Linux-Based IP-Video Monitoring Kit
US vendor Micronas recently launched a Linux-based hardware and software developer kit for network-based DVD quality video monitoring.
The miniature IP camera referred to as "Cypher ESN7108A SoC" is based on Micronas' own Cypher 7108A SoC (System-on-Chip). This embedded system is driven by an undisclosed 32-bit MIPS processor. According to the specifications, the on-chip video encoder supports realtime encoding with the MPEG-4 (Advanced Simple Profile), MPEG-2, MPEG-1 and H.263 codecs. In the case of MPEG 4, the video stream is additionally compressed. Supported audio codecs are MPEG 1/2 Layers I and II, and Dolby Digital AC3. A VPN can be used for network transmissions. To allow this to happen, the board includes a crypto chip for AES encryption. Further hardware components include 128M RAM, 8MB Flash memory, an assortment of sensors and a hard disk. A WiFi interface is optionally available.
The software developer environment is based on a 2.6 series kernel and includes motion detection and bitrate configuration applications. Bitrates between 128Kbps and 6Mbps are supported. Videos can be output in Microsoft ASF and AVI, Quicktime, MJPEG and MPEG transport formats. Streams can use both single and multicast Internet protocols such as RTSP.
Micronas sees the main fields of application for the kit as a basis for network-based, computerized TV, facility monitoring, or the establishment of telecommunications networks.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
AI Fixes Linux Bottlenecks Using “Hideous” Code
A Linux developer used AI to fix bottlenecks that caused problems when building the kernel. The resulting AI-generated code needed a lot of work.
-
Advanced Video Coding Still Under Patent
Brazilian patent BRPI0109962B1 has expired, which means that DivX and Xvid are no longer problematic for Linux, but it doesn’t mean that video is all of a sudden fully unleashed.
-
2,000 Vulnerabilities per Linux Release
Thanks to AI bug hunters, the Linux kernel is seeing record numbers of vulnerabilities, and it's overwhelming developers.
-
Linux Exempt from California’s Age Verification Law
So long as Linux is distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses, the OS is exempt from being required to verify the age of its users in California.
-
Roll Out the Cake: Linux Turns 35
35 years ago, a Finnish student began a humble project that would forever change the course of technology.
-
China Switching from Windows to Linux
China has ordered several government agencies to drop a Chinese-developed version of Windows 10 in favor of either KylinOS or UOS.
-
Pine64 Halts Production of Linux Devices
With continued DRAM and eMMC shortages, Pine64 has decided to discontinue production of Linux devices.
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.