Spin Browser(tm) video explorer computer info

Information and recommendations for TechnoFrolics' Spin Browser™ video explorer (VE) computer components

(Last updated July. 4, 2009.)

Introduction

For installations presenting pre-produced standard def video less than 30 minutes in length (at 30fps), virtually any machine one can buy today, laptop or desktop, will be more than powerful enough. It is in situations with large pixel resolutions (e.g., HD of 1920x1080), live capture - particularly with multiple and/or HD video streams, long content lengths (e.g., multi-terabyte, year-long video capture sets), and high speed capture (up to 1280x1024 at 500fps), where choosing the appropriate hardware and OS is critical.
We recommend getting "Workstation" grade systems with ECC (error correcting) memory.
The Spin Browser VE software has an optional Timing Log that benchmarks essentially all operations of relevance and writes the results to a file. So if you wish to assess a system for bottlenecks, you may readily do so.
Unless space or aesthetic constraints prevent it, we strongly recommend using full size tower systems. Such systems typically run cooler, are easier to maintain, are less costly, and allow for use of a wider range of hardware (including replacement parts down the road) than alternatives. If you are pushing the limits of performance, such full-size systems are a virtual necessity.
The software is a Windows-only application. There do not exist Mac or Unix versions.
Video content such as moving-camera point-of-view flyovers, or stationary-camera footage of a runner in motion, requires much faster frame update rates to appear smooth, than (say) timelapse of a flower blooming or building going up. Thus, content, as well as other factors, affects required hardware.
We do not discuss below systems with computation and I/O load distributed across multiple computers. For such ultra-high performance configurations, please contact us.
Consider whether you plan, in the short term (for long term, better to purchase new hardware at the time), to upgrade the system in a manner that would affect hardware requirements.
Each application is unique, and we encourage you to email us your planned system specs for review before finalizing the purchase.

CPU

We recommend Intel processors, in large part because we have not tested/benchmarked those of AMD. (Should you wish to use AMD, you should definitely test before final purchase if you are planning to push performance limits.)
The Intel Core 2 architecture runs much faster than previous Pentium 4 cores, and we strongly recommend it. (The new Intel Core i7 is very likely significantly faster yet, but as of this writing, does not offer ECC memory support, and so unless you are pushing the extreme limits of speed, we do not recommend using it.)
CPU cache size is also important, and we therefore recommend you choose a processor with the largest practical cache.
Specific Spin Browser installation scenarios and recommended CPUs:
1. Pre-produced content only, single stream, pixel resolution up to 1280x768: Virtually any processor of any brand.
2. More than one stream, and/or live capture, and/or pixel resolutions exceeding 1280x768, but not more than a total of say two streams (e.g., two pre-produced or one live capture with review): We recommend an Intel dual core CPU somewhere between a Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66GHz/1066MHz/3MB L2) and Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz/1333MHz/6MB L2), depending on how far you are pushing the limits of things. And particularly when you are requiring maximum performance, we recommend employing the highest FSB (Front Side Bus) speed (e.g. 1333MHz in the above) that is practically affordable.
3. For the maximum number of streams (pre-produced, live capture, or both), where the stream quantity trumps the speed needed per stream, we recommend an Intel quad core CPU somewhere between a Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.40GHz/1066MHz/2X4MB L2) and Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz/1333MHz/12MB L2), where we typically suggest the latter faster one.
4. We generally do not recommend Intel's "Extreme" series because, looking at the specs, it would not appear the premium add-on cost is worth it.
5. We have not ourselves experimented with Overclocking, but in certain cases, that could be a good route to choose (particularly since Dell's XPS series support that as a factory-configured option).
In the rare event that a 64 bit version of Windows is required, be sure your processor choice supports it.
As mentioned below, we have not experimented with multi-CPU motherboards. If you do go that route, likely Xeon processors will be needed, and relevant research and testing will need to be performed.

