CCTV Software

[drvnbysound]

So I took some screen shots using a "test system" consisting of a Sony CCTV camera mounted on a tripod connected to a Hauppauge HVR-950Q USB stick on my laptop. I wanted to get a general feel for what could and couldnt be covered with cameras mounted at certain locations of my house.

I have planned for a camera near my front door so I can simply see who is there via the living room or MBR TV. The entryway to my front door is very narrow and would require me to mount the camera above the door as there is ~2" of space on either side of the door. That said, I used my "test system" mentioned above and got some screen shots. Unfortunately, since the camera would have to be mounted above the door you can only see slightly more than the top of someone's head while they are standing in front of the door. I positioned the camera to face slighting more toward the walkway up to the door and was able to get a MUCH better shot of a potential person.

This picture was taken over a year ago, but is the best picture I can access at the moment displaying the narrow entryway to the front door:

All this said, my question... Is there software available that can monitor a "rule" such as anything that crosses a virtual tripwire that could then send a trigger to an alarm panel (ie. Elk/HAI) which could then trigger other events through other software (CQC, etc)???


For my situation, the door bell triggered alert that some of you use to activate the CCTV camera screens to be pulled up wouldnt work well, as I would be given less than this view as I was ~6-8 ft from my front door:

My thoughts are to use some software (if readily available) to monitor this image (note the tripwire):

If someone crosses the tripwire, some output would be sent to the alarm panel (emulating the door bell scenerio) and bring up the camera as they approach the door which is a MUCH better view:

I have so far been looking at GeoVision products, and know they do some sort of "rules" and I have seen that they have some I/O boards, but I have no idea how any of their stuff works together. Or of any of the above is possible with their stuff or something else thats out there???

 

[zpollock]

All this said, my question... Is there software available that can monitor a "rule" such as anything that crosses a virtual tripwire that could then send a trigger to an alarm panel (ie. Elk/HAI) which could then trigger other events through other software (CQC, etc)???

Are you planning to capture with a PC, or a DVR? Most DVRs these days include motion detection software which allows you to specify certain areas of the picture (defined by a grid) as triggers. You just tell the system which grids to monitor for that camera, and it will look for movement/changes in that portion of the image. Also, most DVRs include at least one alarm output (or often one per channel), which can be interfaced with a zone on your HA panel. When the DVR sees motion it can be set to record, and the alarm output will signal the HA panel which can then take whatever other actions you wish.

Much of the PC software has the same capability, but getting the motion event out of the software to you othe software/hardware may be tough.

 

[electron]

I would strongly consider the AverMedia NV5000 kit. The software is top notch (supports extremely flexible configurations), as is the hardware, and supports external triggers. You could use motion detection in a small area close to the door (to avoid false triggers), but configure the software to start recording BEFORE and AFTER the event, so you would have everything on video. It also supports analog inputs etc (does require another but cheap add-on I believe). The software also supports many types of actions upon trigger activation, so you can tie it in to your home automation (i.e., turn your TV on with the channel/PiP tuned to the camera). I really think you would be happy with that combo.

No matter what solution you go with you get what you pay for, keep that in mind.

I personally have the NV5000, as do some other Cocooners, and it is the best bang for the buck IMO. I'll try to post some screenshots soon.

 

[electron]

Ok, here are a few screenshots showing the strengths of this package. Keep in mind there is much more you can do, but this is the stuff relevant to your topic:


[sub]This is where you configure the cameras. You have many options here, but they are all pretty self-explanatory.[/sub]


[sub]The motion detection algorithm is pretty flexible, allowing you to tune many parameters. You can also mask out certain areas (i.e., the main road), and this is also where you define how long before and after the motion event you want to record. You can also switch the type of recording based on the time of the day/week.[/sub]


[sub]You can also define 3 areas where it should look for motion, and adjust the sensitivity for that area. Very useful![/sub]


[sub]Last but not least, this screenshot shows how much you can do after an event has occurred. The card also has a TV out, which also acts as a multiplexer. You can tell it to either show one camera feed full screen on that TV output, or show a combination of multiple views to get a quick idea of what's going on. You can do so much more, but the screenshot does a better job showing these options.[/sub]

Keep in mind that AverMedia's package is commercial grade, so it will cost more than a copy of WebCamXP, but is worth every penny. They also have 'appliances' now which run this same software, so you don't have to worry about buiding/maintaining your own PC (runs XPembedded I believe).

