Incorperating more than one USB cam

portabuddy · 07-24-2006, 12:13 AM

i am running/benchtesting(not in car yet) and i love the new vretion every component is working beond my expectations, i just ordered a OBDII adapter and everything else is working perfevtly.

my question is this, there are three un used buttons in the third screen, and i would like to run 2-3 Night vision cams(not all at once ofcorse) one to ne the backup cam one to be a night vision cam for the front and one for the inside. just for fun. the night vision cam for the front is important because my drive home is a bit dark(NO STREET LIGHTS). please let me know. and i know that my screen has 2 aux inputs but i would rather not use them, it looks better if its all incorperated^_^. more.....nerdy.

veetid · 07-24-2006, 02:26 AM

I plan to make the title bar, where it displays the name of the CAM, toggle the video devices/sources...

Just not sure how exactly I want to implement it yet...

david

Jahntassa · 07-24-2006, 08:57 AM

I know the security software I use can select independant DirectShow cameras, and for each 'camera' that shows, you select a different DirectShow device.

Of course, this is probably nothing like what you meant, David, but figured i'd throw it out there.

The software i'm using is called BlueIris. (http://www.blueirissoftware.com)

It's good for keeping an eye on home or business with cheap USB cams and other cameras / inputs.

portabuddy · 07-25-2006, 01:27 AM

heres an idea, i tried just copy and pasting the cam folder in the pluging directry and it seems to double in the "settings" section, now if you where to change the section in the cam settings thing to be able to select diffrent cams. where you choose the device type it would be nice if there was more than one feild to select diffrent devices. and then in the "tv" window you know how you can choose diffrent inputs like live svideo and comp. well you should have the same button for the diffrent cams like front cam, rear cam. aux cam. and it scrolles through the diffent ones as you press the button.

what do you think? this seems to all be made in xml unfortunetly i only know, flash, html, and a bit of vb. not xml.

Lum · 07-25-2006, 09:45 AM

I would like the cam module to be able to record in a continuous loop tape style arrangement, like this app: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=58683

It does embed into CF fairly well, but it would be nice if CF could do the job natively and hopefully manage the CPU usage a little better so that it doesn't interfere with satnav and music playback.

(I've gotten that app down to 68% CPU usage with the right codec and frame rate, it almost works perfectly with CF, just makes the satnav voice even more likely to stutter)

veetid · 07-25-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Lum

I would like the cam module to be able to record in a continuous loop tape style arrangement, like this app: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=58683

It does embed into CF fairly well, but it would be nice if CF could do the job natively and hopefully manage the CPU usage a little better so that it doesn't interfere with satnav and music playback.

(I've gotten that app down to 68% CPU usage with the right codec and frame rate, it almost works perfectly with CF, just makes the satnav voice even more likely to stutter)

What do you mean by continuous loop tape style arrangement? I don't have time to read that whole thread... what would you like it to do..

david

Lum · 07-25-2006, 11:58 AM

Imagine a VHS tape that is only 5 minutes long, then imagine that the end of the tape is joined to the start (even though this is physically impossible with VHS). Then connect the camera to your VHS deck and hit record. The deck will record forever, and overwrite anything over 5 minutes old. If something interesting happens, you can stop the tape and archive it. This is useful in a car environment as it provides evidence of other people's stupidity that you can use in an insurance claim.

How that app implements this is it records AVI files up to a certain length or size, once that length is reached it starts a new file. If at this point there are more than (say) 5 files in the system, it deletes the oldest one. It also has an archive button that stops the current recording and moves all the files into a new location, then starts a new file.

An obvious example of where this is useful is the situation where someone cuts in front of you with only a few feet to spare, then slams on. Normally a rear end impact is automatically your fault, but with the video evidence it would become their fault.

veetid · 07-25-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Lum

Imagine a VHS tape that is only 5 minutes long, then imagine that the end of the tape is joined to the start (even though this is physically impossible with VHS). Then connect the camera to your VHS deck and hit record. The deck will record forever, and overwrite anything over 5 minutes old. If something interesting happens, you can stop the tape and archive it. This is useful in a car environment as it provides evidence of other people's stupidity that you can use in an insurance claim.

How that app implements this is it records AVI files up to a certain length or size, once that length is reached it starts a new file. If at this point there are more than (say) 5 files in the system, it deletes the oldest one. It also has an archive button that stops the current recording and moves all the files into a new location, then starts a new file.

An obvious example of where this is useful is the situation where someone cuts in front of you with only a few feet to spare, then slams on. Normally a rear end impact is automatically your fault, but with the video evidence it would become their fault.

Shouldn't be hard to add... I will add it to a feature list...

david

Lum · 07-25-2006, 03:12 PM

The hardest part is getting the balance between compression and CPU usage. I've had good results with the huffyuv codec but even then I'm using 60% CPU, which upsets destinator.

Presumably if integrated, you'd be able to make it drop the odd frame in order to keep everything else running smoothly

portabuddy · 07-25-2006, 07:40 PM

this all sounds good. the loop idea is a good one. i have the same thing at home with my security. the frame rate doent need to be that high, probably like 20fps is ok. i have a lot to learn, i was playing around yesterday and i screwed CF a bit now i done get any cams

obviesly your not going to drop everything and do this but is there a eta?

portabuddy · 07-25-2006, 09:02 PM

*lum
i tried that post by "perfect" aftger reading all of it for about two hours i decieded that this it exacly what i was looking for, in a way. now can someone kindly guide me through how to imbed a progam into CF. i also just got i guidance 3 on a off note. I already fu*ked if up as i dont want to doo more damage. ^_^

i woulld like to get two of them in there.

Lum · 07-25-2006, 09:09 PM

go to setup,
Press the + button
Fill in the name for your button (eg. CAM 1)
Use the browser to locate the capture app.
Make sure to set the window title correctly. This MUST match the title of the app you are trying to embed. In the case of this capture utility it's simply "Capture!" without the "'s

portabuddy · 07-25-2006, 09:32 PM

ok thanks, i posted this in that fourm aswell but do you know if the eyetoy can run in a NO light situation only iluminated only by IR lights??

BGH · 03-07-2007, 10:14 PM

I am thinking of adding a front mounted camera to my system, the main reason would be to continually record a constant rolling buffer such as Lum suggested. Has this been implemented yet? Also can someone recommend a good camera to buy.

RipplingHurst · 05-08-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by veetid

I plan to make the title bar, where it displays the name of the CAM, toggle the video devices/sources...

Just not sure how exactly I want to implement it yet...

david

Any updates on this? Will this be implemented in CF 2.0? Also, the continuous loop option, like a DVR with a button to archieve say, the last 20 min, would be great!

Thanks!

I also can't find a way to work in Centrafuse with two USB cameras (Front/baby cam)...any ideas?