Flexi PCI riser card bandwidth question

**sama** · 02-28-2006, 06:27 AM

Is anyone using a flexi PCI riser card? More to the point, is anone using a flexi card like this one, and then an active dual slot pci riser card like this one on the end of it?

My case is far too short (VoomPC) and I'd like to take the PCI cards outside and stick them in a box.

My main concern is bandwidth and if the flexi riser card will be noisy etc. I've eyed up a 4-channel 120/fps video-input PCI card (30fps per input) to put in the first slot, and I will probably put a PCMCIA card in the second slot.

Powering everything up may be a problem, but it's solvable by using additional supplies I guess/hope!

**DarquePervert** · 02-28-2006, 06:38 AM

AS far as bandwidth, it should offer the same bandwidth as a regular PCI slot.
I couldn't tell you about EFI or anything like that as I've never used a riser card.

**sama** · 02-28-2006, 06:53 AM

I'll be damnded if I knew what EFI is, so here's something from Intel's Website

What is EFI?
EFI is a specification detailing an interface that helps hand off control of the system for the pre-boot environment (i.e.: after the system is powered on, but before the operating system starts) to an operating system, such as Windows* or Linux*. It provides a clean interface between operating systems and the platform firmware at boot time, and supports an architecture-independent mechanism for initializing add-in cards. EFI is supported by the most popular 64 bit OS implementations and platforms, and is an emerging interface for 32 bit systems.

There's mention on LinITX's website of "This new Active 2xPCI Riser overcomes many of the problems experienced by using two PCI devices in a single PCI slot." Perhaps that's an EFI problem?

**DarquePervert** · 02-28-2006, 07:14 AM

Actually, I'm getting a couple of terms mixed up.
EMI = Electromagnetic Interference. It's basically the same thing as RFI (Radio Frequency Interference).
It's basically radiated signals from electronic equipment that interferes with ither electronic signals.

If you've ever walked by cheap PC speakers while talking on your cellphone and heard a buzzing noise from tyhe speakers, that's RFI (or EMI).

Wikipedia explains it better than I could: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_f...y_interference

Sorry for the confusion.

**sama** · 02-28-2006, 08:13 AM

Ah I see what you mean now!

It's a good starting point to keep in mind if I get any problems.

I think I'll try this solution anyway, not much to loose really, except a couple of fingers when I route through the steel of the case.

**darkseid** · 02-28-2006, 04:09 PM

What video card have you eyed up. I design mobile digital surveilance equipment and use realtime (30fps er camera) PCI cards in my systems. For a 4 channel card and the pcmcia card you shouodnt have a problem you may have problems if you wish to use 8 camera input cards

**sama** · 03-01-2006, 09:18 AM

Fantasticles! I was hoping to get some advice from someone that knows.

I'd better tell you that the application is to build some computer-vision based programs, which is much like security. The image needs to "understandable" at all times (or as often as possible).

I've been looking at some chinese sites, and I'm looking at a DVR9404.

I looked at multiple USB cams, but I'm doubtful. Even if the framerate is reasonable, I don't think there are good enough USB cameras out there with to handle the variance of outdoor conditions and day/night.

Speaking of outdoor variance, got any suggestions for a camera that will operate well in all conditions? I would prefer colour as it is extra info for image processing, but B&W is not out of the question.

I also want to get panoramic view of the world from within the car, I'm thinking this may only be possible by the cameras mounted inside the car on the "ceiling". Any ideas?