ZoneMinder Forums

Hello,

First of all i must say that i'm really amazed by the work you're doing !!! i've not used ZoneMinder yet but i've readen a few posts on this forum and the features of this application, and woaw ! it's the killer application that i've been looking for a long time !!!

Before using ZoneMinder i'm looking for the hardware necessary for my project, and that's about that that i'm asking you some questions.

This is a brief description of my project:

-I would like to have 10 cameras (preferably wireless ones)
-I want to store for each camera, 1 fps (black and white 640*480).
-I want to be able to review a sequence that was recorded, at worst 7 days ago.
-I don't plan to do image analysis nor tracking.

I must say that i'm a bit confused because i don't know which hardware to choose, i've readen the forum dedicated to the hardware recommended devices but i didn't find any informations about wireless cams, neither about a ten input card.

I'm looking for hardware devices known to work with debian and the latest stable version of zone Minder.

This is a list of the questions that i have:

-Can i process (10 cams) and store (10 fps for a period of 7 days, 640*480 black and white) on a single computer ?
if true==What kind of computer would you recommend me ?
if false==Should i go for a camera server (for example a celeron) networked with a ZM server ?

-As i prefer spending more money on working hardware instead of struggling for weeks trying to configure it, which wireless camera would you recommend me ?
-Do you think that wireless cameras is a bad idea and that i should go for standards anlog cameras ? if true==Which model yould you recommend me ?

-Do you know a card which could allow me to have 10 inputs ? if true==do you a the reference of a model ?

I hope that i don't bother you with all my questions, In fact i really would love to use ZM for my project and therefore i'd like to make a very detailed tutorial like the one herehttp://www.howtoforge.net/, and why not publish an article on the make blog, http://www.makezine.com/blog/


Thank you for your help !!!

JJ

for ease of use id go for axis206w as they are wireless and very good ip cams, i would also suggest you look at Coreys Ctu zm install cd or Ross's live cd, as they will just work, rather than have config and dependency issues. processor wise your demands arnt that high so any mid range processow will do, maybe a 3 gig celleron to give you a bit of headroom. disk size wise will depend on the quality of your jpegs. You will need to work out image size's multiplied by the number cams by how many seconds you want to store. Just bear in mind the 206's are colour and when light level drops images get noiseir and image size goes up. If you use ip cams you wont need a capture Card, so will make life easier for you

Hello James,
Thank you for your help !
I'm gonna go for the axis206w !!!
About the live cds i was wondering if it was a good idea for a "production" server, i mean the server is not dedicated to mission critical performances but it will be used 5 days a week 300 days per year.
I thought that the live cd was great for testing purpose, am i wrong ?

So this is the hardware list that i need (have i missed something ?):

10 axis206w
1 Wireless router
1 switch with at least 11 ports
1 computer (3Gig celeron, 300 Go hardrive, 1024 memory,1 cd-rom)

In fact there's something that i don't understand, how will i be able to send the video streams from my 10 axis206w to the ZM server ?
Will i need a router linked to a switch linked to server ?

Best regards,


JJ