BTW, I also have my floodlights tied into my Elk M1 security system, so in theory (haven't bothered yet), the M1 could turn on an output, to notify AverMedia that motion has occurred, and start recording.

 

[robolo]

You might consider looking at Zoneminder. It is a linux based CCTV monitoring solution that does all the things you are looking for. Being Linux it is good and bad. The good is it is freeware (but still very powerful) but the bad is you need to learn/run linux. There are also so called "live" versions where you boot the computer from a CD or DVD and the operating system and program simply runs from the optical media without actually installing anything.

 

[gregking]

Dan, thanks for the info on the NV5000. I have mentioned a few times that I'm needing to get a recording system setup, but have been leaning toward a DVR based system since I want to also loop my cameras out to a modulator to put on TVs.

Your note that this has the "monitor" out that can route a given camera or quad to this output sounds like a possibility to me. I could just hook this output to my modulator.

Now, my question is this...do you think it is possible to programatically change the output among the channels? I can handle the coding to write, for example, an HS plugin that would allow me to send an RF X10 command to HS which could interact with the NV5000 application to change the output. Is there an API for this card/software?

gk

I would strongly consider the AverMedia NV5000 kit. The software is top notch (supports extremely flexible configurations), as is the hardware, and supports external triggers. You could use motion detection in a small area close to the door (to avoid false triggers), but configure the software to start recording BEFORE and AFTER the event, so you would have everything on video. It also supports analog inputs etc (does require another but cheap add-on I believe). The software also supports many types of actions upon trigger activation, so you can tie it in to your home automation (i.e., turn your TV on with the channel/PiP tuned to the camera). I really think you would be happy with that combo.

No matter what solution you go with you get what you pay for, keep that in mind.

I personally have the NV5000, as do some other Cocooners, and it is the best bang for the buck IMO. I'll try to post some screenshots soon.

 

[Neurorad]

It seems the Avermedia software could be used to trigger the camera mounted over the door to start recording with the subject on the walk, during the approach to the door. This would avoid a mechanical/RF/IR trigger further up the walkway.

 

[drvnbysound]

I plan to use a PC to do DVR functions, not a stand-alone DVR system. That said something like the AverMedia card is along the lines of what Im looking for. I will certainly be reading into this a lot more in the near future. I think the GeoVision system(s) have the same capability, but I have not confirmed this as it seems that less people are using their products. I first saw a GeoVision system used in a fairly large hotel, which is what got me interested in their products in the first place. It really doesnt matter to me who the products are from, as long as they meet my needs and are reliable.

I realize that the AverMedia and other cards allow a lot of flexibility when it comes to recording events for archiving purposes, so I am not really concerned with that at all, as I know its practically a standard feature. The feature I would like, is what I explained, to have a software be able to analyze the video in real-time and have the ability to send a hardware output to an HA panel. Once a person actually gets to my door its probably going to be too late for me to actually be able to identify who is there.

There is no advantage for me to see a person at the door if all I can see is the top of their head - I would already know someone is there from the doorbell ringing, so seeing the top of their head gives no additional benefit. Being notified that someone is walking up my driveway and the TV automatically switching source or doing a PIP and allowing me to see who is walking up while I can identify them is what I am looking for.

 

[electron]

Now, my question is this...do you think it is possible to programatically change the output among the channels? I can handle the coding to write, for example, an HS plugin that would allow me to send an RF X10 command to HS which could interact with the NV5000 application to change the output. Is there an API for this card/software?

What exactly are you trying to do? I don't use the TV output anymore (only have 1 cam right now, which I piped into SageTV), but I honestly don't remember if there is an API or not. I do have a contact @ AverMedia, if this is something that you really want to know, I can send an email asking them to check this thread out.

It seems the Avermedia software could be used to trigger the camera mounted over the door to start recording with the subject on the walk, during the approach to the door. This would avoid a mechanical/RF/IR trigger further up the walkway.

Correct. If you do have to deal with massive snowstorms (which can confuse software based motion detection), I would consider hooking up an external motion sensor tho.

I plan to use a PC to do DVR functions, not a stand-alone DVR system. That said something like the AverMedia card is along the lines of what Im looking for. I will certainly be reading into this a lot more in the near future. I think the GeoVision system(s) have the same capability, but I have not confirmed this as it seems that less people are using their products. I first saw a GeoVision system used in a fairly large hotel, which is what got me interested in their products in the first place. It really doesnt matter to me who the products are from, as long as they meet my needs and are reliable.