Motherboard/chipset

We recommend getting a motherboard/chipset that allows use of ECC (error correcting) memory. While there continues to be a debate as to how important that is, in most situations we encounter, the cost of corrupted software and system downtime so dwarfs the small additional cost of getting a system ECC-equipped, that we recommend always doing so.
We also recommend systems that provide for RAID using the onboard SATA ports (virtually all systems do these days).
If the motherboard/chipset provides for SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives at essentially no additional cost, great. However, unless you are pushing the very upper levels of performance, such availability is not necessary.
We recommend motherboard/chipsets that support dual (or above) channel memory configurations.
We have not experimented with multi-CPU motherboards, but obviously if you are pushing performance limits and cost is secondary, such options are worth exploring.

Memory

Amount of RAM:
1. Notes:
  1. We assume Windows XP 32 bit unless specifically stated otherwise.
  2. With 32 bit systems, there is typically little reason to get more than 4 Gigs of RAM.
  3. We have not yet used 64 bit Windows in either the XP or Vista variety, but certainly the ability to utilize greater amounts of RAM than the normal 2 Gigs/app potentially exists. Capture buffer sizes exceeding 2 Gigs is the most relevant enhancement, and is supported by the driver for our recommended HD high speed camera (which writes a over 1/2 Gig/second).
  4. Each client configuration is unique, with various factors affecting memory needs (e.g., if one is employing large amounts of RAM-resident audio, that will increase memory requirements). So particularly if your configuration is atypical, please contact us for advice before finalizing the purchase.
2. For up to 12 hours (at 30fps) of pre-produced content (HD or SD), 1 Gig is adequate for most system configurations.
3. For up to 48 hours (at 30fps) of pre-produced content (HD or SD), and many SD high speed 200fps live capture to RAM scenarios, 2 Gigs is adequate.
4. For over 48 hours (at 30fps) of pre-produced content (HD or SD), and/or HD high speed 500fps live capture systems that write directly to RAM, we typically recommend 4 Gigs.
We recommend always using ECC memory, as previously discussed.
We encourage getting dual (or above) channel matched memory module pairs.
And finally, the faster the memory speed, so long as prices are not exorbitant, the better. For example, standard latency 800MHz (PC2 6400), DDR2 SDRAM is a good choice.

Graphics card

Virtually any current graphics card, that is a separate PCI-Express x16 (or AGP) bus card, is fast enough. (High end cards are more costly typically because of their 3D capabilities, which we essentially ignore at this time.)
The above said, two areas that are hard to predict, and thus risky, are:
1. Using graphics chipsets built into the motherboard. In some cases, such as with well designed laptops, these chipsets are plenty fast. However, in other cases, such as "Server" motherboards, the graphics can be surprisingly slow. You can always try the integrated motherboard graphics, just so long as you are prepared to purchase a secondary card if necessary.
2. Using a very low end graphics card that shares system RAM with the CPU (as opposed to having all its memory onboard).
We generally recommend getting nVidia chipset cards, because our experience with them has been good. We have at times had a bit of trouble with ATI. (The "trouble" we refer to has to do with handing non-standard resolutions and/or monitor spanning; for simple setups, likely almost any chipset is fine.)
While the nVidia configuration software itself handles many standard and non-standard resolutions, for special situations, you may wish to also check out the great utility Powerstrip by EnTech.

OS

The Spin Browser VE has been tested far more in Windows XP, SP2 32 bit than on any other OS, and we therefore recommend it.
Because in general hardware driver support for 64 bit OSes is much more limited than for the 32 bit versions, not to mention our not having tested the Spin Browser application therein, we recommend going to 64 bit Windows only if:
1. HD high speed capture to RAM were needed for time periods exceeding a couple of seconds.
2. Speed performance was being pushed to the limit, and there was reason to believe significant increases would be achieved by switching to a 64 bit OS.
While our experience is limited, it is likely that Vista would work in most situations as well as XP.
No Windows OSes prior to XP are supported.

