Choosing a webcam technology

G

Guest

If we wanted to stream a web can from our marina into our office and website
without too much of lag, what si the best hardward and software to do this.

Earlier recommendations include this advice and suggestions:

There are 2 types of webcams:

Streaming WebCams: the nice part of the streaming WebCams is that they
stream (or at least try to). Streaming means you see the images of the
WebCam in a continuous motion (like in a TV). This gnarly requires a
dedicated IP address etc, or you can use a service like Toshiba's
(http://www.camerawebpage.com/). There are also cameras with built in IP
addresses and servers requiring no PC at all (Toshiba IK-WB01A for
instance).
Server push: This is the most resource-consuming method. But it is also the
most live method, as it will allow the users to view real-time video streams
coming directly from your WebCam. NOTE that you must put a limit to the
video stream for each user connecting to it.

Snapshot WebCams: the bad part of these WebCams is that the image is only
refreshed every xx seconds, there's no continuous motion like in a TV. The
good part is that the quality is superb, the resources are minimal and
they're very easy to set up (compared to the Streaming ones).
Client pull: This method is the most used by WebCam users to show single
snapshots of whatever the WebCam points to. It is the most easy method to
set up, and the one that works perfectly for dial-up style Internet
connections. It also won't take much bandwith from your connection so this
could be hosted on a computer that's being used for something else as well.

A reasonable user-accessible image size can be 320x240 if you plan to
refresh the image each 20-30 seconds. If you want lower refresh rates, try
with an image size of 160x120, which will let you refresh rates of up to 10
seconds.

I think we want to stream the video. It's just so much cooler, and I think
those one shot every few second things look dated.
I think we should look into what it takes to host the video ourselves, but
if it's much hassle or experience this Toshiba service is very affordable
($19.95 to $34.95 a year) and if we don't go Toshiba I am sure there are
competitors of similar cost.
Jason had asked me to pick out three cameras/systems from cheap to really
nice:

a.. Really nice camera: Toshiba IK-WB11A $550
(http://www.camerawebpage.com/products.htm) Here's a sample of one:
http://www.camerawebpage.com/buddyking
b.. Midrange camera: Toshiba IK-WB01A $215
(http://www.camerawebpage.com/products.htm) Here's a sample of one:
http://www.camerawebpage.com/rnelson
c.. Cheap camera: Linksys WVC11B $106
(http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=566&scid=38) Has it's own
webserver, but mediocre quality video.

Appreciate any negative or positive feedback on the above.

- Jason
 
G

Guest

Hi Jason - the quickest down and dirty way that I have found to do Video
conferencing (and I assume you can transport this to your application) is
using Netmeeting. It's free and doesn't use tons of resources. I was
working with a snapshot-type cam over a 24k modem at the time and I could get
some pretty decent frame rates before it started dropping my connection.

Best one to try first as it is free software. Good luck.
-Frank
 
G

Guest

Thanks...but does netmeeting also allow us to capture vide of our outside
docks.....not sure hot to set this up.....what kind if web cam technology do
you need to complement the netmeeting?
 
B

bumtracks

WeatherProof ?
Can it be Wired ?
or must it be Wireless ?
What kind of internet connection upload speed do you have there ?
 

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