
    • many cheaper cams have only around 45 degress FOV
  • temperature
    • i'm purchasing outdoor cams for use in minnesota
    • minimum temperature is a concern.
    • 0 degrees C (14 degrees F) is probably not going to cut it
  • minimum lux
    • ideally looking for something around .1 Lux without IR
    • for use at night
  • Infrared LEDs
    • limited distance and field of illumination
  • size
    • something small that's difficult to see under the eaves of the house
• Swann Outdoor Weatherproof Day/Night Security Camera
  • unfortunately i have found that this camera has some problems:
    • it re-adjusts for brightness very frequently compared to other cameras
    • it whites out when pointed at the grass 15-20 ft away while the sun is shining directly on the grass.
  • $60 for the black version on outpost.com
  • 11 IR LEDs
  • 2 inches diameter, 3 inches depth, and 4-1/2 inches height
  • safe to -5F
  • http://www.swann.com.au
  • 40 degree vision

• Q-SEE Outdoor CCD B&W Cameras
  • $58
  • 0.5 lux, IR LEDs
  • +14F

• Clover CM600W B/W Outdoor Bullet Camera
  • $50
  • sweeet
  • no IR, .1 Lux
  • tiny (2 x 6 x 2 centimeters)
  • only safe to +14F

• Lorex SG6153 - Weather Resistant Mini Color Camera with Night Vision
  • $80
  • 7 IR LEDs
  • very small
  • only safe to +14F
• Topica
  • need to investigate
  • some are safe to -30F