Build System - Non-Recording

[ckinninger 0]

Guys,

 

I was hoping you could help me by recommending some items to build a pc based system. I want to be able to watch 16 channels at the same time but NO RECORDING is going to be done so no need for any fan$y compression.

 

What I was wondering is if you guys could recommend me a capture card that will give good video quality for the 16 channels. Also, I know there is free software around, can you tell me if any of it would work to display the 16 (4x4) with minimum bells and whistles.

 

Though I need it to be stable as possible, the system would probably be easiest for me to do in WinXP or Vista. The thing will run 24x7x365. I suppose the capture card website will tell me the min requirements for the pc hardware so no need to bother with that.

 

I realize I'm begging for help on this. I just figured you guys would know how to do this. I really don't need a full blown dvr system which could be purchased for big dollars out of the box.

 

Thanks,

 

CK

[rory 0]

if only for live view .. check out the standalone DVR that intellicam uses, the slim line 16 channel DVRs with HDMI output .. amazing live video using HDMI and a compatible LCD monitor .. record is only CIF though. But also has network software if needed. They are also sold under other OEM brands at lower cost such as Xtsvideo. Price is very good, cheaper then building a 16 channel PC DVR in this case.

[Soundy 1]

Unless there's some burning need to run this on a computer, may I suggest: [edit by mod: store link removed]

[ckinninger 0]

Unless there's some burning need to run this on a computer, may I suggest: [edit by mod: store link removed]

- Soundy, I don't really have a burning desire to build a pc. It's gets old fast. Is there a way to communicate the product in another way that the link won't be required?

 

if only for live view .. check out the standalone DVR that intellicam uses, the slim line 16 channel DVRs with HDMI output .. amazing live video using HDMI and a compatible LCD monitor .. record is only CIF though. But also has network software if needed. They are also sold under other OEM brands at lower cost such as Xtsvideo. Price is very good, cheaper then building a 16 channel PC DVR in this case.

- Rory, The reason I wanted to go the pc based route was because, from what I understand, it will output hi-def or pc resolution. Meaning... it could take 16 480i/p cameras and patch them together to form a high definition feed. We are currently using an old 16 channel dvr for this job but it outputs only 480 (total) so if I output it to a 65" plasma each of the 16 cameras show up very grainy. I guess they are shown at 1/16th of 480 resolution.

 

Are there any out of the box solutions that can patch together all the 16 feeds to form a nice hd output? I'll checkout the intellicam and xtsvideo.

 

Thank you!

[rory 0]

I only tried a single camera on that DVR to a 32" LCD in one way view so cant speak for anything larger or multiview, it was crisp like a movie though, and that was from a $200+- camera. Using VGA the quality was not great, but the HDMI was amazing. Are you currently using HDMI? Are you talking about IP cameras or CCTV cameras?

 

Hi-Def 720p HDMI Output

http://www.genivtechnology.com/s.nl/it.A/id.518/.f

http://www.xtsvideo.com/viewDetailProduct.aspx?productId=XTS-DVR720-S&categoryId=7

[Soundy 1]

The "store link" was simple eBay results search for "16 channel multiplexer". Go to eBay, type "16 channel multiplexer" in the search box, and you'll end up at the same place. No specific store, vendor, seller, auction, or pricing.

 

Now then... I get what you're looking for... my suggestion would basically have put you back where you started. Thus the recommendation to include as much info as possible in the original post: if we know WHY you want it, we have a better chance of coming up with a suitable WHAT.

 

In your case, you'll have one problem no matter what you do: pretty much all HD TVs and monitors now are widescreen, and your resulting output will either need to be stretched horizontally (which will lead to pixelation), or it will need to be displayed "pillarboxed", with black bars on either side.

 

Remember that a 16-channel grid is 4x4, so you're actually only cutting each camera's dimensions by four (so the '480' vertical resolution is cut to 120).

