How to add live stream from outdoor camera on website?

[sfklaas]

Hello,

I currently manage a website for a country club. They came to me asking if it is possible to stream video of the outside so members can go to the website and see live video of the course and tennis courts. The main goal is to see the current weather conditions. I was wondering if any of you have done this before. It sounds like it would be an interesting, but a useful addition to the website.

So my questions are:
1.) Has anyone done this before?
2.) What equipment is needed to get this done? (type of camera, hardware, software, etc)
3.) What code could I use to embed the video on an ez-page or define page?
4.) Any help to point me in the right direction would be great!

Thank in advance!
~Steve

[DrByte]

There are web services that empower you to do that sort of thing. An online search for customized live streaming would be your best course of action.

If you're a tech geek and have a spare computer, you could experiment with WebRTC and connect your own camera to your computer and drop the image onto an HTML5 canvas, and then use that to feed your stream or to upload the stream to an externally-hosted service.
But I'm sure there are already packaged services/solutions out there to take care of all the techie stuff for you. Ski resorts often use this sort of thing, as do traffic cam sites.

[RodG]

2.) What equipment is needed to get this done? (type of camera, hardware, software, etc)

This is the only question worth answering at this stage, because the answers to your other questions will depend very much on the type of camera in use.

In very simple terms, there are two different types of cameras that can be used for this purpose. Most of us are familiar with the various types of 'webcam' that can be plugged into our own computer to generate a video feed. Many laptops, etc even have this type of camera inbuilt.

A less well known type of camera is the "IPcam" (Internet Protocol Camera).

Both types of camera can be used to stream video, but they are as different as chalk and cheese in regards to implementation.

IPcameras typically cost a lot more than the 'webcams', but the reason is quite clear when you understand that the IPcameras are more than just a camera. They are in fact a dedicated computer complete with their own inbuilt WEB and FTP server. Essentially a 'standalone' device that needs nothing more than a network connection to function. Such devices are great for surveillance, but useless for 'chat' type programs (which is what most people use a webcam for).

So, based on your specified needs, I'd strongly suggest you seek an IPcam. Ideally one with Pan, Tilt and Zoom controls (even if never used 'live', these controls make setting up the scene you wish to steam a breeze. The alternative being to have one person aim the camera while another is watching the monitor calling out left,right, up, down instructions until the framing is correct).

You can simplify things even more if you spring for a Wireless IP camera. No cables to run.

Bottom line here is that you can stream video 'on the cheap' with a 'webcam' and an old computer (to provide connectivity), but if you are really serious about this, an IPcam is the *only* way to go.

Cheers
Rod

[sfklaas]

Wow, great advice guys! I'll be sure to start shopping for the IP Cameras. Obviously, anyone else who has more suggestions, I would love to hear from you! I'll be sure to post my solution at the end of this to hopefully help others (if everything works accordingly).