ZoneMinder130
The ZoneMinder130 project is a spin-off of the original ZoneMinder which is software that runs on
a Linux PC or server and allows you to view your security cameras as well as set up motion detection
for each camera.
I did not create the original ZoneMinder, but have been personally using it since around 2008 and
saw it evolve ever since then. Around the middle of 2017, it reached V1.30.4 and I felt as though it
had finally become very, very good and with very few issues. It worked very well with my cameras.
However, soon after this, the developers decided to completely change the user interface. I tried it
at first, but gave up on it and went back to V1.30.4. I just couldn't get used to the new interface.
I'm sure many people love the newer interface that is still being developed today, but I prefer the
old. So, I've been using V1.30.4 ever since. I've updated the server hardware a couple of times, but
keep on using the same software from 2017 since it does everything I need it to do. But, in order to
use it, I've had to stick with the, now much older, Debian 9 for the operating system as V1.30.4 won't
run on the newer systems. It also won't work with the newer ffmpeg, php, and mariadb software. The
latest versions of ZoneMinder with the newer interface works with the newer operating systems and
software for those who like using the new user interface.
I finally decided it is time to ditch the old Debian 9 and upgrade to the latest Debian Linux version
on my server. But, the only way to do so would be to get the older ZoneMinder working on the newer
operating system as well as the newer ffmpeg, php, and mariadb. So, I took on the task of upgrading
ZoneMinder V1.30.4 myself and to avoid confusion and conflicts, I've renamed it to ZoneMinder130. The 130 in the
name obviously stands for the original V1.30. ZoneMinder130 will always remain as V1.30 but the rest of
the version number will change such as V1.30.10 or whatever version it happens to evolve to.
I've even made a number of improvements while developing ZoneMinder130. You can read about all the
changes on the release notes page. I've also made it much easier to install ZoneMinder130. Just
use the apt command to install it and once it has finished, ZoneMinder130 should be ready to use. All you
have to do is set up your cameras and the motion detection zones for each camera.
Since I have it working for myself, I figured there might just be some old time users of ZoneMinder
who would also like to use it. So, I have made it available to the public for free downloading and also
continued to make it open source just like the official ZoneMinder release. I have created versions
for Debian 11 (bullseye), Debian 12 (bookworm), Debian 13 (trixie), Ubuntu 22.04 (jammy), and Ubuntu 24.04 (noble).
You can download the .deb packages from this site. There are instructions on how to install it on the
download page.
If you wish to check out the latest official ZoneMinder version which uses the new user interface, go to
the official
ZoneMinder web site.
NOTE: This will be a work in progress. The docs are still the original ones from 2017, however, much of
it still pertains today with ZoneMinder130. Some of it is also now meaningless. For instance, ignore the installation
instructions. Use the ones provided here on the installation page. Pay attention mainly to the User Guide, API, and FAQ.
Updated docs will come soon. As a new feature, a copy of the docs are also built into ZoneMinder130. You can access
them from a link on the ZoneMinder130 main console. Those are also the original 2017 docs and will be updated soon.
This is just a collection of ideas and tips that I have discovered or used while using ZoneMinder or
ZoneMinder130 over the years. You might find something helpful here. Think of it as sort of an FAQ.
It is a good idea to read this before using ZoneMinder130.