Accessing CCTV Cameras through internet using PHP

[Mhary Cristina]

Hello to everybody!

I want to ask if cctv cameras can be possible to access using php language. I mean the cctv is located in the house of a certain owner, then whenever he goes he can access to view the camera through internet using php?

Thanks in advance!

[neo008]

Hi Cristina, that sounds interesting.

I also don't know the exact answer to your question but I can discuss the scenario at least and I hope this will make some clear picture for you-

If in case you don't already know,

1. If it is the matter of PHP than you must recall that it is a server side scripting language which reflects that your hardware must be connected to your server itself.

2. PHP will simply be using/processing data in order to display images in a browser. PHP can do this thing in two ways-
a. either taking data from server computer itself (if in case hardware is somehow attached to the server computer itself or
b. taking data from a remote location and the hardware is attached to that remote computer/node.

I dont assume that you're having your server at the camera location and also that you'll plan to do that just to achieve a camera interface.

3. So, I guess your hardware/camera needs to be connected to a computer which must be having an internet connection with static IP and that IP you can use in your PHP programming to take data from. Now your camera will be saving image/motion data into the local computer and your web server will be taking that data by using such static IP and providing on internet on each client requests.

Theory is simple but it gets tough because
1. We usually don't have static IP ready to do some quick R&D on it and
2. Every different hardware use different protocols to store/display recorded images.
3. First you have to get your recorded data in your control at a local stage /local compauter and save it to your local hard drive in the format you are expecting your server will easily have access to it.
4. Acquire that data from your web server and now it is now when you come to know how to deal with big size data in each http browser request.

Server part does'nt seem to be much difficult than the starting part.


NE

[Mhary Cristina]

Hi Neoo8, I got your point and it was give me additional knowledge regarding to my question.

But I do have another question, what if we use c#(asp.net) rather than php, I know that it is possible to make a system that will access the cctv using internet. But I dont know how to start! what cctv camera can i use to connect in c# and every 1 hour the video will saved into mysql server.

Thanks in advance.

[Dormilich]

I want to ask if cctv cameras can be possible to access using php language.

you’ll need some kind of middleware (on the local PC) that "translates " the camera’s data to something streamable and that connects your camera to a (TCP) socket PHP can connect to.

[neo008]

Hi Mhary Cristina, In case your problem is not already not solved-

If your target is just to view video images over internet at any remote location then you don't even require any sort of programming. You just need to provide and set-up static IP to your 'Camera-Recorder system' and it will let you view display in any supported browsers via http requests.
This is just a CCTV-Internet system you must be aware of.

On the other hand if you want to play with data and wishing to use per your thoughts like storing images every hour, then again firstly your system needs to be able to 'SERVE' your data over internet and just before/betwee/after providing data over internet/client you may use any server side scripting technique like php asp whatever. Also the client side techniques will do their tasks for browsers.

Now to access/touch/use camera's video data, your camera driver must be accessible anyway, like through dll or active x control.

1. You must select camera which provides you such things.
2. Choose scripting language which supports those libraries.

[Dormilich]

and every 1 hour the video will saved into mysql server.

large binary data (like video data) should not be stored in any DB.