Security Camera-to-DVR Setup on Linux?

mrperkins asks: "I have been asked to help a friend setup a Linux DVR (Digital Video Recording) system for security cameras. Previously this has been done on Windows XP using Avermedia video capture cards from the MP3000 and MP5000 series, and using their bundled software. They have a Linux version but the software is horribly broken. The Windows software allows playback/recording/backup from 4-16 cameras. This works reasonably well but certainly has it's share of problems - the PC's hardware being only one. Can this be done on Linux using Free Software and compatible hardware? I have heard that the frame rates achievable under video4linux are simply too slow, but I would like to prove otherwise! Are there any software packages that can do this kind of thing (not just a single stream but a fully featured package)? Also, what cards (pref. up to max $200US) would you recommend? If anyone is already doing this kind of thing please let me know what you're using!"

Comments

Why not take the easy way out...

[CliffH]

... and either:

1) Use XP because that does do the job

or

2) Buy some Axis cameras, spool the captures to your Linux box (preferably with time stamping turned on in the Axis camera), make some mpeg or DiVX videos from the captured images, timestamp as you save them (setup a cron job to do this), and then backup to a secure place.

I've done a few of these installs now and either one of those ways will work. You will ALWAYS have trade-offs (easy route is going to be an XP solution, the more involved route but negligibly cheaper is going to be the Axis solution) so choose wisely. If anyone comes up with another way, I would love to hear it.

CliffH

Use the windows product

[np_bernstein]

I'm a unix administrator. I believe in unix's flexibility and open architecture allows for better system administration, and thus better service/uptime/etc. However, I also firmly believe in using the best tool for the job. If a windows system will allow you to do what you need to do with a minimal amount of work, and a linux solution is not available, or will require a lot of work, use the windows program. That's just common sense.

Re:Use the windows product

[CaptainTux]

I definately support using the right too for the job (which, in this case, does seem to be Windows) but think about this: The *only* reason this is easier on Windows is because someone took the time to make it happen. If someone were to do the same thing on Linux then it would broaden the market and allow future users more choice. So, by doing this on Linux instead of Windows the OP wins in two ways: 1) he gets his DVR based security cam setup on Linux and 2) he contributes something to the community so that others looking for the same thing will have options.

Solutions like these will stay in the Windows world until someone takes the time to bring them to Linux. Why not someone who has an itch?