Any way to get 5+ megapixel "webcam" stills over ADSL?

This isn't exactly on topic for a broadband NG but somebody here may
know...

I am setting up a video surveillance system and that part is
progressing well on the specification.

However I would also like to be able to take high-res still images and
both record them locally and transmit them as emails to a remote site.

It should be easy to do; one can buy a ~ 5MP consumer camera for
£200-300 which would do perfectly well. The basic problem is that I
can't find any that can be commanded to take a picture and return it,
over the USB connection that most of them have.

The normal thing is that still cameras emulate a removable storage
device via USB. But there isn't a command set for getting them to take
a picture.

Does anyone know of any digital cameras that can take pictures and
return them immediately through the cable?


Peter.

 

Peter wrote:
....

FWIW my fuji s5500 has three modes - file transfer (maps into a disk
unit), printer transfer, and also webcam mode; but I don't have any
software installed to test the latter. So they do exist.....

 

#

Cannon sureshot range such as A95 have supplied software that controls the
camera from the computer

 

Yes, a lot of digital cameras have a webcam mode, bit it works in
low-res video, e.g. 320x240 or 640x480, not for returning the full-res
stills.

For example I have an old Nikon 5700 which would do this really well.

There are other challenges e.g. how to prevent auto shutdown of the
camera, etc.


Peter.

 

.... and many of them detect USB connection and go into "upload to PC" mode.

Some form of relay to (a) connect/disconnect the camera's USB as
required (b) operate the shutter release would be required, connected to
the PC either RS232 or a USB interface. Maplin or adverts in one of the
electronics mags should provide inspiration to external control.

I would suggest using secureFTP rather than email - more robust and, er,
secure.

You could also have a third relay, connected to an autodialler/burglar
alarm. Have the computer trigger the relay say every hour. If the
autodialler *doesn't* receive a housekeeping signal then it calls/texts
you as an alert that something may have stopped working. Andrew Gabriel
on has his central heating system do this (and a lot more).

Owain

 

Hello -

If you are able to compromise on resolution, then how about using Axis 206W
IP cameras which have a resolution of 1024x1280? I've found that IP cameras
generally give better results than USB webcams with the same resolution, eg.
http://www.setters.demon.co.uk/lundycam/gallery.html (USB webcam on left, IP
camera on right, both 640x480).

A 206W can't match the resolution of a digital camera, but it is likely to
be more reliable and easier to program against.

Regards,

Simon

 

That's an interesting site - however I think that both sets of images
are poor compared with a real 640x480 camera, and poor compared with
640x480 stills from an old (c. 1999) Sony TRV900 DV camcorder.

Could be his dirty windows


Peter.

 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter" <>
Newsgroups: uk.telecom.broadband,uk.rec.photo.misc
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:16 PM
Subject: Any way to get 5+ megapixel "webcam" stills over ADSL?

Canon supplied an application called RemoteCapture with my 300D. Not in
your price range (yet) but such a thing does exist and perhaps it's
available with other cheaper Canons.

Stephen

 

This is a great lead - thank you!

I've found it at various places e.g.

http://www.vadino.com/?q=remotecapture

but it looks like a Mac version only...


Peter.

 

and finally

http://www.harbortronics.com/

 

Look at Digital camera reviews on powershot cameras it shows the software
and reviews it . I discovered it when thinking of buying a A95

 

There is also

http://www.breezesys.com/support.htm

which seems better than the Canon software, and is cheap.


Peter.

 

Zoom browser comes with the camera its Free.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/a75_pg6.html

 

[Peter wrote in uk.rec.photo.misc]

In case you happen to be familiar with Linux..

Motion is a useful piece of software :
... http://www.lavrsen.dk/twiki/bin/view/Motion/WebHome

Would work well as a motion detector in a video surveillance system, and
best of all - completely free !

 

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005, Peter wrote:

P>
P> It should be easy to do; one can buy a ~ 5MP consumer camera for
P> £200-300 which would do perfectly well. The basic problem is that I
P> can't find any that can be commanded to take a picture and return it,
P> over the USB connection that most of them have.
P>

Have a look here:

http://www.pinetreecomputing.com/camctl.asp

I'm afraid if appears to be window's software though.

--
Alan

( If replying by mail, please note that all "sardines" are canned.
There is also a password autoresponder but, unless this a very
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