Retail type media / security system
The concept is to build a scalable home audio / video solution at low cost but higher than average efficiency and low carbon footprint.
Basic design concepts:
Low on natural resources
Economical IT components
Off the shelf software
Minimal installation time
Portability
Maximum use of space
100% fault tolerance
Highly secure
Easy to maintain both on-site and remotely
Can be monitored on-site or remotely
Scalable and flexible for entertainment or security bias
The case I am using is a Thermaltake Mozart which can incorporate a standard ATX format board as well and a Mini ITX board in dual format. Utilizing dual format can seperate the functions across 2 different machines while staying interoperable thus providing a built in backup system.
The Mini ITX build will use only solid state drives and will control the media center operations and have an intergrated 7" touchscreen.
The ATX build will use a large RAID array for multimedia storage.
Product Info
The choice of motherboards for Mini ITX is quite limited at present due to its recent market entry but MSI produce a model which is both fully featured and reliable.
Product Info
The ATX board be will be an Asus P5E3 Deluxe WiFi/@n. I have chosen this board specifically because it has a Linux operating system on solid state drive built in and uses the latest power reduction technology to limit consumption. The most obvious benefit to this setup is that the user is web surfing or VOIP telephony only the motherboard is powered up using the Linux chip, the full system is only booted up on request for full operation. Seen as most people spend their home computing web browsing or chatting it is in ideal solution for reduced power consumption and noise pollution. The motherboard also features an intergrated ultra wireless access point which will improve wireless video transfer directly to the PC without routing.
Product Info
I am also incorporating a digital broadcast card into the system. This is to reduce the inconvienience of having a Sky+ box which requires alot of space, wiring and acoustic protection, by incorporating the functions into the Mozart I can dramatically reduce all and also have terrestrial TV digitally recorded.
Product Info
The security system is comprised of readily available retail parts which the cost reduced dramatically by utilzing the Mozart to do all the functions normally associated with expensive transmitters. All cameras are Axis wireless network IP cameras. The cameras will fulfill a dual role of perimeter protection and door entry verification and can be monitored internally or upon failure/request monitored remotely by a Central Monitoring Station.
Product Info
I have included an IP based door lock and controller, the idea behind this being when in a security based machine for say the elderly or disabled, the system could video/audio verify and entry point then the user could send a pre-recorded response back via intercom. The video verification is easily made portable with a PDA so the user could verify / respond from anywhere within the premises.
Product Info
Product Info
As part of the security solution I have added a vehicle tracker as it is cheap, reliable and easily incorporated via GSM modem. For the cost an ease of setup this will be a valuable feature and selling point because it brings peace of mind.
Product Info
The software to control the security on the ATX build will be Active Webcam which is a cheap and fully featured monitoring package. It is reliable and provides motion detection, digital recording and alarm logs thus negating the requirement for expensive electronics permanently wired around the house. The software is entirely IP based so it is easy to setup for camera operations and will handle door access control at minimal cost.
Product Info
I have included a UPS power supply to provide backup to the system although until I have calculated all power reqs it will be hard to spec. I have also added a wireless digital surround sound system from Aspect Sound & Vision and 85 MBPS Powerline Network adapters which is a cost effective remote power solution.
Product Info
Product Info
Finally for the initial concept I must include renewable energy resources which have reduced in price and goverment funding is available to assist. This will be a slightly grey area as rare construction materials, power storage and complex installation make it uneconomical and eco-unfriendly in the short to medium term and there is not enough evidence on long term to make a solid judgement. The latest solar panels and wind turbines will bring it more mainstream but the construction, installation and maintenance of these products may actually increase costs and noise pollution.
Product Info
Product Info
Solid State hard drives provide superior speed, reliability and a fraction of the energy consumption.
Product Info
A fanless cooler setup is being used to improve thermal dynamics and reduce noise pollution.
Product Info
Splashtop is core to this design by utilizing basic functions for web browsing, online telephony and video streaming while in a basic mode of PC operation thereby reducing noise and consumption dramatically.
Product Info
A standard GSM modem for receiving tracking information from mobile sources and sending video/audio streams to a PDA unit for mobile verification.
Product Info
Wednesday 12 December 2007, 3:13 PM
Homebrew door entry application for my Mozart media / security system
The application is produced using Visual Basic because it will be portable for the PDA application. The PDA version will not contain database due to cost and licensing. I am including a two way intercom system as well as predefined audio responses.
The operations are all controlled with COM+ for the Windows based systems and freeware database engines can be utilized like MySQL.
I will write a similar application in 'C' and attempt to compile it into the kernel and upload to to Splashtop Linux SSD, this will ensure the Door Guardian can be run on absolute minimal power.
By having 3 independant applications on 3 different platforms, Vista, WinXP and Linux, the Door Guardian system will be available both internally and remotely with relatively simple technology.
PreviousComments on this post
Hi VeefourLFC. Thanks for posting information about your project. The competition is closed and is now in the judging phase, but if you have already entered then this will back up your entry. I'm sure that people would like to hear about your plans, even so.
Hi Karen, this is indeed to expand on the initial 450 word brief I entered on Sunday.
I will keep expanding the information here as I develop the concept as this competetion has proved inspirational.
Good Luck everyone :)
