[XCSSA] Motion activated Security Cam/CCTV Monitoring in Linux

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

To follow up on my last post.. I'm planning on using these color, night-IR 
CCTV cameras:
	http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95914

Combined with the "motion" application on my firewall:
	http://motion.sourceforge.net/
	(which also comes with the Devil Linix liveCD firewall distro)

This setup can function as a very basic setup that can utilize your existing 
firewall/router as a web-cab system too.


But looking beyond that for a more comprehensive, web-accessible home 
monitoring suite, ZoneMinder seems to be THE way to go for web based home 
CCTV monitoring:
	http://www.zoneminder.com/

It's has a VERY advanced and has a complete set of tools that can even monitor 
busy areas and only triggering on non-peak time events:
	http://www.zoneminder.com/uploads/pics/zm-timeline.gif

use scene masks (to mast out things like blowing plants, pets, etc):
	http://www.zoneminder.com/uploads/pics/zm-zone.gif

Plus it can integrate with existing home automation/X10 and security systems.

If anyone else is doing this stuff.. please chime in.. I would love to compare 
notes.

For example.. I'm finding that for home security.. wireless cameras suck.. and 
are too big of a security loophole (easily jammed, or simply interfered with 
via other 2.4GHz signals).  These cheap CC IR wired cams seem to be the way to 
go.


Capture Card Hardware:
If you're doing more than just one USB/webcam, then you may want to look at 
getting a dedicated video capture card too.  As with most geek hardware, there 
is usually low end and a higher end.  It's no different with capture cards. 

The "low end" (but popular) seems to be a 4 input card that is usually 
referred to as a PICOLO 2000 compatible card, and they typically go for 
around $30-40 on ebay.

Then there is the mid-low end PV-143 card which does 4ch, 30fps (shared), 
which ends up yielding around 2-4fps/ch, for around $40... adequate for home 
security IMHO:
	http://store.bluecherry.net/Provideo_PV_143Na_p/pv-143na.htm

On the mid-high end, you have the full 30fps/ch cards (e.g. 4ch = 120fps 
total) which start at around $140-150:
	http://store.bluecherry.net/Provideo_PV_149_p/pv-149.htm

These cards are definitely more advanced, uses multiple dedicates BT878 
chipsets, and even includes built in watchdog/reset circuit to reset your 
motherboard if the system freezes!



Others doing, or thinking about doing this stuff?  Do share. :)

Tweeks