Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[EL34]

I zipped a Visual Basic 2008 express project and uploaded it to my server.

This project scans your computer and list your video capture card sources.
You can then select a source from the list.

Once you pick your video source you can record video or capture still images from that source.

You will have to set the folder paths for saved video and saved still shots to your particular machine paths.
I just have the program set to save the file as a number.jpg or number.avi file.
It would be better to alter the program to save the file as date and time .jpg or .avi
The program will just overwrite previous files with the same name as it is now.

Here's a screen shot of what the program looks like.
Note that I only have one video capture card source on my computer and so I set the default video source to zero in the program


here's the zip file link for the VB 2008 express project
http://www.el34world.com/Misc/home/Files/VideoCapture.zip

enjoy

[EL34]

Update:
I have a 8 camera multiplexer on my computer.
This lets me switch any one of up to 8 cameras inputs, then out to a video capture card, and my AHP usb camera adapter.

The multiplexer uses the PC's parallel port for system switching commands.
The multiplexer I use is listed on this web site, about half way down the page in case anyone is interested.
http://www.fgeng.com/#Products

I am now able in win XP to send switching commands to my parallel port and switch cameras via visual basic 2008 express.
The hard part was figuring out how to send commands to the parallel port via visual basic.

I integrated this camera switching into my Visual basic 2008 express  -  X10/Dallas one wire weather network/ Video monitoring program.

I added a scan feature that switches cameras every 10 seconds.
I also added motion detection and still image saving.

when one of my motion sensors is triggered, it switches on a X10 powerflash unit
the powerflash unit sends it's x10 code.
my software picks up the x10 code, takes still shots from the camera of choice and saves it to the hard drive.

if anyone wants more info on camera switching, let me know.

[EL34]

The program  is coming along nicely and I have expanded it once again.
I added a bunch of cool features to my video capture tab/page.

Here's some info on the project for those that are interested.
http://www.el34world.com/Misc/home/X10_5.htm

[Rage]

Excellent job EL34, I'd be interested in the program you developed. I'm considering the same type of application for my house but extend it to using the TV output port to place a small viewing window on the TV screen if the camera motion detector is triggered while watching TV. Any chance in seeing the code you wrote?

[EL34]

I've done a ton of work on it since I last posted above.
My monitor program has a scan feature where I can scan all 8 cameras at a set interval (I only have two cameras hooked up right now)

I'm thinking of splitting the video section off from the X10 and One wire section and making it a stand alone program.
When I do that I may post the code.

Rage: The VB basic code to view video is attached to one of my post above if you want VB code.

[Rage]

Yeah I see that now EL34, I appreciate the work you've put into this. I'm going to see if I can port it to the C# language for speed and multithread with the speech recognition/generator SDK for hands off operation. Thanks

[EL34]

I forgot to add that my recent code would not work unless you had the same multiplexer as I have.

I am scanning/switching cameras by switching the input on the multiplexer.

All cameras are on full time, unlike the AHP method of turning cameras off and on.

The multiplexer is a way better way of camera switching, IMO.
If a particular motion sensor near a camera is triggered, the program can switch to that camera instantly and take still shots or video.

[XerMeLL]

  Hello.. I really appreaciate your program. by the way, im newbie in visual basic and i have to work on our design project "Surveillance Spy Car". It is a wireless car with camera and it can record the video captured by the cam.. is it posible to use your program? Thanks 

[EL34]

Sure, use it and have fun.

[XerMeLL]

Hi, me again! I understand some of the source code of your project, but Im a newbie. I know how the program works but can you explain what is this? I know this is just a nuts questions hahaha, but i admit i don't really don't know. I tried really to understand this Const but if I will not asked you it will took me 10 years to understand this. Pls? I know that &H is a hexa address but what is that(everything) for.

    Const WM_CAP_START = &H400S
    Const WS_CHILD = &H40000000
    Const WS_VISIBLE = &H10000000

    Const WM_CAP_DRIVER_CONNECT = WM_CAP_START + 10
    Const WM_CAP_DRIVER_DISCONNECT = WM_CAP_START + 11
    Const WM_CAP_EDIT_COPY = WM_CAP_START + 30
    Const WM_CAP_SEQUENCE = WM_CAP_START + 62
    Const WM_CAP_FILE_SAVEAS = WM_CAP_START + 23

    Const WM_CAP_SET_SCALE = WM_CAP_START + 53
    Const WM_CAP_SET_PREVIEWRATE = WM_CAP_START + 52
    Const WM_CAP_SET_PREVIEW = WM_CAP_START + 50

    Const SWP_NOMOVE = &H2S
    Const SWP_NOSIZE = 1
    Const SWP_NOZORDER = &H4S
    Const HWND_BOTTOM = 1

And May I ask also if you know how to zoom-in/out this camera? 
I'm really very lucky because I can use this program of yours in our Spy Car with just a little modification of graphics. Thanks alot.

[EL34]

That section of code came from a program I found on the internet for capturing video.
It all has to do with the video driver.
I am not sure what all of it is either since I did not write it.

I don't zoom, I don't have any cameras that will zoom.

[Tuicemen]

Zooming in and out a Sentinel or Vanguard Cam is documented in the SDK!
If you wish to do a digital zoom the pic will become more unrecognizable then it already is!
You could write code to draw a box in the pic and zoom/stretch it to the full picture box!
Photoshop will do it after the fact!