Jer, I thought I saw the info on your site, but I cannot find it now. Can I ask what camera and software you use? You may have even told me when we met last week - but I had just gotten off the plane - so it did not sink in. I want to play around a little, but I am having trouble getting started.
I don't think I mentioned the webcam model when we met last week but all the info (even a photo of it) is in my "silly questions" section at www.multimadrid.com/mm_info/sfaq.htm .
I think the Philips Vesta Pro is the best for the money (about $55). While it is meant for indoors, it has lasted over a year outside on my balcony so far I was playing with a Logitech Webcam Pro as well in a testing phase but the resolutin was crapola and it could not self adjust to the various light conditions.
I would love to buy a really cool cam that my visitors could even take control of via the website and zoom in, pan and tilt. I have my eye on a JVC that could even zoom in on someones "paella" on the "terrazas" in the summer on the other side of the Plaza, but the camera costs over $2,000 USD
Jer, thanks, I knew I saw it somewhere. What about the software to drive it to take 1 pic every N seconds? Is that all custom or is there cheapware out there?
Glad you are interested in setting up a cam of your own.
There are a few good programs out there to manage the webcams. I did find some free shareware ones when I was doing my resaerch way back but have since forgotten the web addresses. I use one called WebCam32 (version 6.01) that is pretty popular amongst webcammers. You can find it and all the info you could possibly need at http://www.surveyor.com/webcam32 You can either order the CD-ROM and users kit or download it from the site after paying $39.95 online.
It is inexpensive and does a great job. Last I checked, htis was the basic info for use of the program...
quote:
What do I need to get started?
* Operating System Requirements:Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000 (ME is not guaranteed to be compatible) * 32 Mb RAM or more (recommended) * 486 CPU or higher * 4 Mb hard disk space available
Hardware Requirements:
* Camera compatible with Video for Windows * Microphone on camera (optional) * Camera with USB connection (rather than serial connection) recommended for faster streaming video
Connection Requirements:
* Broadband recommended for live streaming video (DSL, cable modem, or T1) * Dial-up modem acceptable for ftp upload or slow streaming video
I use the program on both Windows 98 and 2000 professional since I have a seperate PC running the PlazCam (Win. 98) 24 hours a day and I do my design work on the Windows 2000 machine.
I have had people tell me that they tried WebCam32 with windows Milleniumn Edition but it did not work (hence the warning in the quote above from th product website).
I use the FTP upload at a 15 second interval and have the Java Applet for the live Plaza Mayor image refreshing every 20 seconds (to be sure the new image has at least 5 seconds to get onto the server).
My hardware supplier recommended the Philips TouCam and it is a load of crud. It does not work well in low light in spite of the technical specs and it automatically adjusts the picture quality to the supposed bandwidth. At work I have a 2Mb ADSL line that uploads at 512Kbs but that, apparently, is not enough and it drops down the resolution to a fuzzy, low contrast mess. Check the Runnymede College webcam.
Earlier I had bought a 3Com HomeConnect and although it's discontinued you can still find them in stores. The price is the same as the TouCam (about US$100) and the quality is far superior (check Madrid Skyline). This connection is only 128Kb and works fine.
I would not recommend using Java to refresh the image (sorry, Jer) as many businesses and even home users have Java disabled for security reasons. The same effect can be achieved using JavaScript without loosing viewers. Check either of my two pages fpor the code.
Hey Luis, thanks for the tips my man! I had no idea that you could refresh via javascript, learn something new every day.
As it is I offer non-java versions of my cams but I may just change to your javascrips system and save myself the headaches and the having to offer 2versions of each cam
OK, so, any disadvantages to using the javascript refresh instead of java? It seems that if it were really better than the java applet everyone would use it but 99% of the webcams out there still use java applets. Any reason why?
I hate to doubt but I just want to do what is best for my visitors.
I still stand by the Philips Tuocam, the Plaza image is pretty good if ya ask me
Saludos, jer...
p.d. what I really need is a panoramic wide webcam to be able to get the whole plaza in one cam instead of having to do what I have done at www.multimadrid.com/total-plaza to get the entire view.
Yup, the image quality of your webcams is great. However, you mentioned that you use a Philips Vesta Pro; mine is a Philips TouCam Pro and that must be the difference.
Re Java versus JavaScript, I can only imagine that most people don't want to mess about with HTML and it's easier to package a Java applet. The JavaScript is simple but requires customization.
The only camera I could find with interchangeable lenses was the 3Com HomeConnect but, as I mentioned in an earlier post, it's now discontinued. Its 'normal' lens is much wider angle than the Philips TouCam and there was an optional lens pack for about US$50 which had 3 extra lenses including a wide angle lens. A couple of months ago there were a few sets available on Amazon's zShops but I've just checked and there's nothing available today.
Hey Luis, shame about that 3com webcam not being on the market anymore
I started out using the Philips Vesta Pro for the PlazaCam over a year ago but moved to the Tuocam Pro a few months ago because it handles low light better and delivers more vivid colors. I now use the Philips Tuocam Pro for all 3 webcam views (2 in the Plaza and one in Sol) I just forgot to update this thread.
Maybe you got a defective Tuocam that was faulty and it was a poor image.
I know the webcams that do not handle lighting changes well, the whole Logitech Webcam line for example is poor if you ask me. A Logitech Quickcam Web with my PC and it now sits on my shelf, unused. It is horrible in low light and needs continuous adjusting. The resolution also leaves a lot ot be desired on the Logitech cams.
I love the Tuocam but am always on the lookout for something bigger and better, keep yer eyes peeled
I think I will be changing the Java Applets for the code you use, hope I can count onj your help if I need it.
Re the sensitivity to light changes, I had the same problem but I read about a solution on a web page which I've now lost.
Apparently, most webcam software that ftp's the picture, only takes a pic when it has to upload, i.e. every thirty or sixty seconds or whatever. The webcam only adjusts the exposure slightly with each frame and changes are very slow.
In addition to the upload window which has the current picture, my software has a small monitor window that shows me the webcam in real time. I presume most software has this feature.
By keeping the webcam monitor window open the webcam is taking pictures at a rate of several frames per second and adjusts to changing light levels well. I use the trick on the TouCam and the 3Com and it works on both.
Hey Luis, thanks. I read about leaving the webcam management program open on the top of my screen to assure good light adjustment and that is what I do, if one watches the cams all day or checks in from time to time they will see that light changes are handled very well. I use WebCam32 (WEB SITE HERE) to run the cam and it has the preview window you refer to above.
Usually I have the cam settings at 30 fps (can go up to 60 with the Tuocam) and that helps it adjust to the light changes very well.
I want to play around a little, but I am having trouble getting started.
at 
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