Building an AVR (or PIC) based Digital Video Recorder (DVR)

[Miem]

Hi,

I wonder if someone tell me how to digitize and save/record composite
color video data (and optionally audio) from a low-cost camera into
compact flash or SD memory without using a PC.

Following URL (
http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2006/winners/AT3267.htm ) points an
interesting AVR based image/video capture circuit in which designer
use an OV528 (www.ovt.com) which is a JPEG compression chip designed
for mobile phones and PDA's. My understanding is that it requires
OVT's digital camera chips.


How ever I want to be able to digitize/capture composite video signal
from any ordinary video source such as low-cost cameras, VCR, etc.

Do you know also any other circuit which can digitize composite video
signals without needing a PC?

I know I can purchase COTS units like
http://nservices.com/wireless3.htm
http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/memory-card-dvr-video-recorders.html
http://www.startechoutlet.com/product_404_detailed.htm
http://www.pimall.com/nais/ultraminidvr.html
http://www.eyespyli.com/dvr9800.htm

But, I want to learn how to digitize and record composite video (as a
hobby) with an AVR (and/or a PIC) microcontroller.

Thx

Miem

 

[Martin Griffith]

Hi,

I wonder if someone tell me how to digitize and save/record composite
color video data (and optionally audio) from a low-cost camera into
compact flash or SD memory without using a PC.

Following URL (
http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2006/winners/AT3267.htm ) points an
interesting AVR based image/video capture circuit in which designer
use an OV528 (www.ovt.com) which is a JPEG compression chip designed
for mobile phones and PDA's. My understanding is that it requires
OVT's digital camera chips.


How ever I want to be able to digitize/capture composite video signal
from any ordinary video source such as low-cost cameras, VCR, etc.

Do you know also any other circuit which can digitize composite video
signals without needing a PC?

I know I can purchase COTS units like
http://nservices.com/wireless3.htm
http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/memory-card-dvr-video-recorders.html
http://www.startechoutlet.com/product_404_detailed.htm
http://www.pimall.com/nais/ultraminidvr.html
http://www.eyespyli.com/dvr9800.htm

But, I want to learn how to digitize and record composite video (as a
hobby) with an AVR (and/or a PIC) microcontroller.

Thx

Miem

have a look at Lewins file system
http://www.larwe.com/zws/products/dosfs/index.html
this may help you understand how to use a SD card

For the image compression
http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,,765_810_ADV601,00.html
which will not require a licence, and can be bought in small
quantities

You will need to convert your composite video into YUV type digital,
there as some codecs on the NXP website, good luck on navigating that
site


Martin

 

[linnix]

Hi,

I wonder if someone tell me how to digitize and save/record composite
color video data (and optionally audio) from a low-cost camera into
compact flash or SD memory without using a PC.

Following URL (http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2006/winners/AT3267.htm) points an
interesting AVR based image/video capture circuit in which designer
use an OV528 (www.ovt.com) which is a JPEG compression chip designed
for mobile phones and PDA's. My understanding is that it requires
OVT's digital camera chips.

How ever I want to be able to digitize/capture composite video signal
from any ordinary video source such as low-cost cameras, VCR, etc.

Do you know also any other circuit which can digitize composite video
signals without needing a PC?

You can do a single frame capture if you have enough local memory
(i.e. external memory bus). Otherwise, the AVR is not powerful enough
for video capture. However, the AVR can coordinate with a proper
video capture chip.