From time to time it'd be nice to have a remote control camera
connected to my Pi. Most likely use would be watching for
unwelcome critters in the garage or garden.

Knowing absolutely nothing I downloaded zoneminder. It looks
like a much more complex system than I need, but it's available.
At this stage I'd just like to find out if it runs on a Pi4
running up-to-date 64 bit RasPiOS. It's installed but the man
page is little help and running zmu reports a permissions error.

Any tips or links would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading,

bob prohaska

On Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:26:37 -0000 (UTC), <bp@www.zefox.net> wrote:

> From time to time it'd be nice to have a remote control camera connected
> to my Pi. Most likely use would be watching for unwelcome critters in
> the garage or garden.
>
> Knowing absolutely nothing I downloaded zoneminder. It looks like a much
> more complex system than I need, but it's available.
> At this stage I'd just like to find out if it runs on a Pi4 running
> up-to-date 64 bit RasPiOS. It's installed but the man page is little
> help and running zmu reports a permissions error.
>
> Any tips or links would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks for reading,
>
> bob prohaska

Runs fine on a RPi4

You don't run it manually, it start (should) automagically at boot time,
go to <http://ip.address.of.RPi/zm/index.php>

There you can set up cameras etc. etc. etc.

HTH

Avpx

--
'What can I do? I'm only human,' he said aloud. Someone said, Not all
of you. (Pyramids)
Wed 11166 Sep 20:15:01 GMT 1993
20:15:01 up 5 days, 3:04, 8 users, load average: 0.52, 0.35, 0.24

The Nomad <nomad@the.desert.invalid> wrote:
>
> You don't run it manually, it start (should) automagically at boot time,
> go to <http://ip.address.of.RPi/zm/index.php>
>
>
> HTH

It helps enormously, now I know which way is up 8-)

Still, there seem to be problems:

If I try to visit
http://localhost/zm/index.php
I get a 404.

If I try to run the daemon manually I see:

bob@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo zmc -d localhost
03/27/24 13:43:48.107397 zmc_dlocalhost[400666].ERR-zm_db.cpp/55 [Can't connect to server: Access denied for user 'zmuser'@'localhost']

03/27/24 13:43:48.107614 zmc_dlocalhost[400666].FAT-zm_config.cpp/67 [Can't connect to db. Can't continue.]

Zoneminder was set up using sudo apt install zoneminder, no manual configuration.

The errors above make it look like maybe some sort of install script needs to run
for setting permissions. Sudo zmu reports the same permissions error as zmc.

I did check that
sudo more /etc/zm/zm.conf
displays a reasonable looking file.

Any further hints appreciated!

Thanks for writing!

bob prohaska

On Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:51:19 -0000 (UTC), <bp@www.zefox.net> wrote:

> The Nomad <nomad@the.desert.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> You don't run it manually, it start (should) automagically at boot
>> time,
>> go to <http://ip.address.of.RPi/zm/index.php>
>>
>>
>> HTH
>
> It helps enormously, now I know which way is up 8-)
>
> Still, there seem to be problems:
>
> If I try to visit http://localhost/zm/index.php I get a 404.
>
> If I try to run the daemon manually I see:
>
> bob@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo zmc -d localhost 03/27/24 13:43:48.107397
> zmc_dlocalhost[400666].ERR-zm_db.cpp/55 [Can't connect to server: Access
> denied for user 'zmuser'@'localhost']
>
> 03/27/24 13:43:48.107614 zmc_dlocalhost[400666].FAT-zm_config.cpp/67
> [Can't connect to db. Can't continue.]
>
> Zoneminder was set up using sudo apt install zoneminder, no manual
> configuration.
>
> The errors above make it look like maybe some sort of install script
> needs to run for setting permissions. Sudo zmu reports the same
> permissions error as zmc.
>
> I did check that sudo more /etc/zm/zm.conf displays a reasonable looking
> file.
>
> Any further hints appreciated!
>
> Thanks for writing!
>
> bob prohaska

Bob,

Have you read <https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Dummies_Guide>?

<https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/stable/userguide/
gettingstarted.html>

<https://wiki.zoneminder.com/How_To>

There is a lot of good stuff there - though some is a bit arcane :-)

Regards

Avpx

--
The thing about iron is that you generally don't have to think fast in
dealing with it. (Lords and Ladies)
Thu 11167 Sep 06:05:01 GMT 1993
06:05:01 up 5 days, 12:54, 8 users, load average: 0.15, 0.20, 0.16

The Nomad <nomad@the.desert.invalid> wrote:
>
> Have you read <https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Dummies_Guide>?
Saw it, but nothing clicked
> <https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/stable/userguide/
> gettingstarted.html>
>
That's new to me. I tried using
sudo chgrp -c www-data /etc/zm/zm.conf
but still see
bob@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo zmu
03/28/24 10:31:33.373918 undef[406950].ERR-zm_db.cpp/55 [Can't connect to server: Access denied for user 'zmuser'@'localhost']

03/28/24 10:31:33.374161 undef[406950].FAT-zm_config.cpp/67 [Can't connect to db. Can't continue.]
At least the config file is now readable.

