Unique Situation - Is there Software that can do this?

[Baron 0]

Hello,

 

I work in a test cell and need some feedback to see if what I am looking for exists.

 

The current setup

Right now, we have 10 cameras (four PTZ cameras, three Camcorders, two IP cameras and one is an IR camera)

 

The four PTZ cameras over look the test and we have separate device to control them, these cameras are not being recorded right now. The three camcorders are on tripods, which we move to areas we keep a close eye on. These three feeds are hooked up to three Micro Character Generators and then to three VCRs to record on VHS tapes, which outputs to CRT TVs. The two IP cameras are looking at the hardware, which takes data to make sure everything is running smoothly. The IP cameras are displayed on part of a monitor of one of our testing stations. The one IR camera is overlooking certain hotspots and has a separate PT controller. This is also on the same test station monitor of the IP cameras.

 

One of our computers we use for the test sends texts to the Micro Character Generators, in which overlays the text (Julian date, what run we are on, and with how long the test has been going) to the video to be recorded on the VHSs. During the night of runs, we document any run that something we fine interesting has happen. The next day(s) we get the footage off the VHS tape(s) by using another VCR hooked up to a computer to cut out the runs that interest us.

 

What I am looking for

I have two PCIe X8 and two PCI slots open on the computer to implement this on. I would like the card to be able to record 16 BNC channels. I am open to using a separate device for this, as long as it can be controlled via the computer, but would rather use a PCI or PCIe card.

 

The main trouble I am running into is finding out if there is software that can do what we would like it to do, or a company that would give us the rights/freedom to manipulate the code for our needs.

 

Is there CCTV software out there that can add text overlay to all of the inputs and record the video with the text?

Would I be able to automatically save each run (runs can last 30 sec to 10 min) in separate files with a trigger signal and rename the files according to the runs?

In addition, if this software is out there, how can the display boxed be configured?

 

If this is not possible or out there, is there any company, willing to add these features or be willing to give me the source code or “hooks” into the program so this can be done with a script.

 

Sorry for the long post

hopefully this is detailed enough for you to understand what I am looking for and it is not too confusing.

Please ask any questions if you need clarification.

 

Thanks!

[tomcctv 190]

Hi. Baron. interesting project.

 

with having a mix of cameras .... analog and IP and with using camcorders makes getting all footage back to 1 pc is going to be simple If. you have a video feed out from your camcorders ??

 

but what you are looking for is a hybrid card and you will still be able to use your existing text Generators.

[Baron 0]

Hello Tom, and thanks for the reply!

 

We have all the coaxial cable with BNC ends running from out test cell to our control room. They all end up in one conjunction for all of our analog cameras. So I just need to teminate them into the PCIe card connectors instead of the VCR and TVs. And yes, I am looking for a hybrid card with up to 16 channels. Everything (minus the IP cameras) in our setup is connected with BNC and BNC to RCA connectors, from the camcorders to text generator, to VCR, and to TV.

 

The problem I am running into is finding software that can do what we would like to do (if this is even out here). This is why I came here to ask you people that are more knowledgeable then myself. It would be very nice for the software used to have the capability of creating the text overlay for the video feed instead of buying a text generator for every video feed. Also, have the capability to program in the capability to stop re-name and start a new “custom named” file with a click of the button.

 

Does anyone know of something like this out there? Or of a company that will let them manipulate with their code?

 

Thanks again for your help!

[tomcctv 190]

hi. some good hybrids.

 

http://www.3xlogic.com/prod/599/pro-series-hybrid-video-recorder

 

http://uk.surveillance.aver.com/product/hybrid-capture-card-NV8416T

 

http://uk.surveillance.aver.com/product/embedded-hybrid-DVR-IWH3216-Touch

 

 

 

all of which will run your cameras. the only problem is text overlay. all above units can do it via utp so you can use a laptop with word pad but that is were your problem starts ..... the text overlay is used for POS (cash register display ) and is assigned to camera at setup. which the way you want to use it you cant.

 

but i think (i will have to have a play) a text emulator that can be assigned a local IP address for each camera may work

 

but this is just standard text like from work is that what you are looking for.

[buellwinkle 0]

BlueIris software supports webcam, analog camera cards and IP cameras in one software package that runs on Windows. For $50, it's pretty good. With that many cameras, make sure you get a decent PC, better than an Atom processor, maybe a Sandy Bridge i7.

 

Also, if you want to code, and who doesn't, you can check out the Zoneminder open source project. Being open source the price is right, you get the software and can even contribute code you develop to the open source community.

[Baron 0]

Tom, thank you for the links. There is a good chance I will end up getting aver’s NV8416T

 

Is it possible to get a screen shot of Aver’s software on how you would set-up the text overlay? In addition, could I get a screen shot of how file names are saved?

 

Having the file names saved and changed, along with the text overlay is a big function we are looking for with our recordings. We do up to 25-35 runs a night and having to manual stop, edit the name, and start recording would not be very fun. In addition, when looking at data the text overlay is needed to compare at what time things occurred.

 

Buellwinkle, thank you for the information. I will have to check out Zoneminder. Not sure how much time I can put into this, I have a list of things that is never ending that I also have to be done.

[Baron 0]

Does anyone else know of software that has custom text overlay? Or the ability to save and change file names quickly, possibly with a script?

[buellwinkle 0]

Axis cameras have a very good HTTP API where you send it commands and I bet you can change the text overlay by sending it a command via HTTP.

 

As for software that creates files, it usually does so in it's own format and if you want to use it's software to find them, it's best to keep them that way. Also, most software stores video in it's own proprietory format, not something you can open with common PC video software. But you can write a shell script on Linux or use Windows Scripting to do whatever you want with the files.

[Baron 0]

Thank you very much buellwinkle for this info. I am looking into the Axis .pdf files on their API currently and it seems like they might have the closest to what I am looking for.

 

Does anyone know if Axis sells a Hybrid PCIe or PCI card for video input and recording? There are the standalone 16-port video encoders: AXIS M70 Series or AXIS P72 Series, but I was hoping for a PCI card to install on a computer instead of using my network. I can not find it on their website, so most likely not, but just wondering if I missed them somewhere.

[thewireguys 3]

Thank you very much buellwinkle for this info. I am looking into the Axis .pdf files on their API currently and it seems like they might have the closest to what I am looking for.

 

Does anyone know if Axis sells a Hybrid PCIe or PCI card for video input and recording? There are the standalone 16-port video encoders: AXIS M70 Series or AXIS P72 Series, but I was hoping for a PCI card to install on a computer instead of using my network. I can not find it on their website, so most likely not, but just wondering if I missed them somewhere.

 

Axis does not sell PCI cards only encoders.