imauser
Newbie level 1
Hi all. I'm new to embedded systems, but not new to programming. I hope someone can help me with what I want to build.
My project I think will have 4 major components: 1.) some type of CPU/microcontroller board, 2.) 2 digital, embeddable cameras (CMOS or CCD), 3.) multi-channel video MPEG encoder, 4.) some type of storage device, i.e. hard disk or solid state. Basically I wish to create a type of surveillance system where I have 2 (or more) digital cameras, and I wish to capture the video data in real-time, encode it in MPEG format, and write it out to storage in separate files It will basically write out 15 - 30 seconds worth of data and just keep "looping" around and overwriting the previous data when it reaches the specified limit; I am not concerned about viewing the video (the purpose of the disk is for later retrieval by some other means).
There are 3 stringent requirements that makes this hard: 1.) all components should use "off-the-shelf" circuitry/parts, 2.) all components must be industrial grade to run in ambient temperature -40 to 85 C (it also must be fanless), 3.) the system as a whole should run off of 12 V DC. Requirement 1 is because I'm not an electrical engineer, so I wouldn't know how to engineer it, and 2 and 3 is because this will be used outdoors.
I believe this is readily doable if this were using a desktop computer, say inside of an air-conditioned office; I've searched around, but the operating temperature requirement may be an obstacle. Also, I have searched for multi-channel MPEG encoders, and there is one that meets my operating temperature requirement, but it only has input for analog video cameras via BNC.
In block diagram form (I've attached a JPEG), I have the cameras input that goes to the multi-channel MPEG encoder, then code logic in the CPU board that I will write multiplexes between the data from the encoder and writes the data to separate files on storage.
Also, by "off-the-shelf", I mean something that I don't have to do soldering, wiring, etc (I know I won't find these parts in say, Best Buy). Can someone point me to parts for this and if my thinking in the overview is in the right direction?
My project I think will have 4 major components: 1.) some type of CPU/microcontroller board, 2.) 2 digital, embeddable cameras (CMOS or CCD), 3.) multi-channel video MPEG encoder, 4.) some type of storage device, i.e. hard disk or solid state. Basically I wish to create a type of surveillance system where I have 2 (or more) digital cameras, and I wish to capture the video data in real-time, encode it in MPEG format, and write it out to storage in separate files It will basically write out 15 - 30 seconds worth of data and just keep "looping" around and overwriting the previous data when it reaches the specified limit; I am not concerned about viewing the video (the purpose of the disk is for later retrieval by some other means).
There are 3 stringent requirements that makes this hard: 1.) all components should use "off-the-shelf" circuitry/parts, 2.) all components must be industrial grade to run in ambient temperature -40 to 85 C (it also must be fanless), 3.) the system as a whole should run off of 12 V DC. Requirement 1 is because I'm not an electrical engineer, so I wouldn't know how to engineer it, and 2 and 3 is because this will be used outdoors.
I believe this is readily doable if this were using a desktop computer, say inside of an air-conditioned office; I've searched around, but the operating temperature requirement may be an obstacle. Also, I have searched for multi-channel MPEG encoders, and there is one that meets my operating temperature requirement, but it only has input for analog video cameras via BNC.
In block diagram form (I've attached a JPEG), I have the cameras input that goes to the multi-channel MPEG encoder, then code logic in the CPU board that I will write multiplexes between the data from the encoder and writes the data to separate files on storage.
Also, by "off-the-shelf", I mean something that I don't have to do soldering, wiring, etc (I know I won't find these parts in say, Best Buy). Can someone point me to parts for this and if my thinking in the overview is in the right direction?