>
> There is a lot of good stuff there - though some is a bit arcane :-)
Indeed, I'll have study it a while. I wish there had been a hint in the
man page to the links you supplied.

Thank you very much!

bob prohaska

I see

On Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:33:56 -0000 (UTC), <bp@www.zefox.net> wrote:

> The Nomad <nomad@the.desert.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> Have you read <https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Dummies_Guide>?
> Saw it, but nothing clicked
>> <https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/en/stable/userguide/
>> gettingstarted.html>
>>
> That's new to me. I tried using sudo chgrp -c www-data /etc/zm/zm.conf
> but still see bob@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo zmu 03/28/24 10:31:33.373918
> undef[406950].ERR-zm_db.cpp/55 [Can't connect to server: Access denied
> for user 'zmuser'@'localhost']
>
> 03/28/24 10:31:33.374161 undef[406950].FAT-zm_config.cpp/67 [Can't
> connect to db. Can't continue.]
> At least the config file is now readable.
>

Bob,

Don't run zmu from the command line it's not how it works :-)

Zoneminder is a service that runs all the time in the background doing its
stuff, there is a mysql database at the heart of this system with .php web
pages.

ps aux |grep zm provides

<code>
nick@zoneminder:~ $ ps aux |grep zm
www-data 722 0.0 0.1 27676 1348 ? S Mar22 1:39 /usr/
bin/perl -wT /usr/bin/zmdc.pl startup
www-data 878 29.2 10.4 605636 97340 ? SLl Mar22 2798:31 /usr/
bin/zmc -m 6
www-data 965 24.8 10.2 605480 95752 ? SLl Mar22 2385:40 /usr/
bin/zmc -m 8
www-data 1051 0.0 0.3 26964 3296 ? S Mar22 4:10 /usr/
bin/perl -wT /usr/bin/zmwatch.pl
www-data 1058 0.0 0.2 26672 2052 ? S Mar22 0:11 /usr/
bin/perl -wT /usr/bin/zmstats.pl
www-data 1253 26.3 9.7 610832 90368 ? SLl Mar22 2524:17 /usr/
bin/zmc -m 10
www-data 211830 0.0 0.5 42048 4956 ? S 00:00 0:05 /usr/
bin/perl -wT /usr/bin/zmfilter.pl --filter_id=1 --daemon
www-data 211833 25.3 13.0 603980 121568 ? SLl 00:00 142:41 /usr/
bin/zmc -m 7
www-data 211834 0.0 0.5 42184 5036 ? S 00:00 0:02 /usr/
bin/perl -wT /usr/bin/zmfilter.pl --filter_id=2 --daemon
</code>

localhost/zm (or ip.of.your.RPi/zm) should give you a web page with a top
bar with 'useful stuff' in it e.g.

<https:/www.dctower.co.uk/files/zm-top-bar.png>

Here 'add' allows new cameras to be added etc.

As I say zm should be started on boot - but it might depend on how you've
installed it - it was a long time ago now & I can't remember I just update
it when I think about it - this thread has just prompted my to do an apt
update, upgrade.

Regards

Avpx

--
The truth isn't easily pinned to a page. In the bathtub of history
the truth is harder to hold than soap, and much more difficult to
find... (Sourcery)
Fri 11168 Sep 09:10:01 GMT 1993
09:10:01 up 6 days, 15:59, 8 users, load average: 0.52, 0.46, 0.40

The Nomad <nomad@the.desert.invalid> wrote:
>
> Don't run zmu from the command line it's not how it works :-)
>
> Zoneminder is a service that runs all the time in the background doing its
> stuff, there is a mysql database at the heart of this system with .php web
> pages.
>

That was what had me stumped, I expected it could be stopped and started
manually or in the startup scripts. My bad....

> ps aux |grep zm provides

That command offered proof that zoneminder's not running.

I'll try rebooting at some point to see if that makes any
difference. I'm not likely to want it running all the time,
can it be stopped and started _without_ rebooting?

Thanks for all your help!

bob prohaska

On Fri, 29 Mar 2024 21:10:12 -0000 (UTC), <bp@www.zefox.net> wrote:

>> ps aux |grep zm provides
>
> That command offered proof that zoneminder's not running.

Oh :-(
> I'll try rebooting at some point to see if that makes any difference.
> I'm not likely to want it running all the time,
> can it be stopped and started _without_ rebooting?

