Setting up a Web Cam Stream - Any Advice ?

[Thanatosgratus]

i know a fella hosted some images of himself to a couple friends through one of these sites

Now that sounds "dodgy"

[CAMBO]

The camera facing inside will have the juicy stuff!

[Fester]

haha i know it sounds dodgy but they were clean and safe images

[Supernova]

Hardware side to host the camera all you need is a computer that's connected to the internet and just connect it to a free dynamic dns service like this http://dyn.com/dns/dyndns-free/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . There's plenty of free webcam software if you get a powerful webcam and leave it plugged into an always on computer, I've used a couple of Linux ones that will just take a photo every X seconds, or they can be configured to only take a photo when they notice motion.

Things you need to think about are:
* Either a high enough resolution camera to pick things up or a telescopic lens (but a lens will mean you have less field of view)
* Weather resistance
* Keep it near a window where you can reach it with a duster, at home we've got some security cameras because the bloody pikeys keep robbing things (they managed to steal a ride on lawn mower from a padlocked shed and then lifted it over two locked gates to get it in their van) and most nights a spider makes it's web over the camera so we need to dust it off.

I would suggest having two cameras, one for the car park and one down by the pool where you can use normal equipment and get a decent picture. Stick a dummy one up on the high bit if you have to.

[Supernova]

but don't forget nova that you can enhance security camara images to clear them up


You Tube Direct Link

You Tube Direct Link

[JJzer0]

I believe Logitech do some decent Webcam's and/or similiar. I know of a wildlife photographer who uses one for real time stuff and outdoors too (although am not sure if Logitech do a waterproof/outdoor camera or he's used it in an enclosure).

[CAMBO]

i dont mind splashing out on the hardware as a number of companies will pay to have the feed on their site.

Thats why i was thinking it needs to be a hi def security cam to pick up the resolution from the height and distance.

[MuG]

Something i don't think has been mentioned/ taken into account here is bandwidth to stream video.

1. What upload speed are you feeding this stream? How reliable is it? home or office?
2. What fps do you intend to stream at?

I would imagine you wannt go with a HQ pic at low fps which shouldn't take too much but you never know with spanish internets
What did you get sorted with in the end there? I remember you had some troubles initially getting net.

These 2 factors should heavily influence what camera you buy methinks.

at home we've got some security cameras because the bloody pikeys keep robbing things (they managed to steal a ride on lawn mower from a padlocked shed and then lifted it over two locked gates to get it in their van) and most nights a spider makes it's web over the camera so we need to dust it off.

Christ! Them pikeys is dertermined!
& go spider go, soo shiny

[Thanatosgratus]

I used to have some free software from Microsoft that allowed you to use a camcorder for a live stream web cam cant remember the name of it but will have a look.

[DragoonKnight]

You Tube Direct Link