Video - Basic streaming video

 

Streaming Video

I've had quite a few requests for a simplified step-by-step guide on how to put live streaming video (typically from a bird nesting box) onto the internet, so here goes. There are basically two distinct parts involved. The first part is setting up the camera to provide suitable video to a computer and the second part is using the computer to convert the video into a form to put out onto the internet.

The Camera

Invariably, the camera will be quite a long way from the computer that will handle the video/internet side of things so the only practical type of camera is one that provides Composite Video or S-video at its output. Composite video and s-video are 'compatible' with the scart input found on most televisions. In fact, a common use for these cameras is as a security camera over the front door, connected to the AV (scart) input of the domestic television. Sometimes - as a bonus - these systems employ a radio link between the camera and a separate small receiver unit which connects to the television, thus eliminating the need for long cables between the camera and the television.

The options

  1. Complete camera and nestbox kits - Wig Wam Wild Cams

    This is essentially, a length of cable with a camera & nestbox at one end and a small "power block" mains adapter and a scart plug at the other. As soon as you get it home, you'd be able to set it up and test it by plugging in into your television.

     

  2. Separate camera and cable kits - Maplin Electronics (Type 'Board Camera' in search box)

    Here, you will get the camera which you will need to mount into a nestbox yourself and a cable kit. One end of the cable already has a mains power adapter and scart plug attached - the other end simply has four tinned wire ends. The cameras come with a tiny plug also with four short leads attached and you have to join the wires together and insulate them carefully. You'll find plenty of good information here.

     

  3. As 2 above but make the cable up yourself.

    I've found that 4-core flexible cable of the type sold for house alarm systems works fine. The picture below shows the sort of setup. Note that the colours that I've shown may not correspond with your camera. You will need to follow your own camera instructions carefully.

    I've shown a phono plug for the video and a mono jack plug for the audio. Remember that, ultimately, the video will connect to your computer through a TV-capture card and the audio will connect to the computer's sound card. If you first want to test the camera & cable with a television, you may need to use different plugs initially.

     

  4. Ready built radio link systems

    A camera and transmitter at one end and a matching receiver with a scart lead at the other. Don't forget that you'll still need to supply power (usually 12v DC) to the camera and, as the camera and transmitter are usually self-contained, you may have problems if space is a bit limited.

     

  5. Another option is to use an 'IP Camera.' These devices are mainly intended for security applications and stream the video directly to the internet without the need for a computer at all! Like VoIP phones, they can connect directly with the phone line or through a standard internet router, depending on the model.

    I have absolutely no experience with these devices and would suggest you do a Google search for 'IP Camera', 'Internet Camera' and 'Network Camera'.

Initially, you may want to test the camera and cable by viewing it on the domestic television. Ready made-up leads will have a scart plug which simply plugs into the television's AV socket. Remember that you will need to adapt the scart plug when you come to plug it into your computer.

The video will plug into the computer's TV-capture card and will probably be a Phono type plug. The audio - if you want to include it - will probably be a miniature jack plug to plug into the computer sound card's Line In socket.

If you make your own cable, it's easier to put the correct computer plugs on - but then, of course, you'd need to adapt the plugs if you want to test it first on the television. Some televisions do have Phono inputs for video and audio (as an alternative to the scart input) but, even then, you'd still need to temporarily adapt the audio jack plug.

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