Disk drives

Obviously, the drive (or drives) selected must provide adequate storage for the desired content.
It is often the latency, rather than average bandwidth, that is the most important drive feature. Therefore, do not necessarily assume a RAID setup with 7200 RPM drives is preferable to a single 10,000RPM drive.
If your system is a high speed live capture to RAM one, any OS hard drive is fine.
If your video content is particularly visitor-sensitive to temporal "glitches" (examples discussed earlier), or you are using a laptop system, we recommend using a second non-OS drive for the Spin Browser application and video content, lest OS background disk read/writes cause trouble.
If your system is a single stream pre-produced content only one, with pixel resolution 1280x768 or less, any current 7200 RPM drive is fine. (The only exception to this is for installations where content is such that visitors notice even the most minor temporal stutters - for example, helicopter point-of-view fly-overs. In such situations, we recommend the 10,000RPM drives below.)
If your content includes SD live capture at 30fps, or HD live capture in timelapse, or has pre-produced content in pixel resolutions exceeding 1280x768, we recommend using a 10,000 RPM SATA second content drive. Our preferred choice is Western Digital's VelociRaptor series. Here is a link to their 300 Gig version.
As disk read/write performance requirements increase, as they do for HD 30fps/60fps live capture, high speed capture streamed to disk (e.g., 200fps SD), multiple concurrent live capture streams, etc., a RAID array is required. If you are pushing performance limits to the absolute max, creating a RAID array with 15,000 RPM SAS drives is recommended (this may require purchasing a PCI Express SAS card, as well as the disks themselves). Otherwise, because of the dramatic cost savings, SATA 10,000 RPM VelociRaptor drives are recommended instead.
For certain configurations, having content spread over multiple drives is recommened (e.g., where each screen update requires reads from multiple data sets).

Ports

For permanent installations, or other situations where high reliability is required, at least one RS232 serial port is needed for the Spin Browser dial itself, and a 2nd one is recommended if use of a "soft" UPS-initiated Windows shutdown is called for (as it is with live capture installations spanning long time periods). (We have found USB, particularly for the dial connection, to be unreliable. The issue is most acute in the presence of large electrostatic visitor-generated discharges; grounding wires are only marginally effective in preventing disconnects.)
Should you need to purchase a PCI bus serial card, one reasonable option is the SIIG unit JJ-P20511-S2.
For systems that rely on USB for anything other than the within case, not used by visitors, keyboard and mouse, we recommend purchasing a static-rugged USB PCI card that we have extensively tested - the I/O Future Koutech/IOfuture PU520. Most motherboard USB ports we have tested are sadly lacking, both in terms of hardware resistance to static discharges, and their ability to automatically re-initialize the USB port in the event of a static-generated disconnect.
Installed systems should always have both an Ethernet connection to the outside world (to allow TechnoFrolics and clients the ability to logon remotely for support), and a separate network connection to any live capture camera requiring one. When a second card is needed, for certain situations the PCI Express Intel PRO/1000 PT Desktop Adapter is a good choice (and required for Imperx GigE cameras mentioned below), and for others the PCI Intel PRO/1000 GT Desktop Adapter.

Expansion slots

PCI Express slots are often quite useful, and for many live capture systems, a requirement. So, the more you have available, at least some 4x speed or above, the better. And of course PCI slots are important as well.
Specific system elements and their needs :
1. Typical 10/100 IP camera. PCI or PCI express slot for 2nd Ethernet port (unless motherboard already has two, and even in this case, ability to use field-tested NIC cards is prudent).
2. Imperx GigE cameras. PCI express card X1 or above.
3. Dalsa Camera Link capture card of the type we recommend for the Basler 500fps 1280x1024 high speed camera (that we also recommend), PCI Express X4 or above.
4. USB-based UI devices. PCI slot for static resistant USB card mentioned above.
5. External drive bay(s) requiring more SATA ports than computer provides. PCI Express or PCI slot, depending on number of drives and their data transfer requirements.

DVD drives

Always purchase a drive that can write as well as read. You will not regret it.

