Help - Setting up a weather cam

[kaimaikid]

Need some ideas on what to get and what is needed to set up a weather cam to add to my weather page - prefer something that I can grab from either dse or jaycar... and pref. something that can go outside...

cheers...

[Manukau heads obs]

I just got myself the new Microsoft VX-6000 web cam
from Dick smith
about $100
nice camera
good wide angle lense
you need to adjust the camera settings as it is overexposed in bright daylight
works only on XP though (and my weather station pc is windows 2000! )

you then put it in a outdoor security light enclosure (remove the lightbulb from that) to make it waterproof (thats Rick'ys invention)

[kaimaikid]

you wouldn't have a photo of your set up by any chance ?

and what cabling and software did you use?

[Fujita Phil]

Hi Kaimaikid

My first webcam was a Logitech QuickCam Express but the picture wasn't that great. I'm currently using a Logitech Protech 4000 which gives me a much clearer image. I also use a generic wide angle lense that attaches to the front of the cam.

If I could afford to run my Sony handicam 24/7 that would be what I would do though. I get an even better picture.

The program I use is Kabcam mainly for its archiving capability.

Hope this helps

[GSVNoFixedAbode]

Excuse the bumping of an old thread, but just if anyone is interested, I've got a webcam going using an old Sony Handycam, and a video grabber called 'Snappy' that uses the Parallel port. All the tech is close to 10 years old but as a use for gear that would otherwise just be gathering dust it's pretty good.

Sony Handycam --> Snappy --> Near-death laptop --> KSnap s/w --> usb wireless stick --> router.
Scraping the temperature from the University as I haven't yet got a weather station myself.

I've got the images updating every 5 minutes at present at http://www.hyland.tk


Cheers,
G.

[gllitz]

I just got myself the new Microsoft VX-6000 web cam
from Dick smith
about $100
nice camera
good wide angle lense
you need to adjust the camera settings as it is overexposed in bright daylight
works only on XP though (and my weather station pc is windows 2000! )

you then put it in a outdoor security light enclosure (remove the lightbulb from that) to make it waterproof (thats Rick'ys invention)

Put it all under Linux...potential solution to the O/S problem?
Possibly Ubuntu Linux? It would probably detect the camera, see if it had the drivers, and then go get them if it didn't...I'm not expert in Ubuntu, but have heard great things about it...

[Gary Roberts]

Put it all under Linux...potential solution to the O/S problem?
Possibly Ubuntu Linux? It would probably detect the camera, see if it had the drivers, and then go get them if it didn't...I'm not expert in Ubuntu, but have heard great things about it...

Ubuntu's device support is first-rate.

[TokWW]

I did the same as MHO originally and now GSVN - and used an old video camera upstairs in the "den" storage area and purchased a TV/AV capture card for $72 to use the cam which has an excellent zoom for the 30mile range of view we have. It auto un-zooms with darkness to wideangle... hehe! The WD software recognises the capture card and grabs the streaming low quality video and creates jpgs and ifs just fine.

[Shepherds Valley WX]

Hi guys,

I have read with interest your thoughts/experience with regards to using old "handycams" as WX cams. One question though, my old Sony camcorder (even has 0 lux setting!) requires a tape to be in it before it will record....however I assume you are just using the camera lens and then recording the image at your PC...but how do you control the camera remotely? and, do you have an issue with the camera powering down after extended periods of time?

TIA
Andrew

[Manukau heads obs]

Hi
i have to have mine set on record mode
if the power goes off, that has to be reset
no problems with my old JVC running all the time in that mode (you dont actualy have to click on the red record button, i.e its just in record mode, instead of play mode)
its connected to the tv capture card via the red and yellow video and sound cables

[GSVNoFixedAbode]

I suspect it all has to do with the model of camera. The old Sony I use has a 'Record/Standby' mode showing the image over the video pipe but not recording to tape until the red button is pressed. My only problem is that the auto-focus is fully auto so raindrops or condensation on the glass means the image isn't stable over time.

[TokWW]

GSV - mine also focuses very cleverly on the raindrops but it has a huge depth of field so the distance still seems in focus - happened today - i will try and get on the Wx PC and upload a photo directly from that time.. - they are all stored on the PC every minute timestamped jpgs. Oh thats right I can link from here via the network and folder sharing ummm... added below

The webcam grumps because there is no tape and leaves a message on the screen but that is not transferred to the mpg streaming video. It is an anlogue 640 line tv picture converted to mpg by the TV/AV Capture card and then spotted by WD and converted to jpg and gif with some image editing on the way. Its still not as impressive as dedicated webcams like the logitech family but has an impressive manual zoom (12x Optical) and i have used it for the 30 mile shots to Karapiro and Maungatautari Hill - see a few digicam pics under the top dropdown menu which the video cam nearly duplicates - well far from it but we do have a lovely view... But - it was cheap at the time anbd i thought i could use this and of i saw a better cam to buy - I would do that later on.

Have a go. the Logitech cams are pretty good, but except for some TV style monitor cameras, most need a converted lamp casing.

Fortunately, if I lose power then the cam comes straight back on line in standby mode set on camera and not playback and so does WD and the Webcamcapture.exe. Also my timed and thermo setting switches for the cupboard heater come back on line too, to keep the window from misting up