 

The best you'll probably find in a *TV* type monitor is 1080p, native resolution 1920x1080... divided into 4x4, that gives you 270 pixels vertical per camera... better, but still not full res.

 

Your device doesn't need to be a PC, it just needs to be able to output VGA, DVI or HDMI signal at up to the monitor's native resolution. Keep in mind that unless you match the monitor's native resolution, you'll lose some sharpness to the monitor's own upscaling as well.

 

All that said, we end up back in the same place: it will probably require a PC to get you the control you need.... that, or a fairly high-end standalone.

 

Now, to get smooth motion on a 16-camera grid, you either need a true 480fps@D1 card that displays via DirectDraw... or a basic 16-channel card, even a 30- or 60fps model, that displays using overlays. The latter method, the display doesn't use the card's processing, so the card's maximum framerate won't matter.

[ckinninger 0]

 

Your device doesn't need to be a PC, it just needs to be able to output VGA, DVI or HDMI signal at up to the monitor's native resolution. Keep in mind that unless you match the monitor's native resolution, you'll lose some sharpness to the monitor's own upscaling as well.

....

Now, to get smooth motion on a 16-camera grid, you either need a true 480fps@D1 card that displays via DirectDraw... or a basic 16-channel card, even a 30- or 60fps model, that displays using overlays. The latter method, the display doesn't use the card's processing, so the card's maximum framerate won't matter.

 

Soundy, Thanks a lot for all the information.

 

I'm a novice but it looks like the 480fps@D1 card would be something like a GV-1016 which seems to cost around grand. That might come out a little high on price for what I want to accomplish when you add on the cost of an inexpensive custom built pc. What I'm getting at is that it seems like a lot of the power of the GV-1016 type card is used for recording which I won't be doing. Maybe there is a cheaper card with those specs, or maybe I need the power for smooth display of all 16 channels.

 

For the other option, I'm having a hard time finding exactly the specs on potential cards. "Basic 16 Channel Card"..."that displays using overlays". It's the part about the display using overlays that I cannot determine when examining products for sale. Does this option mean that the pc's video card will do all the work in making the flows look smooth? I'm worried the pc would be working too hard to accomplish the task and thus be a little unstable. Again, I am not sure if I am comprehending the drawback of this option. I know this is asking a lot but is there any chance you could give me an example of a 16 channel card, cpu, and video card to make this work pretty easily? Remember, no recording will be done.

 

I only tried a single camera on that DVR to a 32" LCD in one way view so cant speak for anything larger or multiview, it was crisp like a movie though, and that was from a $200+- camera. Using VGA the quality was not great, but the HDMI was amazing. Are you currently using HDMI? Are you talking about IP cameras or CCTV cameras?

 

Hi-Def 720p HDMI Output

http://www.genivtechnology.com/s.nl/it.A/id.518/.f

http://www.xtsvideo.com/viewDetailProduct.aspx?productId=XTS-DVR720-S&categoryId=7

 

Rory, Thank you as well. I'm not using VGA nor HDMI out right now. The box is just a low end cctv dvr. I want to ditch that. The video will be analog (no ip).

 

I like those two machines you linked above. They seem pretty bare boned (not too much recording punch) so they might work for me. The HDTV out (hdmi, vga) are a must for me. 720p is my minimum so no problem there. The unix OS's don't cost an arm and a leg so that's good since I don't plan on using any features beside the 4x4 display window. I guess my only question on these two boxes would be do they have enough power to show the 16 feeds with reasonable flow. I have no reason to doubt it. It looks like the price would be around $700 which is acceptable as long as it can do the job (display).

 

 

 

Thanks Rory and Soundy.

[rory 0]

It looks like the price would be around $700 which is acceptable as long as it can do the job (display).

 

The Xtsvideo model is cheaper then the Intellicam, probably due to it being a much smaller less known company, from what I can tell it is the same unit from the same manufacturer out of Asia. Not sure if Intellicam has them do something else with the software or not though as I havent actually used theirs.