update cctv blog

content/posts/2024-03-17-pi-zero2-cctv/index.md

@@ -19,22 +19,64 @@ TocOpen: true
 draft: true
 ---
 
-Not too long ago I set up a few IP cameras around the house. As I work mostly from home, I wanted a non-proprietary way to monitor the feeds while I'm in my study. This blog details my solution leveraging a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and an old monitor I had lying around.
+Not too long ago I set up a few IP cameras around the house. As I work mostly from home, I wanted a non-proprietary and cost effective way to monitor four video feeds at any time while I'm in my study.
 
-download https://downloads.raspberrypi.org/raspios_lite_armhf/images/raspios_lite_armhf-2021-05-28/
+This blog details the solution I came up with, which leverages a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and an old monitor I had lying around.
 
-```
+# Hardware Requirements
+
+![Hardware Requirements](./requirements.jpg)
+
+- A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 (W if you want to do it wirelessly).
+  - (**Optional**) A USB OTG cable if you're not using WiFi.
+  - (**Optional**) A USB to Ethernet adapter if you're not using WiFi.
+  - (**Optional, but highly recommended!**) A heatsink and enclosure for the Pi.
+  - A mini HDMI to HDMI breakout for the Pi.
+  - A power supply for the Pi.
+- A microSD card reader/writer for burning the Pi image.
+- An old HDMI-compatible computer monitor, either one laying around or getting a cheap one on the second-hand market.
+- An HDMI cable.
+
+It's probably easiest to just buy a bundle for the Pi Zero 2, which normally includes most of the stuff neede on the Pi side.
+
+# Software Requirements
+
+The only requirement before getting started is to download an older, archived 32-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS based on Debian 10 (Buster). The last released build is hosted here: https://downloads.raspberrypi.org/raspios_lite_armhf/images/raspios_lite_armhf-2021-05-28/.
+
+The reason for this is that I leverage a tool for displaying the camera feeds which relies on an older video player called `omxplayer`. `omxplayer` supports the hardware acceleration on Pis, but is deprecated on newer versions of RaspiOS. While `vlc` can do hardware acceleration in newer RaspiOS versions, I've found that `omxplayer` has slightly better latency when streaming the feeds.
+
+# Setting it Up
+
+## Flash the MicroSD Card
+
+On a desktop/laptop, prepare the microSD card for the Pi.
+
+## Get Displaycameras
+
+Once the Pi has powered up and has been logged into via SSH, run the following commands to install the software:
+
+```shell
 sudo su
+cd /tmp
 apt update
+
+# Install dependencies for displaycameras
 apt install git omxplayer fbi vim -y
+
+# Download the source code for displaycameras
 git clone https://github.com/Anonymousdog/displaycameras.git
 cd displaycameras
+
+# Install displaycameras
 chmod +x install.sh
 ./install.sh
 ```
-gpu split 128
 
-edit the screen size to 720p
+When prompted about setting up the GPU split, enter `128` and hit enter.
+
+## Configure the Pi
+
+I had some issues with runnin
 ```
 framebuffer_width=1280
 framebuffer_height=720
@@ -47,6 +89,7 @@ hdmi_mode=85
 reboot
 ```
 
+## Configure displaycameras
 uncomment blanking in displaycameras.conf
 
 ```