Motion Monitoring is Easy with DeltaVideo

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DeltaVideo

Motion detection sensitivity adjustment always is available. Sensitivity can be changed via keyboard or mouse, at any time, without interrupting an in-progress monitoring session.

Calibration is automatic. DeltaVideo is not fooled by slow changes in lighting or a change in camera position (after detecting and recording the scene change, DeltaVideo automatically adapts to the new scene).

DeltaVideo only saves frames when motion is detected. When motion stops, DeltaVideo stops recording, but continues monitoring. No need to waste time reviewing (or devoting disk space to) spurious video frames, trying to find the one you want.

However, if desired, DeltaVideo also can be configured to continue recording a streaming video burst to a QuickTime movie, upon motion detection, for a specified duration (yes, continuing even after motion stops).

A thumbnail-image based, scrollable viewer permits quick and easy review of captured frames, which can, with a single click, be expanded to full size.

Audio notification upon motion detection uses the System beep sound, which can be changed (and other sounds recorded) using Apple's Sound control panel.

Automation: DeltaVideo can be configured to automatically begin monitoring after launch, without needing user intervention. Apple Events allow launching (or activating) an application or compiled script when motion is detected. The video frame (or a QuickTime movie) indicating motion detection can automatically be placed on the Clipboard by DeltaVideo, for use by other applications. For example, a FAX application might be used to transmit the image elsewhere.

DeltaVideo can be hidden during monitoring (using the Finder's Hide command), or placed in the background. The MicroView(TM) feature allows live video and recent frame display without needing much room on your computer monitor.

Export: Video frames can be printed, exported as PICT files, QuickTime movies, or contact sheets (PICT files containing tiled frames from the capture file). Frames are saved in a single capture file, automatically named with the current date (a new file is created for monitoring sessions running past midnight), in a user-specified location. Detailed information about the captured images can be saved in text log files, in a tab-delimited columnar format.

DeltaVideo uses memory efficiently. Only a 2MB memory partition is needed for capture at 320 x 240 resolution (376 x 288 PAL). Further, the application file consists of tight, highly optimized code; consequently, DeltaVideo occupies less than 700 kB of disk space.

Large video frame sizes are supported. The default 5MB memory partition allows monitoring at resolutions up to 640 x 480 (full-frame NTSC) or 752 x 576 (PAL). Resolutions to quad size (2560 x 1920 NTSC, 3008 x 2304 PAL) also are supported.

Stamping: A wide range of stamping options are available for thumbnail, PICT, and exported frames: time of motion detection (to 1/100 sec), date, motion indicator arrow, moving object coordinates, object velocity, and more. The color and size of stamped information can be adjusted.

Stamping, audio notification, and write to disk can all be toggled during monitoring, without interrupting the monitoring session.

DeltaVideo uses Apple's QuickTime Extension for controlling video input devices. DeltaVideo communicates to video input devices through QuickTime, using the built-in software driver (AV Macintoshes) or with the video driver software supplied with third-party input devices. Video device settings can be adjusted from within DeltaVideo, using the standard Macintosh video control interface.

If multiple video devices are connected to the same computer, you may select the desired device from within DeltaVideo.

Monitoring more than one video input with multiple copies of DeltaVideo running on the same computer also is possible, provided that the video input drivers can support this mode of operation. Each such copy can be configured to retain unique settings, including the selected video input source. This is also made feasible by DeltaVideo's efficient use of memory (only 2 MB needed at 320 x 240 resolution). Copies of DeltaVideo running on the same computer are permitted for this purpose, without needing to purchase additional copies.

An actual size QuickTime movie (below) shows the simple steps needed for beginning motion detection.

The movie was created with two copies of DeltaVideo, running on the same computer.
The second copy, running in the background, was used only to "watch" the first copy, by recording the computer screen (DeltaVideo "Screen Capture" mode).
Each movie frame is described in the table below (you may wish to step through the movie manually, using the stepping controls on the right).

Step (hr min sec) Description of Step

1 11 40 59 . 78 DeltaVideo is launched, by double-clicking the application icon.

2* 11 41 09 . 97 DeltaVideo finishes launching, and displays live video.

3* 11 41 12 . 75 Begin Capture (command-B) selected from the keyboard. DeltaVideo asks where to save the capture file, which automatically is named with the current date.

4* 11 41 13 . 90 "Motion Detection Files" folder selected as desired location for the capture file; click "Open."

5* 11 41 15 . 15 Click "Here."

11 41 18 . 98 DeltaVideo begins monitoring.

11 41 32 . 22 DeltaVideo detects motion, and records it. A file from another session, recorded earlier today, already existed in the destination folder; video from the current session is added to the file. The file now contains 12 frames, 3 from the current session. "b:2" indicates 2 frames are still to be written to disk. Thumbnails of recent frames are displayed during monitoring, and can be expanded later to full size with a single mouse click.

* When DeltaVideo is configured to start monitoring after launch, these steps are performed automatically, and capture files are saved in the same location as the application.

To examine individual frames, please step through the movie manually, using the buttons in the lower right-hand corner of the movie viewer. The capture times are stamped on the frames, and are keyed to the information in the table above.

The movie may take a few minutes to download over a modem (size is 248 kB). With some web browsers, the movie may have to be opened and viewed with a separate movie viewer application, from the folder or directory where your browser places downloaded movies / files. The movie (601 x 302) was exported from the DeltaVideo "Screen Capture" file to a QuickTime movie (using the Apple Graphics compressor, at 256 colors). DeltaVideo's default sensitivity settings were used for video motion tracking. The computer was a PowerMac 7100/80AV (80 MHz), monitor set for 16-bit color. Monitoring throughput was 2.2 frames per second. Throughput is much faster when only running a single copy of DeltaVideo, and on faster Macintoshes. For example, a Rev. D (333 MHz) iMac connected to an XLR8 InterView USB video interface / color video camera combination (320 x 240 resolution) achieved 20 frames per second.

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Step	(hr min sec)	Description of Step
1	11 40 59 . 78	DeltaVideo is launched, by double-clicking the application icon.
2*	11 41 09 . 97	DeltaVideo finishes launching, and displays live video.
3*	11 41 12 . 75	Begin Capture (command-B) selected from the keyboard. DeltaVideo asks where to save the capture file, which automatically is named with the current date.
4*	11 41 13 . 90	"Motion Detection Files" folder selected as desired location for the capture file; click "Open."
5*	11 41 15 . 15	Click "Here."
	11 41 18 . 98	DeltaVideo begins monitoring.
	11 41 32 . 22	DeltaVideo detects motion, and records it. A file from another session, recorded earlier today, already existed in the destination folder; video from the current session is added to the file. The file now contains 12 frames, 3 from the current session. "b:2" indicates 2 frames are still to be written to disk. Thumbnails of recent frames are displayed during monitoring, and can be expanded later to full size with a single mouse click.