OT - Is it possible to share a webcam *directly* over the internet?

[Mac]

Is it possible to share a webcam *directly* over the internet. Both parties
have always-on broadband.

 

[DevilsPGD]

Is it possible to share a webcam *directly* over the internet. Both parties
have always-on broadband.

Define "directly" -- How would you do it indirectly?

 

[Richard Urban]

When my son looks at my image on his computer screen 1200 miles away, it's
about as "direct" as you can get.

Now, why don't you ask what is really on your mind - and be a bit more
precise in your question?

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Mac]

Is your son able you view the feed from your webcam 24/7 without extra
messenger-type software at both ends?

 

[Richard Urban]

No. You would need a dedicated cable to do that. You are speaking of a
security cam, and even those use specialized software in the transmission.

Now, if you were to string a cable directly between two points, with nothing
else on it, you could hook up directly, but not using the computer (try to
get the phone company or power company - whomever owns the poles - to allow
you to do THAT). You would have to have the hardware to do this also, and it
isn't a $50.00 web cam. Then you would have to consider "line loss" over
many hundreds of miles and would need boosters to keep the signal strong.
You are talking many thousands of dollars.

"Web Cam" is the catch phrase here. It uses the web.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Yves Leclerc]

The only way is to have an Ethernet ready web cam and a boardband router.
You need to connect the web cam to the router and create "port-forwarding"
rules in the router's configuration.

 

[Mac]

Sounds a wee bit complicated in this day and age - what I mean is, you are
most probably correct, having seen the quality of your replies in the past.
Ok, I was being too hopeful ;-)

Still don't really understand why it's not *technically* do-able without
"port-forwarding"...

 

[Yves Leclerc]

You need some unit to control the broadband connection. I am asuming that
you want to set up the web cam without requiring a computer for controlling
the web cam. You did not mention if you have DSL, cable or static IP
address. For home use, you may one of the first two because the last one is
quite expensive for home users.

 

[Mac]

From Messenger NG - my preferred solution

Quote -

Jonathan - that's exactly what I wanted - thanks very much.

I have experimented broadcasting via a free port and watching/listening
myself over the ip feed. Great thing is so long as I supply the other party
with the ip address the WME advises then they can just "tune-in" by opening
that URL in their WMP.

Thanks again (unfortunately quite a few experts of various NG's told me it
was impossible ;-)

I'll copy this reply to those threads.

Always impressed by you Jonathan (one of the top MVP's)

Mac