Dummies Guide - Revision history

Burger: /* Notes */

2026-08-15T14:07:12Z

Notes

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	* If possible, you might want to consider shutting off cameras when they are not needed to save on energy use. A managed POE switch should be able to do this. Cameras are about 300mA of 12V so that is perhaps 3-5W each. Refer to each cameras manual for the exact numbers. IR cameras will use more power.		* If possible, you might want to consider shutting off cameras when they are not needed to save on energy use. A managed POE switch should be able to do this. Cameras are about 300mA of 12V so that is perhaps 3-5W each. Refer to each cameras manual for the exact numbers. IR cameras will use more power.

	* You might think that you want to record high res footage only. But consider that the low resolution footage has some advantages (i.e. to have both). It is quick to download low res footage, and also seeking with a video player is very fast.		* You might think that you want to record high res footage only. But consider that the low resolution footage has some advantages (i.e. to have both). It is quick to download low res footage, and also seeking with a video player is very fast. You can playback low resolution footage at 10 or 20x speed, whereas trying to do that with 2K or 4K video won't be feasible with most computers.

	==See Also==		==See Also==

Burger: /* Notes */

2026-08-15T13:29:36Z

Notes

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	* If possible, you might want to consider shutting off cameras when they are not needed to save on energy use. A managed POE switch should be able to do this. Cameras are about 300mA of 12V so that is perhaps 3-5W each. Refer to each cameras manual for the exact numbers. IR cameras will use more power.		* If possible, you might want to consider shutting off cameras when they are not needed to save on energy use. A managed POE switch should be able to do this. Cameras are about 300mA of 12V so that is perhaps 3-5W each. Refer to each cameras manual for the exact numbers. IR cameras will use more power.

			* You might think that you want to record high res footage only. But consider that the low resolution footage has some advantages (i.e. to have both). It is quick to download low res footage, and also seeking with a video player is very fast.

	==See Also==		==See Also==

Burger: /* Notes */

2026-08-14T14:16:06Z

Notes

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:16, 14 August 2026
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	* You will have to review zones periodically, as it's possible for things to change. As an example, at an office a new credit card reader was installed which had a light that blinked on it 24/7. This caused unnecessary events at night with modect (due to glare from the LEDs), which also caused ZMES to run in the background, wasting CPU cycles to check the footage. While the incorrect events could be deleted with a filter, it was important to tune the zone, so that the events wouldn't be created, and would not run ZMES. These false events can end up filling up the hdd, taking up space that otherwise could be used for actual events.		* You will have to review zones periodically, as it's possible for things to change. As an example, at an office a new credit card reader was installed which had a light that blinked on it 24/7. This caused unnecessary events at night with modect (due to glare from the LEDs), which also caused ZMES to run in the background, wasting CPU cycles to check the footage. While the incorrect events could be deleted with a filter, it was important to tune the zone, so that the events wouldn't be created, and would not run ZMES. These false events can end up filling up the hdd, taking up space that otherwise could be used for actual events.

	* If possible, you might want to consider shutting off cameras when they are not needed to save on energy use. A managed POE switch should be able to do this. Cameras, are about ~~500mA~~ of 12V so that is perhaps 6W each.		* If possible, you might want to consider shutting off cameras when they are not needed to save on energy use. A managed POE switch should be able to do this. Cameras are about 300mA of 12V so that is perhaps 3-5W each. Refer to each cameras manual for the exact numbers. IR cameras will use more power.

	==See Also==		==See Also==

Burger: /* Large Installations */

2026-08-14T04:13:09Z

Large Installations

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	* Put the DB on its own SSD.		* Put the DB on its own SSD.
	* There is a multi server option (it does something where it shares the DB across multiple servers). I haven't used it. You can also just run multiple servers without using "multi server".		* There is a multi server option (it does something where it shares the DB across multiple servers). I haven't used it. You can also just run multiple servers without using "multi server".
			* To save on energy usage, you might want to setup managed switches that can turn off the POE for some cameras during holidays / weekends.

	==Troubleshooting==		==Troubleshooting==

Burger: /* Large Installations */

2026-08-11T08:18:42Z

Large Installations

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	* Use JBOD raid.		* Use JBOD raid.
	* Put the DB on its own SSD.		* Put the DB on its own SSD.
			* There is a multi server option (it does something where it shares the DB across multiple servers). I haven't used it. You can also just run multiple servers without using "multi server".

	==Troubleshooting==		==Troubleshooting==

Burger: /* A note on Analog Cameras */

2026-08-11T08:16:31Z

A note on Analog Cameras

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	=== A note on Analog Cameras ===		=== A note on Analog Cameras ===

	There is an option to use a coax to ethernet adapter. You need two pieces. One is the sender, one is the receiver. They may or may not be identical. These allow the use of IP Cameras over coax. Search ebay. Altronix ebridge ones are about $120 for a pair or adapters (you need a pair for each camera). If this is too much money, you may keep the old coax cameras. See: IP Video Encoders [https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Hardware_Compatibility_List#IP_Video_Encoder]. Honestly, just run ethernet if you have a chance. Customers expect HD these days.		There is an option to use a coax to ethernet adapter. You need two pieces. One is the sender, one is the receiver. They may or may not be identical. These allow the use of IP Cameras over coax. Search ebay. Altronix ebridge ones are about $120 for a pair or adapters (you need a pair for each camera). If this is too much money, you may keep the old coax cameras. See: IP Video Encoders [https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Hardware_Compatibility_List#IP_Video_Encoder]. Honestly, just run ethernet if you have a chance. Customers expect HD these days. You will need a good coaxial crimper. There are a lot of poor ones out there. Do some research.

