ZoneMinder Forums

After an unsuccessful attempt to get zm going on Ubuntu "Feisty" (mainly down to my lack linux expertise) I decided to try the LiveCD route.

Everything has gone without a hitch and I have zm 1.22.2 running just fine on the following hardware.

Pentium 4 3.2Ghz Onboard Gig-Lan
1 gb PC3200 Ram
120gb IDE HDD (I know need a bigger HDD)
4 Port 4 Chip BT878 Card

I don't currently have any cameras so my test source material "cameras" are playing VHS tapes on a few old VCR's using composite out.

So I'm ready to freshly backed up & ready to buy some cameras to try this for real. A couple of questions before I start.

Q: Kernel Upgrade?
I notice the the 1.22.3 RPMs for LiveCD have versions for Mandriva 2006, 2007.0 & 2007.1 Kernels. The LiveCD install I did used the 2006 version of Mandriva. Would it be a good idea to update to the newer Kernel BEFORE I start using this system for real and then use the 2007.1 versions of the RPMs? Seeing as I had a backup I had a look at what updates & security Patches would be available but my install doesn't seem to have any repositories listed for Operating System upgrades? Is this normal on the LiveCD installs?

Q: Adding a bigger HDD Later?
How easy will it be to add a large HDD later and change the path used for storage for my recordings? Ideally I'd rather make sure this is going to work for me before splashing out on a 750gb HDD. Is Sata or IDE better for ZM?


USB Webcam for Server room?
I'd like to buy a single USB webcam to cover the room the ZM server is in. All my current (company supplied) webcams are Philips (Toucams) and I have not been able to get them working with ZM. Can anyone recommend a USB webcam for this purpose please? My first priority is a decent picture, this is more important that other features, but if Pan/Tilt or Pan/Tilt/Zoom are achievable so much the better. I'd like to use a USB webcam rather that one of the 4 Analogue Inputs as I eventually want to end up with 9 cameras (4 Composite, 4 IP-Cams + this USB one).

Thanks for any information that may help,

Mark.

I notice the the 1.22.3 RPMs for LiveCD have versions for Mandriva 2006, 2007.0 & 2007.1 Kernels. The LiveCD install I did used the 2006 version of Mandriva. Would it be a good idea to update to the newer Kernel BEFORE I start using this system for real and then use the 2007.1 versions of the RPMs? Seeing as I had a backup I had a look at what updates & security Patches would be available but my install doesn't seem to have any repositories listed for Operating System upgrades? Is this normal on the LiveCD installs?

The way your question is phrased indicates some confusion. You can use the 2006 zm RPM to upgrade to the latest version of zm with your present installation. There is a updates repository configured but it seems that the repository is no longer being maintained. You could delete it and configure another if you choose. If so you may then update the kernel if you feel the need. This installation will always be 2006 and you should not use any 2007.* RPMs with it.

As it sounds like the system is not really deployed yet I would recommend getting the 2007.0 based ZMliceCD_1.22.3 version (bittorrent only, but worth the trouble ) before going farther. An installation from it will be maintainable longer and it will have better support for SATA drives.

The 2007.1 RPMs you may see are for do it yourselfers only as there is no 2007.1 livecd at this point.

How easy will it be to add a large HDD later and change the path used for storage for my recordings?

Doable but not simple, especially if you have recorded events to migrate. Much simpler to start with the large drive at deployment.

Can anyone recommend a USB webcam for this purpose please? My first priority is a decent picture, this is more important that other features, but if Pan/Tilt or Pan/Tilt/Zoom are achievable so much the better.

Maybe some else has something to offer here. The webcams I have used are definitely inferior in picture quality.

Thanks for the reply

rdmelin wrote:The way your question is phrased indicates some confusion. You can use the 2006 zm RPM to upgrade to the latest version of zm with your present installation. There is a updates repository configured but it seems that the repository is no longer being maintained. You could delete it and configure another if you choose. If so you may then update the kernel if you feel the need. This installation will always be 2006 and you should not use any 2007.* RPMs with it.

That's the sort of information I need, thanks.

As it sounds like the system is not really deployed yet I would recommend getting the 2007.0 based ZMliceCD_1.22.3 version (bittorrent only, but worth the trouble ) before going farther. An installation from it will be maintainable longer and it will have better support for SATA drives.

That's most helpful, thanks again. As you say the system is not yet deployed. I orioginally did a Suse9.3 & then Suse10.1 install to try but mucked it up beyond repair before I ever got to deploy it. I decided to try the "out-of-the-box" approach of a live CD and it all went just fine.

The 2007.1 RPMs you may see are for do it yourselfers only as there is no 2007.1 livecd at this point.

I need to get a lot more Linux knowledge, I am also experimenting )on different machines) with LinuxMCE1.1 (on KUbuntu7.04Fiesty) and AsteriskNOW LiveCD. I'm wondering whether it's time to attempt another do-it-yourself install under Fiesty so that some knowledge gained on one install may help on the other? I'd like to use an install that has a better chance of longer term support.

RE:How easy to add a large HDD later

Doable but not simple, especially if you have recorded events to migrate. Much simpler to start with the large drive at deployment.

I thought that may be the situation, I'll do just that then.

Can anyone recommend a USB webcam for this purpose please? My first priority is a decent picture, this is more important that other features, but if Pan/Tilt or Pan/Tilt/Zoom are achievable so much the better.

Maybe some else has something to offer here. The webcams I have used are definitely inferior in picture quality.

I realise that the quality won't be the same as dedicated CCTV cameras, but this is a kind of "bonus" camera in the room where the server is located simply to monitor fairly close range activity. It certainly isn't essential, but it would be useful to see who has entered the room, when and what machine(s) they use whilst in there. I've set up a rubbish webcam using "wheresjames" opensource webcam cctv on a windows pc and it's adequate, it would be nice to bring this into the zm box.

Thanks for all your help. I thinkl I'll try another DIY install using KUbuntu7.04 at the weekend and I'll get that ZMliceCD_1.22.3 if I'm unsuccesful. I'll have to learn how to do torrents first though

Thanks again,

Mark.