ZoneMinder

ZoneMinder is a free, open-source video surveillance and network video recorder (NVR) application for Linux. It manages video streams from IP, analog, and USB cameras, providing live viewing, motion detection, event recording, and centralized monitoring through a browser-based interface.

Key Features

• Supports multiple camera sources (IP/RTSP, analog capture devices, USB webcams) with per-camera “Monitor” configurations
• Motion detection and event-based recording with configurable zones, sensitivity, and alarm triggers
• Multiple recording modes (continuous, motion/event, pre/post event buffering) and event archiving
• Web UI for live multi-camera viewing, event review, and system administration
• User authentication and role-based permissions for multi-user deployments
• PTZ support (via compatible camera/control integrations) and camera control from the UI
• Event notifications and integrations via filters/scripts (commonly used with email, MQTT, or automation tools)
• Mobile access via the web UI and third-party mobile clients commonly used in the community

Use Cases

• Home or small-business CCTV/NVR for mixed camera fleets (older analog plus newer IP cameras)
• Recording and reviewing motion-triggered events (driveways, entrances, storage areas)
• Multi-camera monitoring wall for labs, workshops, or server rooms

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily targets Linux; performance and stability depend heavily on storage/CPU and camera encoding settings
• Setup can be more involved than turnkey appliances, especially for hardware capture devices and tuning motion detection

ZoneMinder is a mature, widely-deployed NVR stack with a long community history and broad device compatibility. It is best suited for users who want a flexible, configurable surveillance system and are comfortable tuning camera and recording settings for their environment.