After getting my workshop broken into a few times I decided to build a CCTV system based on WHS. I initially was going to build a Linux server and use zoneminder, but I was tempted to WHS as I like the seamless no-fuss backup solution it provides as well.
So, my project so far:
I started out using some old bits and pieces I had lying around. An nforce3 mobo with an Opteron 146 CPU and a GeForce 6800GT. Not exactly ideal with the power hungry graphics card, but it was a good starting point. Power consumption is quite important with this build as I'll be runnign it 24/7 and with the CCTV part of things, will not be able to suspend the server while not in use.
I happened to have a small wireless analogue camera, designed for a birdbox actually, that I also used to experiment with. This was setup in the workshop, and the quality was surprising. Not bad at all for a cam designed for a birdbox. I also managed to get hold of an external wireless IR camera - this will be directed at the door to the workshop.
To capture the video sources I got hold of a BT878 chipset capture card: http://www.camsecure...78aPCICard.html
Using this kit I managed to get my setup working on WHS with a trial of Active Webcam for video capture. the software seems to work, but it's a bit clunky and I'll probably experiment with some others before deciding. I read that someone else on the forums has used WebcamXP - I'll give that a go, as well as Netcam Watcher.
Having got all that working with the old kit I had a look at the power consumption, 125W idle and up to 150W under load. Not great by any means so I had a look at some other hardware:
For the CPU I got a Celeron 430 1.8GHz off ebay for the bargain price of 6p. Maximum TDP of 35W so cuts down a lot from the Opteron and it's 67W.
For motherboard I got a Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L. Has onboard VGA so I can get rid of the Geforce 6800. I read the Intel G31 chipset is fairly low power as well.
Also grabbed a 750GB Western Digital Green Power HDD.
Only recently put all the new kit together, but without any tweaking I'm now running at 68W idle and 80W load. Much better, although I still think there are some savings to be had. I need to be looking at the load wattage really as webcam motion detection on the Celeron is going to be fairly intensive for such a low powered processor. I hope it has the guts to deal with at least 2 cameras. Doesn't have to be many frames per second though.
Currently also got a wifi card in the system as I can't get a driver working for the onboard LAN on the motherboard under WHS (See another post of mine). If I can remove that it should cut a few watts.
I'll keep you posted and how it goes!
So, my project so far:
I started out using some old bits and pieces I had lying around. An nforce3 mobo with an Opteron 146 CPU and a GeForce 6800GT. Not exactly ideal with the power hungry graphics card, but it was a good starting point. Power consumption is quite important with this build as I'll be runnign it 24/7 and with the CCTV part of things, will not be able to suspend the server while not in use.
I happened to have a small wireless analogue camera, designed for a birdbox actually, that I also used to experiment with. This was setup in the workshop, and the quality was surprising. Not bad at all for a cam designed for a birdbox. I also managed to get hold of an external wireless IR camera - this will be directed at the door to the workshop.
To capture the video sources I got hold of a BT878 chipset capture card: http://www.camsecure...78aPCICard.html
Using this kit I managed to get my setup working on WHS with a trial of Active Webcam for video capture. the software seems to work, but it's a bit clunky and I'll probably experiment with some others before deciding. I read that someone else on the forums has used WebcamXP - I'll give that a go, as well as Netcam Watcher.
Having got all that working with the old kit I had a look at the power consumption, 125W idle and up to 150W under load. Not great by any means so I had a look at some other hardware:
For the CPU I got a Celeron 430 1.8GHz off ebay for the bargain price of 6p. Maximum TDP of 35W so cuts down a lot from the Opteron and it's 67W.
For motherboard I got a Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L. Has onboard VGA so I can get rid of the Geforce 6800. I read the Intel G31 chipset is fairly low power as well.
Also grabbed a 750GB Western Digital Green Power HDD.
Only recently put all the new kit together, but without any tweaking I'm now running at 68W idle and 80W load. Much better, although I still think there are some savings to be had. I need to be looking at the load wattage really as webcam motion detection on the Celeron is going to be fairly intensive for such a low powered processor. I hope it has the guts to deal with at least 2 cameras. Doesn't have to be many frames per second though.
Currently also got a wifi card in the system as I can't get a driver working for the onboard LAN on the motherboard under WHS (See another post of mine). If I can remove that it should cut a few watts.
I'll keep you posted and how it goes!