Security camera software
 

I have a set of Uniden security cameras with software designed for Windows XP or 7. Does anybody know of an open-sourced software that would interface with Linux Mint V;18.1 ?

An inquiry with Uniden staff revealed that they only support Windows XP & V: 7 I would really like to avoid loading Windows XP on my hard drive along with Linux.

If you have any insight, please share. Thanks in advance.

Take a look at motion.

The motion project seems to be in flux right now, so you might need to follow a a few links to get to it.

Motion
 

To frankbell,

Thank you very much for this recommendation. I will study the documentation.

I've been looking at zoneminder. Might be useful.

Thank you
 

Thank you, Jefro. I'm downloaded as this one seems more advanced. It will take some experimenting on my part but I've got time. Appreciate your direction.

cptnbley

Some pretty detailed instructions on zoneminder with Mint at their forum site below.

https://forums.zoneminder.com/viewtopic.php?t=25153

The link below to zoneminder and Ubuntu which should be pretty similar as the instructions use a terminal.

http://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/...de/ubuntu.html

ZoneMinder
 

Thank you, Yancek

I'll be working with ZoneMinder this coming week and will access the forum for instructions. We have cameras placed but have had to be satisfied with real-time use for awhile. This will benefit administration & security.

What's the backup plan if smarter burglar cuts ISP cord? I'm wondering too.

Backup plan for ZoneMinder
 

glorsplitz

System is off-line on stand alone desktop. We don't use Internet access software--too vulnerable.

Is this then after the fact monitoring? Is stand alone desktop out of sight to not be stolen?

glorsplitz

This unit monitors a number of cameras on-site. Viewing is available real-time and/or recapture if an incident triggers concern. There is no need for off-site access by administrator. Recapture can be downloaded onto a DVD and given to appropriate parties.

Loading ZoneMinder - questions
 

Yancek

The cameras we have are Uniden w/software designed for Widows XP and/or 7. I checked with a tech at Uniden and he recommended using WINE to interface with ZoneMinder. This is all well and good. My problem, however, is not having enough experience with DOS commands to understand how to program these in.

I do see the step by step guide, but do I always start each command with sudo or not?
Do I load Wine first then Zoneminder?
As I am at Mint V:18.1, should I be using Ubuntu 16.04 or Ubuntu 14x?

While it might be best to get a lending hand from a neighbor with programming expertise, I would rather self-learn with a bit of guidance. If I mess up badly, I'll simply erase the hard drive and reload. A backup is always kept close by.

OrphanHome

For things that require wine, you have wine installed first. Then you run the installation.exe for the software. And you end up with the application.exe to use (if it works under wine). I've used it so few times I'm not sure if you need to be root for the installation.exe part or not. But it was advanced enough (and that was probably a decade ago) to just run wine if it wasn't a linux native binary, so just run the binary.

I get the feeling that you can run zoneminder native in linux and use the cameras. Not sure you need the windows software.

At the zoneminder website a number of version are shown including Ubuntu. But a warning accompanies Ubuntu. Which version is needed for Mint 18.1?

Updated post....

Zoneminder is downloaded through package manager of Linux. Question: When I search for it, there is no recognition of its existence. Wine is on board. Any suggestions?

Linux Mint 18 is based on Ubuntu 16.04. If you don't find zoneminder in the Mint package manager, you will probably have to add the PPA which is explained in the second link in my earlier post.

You don't need wine and I really don't see how it would help. I installed it on Ubuntu 14.04 without problems.

https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Ubuntu_S...0_the_easy_way

I think I'd use Debian or Ubuntu maybe but Mint is based on Ubuntu which is based on Debian so the basic install ought to work.

Thank you
 

Yancek,

I found the link you referred to previously and as I read through it I became aware that zoneminder is hidden away in my files section. I will perform the steps described tomorrow. I'm sure it will be the solution.

Thanks for your patience and assistance.

Regarding the easy to follow instructions for loading Zoneminder via the terminal: I've messed up. I've got an error code with "systemctl status amavis.service" and "journalctl -xe" for details. invoke-rc.d: initscript amavis. action "start" failed.

Obviously, I'm in over my head with terminal scripting. If anyone can guide me through reversal of erroneous entries/errors noted, I would be much obliged.

Thank you in advance.
cptnbley @ OrphanHome

There was a bug reported on that issue but not sure what became of it exactly. No single thing seems to tie reports together yet.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...w/+bug/1587695

"Creating/updating amavis user account...
Job for amavis.service failed because the control process exited with error code. See "systemctl status amavis.service" and "journalctl -xe" for details.
invoke-rc.d: initscript amavis, action "start" failed.
dpkg: error processing package amavisd-new (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1"


Sooo.... hummm... not sure exactly. Guess you could try clean install on a usb hardrive or on a VM. Then update to current and see if you can properly install zoneminder on it. If it fails then at least you'd know your current install isn't to blame.

jefro

What I tried was erase the hard drive completely and reinstall Mint 18.1 and all sub programs, etc. That did not clear this error, however, so this is where I'm at today.

Try debian or other distro maybe? The report seems to stem from Ubuntu.

Instead I think its time to call in a professional, a neighbor fits that description quite well.

Thanks a million, Jefco, but I'm not well enough trained for this sort of programming.

Sorry buddy.

Let us know how it goes.

Zoneminder has been installed. Version 16.04 on Mint 18.1 32 bit. I checked Apache2 Ubuntu Default Page and It Works! Now comes the However. An error is shown - "Set function from API does not work." Apparently this is common since I see a number of users mention it. I found instructions for alternate ways to set the API, but all of them appear destined for a 64bit machine. Mine is 32bit. Anyone care to wade in on this?

My Zoneminder is not set for a server. It will not be accessed via a hand-held device such as iPhone.

An inquiry with Uniden staff revealed that they only support Windows XP & V: 7 I would really like to avoid loading Windows XP on my hard drive along with Linux.

-----------------------------

DO NOT DO EITHER

you can get a (pc or laptop or mini-computer) capable of running your favorite mint for $30-$100. put mint on that. when your done then put Windows or Sierra (hackintosh) or both, on your "main computer"

there's no way your going to run hardware that comes with proprietary sofware that leverages it (ie, allows you to see and operate the camera conveniently, leveraging) using linux

dual boots involving "free unix" and microsoft OR apple: are a pain and can even damage your computer

be smart don't be stingy buy linux it's own device so you are not tripping over it all

:) Stuff doesn't get sold as supported by linux...... :)

"Set function from API does not work." I didn't get any notion as to why that is going on from a very brief search. The use of a different OS shouldn't be the issue. You are just trying to launch the cameras.

Zoneminder isn't the only software for security surveillance:-

Maybe give Xeoma a try-;) OR> one of the others on this page.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/awesome...clients-linux/

http://felenasoft.com/xeoma/en/

Cheers