	I have not worked with HD analog over coax, and I don't recommend it. I did try to keep old coax cameras but they became obsolete. IP cameras are the way to go.		I have not worked with HD analog over coax, and I don't recommend it. I did try to keep old coax cameras but they became obsolete. IP cameras are the way to go.

Burger: /* How Powerful of a Computer to Use */

2026-08-11T08:15:50Z

How Powerful of a Computer to Use

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	High-end server hardware will perform better than desktop, or low end server hardware. I have seen this firsthand between two servers: KFSN4-DRE and the KGPE-D16. The latter runs ZM with 25+ cameras, not breaking a sweat. The former reaches a limit at about 10. Another limitation is HDD size.		High-end server hardware will perform better than desktop, or low end server hardware. I have seen this firsthand between two servers: KFSN4-DRE and the KGPE-D16. The latter runs ZM with 25+ cameras, not breaking a sweat. The former reaches a limit at about 10. Another limitation is HDD size.

	I currently recommend buying Axis (new is expensive, so you'll probably purchase used), although many do not have IR. This is not a problem, as outdoors IR on cameras attracts spider webs, and external IR is recommended. Another recommended brand is Hikvision. Hikvision can be bought new for a lower price if warranty is an issue (for business clients that can't afford Axis). The cameras work well with ZM, and are configurable without Windows, Otherwise, any respectable name brand camera will work. Look through the hardware compatibility list. Read the user manual before you purchase the camera, and look for the following: Outdoors/indoors, IR/no-IR, Resolution. IR can be supplemented with external appliances~~. You can also put pesticide on the cameras to deter bugs... (although I wouldn't)~~.		I currently recommend buying Axis (new is expensive, so you'll probably purchase used), although many do not have IR. This is not a problem, as outdoors IR on cameras attracts spider webs, and external IR is recommended. Another recommended brand is Hikvision. Hikvision can be bought new for a lower price if warranty is an issue (for business clients that can't afford Axis). The cameras work well with ZM, and are configurable without Windows, Otherwise, any respectable name brand camera will work. Look through the hardware compatibility list. Read the user manual before you purchase the camera, and look for the following: Outdoors/indoors, IR/no-IR, Resolution. IR can be supplemented with external appliances.

	=== A note on Analog Cameras ===		=== A note on Analog Cameras ===

Burger at 08:15, 11 August 2026

2026-08-11T08:15:00Z

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	This is a lot of what I know about surveillance cameras and ZM (this is based on 1.36).		This is a lot of what I know about surveillance cameras and ZM (this is based on 1.36).

	~~If you wish to view the full ZM Documentation, I recommend viewing it through the PDF view, as the sphinx website is not efficient and requires javascript. https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/stable/~~
	~~If you want a hard copy, you can order the documentation through a self publishing service like lulu.com~~

	Zoneminder is a powerful tool, but it has a learning curve. The forums are there to answer questions. Search then post if its not already answered.		Zoneminder is a powerful tool, but it has a learning curve. The forums are there to answer questions. Search then post if its not already answered.

Burger at 08:14, 11 August 2026

2026-08-11T08:14:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 11 August 2026
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	This is a lot of what I know about surveillance cameras and ZM.		This is a lot of what I know about surveillance cameras and ZM (this is based on 1.36).

	If you wish to view the full ZM Documentation, I recommend viewing it through the PDF view, as the sphinx website is not efficient and requires javascript. https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/stable/		If you wish to view the full ZM Documentation, I recommend viewing it through the PDF view, as the sphinx website is not efficient and requires javascript. https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/stable/

Burger: /* Large Installations */

2026-08-11T08:12:19Z

Large Installations

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	* Spec the network cabling properly. You must not run out of bandwidth. Large installs might have multiple seperate cabling networks.		* Spec the network cabling properly. You must not run out of bandwidth. Large installs might have multiple seperate cabling networks.
	* UDP can be used to get a lower overhead / more efficient connections for bandwidth (reference: The Switch Book by Rich Seifert).		* UDP can be used to get a lower overhead / more efficient connections for bandwidth (reference: The Switch Book by Rich Seifert).
			* Multicast is also something to consider.
	* The ZM DB can get corrupted if there are a lot of connections and then the power goes out (at least in 1.36). You will want a UPS, and or a managed switch where you shut off the cameras trying to contact the server so ZM can close the logs properly. I have found that DB corruption is common in a large install but uncommon with small setups.		* The ZM DB can get corrupted if there are a lot of connections and then the power goes out (at least in 1.36). You will want a UPS, and or a managed switch where you shut off the cameras trying to contact the server so ZM can close the logs properly. I have found that DB corruption is common in a large install but uncommon with small setups.
	* You will want to keep additional HDDs in stock to reduce downtime (they will fail, it's just a matter of time).		* You will want to keep additional HDDs in stock to reduce downtime (they will fail, it's just a matter of time).