Audio

For all the projects we have done to date, we have found the computer motherboard's built in audio to be more than adequate. (If the motherboard has no audio, we recommend getting an inexpensive card to add it - should your installation employ audio at all.)

Manufacturer-specific comments

Dell:
1. We have generally had excellent experience with Dell's Precision Workstation series.
2. Note that with a Core 2 Quad unit we purchased in late 2008, model T3400, with XP SP2 there was a bug in which Intel's power saving C1E mode was turned on by default in a manner that significantly slowed down overall system operation, and could not (to the best of our knowledge) be disabled within the Dell environment. (Symptoms include such things as lost frames in high speed camera capture.)
  Installing SP3 made the problem go away, but before discovering that, we had located a utility called the RightMark CPU Clock Utility which, by unchecking the "Enable Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)" (see screen capture below), we were able to fix the problem. Unfortunately, a side effect is that the computer hung on shutdown due to the utility not properly closing, and thus required manual intervention at each power cycle.
3. Our experience with Dell tech support, in terms of their speed of responsiveness when a rare hardware problem occurred, was superb. (System repair took less than 24 hours for complete on-site motherboard replacement under warranty.)
Lenovo:
1. Our experience with the Lenovo ThinkStation S10, with the exception of significant initial difficulty "downgrading" the system from Vista to XP , and properly enabling RAID, has been excellent.
2. Our experience with Lenovo tech support, in terms of the depth of their responsiveness to our RAID problems, has been outstanding. (The tech support person spent 2 hours with us on the phone, reinstalled the OS on his own in-house system to confirm what he told us re RAID was correct, and then called back the next week to follow up.)
3. (FYI re the mentioned RAID issue: One must enable RAID in the BIOS before downgrading to XP. This is true even if RAID is enabled only on drives other than the OS one. Otherwise, Windows will not boot. (And one may need to reinstall Vista from scratch to enable RAID on it, after first making a restore OS image onto DVDs.))
HP:
1. While several of our partners swear by them, in particular appreciating their large expansion slot offerings and local retail stock, we ourselves have found HP as a company sufficiently difficult to deal with (hours traversing tree-structured phone directories, long wait times, and then the person who finally picks up knowing little, telling us we were in the wrong department, or both), and the quality of the system we received being sufficiently problematic (a power supply whose voltage ramp-up curve was apparently incompatible with the installed Intel processor requirements), that we cannot, at this point in time, recommend their company or systems.

Additional items

UPSes:
1. Background:
  1. UPSes that simply maintain power for a short duration during a power loss, omitting a controlled OS shutdown, are relatively inexpensive and there are many usable models. It is when one needs a graceful, controlled shutdown, as extended-duration live capture Spin Browser systems do, that issues get trickier.
  2. Controlled shutdown software, in our experience, as supplied both with Tripp Lite and APC units, is hardly clear or user-friendly. It is not infrequent that proper configuration of scripts, and overall system testing thereafter, can easily take 6-12 hours.
2. We recommend, in part because we are familiar with configuring it, and in part as the result of research generally, the APC SUA1500 Smart-UPS. (We initially experimented with a Tripp Lite UPS model, but a defect in the design caused battery leakage to cause the system to fail to function at all in the event of a power failure, and in response we simply switched to APC.)
  (The SUA1500 is for 120VAC systems. We imagine there is a comparable unit for 230VAC, but have not as of this writing researched it.)
3. To add RJ45 Ethernet port protection to the SUA1500, we recommend either APC's ProtectNet unit PNET1GB, or Tripp Lite's DNET1 unit.
Surge-protected, filtered, power strips:
1. In the case where a UPS is not needed, and a simple surge-protected, filtered, power strip will do, we recommend Tripp Lite's TLP810NET unit, with both 120VAC and RJ45 Ethernet protection. (We have not, as of this writing, researched comparable 230VAC units.)
Backup of live-captured content:
1. If automated, scripted content backups for long-duration live capture systems are required, such items as a second computer, external drive bays, and the like may be required.