Security Camerars and MPEG4 problems :-(

[sigol]

Hi

Hope you can help...

We have a digital video recorder for our security camera system. It records camera footage round the clock on to the embedded hard drives.

The footage is recorded in Mpeg 4 format. When I use the client software to download the footage on to my machine (across the network - the camera system has an IP address!) the file reaches my machine as .MP4.

Windows Media Player won't play it. I have downloaded QuickTime but QuickTime says that the file doesn't have a "MOOV" atom and won't play it either.

Does anybody have any idea how I can:

1. Play MP4 files
2. Convert these files to a suitable format (such as AVI or MPG).

Thanks,

Sigol.

[BJ_M]

can you post a small sample of it here or send it to me .. just a few seconds

[BJ_M]

you can use winzip or winrar to 'chop' it up if you need to ..

[Goober57]

I don't know if this will help but...........

The programs that I use for our cameras saves the video
as files that can only be viewed with the software
included with that program.

EDIT........Yes, I realize that you are using a DVR and I'm
using PCs.

However, the program allows me to save the files as AVIs.

Maybe your program has a small program that you didn't
load into your destination PC.

........or.......

Maybe you didn't install the 'media reader' on the destination
computer so that you can read the files.

I'm only speaking from the experience that I have with
my camera applications.

(Nothing can read my files except the application that
I'm using......maybe that clears it up just a bit)

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

_________________

Hey BJ............turn that avatar off or I'm gonna smack you!!!
It's making me dizzy.

_____________

[sigol]

Here is a sample. No point zipping it, doesn't make any difference to the file size...

Thanks for your help!

Sigol.

[BJ_M]

where?

[sigol]

Hi Goober57

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the software does play the MP4 files no problem.

However, the spec sheet also says that video files can be burnt on to CD or DVD (via a PC) for evidence purposes.

Well the police or pretty unlikely to have a copy of my client software so I want to be able to convert the files to something that everybody can use (like AVI).

I did a full install of all software but there is nowhere that lets me view files (other than the full client software).

Any ideas?

Regards,

Sigol.

[sigol]

Hmmm.... (embarassed)

Didn't read the instructions! Try this...

example.zip

[BJ_M]

it may be over the 2meg size limit -- as nothing still there

[Goober57]

Hi Goober57

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the software does play the MP4 files no problem.

However, the spec sheet also says that video files can be burnt on to CD or DVD (via a PC) for evidence purposes.

Well the police or pretty unlikely to have a copy of my client software so I want to be able to convert the files to something that everybody can use (like AVI).

I did a full install of all software but there is nowhere that lets me view files (other than the full client software).

Any ideas?

Regards,

Sigol.

I can only save my files as AVIs using the program itself.
There is no other way to save the files.

EDIT........After I have saved the files as AVIs I can burn them.

My program was made for a PC so it's probably slightly different
than yours.

Your zip file doesn't work (for me).

_____________________

[Goober57]

EDIT

Wrong post

[BJ_M]

this forum = 2meg file size limit

[Goober57]

Sorry, I edited and posted too late.

[BJ_M]

Sorry, I edited and posted too late.

ok for you i will change my pic

[sigol]

Ok, try this one...

example.zip

[Goober57]

Sorry, I edited and posted too late.

ok for you i will change my pic

BJ.............

You can't imagine what I did when I saw that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:P :P :P

_______________

[Goober57]

Ok, try this one...

example.zip

I got the file!

I couldn't play it after I unzipped it. I'll try another program, or
maybe somebody else can play it.

_________________

[BJ_M]

Mace Security International, Inc.

[sigol]

I couldn't play it after I unzipped it.

_________________

Hey, join the club.

[sigol]

Mace Security International, Inc.

BJ_M, thanks buddy.

My player is a rebranded version of their product. I didn't know it was from Mace. They have a support page with some downloads. I'll try them and let you know...

Cheers,

sigol.