I've not actually tried it as I run mine 24/7/52 but ...

sudo systemctl start|stop zoneminder.service may/should/might work

or

sudo service zoneminder stop|start (I think all RPis system use systemd
these days so systemctl is more likely)

HTH

> Thanks for all your help!

No problems - I remember struggling at first, but as I say I can't
remember what I did to solve it. A clean install via apt-get I think ...
then it all just worked (c).

> bob prohaska

Avpx

--
- "There's a door" - "Where does it go?" - "It stays where it is,
I think." (Eric)
Sat 11169 Sep 10:00:01 GMT 1993
10:00:01 up 7 days, 16:49, 8 users, load average: 0.41, 0.44, 0.41

In article <uu1rtd$31a20$1@dont-email.me>, bp@www.zefox.net says...
>
> From time to time it'd be nice to have a remote control camera
> connected to my Pi. Most likely use would be watching for
> unwelcome critters in the garage or garden.
>
> Knowing absolutely nothing I downloaded zoneminder...

I've not used zoneminder, but have used 'motion' for watching wildlife
(https://motion-project.github.io/) which works fine on an RPi (both
with USB cameras and the RPi camera).

--
John

John Aldridge <jpsa@cantab.net> wrote:
> In article <uu1rtd$31a20$1@dont-email.me>, bp@www.zefox.net says...
>>
>> From time to time it'd be nice to have a remote control camera
>> connected to my Pi. Most likely use would be watching for
>> unwelcome critters in the garage or garden.
>>
>> Knowing absolutely nothing I downloaded zoneminder...
>
> I've not used zoneminder, but have used 'motion' for watching wildlife
> (https://motion-project.github.io/) which works fine on an RPi (both
> with USB cameras and the RPi camera).
>

How does one guesstimate which cameras will work? Zonemaster has a list,
but I didn't see one for motion. It looks like the better-performing
cameras start in the mid-hundreds of dollars so a correct choice matters.

Thanks for writing!

bob prohaska

In article <uufja9$2ps5s$1@dont-email.me>, bp@www.zefox.net says...
>
> John Aldridge <jpsa@cantab.net> wrote:
> > In article <uu1rtd$31a20$1@dont-email.me>, bp@www.zefox.net says...
> >>
> >> From time to time it'd be nice to have a remote control camera
> >> connected to my Pi. Most likely use would be watching for
> >> unwelcome critters in the garage or garden.
> >>
> >> Knowing absolutely nothing I downloaded zoneminder...
> >
> > I've not used zoneminder, but have used 'motion' for watching wildlife
> > (https://motion-project.github.io/) which works fine on an RPi (both
> > with USB cameras and the RPi camera).
> >
>
> How does one guesstimate which cameras will work? Zonemaster has a list,
> but I didn't see one for motion. It looks like the better-performing
> cameras start in the mid-hundreds of dollars so a correct choice matters.

I'm not aware of a list of tested cameras, though a quick glance at the
documentation suggests that one which supports Video4Linux2 should work.

But I wasn't trying to persuade you to switch away from zoneminder, just
suggesting something else you might try if zoneminder doesn't work out.

--
Cheers,
John

John Aldridge <jpsa@cantab.net> wrote:
> In article <uufja9$2ps5s$1@dont-email.me>, bp@www.zefox.net says...
>>
>> John Aldridge <jpsa@cantab.net> wrote:
>> > In article <uu1rtd$31a20$1@dont-email.me>, bp@www.zefox.net says...
>> >>
>> >> From time to time it'd be nice to have a remote control camera
>> >> connected to my Pi. Most likely use would be watching for
>> >> unwelcome critters in the garage or garden.
>> >>
>> >> Knowing absolutely nothing I downloaded zoneminder...
>> >
>> > I've not used zoneminder, but have used 'motion' for watching wildlife
>> > (https://motion-project.github.io/) which works fine on an RPi (both
>> > with USB cameras and the RPi camera).
>> >
>>
>> How does one guesstimate which cameras will work? Zonemaster has a list,
>> but I didn't see one for motion. It looks like the better-performing
>> cameras start in the mid-hundreds of dollars so a correct choice matters.
>
> I'm not aware of a list of tested cameras, though a quick glance at the
> documentation suggests that one which supports Video4Linux2 should work.
>
> But I wasn't trying to persuade you to switch away from zoneminder, just
> suggesting something else you might try if zoneminder doesn't work out.

I'll admit that zoneminder appears to be a fairly ambitious project....
was hoping motion might be closer to cheap plug-and-pray setup.

The initial mystery (figuring out what's chewing up a lemon tree) has
been resolved the old fashioned way. Still, knowing what's possible
and affordable will be useful the next time something like this comes
up.

Thanks to everybody who responded, I'm slightly less ignorant now!

bob prohaska