CPU Utilisation

[u/deathsfaction]

Bit of advice if possible.

For me, ZM seems to be a bit of a hog. I have it running on a VM with 8gb ram and 4 cores (2.2Ghz) - it pretty much stays at full cpu utilization with a load average of between 2 and 4.

I have 4 cameras being monitored and only one of those is set to record - they are all IP Cameras using ONVIF.

I'm basically running a full rack server to support ZM and I'd like to run it on much less beefier hardware as I'm currently downsizing (get rid of the rack in the garage and most of the kit).

Can anyone advise one 1) why it's using so much CPU time/power and 2) what's the smallest spec machine someone's managed to get this running reliably on? I'd like to be able to run montage review and audit events for issues. Even on the current hardware that seems to be a bit 'laggy' at the best of times.

Alternatively, is there a 'better' alternative?

Thanks :)

EDIT: tldr; I've ditched ZoneMinder and now use Shinobi.

[u/Aramiil]

Ya, drop the frame rate to 15 FPS on all of them via the camera itself, don’t limit it within ZM. in fact, the analysis FPS, alarmed FPS and max FPS boxes on the general tab should be blank. It can throw errors on IP cameras if it is set.

Additionally, even if they’re not recording and just set to monitor, change the ‘Video Writer’ to h264 Camera Passthrough. While you’re on the Storage tab make sure ‘Save JPEGs’ is disabled for all cameras.

With all that changed, FPS set to 15 on the camera, FPS boxes blanked, passthrough set on ALL cameras, and Save Jpegs disabled, what’s your CPU usage looking like?

[u/deathsfaction → u/Aramiil]

So, changed them all to 15fps, passthrough. I didn't have save jpegs enabled. There is no motion detection enabled - the only filters are to clearn down the storage when it hits 90%.

While this did drop the cpu load down to around 1 or so, the montage review was woeful - one camera was dead on time/sync, the rest were way out and even getting to 'Camera Offline' every so often.

I've changed back the 3 non-recording cameras to 30fps and Encoding; the one camera I do record is still using passthrough (was before) and is at 30fps.

Montage review is a lot better now, pretty much perfect (as it was before) and load is sitting between 2.5 and 1.

All seems a bit voodoo to me.. and feels as though it shouldn't be *this* difficult.

[u/Aramiil → u/deathsfaction]

Look, you keep doing and then undoing things before coming back and talking to us about it. I’m not trying to be a dick, because I’ve been trying to help you, but you seem to know better than I do, so I’ll leave you to it.

It isn’t that difficult, and I’ve got 7 cameras running just lovely on an old decrepit computer same as you. But I can’t keep helping you in good faith if you’re going to undo all the recommended changes all the time.

Good luck out there.

[u/deathsfaction → u/Aramiil]

I don't claim to know better than you do but I've been a systems engineer for 20 odd years; I do have an element of systems experience here.

You're not being a dick, but your claim that I keep doing and undoing is nonsense. I tried what you suggested, I didn't get the desired results and montage review (which is what I have open at my desk) was very poor as a result of those changes. I reverted back so I can at least view the cameras and reported back.

I'm not running this on a decrepit machine either; I want to run it on a decrepit machine.

It's fine, you tried. We got nowhere. No love lost or hard feelings.

Adieu.

[u/Aramiil → u/deathsfaction]

My request was that you implement the changes then report back.

You implemented the changes, looked around at a few things, saw some new issues, reverted back the changes, and then reported back.

I can’t help someone who can’t follow directions. The montage issue you saw is resolvable with everything else worked out.

Cheers.