[Goober57]

Mace Security International, Inc.

EDIT.....He got the answer!

_________________

[sigol]

My unit was purchased from a UK firm and is rebranded. But it is based on the Mace 8-way DVR.

I have downloaded the player from the support forum (free download) and it works ok.

First you need to download the footage from the DVR to your PC. Saves it to .MP4 format.

Then you need to play the .MP4 file using the player. During playback, you need to click the Record button in the player and it starts copying the file to .AVI.

It's a long trip around what should be a simple process, but at least it works!

Hey guys... thanks for all your help!

Best regards,

sigol.

[BJ_M]

they make the equipment -- they are using a custom mpeg4 (it may be also a mpeg4 transport stream - but i dont think so) ... i figured out it was from mace when i opened the file in a hex editor and read the stream data .. it looks a lot like (structure wise) as this companies stuff also ...
you can download and install this mpeg4 wavelet codec for free (it is used in a lot of security products)

http://www.loronix.com/products/video_clips/wavecodec.asp

[BJ_M]

http://www.verint.com/video_solutions/resources/files/181/setup.exe

another codec they have here (xp version here) ... but i dont think it will play your clip (i didnt try)

[BJ_M]

My unit was purchased from a UK firm and is rebranded. But it is based on the Mace 8-way DVR.

I have downloaded the player from the support forum (free download) and it works ok.

First you need to download the footage from the DVR to your PC. Saves it to .MP4 format.

Then you need to play the .MP4 file using the player. During playback, you need to click the Record button in the player and it starts copying the file to .AVI.

It's a long trip around what should be a simple process, but at least it works!

Hey guys... thanks for all your help!

Best regards,

sigol.

glad i could help out - and that it worked out

[Goober57]

It's a long trip around what should be a simple process, but at least it works!

Hey guys... thanks for all your help!

Best regards,

sigol.

I'm glad it works for you, but I'm still stuck with my method!

I almost bought DVRs but I can do much more with PCs instead.

I tried some webcam and security software which works great, just
don't have time to play with it.

Have fun!

_________________

[BJ_M]

you like my avatar i can tell -- you swiped it ...

[Goober57]

My unit was purchased from a UK firm and is rebranded. But it is based on the Mace 8-way DVR.

I have downloaded the player from the support forum (free download) and it works ok.

First you need to download the footage from the DVR to your PC. Saves it to .MP4 format.

Then you need to play the .MP4 file using the player. During playback, you need to click the Record button in the player and it starts copying the file to .AVI.

It's a long trip around what should be a simple process, but at least it works!

Hey guys... thanks for all your help!

Best regards,

sigol.

glad i could help out - and that it worked out

You helped me also.

We have a very big security problem at our business so I've
been trying different recording methods. Finally tossed
the VCRs because I kept wearing them out!

Thanks

_________________

[Goober57]

you like my avatar i can tell -- you swiped it ...

You made Little Goober VERY happy.

Me and momma thank you so VERY much.

We are almost in tears.

______________

[sigol]

I almost bought DVRs but I can do much more with PCs instead.

I tried some webcam and security software which works great, just
don't have time to play with it.

My original intention was to use PCs to do the job and write our own software. However, no matter how much you try, the PC simply cannot match a dedicated DVR in terms of reliability.

The DVR we went for has never once let us down and has recorded footage continuously for months without a moment's interruption. Full quality 25fps full colour + audio on 8 channels simulateously. It's a 2TB solution so we get about 40 days continual recording before it starts overwriting old footage (I have set it up in top quality video 1024KB).

The unit has got a built in video server and is connected directly to our router for Internet monitoring. Built in motion sensing/alarm inputs/outputs, etc. It's an astonishing piece of kit and is cheaper than an equivalent PC too!

I bought it from systemq (www.planetcc.tv) Those guys are excellent, they carry massive stock and are extremely helpful.

That's just my two pennies.

Best wishes and thanks for your help.

Regards,

Sigol.