Capture POS video into IP camera format

[adamh 0]

Hello all,

 

I am currently in need of a way to capture video from a POS system (VGA) that is putting out 1280x800 into IP camera format (I'm using Milestone Xprotect). I have the following rig currently set up:

 

VGA from POS --> VGA scaler to reduce resolution to 1024x768 --> VGA to composite converter --> Axis video server --> IP --> Milestone Xprotect server.

 

This set up works for the most part but the end result is obviously not ideal since it ends with a low resolution and I am trying to capture text. I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas on a hardware device that was able to converter high resolution VGA into IP. Thanks,

 

Adam

[tomcctv 190]

Hello all,

 

I am currently in need of a way to capture video from a POS system (VGA) that is putting out 1280x800 into IP camera format (I'm using Milestone Xprotect). I have the following rig currently set up:

 

VGA from POS --> VGA scaler to reduce resolution to 1024x768 --> VGA to composite converter --> Axis video server --> IP --> Milestone Xprotect server.

 

This set up works for the most part but the end result is obviously not ideal since it ends with a low resolution and I am trying to capture text. I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas on a hardware device that was able to converter high resolution VGA into IP. Thanks,

 

Adam

 

 

Hi Adam.

 

i think you might be going the wrong way with this. the vga on most pos systems is to duplicate the original screen. yes this can be converted to bnc then put though an ip convertor but this is not pos overlay. you might be better looking at milestons pos overlay which is an add on.

[adamh 0]

Unfortunately, this is not a typical POS system with serial output. It's a separate display tied into the POS system to display statistics to the employees. The only way I'll be able to capture it is through VGA, possibly DVI or by putting an IP camera in front of the screen (last resort).

[tomcctv 190]

Unfortunately, this is not a typical POS system with serial output. It's a separate display tied into the POS system to display statistics to the employees. The only way I'll be able to capture it is through VGA, possibly DVI or by putting an IP camera in front of the screen (last resort).

 

 

Hi Adam. so this is not going to be the standard text overlay i.e total / amount / change given. ??

 

[adamh 0]

 

Hi Adam. so this is not going to be the standard text overlay i.e total / amount / change given. ??

 

 

No, not at all.

[hardwired 0]

Well, if you are using Milestone, you are going to be limited by their compatibility list, and I don't see much there that would do what you are asking. Is there any possibility of working with the POS company to provide a serial or Ethernet data output?

[adamh 0]

The POS is off limits I'm afraid. Sounds like I may already have the best solution in place.

[tomcctv 190]

The POS is off limits I'm afraid. Sounds like I may already have the best solution in place.

 

 

Hi adam. if its not pos then what image are you trying to capture. can you let us know what it is you are doing. what comes from the vga. till screen or something else.

[adamh 0]

It's mostly text with some simple graphics. Definitely not your typical console-style output from a POS. The problem I'm having is because of the scaling to lower resolutions I am unable to read some of the smaller text.

[Harrar 0]

The problem I'm having is because of the scaling to lower resolutions I am unable to read some of the smaller text.

 

Silly question then. Why can't you scale up? There are VGA scalers that allow you to set the output up to 1280x1024.

[tomcctv 190]

It's mostly text with some simple graphics. Definitely not your typical console-style output from a POS. The problem I'm having is because of the scaling to lower resolutions I am unable to read some of the smaller text.

 

 

Hi adam sorry i am lost now. we have covered pos and coverd you dont want text overlay. i dont understand what you need to capture.

 

if it is not the moneys and amounts going though the till. what info are you looking at.

[hardwired 0]

Evidently, he has a POS system that only has a VGA output, and no serial or printer outputs (how do they get a receipt?). He has to try and get that output into Milestone NVR software, which he is now doing with a VGA-composite converter and then an encoder.

[tomcctv 190]

Evidently, he has a POS system that only has a VGA output, and no serial or printer outputs (how do they get a receipt?). He has to try and get that output into Milestone NVR software, which he is now doing with a VGA-composite converter and then an encoder.

 

 

Hi hardwired. i still dont understand the project. i have asked if its text overlay or moneys going though till and the answer has been no. if its just the duplicate screen he is looking at converting he would save a lot of money if he just did overlay from ip.

[adamh 0]

The project is taking video capture of employees working the register along with video output of the POS (which I have) and an additional display that shows statistics in real time (some text, some numbers and some graphs). The POS output is already at a low enough resolution that I'm able to feed it into an encoder without much quality loss. The problem I'm having is with converting the 1280x800 statistics display into something I can capture with Milestone. Scaling the image up wouldn't help because the VGA to composite converters only accept 800x600/1024x768 etc and then output a 480i signal.

[Soundy 1]

What sort of "VGA to composite converter" are you using? Something like an AverKey may do the job, as they're designed to display computer graphics on TVs for presentation purposes, and will take higher input resolutions.

[adamh 0]

I'm using a Grantec PC to TV (http://www.grandtec.com/products/video/untimateEZ.html). Thanks for the tip about the AVerkey, it looks promising.