Video Trigger - 2009-01-10

Video Trigger is a free motion detector application tailored for media artists. Attach a camera and trigger sounds whenever occupancy is detected in six user-defined areas of the video image. You have complete control over the playback logic and the signal routing. Surround is supported.

I designed Video Trigger for artists who want to experiment with interactivity without building custom hardware or software. It aims to answer the question that I hear from many of my students: "How do I make a sound play when somebody does XYZ" The answer often involves either analog electronics, micro-controllers (like the Arduino), or software (like Processing, pd, vvvv, Lily, Isadora, or MAX/MSP/Jitter). In the long-run these options provide much greater rewards, but if you have modest needs, Video Trigger is a painless way to get started.

It works with any Quicktime video input device, like the Apple iSight, DV camcorders, and industrial cameras. Video Trigger can play up to six sound files (AIFF or WAV, 1-16 channels) through any Core Audio sound hardware (1-16 channels) with complete control over signal routing.

Video Trigger is not security software. It won't email you when somebody breaks into your house. Try these iSpy, BTV Pro, SecuritySpy, Iris, Periscope, Smart Eye, KeyCamX.