Model 2251 |  USB MPEG Frame Grabber
Features
  • MPEG1/2/4 and JPEG capture to USB from an analog video source at D1 resolution
  • Compact form factor for embedded designs
  • 30 fps NTSC, 25 fps PAL
  • Synchronous audio capture from a line level (stereo) input
  • Multiple region motion detection
  • Text overlay (OSD)
  • SDK works with multiple units

The Model 2251 USB frame grabber accepts an NTSC or PAL composite analog video source and converts it into an MPEG stream along with the optional synchronized audio. Frame capture in JPEG format is also supported. A USB interface allows video capture at full resolution and frame rate. Adjustable resolution and bitrate selections provide the optimal balance between quality and storage requirements for a wide range of applications. Model 2251 comes with a USB cable that has been designed and tested specially for the product.

The 2251 was designed primarily for OEMs who integrate it with their application software using the Software Development Kit (SDK) available for download under the "Software and Manuals" tab. This product requires a knowledge of C-language or Visual Basic. It is not a consumer product intended for home use.


Motion Detection
The 2251 supports motion detection in three user programmable regions of interest. For each separate region of interest, the user can set up different levels of motion detection sensitivity. Within each of the regions of interest, motion can be further localized to a 16x16 pixel block. Please see images under images and mechanical drawings.

Software and Manuals

The 2251 was designed primarily for OEMs who integrate it with their application software using the Software Development Kit (SDK) available for download below.  The SDK supports simultaneous preview and recording, snapshot feature, OSD. A fully functional demo application (with the source code) illustrates the use of the SDK. A JPEG capture demo application illustrates the simple frame grabbing function.

Currently, the 2251 driver does not support seamless integration with any 3rd party applications (such as Video LAN, or Windows Media Encoder). The functions of the 2251 without software development are limited to those of the demo applications in the SDK. This product requires a knowledge of C-language or Visual Basic. It is not a consumer product intended for home use.

Model 2251 is software compatible to model 2250. The only exception is the lack of a microphone input on the 2251. All other features work exactly the same. There is no separate software for model 2251, the regular 2250 SDKs should be used. Since the same drivers are used, model 2251 is detected by operating systems as model 2250.

The SDK includes three demo applications provided with the source code:

App 2250 demo, a MFC application, that allows:

  1. Video stream preview in the window
  2. Modification of compression, audio and video setting
  3. Recording the stream to the hard drive
MotionJPEG Demo, a simple console application, records a given number of JPEG frames to the hard drive without display.

Visual Basic Demo, a Visual Basic 6.0 demonstration program is available for downloading. It shows how to communicate with the 2251 but it does not implement every function.

Model 2251 Manual Released 10/07 
Model 2251 / 2250 Software Manual Released 12/10
Model 2250 / 2251 Windows SDK (ver 1.1.12)
 Released 12/11
Model 2250 /2251 Linux Software Manual (Part 1: Standard V4L2 API) Released 07/11 
Model 2250 /2251 Linux Software Manual (Part 2: Legacy functions) Released 07/11 
Model 2250 / 2251 Linux SDK
Linux software has been tested and verified with Ubuntu 11.04		 Released 11/11 

 

 

Specifications

Function
Inputs Video: composite (BNC), 75 Ohm. Audio: line in stereo (3.5 mm jack).
Input Video Formats NTSC (M), PAL (BDGHIMN)
Output Video Formats MPEG1, MPEG2 (MP@ML), MPEG4 (SP@L3 + B-frame support)
Output Resolution 320x240, 720x480 (NTSC, 30 frames/sec) 320x288, 720x576 (PAL, 25 frames/sec)
Bitrates Constant and variable, up to 6Mbs
OSD 96 characters, 16x16 pixel font
Snapshot JPG and BMP formats, concurrent with preview/capture
USB Current Draw 470 mA
Host Communication USB 1.1 or 2.0

Prices

Model 2251 USB MPEG Frame grabber Qty. 1 $226 Qty. 2-9  $206
Model 2251-NC USB MPEG Frame grabber with out Audio / Video Connectors Qty. 1 $222 Qty. 2-9  $202