PCIE vs USB Capture cards

[rash.m2k 0]

Hi all,

 

I didn't have much luck on another forum, so I thought I'd post here, here's my questions.

 

I've just bought a new N54L micro server for a brand new cctv system setup, obvious candidates are zoneminder on linux, which I'm perfectly happy with, however I'm having trouble choosing the correct capture card and CCTV cameras.

 

Cameras:

- Choosing BNC rather than IP cameras; cheaper, better, less cpu overhead, specifically this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281111409145

- Has varifocal lens (so can experiment with field of view)

- 1/3" CCD sensor, 700TVL and night vision.

 

Capture card:

- Only have option of PCIE (not standard PCI), having trouble finding a half height card

- But this one looks the most likely one I'm going to buy: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221037775607

- Recording resolution is D1 (704x480)

- Maybe a USB one would be better? Something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200907717699

 

My quesitions about this are:

 

1) The card appears to be full height - will this fit in the N54L IF I'm able to either remove the yellow audio connector? Is there enough room inside the case? I only need a max of TWO hard disk drives so can remove the remaining empty bays if needed with a little DIY. Will it even work in Linux?

 

2) Would a USB one be better/easier or would I be able to capture higher res and still cost the same?

 

3) What type of video will the CCTV camera output? Will the RCA based USB capture even work?

 

4) Can I use a CAT5 cable to provide power as well? Using the other 2 wires of the CAT5 cable? Using something like this: http://www.tech365.co.uk/products/branded-single-way-bnc-and-power-rj45-balun.html can the CAT5 handle 12V 1A?

 

Any feedback on these is most welcome.

[RandyParlee 0]

Why don't you ask the manufacturer? Oh right, you want to use the cheapo no brand no spec camera. I know this sounds harsh but why waste your time and money on something that you know almost nothing about? If you're going to insist on going analogue at least get something that offers a spec.

 

IP cameras are waaaay easier for a tech savvy guy like yourself to set up and manage.

 

Good luck

[rash.m2k 0]

I take your point, I'm still experimenting at the moment so I don't want to fork out a lot of money for something I may not even use yet (I want to be able to drop in a new camera easily once everything is setup as I want it), I've just discovered someone local that also sells the camera so I can actually take a look.

 

Why do you say IP cameras are easier to manage? Sure most of them let you drop the stream to an FTP (or some other shared folder/drive), but thats pretty much the same as a PCI card dropping the video stream to a local system (i.e. /dev/videoX in Linux), so there maybe less hassle getting the video stream in the first place, however there is the CPU (however small) of running the FTP in the first place and the IP overhead too. (And non-IP cameras are cheaper too).

 

I guess this then takes the discussion on a tangent - the questions now become whats better pcie or USB capture cards and which is better IP cameras or BNC? At the same price point of course.

[ssnapier 0]

Plenty of IP cameras have varifocal lenses too.