I realize that the AverMedia and other cards allow a lot of flexibility when it comes to recording events for archiving purposes, so I am not really concerned with that at all, as I know its practically a standard feature. The feature I would like, is what I explained, to have a software be able to analyze the video in real-time and have the ability to send a hardware output to an HA panel. Once a person actually gets to my door its probably going to be too late for me to actually be able to identify who is there.

There is no advantage for me to see a person at the door if all I can see is the top of their head - I would already know someone is there from the doorbell ringing, so seeing the top of their head gives no additional benefit. Being notified that someone is walking up my driveway and the TV automatically switching source or doing a PIP and allowing me to see who is walking up while I can identify them is what I am looking for.

My software runs on Windows 2003, which also has some other functions such as Active Directory. So you don't HAVE to dedicate a machine to it, it's just strongly recommended. The GeoVision stuff is pretty good as well, but not sure how easy it would be to get support from them without being a dealer, that's something a CCTV expert would have to answer.

The AverMedia software can trigger an output based on motion detection, but keep in mind that your camera has to be in a good location, and make sure weather elements can't trigger the software, or you will get annoyed really fast. What you are looking for tho is what I do. My floodlights motion sensor are tied to the M1, which is connected to an Ocelot, allowing the M1 to send the PiP/Twin View command, showing the video source coming from the cameras/AverMedia software.

 

[twilo123]

take a look at mobotix too if you get a chance. a little pricey but they just sent me a q22 as a loaner and it would probably cover the view you require. also their software is free and the cams have tons of functionality built right in. also they have excellent products for external setups.

http://www.mobotix.com/eng_AU/Products

 

[drvnbysound]

My software runs on Windows 2003, which also has some other functions such as Active Directory. So you don't HAVE to dedicate a machine to it, it's just strongly recommended. The GeoVision stuff is pretty good as well, but not sure how easy it would be to get support from them without being a dealer, that's something a CCTV expert would have to answer.

The AverMedia software can trigger an output based on motion detection, but keep in mind that your camera has to be in a good location, and make sure weather elements can't trigger the software, or you will get annoyed really fast. What you are looking for tho is what I do. My floodlights motion sensor are tied to the M1, which is connected to an Ocelot, allowing the M1 to send the PiP/Twin View command, showing the video source coming from the cameras/AverMedia software.

Yeah, I certainly didnt plan on having much else on the machine.

As far as the weather elements, I am in FL, so its bright and sunny about 85% of the time

I know friends of friends of friends locally who have done some work with the GeoVision stuff, I suppose I could work that angle and see if I can get some answers out of them. I just figured I would ask here first in case anyone had any first hand experience. Thanks for the inputs.

 

[electron]

If you do get more info on the GeoVision system (such as screenshots of what the configuration screens look like, price, etc.), please do share

 

[drvnbysound]

If you do get more info on the GeoVision system (such as screenshots of what the configuration screens look like, price, etc.), please do share

Will do. For now I will post their website URL: http://www.geovision.com.tw

 

[gregking]

Now, my question is this...do you think it is possible to programatically change the output among the channels? I can handle the coding to write, for example, an HS plugin that would allow me to send an RF X10 command to HS which could interact with the NV5000 application to change the output. Is there an API for this card/software?

What exactly are you trying to do? I don't use the TV output anymore (only have 1 cam right now, which I piped into SageTV), but I honestly don't remember if there is an API or not. I do have a contact @ AverMedia, if this is something that you really want to know, I can send an email asking them to check this thread out.

Yeah, I was afraid this wasn't clear.

What I'd like to do is be able to view any of 3 cameras on any of my TVs. To do this, I inject each into a modulator and get each camera on a separate TV channel. To add recording, I could use a DVR which would provide loop out for each camera, essentially splitting the signal to the DVR and to the modulator.

Now, if I go with a capture card solution, there is no loop out for each channel, just the single monitor output that you mentioned. If I hooked this up to the modulator, I could only see the "active" camera. This would still be feasible if I had a way to remotely change which camera is being output to the monitor output. I could use an X10 RF remote to select the given camera to output.

I would need a mechanism that given receipt of an RF X10 command could somehow send a command to the NV5000 application to change the active camera to another one which would put a different camera output onto the single channel that my TV is using to view the cameras.

I could code all of the RF, etc. handling as an HS plugin as long as there is some way to send the command to the NV5000 to change the camera.

In the mean time, I'll investigate this product some more to see if it's what I'm looking for, but from the little I've seen on the website, it looks good.

gk

 

[gregking]

Oh, yeah, what suppliers are recommended for selling the AverMedia card?

gk