Text Overlay on Video

[Guest]

Greetings,

I have received many inquiries from POS users (not only DHPOS) about a low-cost way to display sales item information as a text overlay on video from security cameras. The primary reason, of course, is to identify sales clerks who deliberately undercharge favored customers.

We make a video text overlay device, XBOB, that sells for less than $200 (qty 1), but it's a *general-purpose* overlay box, not specifically adapted to POS applications. We could develop a version of XBOB that supports various POS printer and pole display protocols, but then we would probably have to charge $500 or more like the other guys in this business.

Here's my point: It makes far more sense to add support for XBOB into the POS software. This approach benefits everyone concerned: The POS software vendor captures more customers, Decade Engineering sells more hardware, and POS users save a bundle on the needed functionality. And there's another powerful incentive: It becomes possible to print *any* desired information from the POS system into the video overlay, not just the data normally sent to the pole display or receipt printer. PlexisPOS already makes use of this potential.

I have offered Dale Harris a free XBOB sample if he's willing to add support for it in DHPOS. Dale has indicated that it's really up to you, the user, to express sufficient interest in this feature. Detailed information on XBOB is published at Decade Engineering's web site: http://www.decadenet.com

Thanks for your attention. You may send email directly to me through the feedback page at our web site, if preferred.

Mike Hardwick
Decade Engineering
In Oregon, Land of Magnificent Stumps

[peewee3ie]

mike

there are two ways to do this over a network use vnc (vertual Desktop) software or use video overlay software that can send real time video back to computer that is recording it.

[Dale Harris]

To All,

If you folks are interested in this now would be a good time to say so. I am currently on POS vacation and have nothing to do and no plans to add anything for a while.

[Andrew]

peewee,

Did you take a look at the XBOB device? Mike is representing a company which already has a device to do this, and from memory communicates much like a printer via the (serial?) port on your computer.

While the video camera is sending feed to the XBOB, the tills are sending sales data to the XBOB and it overlays them onto each other.

What Dale is wanting to know is if there is enough interest in this to undertake the project. If there are any interested business who are looking at this, I suggest you take a look at the website Mike posted and report back here with a yay or a nay and any other constructive comments for Dale and Mike.

[Jonathan]

Yeah, it's certainly an interesting concept... what this does is basically let you post a transaction number, time, date, cashier number/ name, and just about anything else you want on the recorded screen....so as you rewind through the tape, you can see which transaction the register was ringing at that time. Seems useful to me if your concerned about security.

Jonathan Simpson

[peewee3ie]

I yse I would like it. but dose it work with digtal security camra systems ie the video camra send this video over a network that a computer runs on. i mean the cat 5 network cable. that is what our locl security is installing in shops

[Andrew]

Tony

Most of your questions are answered on the website posted by Mike. It does not use network cable - it uses standard RCA leads. See the image of the rear of the XBOB below...

[Guest]

Tony,

XBOB isn't readily compatible with Ethernet video systems, but you're comparing apples to oranges here: Ethernet cameras and DVRs, with software to record synchronized POS data, comprise a high-end system installation. XBOB, used with conventional security cameras and VCRs, offers many of the same benefits at a bargain price. I think that's why I've been hearing from small shop owners on the phone so often. They usually find us in a web search, looking for a cheaper way to get the job done.

That said, there *is* a way to use XBOB in Ethernet video systems- just insert it between the video camera and associated network interface box. Obviously, this wouldn't work with an integrated camera/network interface unit.

Mike Hardwick
Decade Engineering
http://www.decadenet.com