Notes

Resources for setting up a motion-detection camera security system controlled from your PC using an analog camera.

1. Tutorials

   • Using your PC and a Webcam as a security camera
   • MythTV and a Security Camera
   • Setting up SAA713X in Linux

2. Software

   • Dorgem (Free)Supports an unlimited number of simultaneous cameras. It has a built-in webserver for still images and can be used as security camera because of its motion detection. (Windows)
   • Motion (Free)Software motion detector for Linux. Guide or Download
   • ZoneMinder (Free)Set of applications which together provides a complete surveillance solution allowing capture, analysis, recording and monitoring of any cctv cameras attached to a Linux based machine. Documentation
     or Download
   • Gspy (Free)Special motion detection algorithms are used to reduce the size of the daily movies by eliminating pictures with similar content as well as the mpeg compression. (Linux)
   • VideoLAN (Free)Video streaming server with extended features (Multi-Platform)
   • DSLR Remote ProAllows remote operation of a Canon EOS 5D, 1D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II, 1D, 1DS, 30D, 20D, 10D, 400D/Digital Rebel XTi/Kiss Digital X , 350D/Digital Rebel XT/Kiss Digital N or 300D/Digital Rebel/Kiss Digital digital SLR via a PC using a FireWire or USB cable.
   • Webcam Camera System

3. Recommended Cheap Hardware

   Look for a TV Tuner card or USB capture device with composite(RCA) input if you have an analog camera. Get one which uses one of the following chipset (Should be listed in the product’s specifications):

   • ZoneMinder Supported Hardware
   • Gspy Supported Hardware
   • Motion Supported Hardware

   You should be able to find something for about $20 to $30 on the internet.

4. My Setup

   • I have a TV Tuner card with cable, composite and s-video inputs which has an SAA7130 chip (Module SAA7134 from Kernel 2.6.X is
     required)

   I couldn’t get it to work with Zone Minder, but it does work pretty well with Motion. I got it from eBay for $15.

   • I also bought an analog wireless camera with receiver for $30 on eBay (composite output).
   • Motion. It is not a GUI program but it is easily setup from the
     motion.conf file and has many nice features (capture video or pictures on motion detection for example).
   • I use Slackware on a P-III 1Ghz (I get about 5 frame per second while motion is detected)

You could also use a webcam like the one listed below, which features infrared lights for improved night vision (and it is USB so don’t need any special hardware for composite input).

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