Joe Barr Gives ZoneMinder A Thumbs-Up

I've been interested in the Free software home-security software called ZoneMinder for a while, but strictly as a lurker, checking out the project's site whenever I noticed it crawl down the Freshmeat home page. Joe Barr of NewsForge, though, recently had reason to install the software, which manages one or more home security cameras (which can be any Linux compatible camera -- he used some common D-Link wireless ones), watches for movement (generating alarms based on user configuration), and lets the camera output be streamed elsewhere, so a thief can't usefully just rip out the recording system. (NewsForge and Slashdot are both part of OSTG.)

Comments

Cool idea

[TiggertheMad]

One thing I wonder about, though. The Screenshot in the article showed the driveway from a fairly long shot. Are the cameras good enough to read a liscence plate at that distance? And what about lighting? It might be hard to read a plate at night, although a motion detector on an external light might solve that problem.

Getting pictures of theives is a good thing, making sure that they are good enought to ID someone is even better.

Re:Cool idea

[mikael]

According to the article, the maximum resolution is 640x480. To accurately recognise a number plate, you need to recognise around 8-10 characters with at least 8x8 pixels per character. Assuming the field of view is 45 degrees, you'd need to have a number plate at least two feet away to be fully visible, and then the visible size would halve every time you doubled the distance. You'd probably be able to get 16 feet range if this were the case.

The lighting would be up to you. These cameras are sensitive to infrared light (Some buildings actually have infrared lamps on the outside, which appear not to be working to us, but will make the scene appear illuminated to a video camera). You'd probably want to have motion activated outside lighting before you had a camera for night-time protection.

Although, I hope the cameras also save the time and date on the display. Some courts won't accept such evidence unless it is timestamped.

This is great!

[Chocolate Teapot]

I can have it page me whenever there is movement in the shower. Ooops! Thinking aloud again.

three languages, one db, one http server...

[dirvish]

ZoneMinder is a collection of Perl, PHP, and C++ modules which work together to deliver a highly functional video security package. It can handle multiple cameras, either locally attached, like a USB Webcam, or remote Internet cameras. Also required are MySQL and an HTTP server like Apache. That can mean a lot of installation time, and perhaps a few frustrations along the way, but it's worth it.

This project might be out of reach for folks without the technical ability of the geniuses that populate slashdot. Anyone know how much a professional installation like this would cost for comparison?

Can't Tell You

[techsoldaten]

Cannot tell you the number of times I have thought about implementing the exact same application. The idea of wireless streaming means the storage device can be kept off-site or in a very discreet location within the premises.

One question I have is about the detection analysis, and how the threshold for analysis is set. For instance, there are a number of trees beside my front driveway and they sway and shake a lot. How does one go about making sure Zoneminder does not record the trees continuously?

M

Re:Can't Tell You

[Mr 44]

IF you look at the website, you can (graphically) define exclusion zones within each camera's view.

The software is really quite powerfull.

Re:Can't Tell You

[_Shorty-dammit]

"Multiple Zones (Regions Of Interest) can be defined per camera. Each can have a different sensitivity or be ignored altogether." http://www.zoneminder.com/documentation.html

Wireless...

[Supp0rtLinux]

Oh how this can add to my pron world. The place next door to me is still under construction. Perhaps I can covertly install some of these in certain areas, stream them to my house, and watch them at work. Or better... I'll buy the place, rent it a bunch of college girls, then stream it into my new site called VoyeurDorm.com. ;)

Another good app..

[smclean]

I've been playing around with my X10 wireless cam and Motion.

Motion has motion detection and whatnot, and it's a pretty nice program, extremely configurable and extensible. Makes a nice webcam with java streaming .

homeland security??

[hellfire]

Okay admit it. How many of you read that as "free homeland security software" and were about ready to burn down sourceforge to find the programmer who created this? Fess up! I know you're out there!

Away put your pitchforks and torches!

Cool applications

[pdx_joe]

I wonder what other applications this could be used for. Maybe I'm wrong, but alot of people do NOT need this intense of security. They may want it, but a deadbolt would be sufficient. If someone does break into my apartment, the most the can take are a couple of computers, the cost of setting up this system would be as much as what I'd be securing. Perhaps it could be low-cost/opensource security solution for school computer labs. With that said, what else could this be used for? Besides the normal childish pron/watching your babysitters jokes. How about Environmental monitoring?

Wireless Security Cameras: Bug your own home

[VidEdit]

I think it is important to remember that even if the web access is secure anyone can intercept RF link warless cameras. Rather than supplying extra security, you may be letting thieves case your home or business. They'll be able to see what you have, if you are home, and where your security cameras are pointed.

Plus, the privacy implications are also bad, you are letting anyone with a receiver to spy on you 24 hours a day.