# ZoneMinder — Open Source Video Surveillance System

> ZoneMinder is a self-hosted video surveillance platform for Linux that supports IP cameras, USB cameras, and analog capture cards. It provides motion detection, recording, and a web-based monitoring interface.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# ZoneMinder — Open Source Video Surveillance System

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install on Ubuntu 22.04+
sudo apt install zoneminder

# Enable and start the service
sudo systemctl enable zoneminder
sudo systemctl start zoneminder

# Configure Apache
sudo a2enconf zoneminder
sudo systemctl reload apache2

# Access the web console at http://your-server/zm
```

## Introduction
ZoneMinder is a free, open-source video surveillance solution for Linux. It has been actively developed since 2002, making it one of the longest-running open-source CCTV platforms. It supports a wide range of cameras and provides a full-featured web interface for monitoring, recording, and reviewing footage.

## What ZoneMinder Does
- Captures video from IP cameras (RTSP/MJPEG), USB webcams, and analog cards
- Detects motion using configurable zones and sensitivity thresholds
- Records continuously or on triggered events with configurable retention
- Provides a responsive web interface for live viewing and playback
- Sends alerts via email, SMS, or webhooks when events are detected

## Architecture Overview
ZoneMinder runs as a set of cooperating daemons on Linux. The main process (zmc) captures frames from each camera, while analysis daemons (zma) perform motion detection. A MySQL or MariaDB database stores configuration and event metadata. The web frontend is a PHP application served by Apache or Nginx. Video frames are stored on disk as JPEG files or H.264 video segments.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install from distribution packages on Ubuntu, Debian, or CentOS/RHEL
- Requires MySQL/MariaDB, Apache or Nginx with PHP, and FFmpeg
- Add cameras through the web console by specifying RTSP or MJPEG stream URLs
- Configure motion detection zones by drawing regions on the camera view
- Set storage paths and retention policies in Options for managing disk usage

## Key Features
- Supports hundreds of cameras on a single server with proper hardware
- Configurable motion detection with per-camera zone definitions
- Event-based recording with pre and post-event frame buffering
- Multi-user access with role-based permissions for different camera groups
- API access for integration with home automation and third-party apps

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Frigate** — modern NVR with real-time object detection via Coral TPU but narrower camera support
- **Shinobi** — Node.js-based CCTV with a modern UI but smaller community
- **Blue Iris** — feature-rich Windows NVR with AI detection but proprietary and Windows-only
- **MotionEye** — lightweight Pi-friendly motion detection but fewer enterprise features
- **Surveillance Station** — Synology NAS add-on but requires Synology hardware and camera licenses

## FAQ
**Q: How many cameras can ZoneMinder handle?**
A: It depends on hardware and resolution. A modern server with adequate CPU and storage can handle dozens of cameras. GPU-accelerated decoding helps scale further.

**Q: Does ZoneMinder support AI object detection?**
A: ZoneMinder integrates with external object detection services like zmeventnotification paired with machine learning models for filtering false positives.

**Q: Can I access ZoneMinder remotely?**
A: Yes. The web interface works over HTTPS, and mobile apps like zmNinja provide remote viewing and notifications.

**Q: Is ZoneMinder suitable for business use?**
A: Yes. ZoneMinder is used in small businesses, schools, and residential setups. For large enterprise deployments, consider hardware sizing and network bandwidth.

## Sources
- https://github.com/ZoneMinder/zoneminder
- https://zoneminder.readthedocs.io/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-7c7e8f28
Author: Script Depot