video streaming, saving, and replaying

[Ben]

Hi All,

I am looking at a project where I have to view save and replay video from a camera.

Project Description

I will monitor and record readings acquired using Modbus and keep a LabVIEW GUI updated.

While that is going on, we want to record and display the video of the test.

At a latter time, I need to "replay" the GUI and syncronize it with the video.

Notes

No video analysis is required.

A frame rate of 30 fps would be desirable but is not a requirement.

I beleive a firewire camera would put to many restrictions on my PC options so I would prefer either USB or ethernet connectivity to the camera.

Questions

1) Can you suggest a camera manufactuer and model that has LbVIEW drivers available?

2) What kind of load will the acquistion place on the CPU that is acquiring the images?

3) Can you offer any advise that would help?

Thank you!

Ben

[GuenterMueller]

Hi Ben.
USB acquisition usually produces the highest CPU load. As soon as you have a camera and a device driver should be able to acquire images e.g. with NI-IMAQ for USB or the LabVIEW Webcam Library. I am not that  well informed about compatibility issues with different USB cameras.

When buying Vision Hardware from NI (you mentioned 1394 and GigE) you also get a license of the Vision Acquisition Software that (of course) comes with LabVIEW support. Acquisitions from 1394 and GigE have almost no CPU load when used with NI hardware. You can also buy a license of the Vision Acquisition Software and connect a 1394 or GigE camera to you PC and check if the performance/CPU load matches your need. 
Hope this helps, Guenter

[Ben]

Thanks Guenter!

Since I am not going to do any analysis, I was leaning away from special hardware to grab the images. But your mention of CPU load has me "reviewing, the situation" (Fagan, Oliver)

Ben

[GuenterMueller]

Ben, you said that you would prefer USB or ethernet. USB is a nice interface but I have not had any excellent USB camera connected to my PC yet. All of them came with poor performance and a high CPU load.
I am really surprised that nobody has joined this task who knows about a good one.
Regards, Guenter

[Amanda_H]

Hi Ben,

Here is more information on the supported cameras that can be used with our IMAQ products. As far as a particular USB camera, I'm afraid I'm not much help there. Good luck with your application!