Any way to get 5+ megapixel "webcam" stills over ADSL?

This isn't exactly on topic for a broadband NG but somebody here may
know...

I am setting up a video surveillance system and that part is
progressing well on the specification.

However I would also like to be able to take high-res still images and
both record them locally and transmit them as emails to a remote site.

It should be easy to do; one can buy a ~ 5MP consumer camera for
£200-300 which would do perfectly well. The basic problem is that I
can't find any that can be commanded to take a picture and return it,
over the USB connection that most of them have.

The normal thing is that still cameras emulate a removable storage
device via USB. But there isn't a command set for getting them to take
a picture.

Does anyone know of any digital cameras that can take pictures and
return them immediately through the cable?


Peter.
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Peter wrote:
....
> The normal thing is that still cameras emulate a removable storage
> device via USB. But there isn't a command set for getting them to take
> a picture.
>
> Does anyone know of any digital cameras that can take pictures and
> return them immediately through the cable?

FWIW my fuji s5500 has three modes - file transfer (maps into a disk
unit), printer transfer, and also webcam mode; but I don't have any
software installed to test the latter. So they do exist.....

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"Peter" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> This isn't exactly on topic for a broadband NG but somebody here may
> know...
>
> I am setting up a video surveillance system and that part is
> progressing well on the specification.
>
> However I would also like to be able to take high-res still images and
> both record them locally and transmit them as emails to a remote site.
>
> It should be easy to do; one can buy a ~ 5MP consumer camera for
> £200-300 which would do perfectly well. The basic problem is that I
> can't find any that can be commanded to take a picture and return it,
> over the USB connection that most of them have.
>
> The normal thing is that still cameras emulate a removable storage
> device via USB. But there isn't a command set for getting them to take
> a picture.
>
> Does anyone know of any digital cameras that can take pictures and
> return them immediately through the cable?
>
>
> Peter.
#

Cannon sureshot range such as A95 have supplied software that controls the
camera from the computer
> --
> Return address is invalid to help stop junk mail.
> E-mail replies to (E-Mail Removed) but remove the X and the Y.

Mike Scott <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>FWIW my fuji s5500 has three modes - file transfer (maps into a disk
>unit), printer transfer, and also webcam mode; but I don't have any
>software installed to test the latter. So they do exist.....

Yes, a lot of digital cameras have a webcam mode, bit it works in
low-res video, e.g. 320x240 or 640x480, not for returning the full-res
stills.

For example I have an old Nikon 5700 which would do this really well.

There are other challenges e.g. how to prevent auto shutdown of the
camera, etc.


Peter.
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Peter wrote:
> However I would also like to be able to take high-res still images and
> both record them locally and transmit them as emails to a remote site.
> It should be easy to do; one can buy a ~ 5MP consumer camera for
> £200-300 which would do perfectly well. The basic problem is that I
> can't find any that can be commanded to take a picture and return it,
> over the USB connection that most of them have.
> The normal thing is that still cameras emulate a removable storage
> device via USB. But there isn't a command set for getting them to take
> a picture.

.... and many of them detect USB connection and go into "upload to PC" mode.

Some form of relay to (a) connect/disconnect the camera's USB as
required (b) operate the shutter release would be required, connected to
the PC either RS232 or a USB interface. Maplin or adverts in one of the
electronics mags should provide inspiration to external control.

I would suggest using secureFTP rather than email - more robust and, er,
secure.

You could also have a third relay, connected to an autodialler/burglar
alarm. Have the computer trigger the relay say every hour. If the
autodialler *doesn't* receive a housekeeping signal then it calls/texts
you as an alert that something may have stopped working. Andrew Gabriel
on news:uk.d-i-y has his central heating system do this (and a lot more).

Owain

"Peter" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> This isn't exactly on topic for a broadband NG but somebody here may
> know...
>
> I am setting up a video surveillance system and that part is
> progressing well on the specification.
>
> However I would also like to be able to take high-res still images and
> both record them locally and transmit them as emails to a remote site.
>
> It should be easy to do; one can buy a ~ 5MP consumer camera for
> £200-300 which would do perfectly well. The basic problem is that I
> can't find any that can be commanded to take a picture and return it,
> over the USB connection that most of them have.
>
> The normal thing is that still cameras emulate a removable storage
> device via USB. But there isn't a command set for getting them to take
> a picture.
>
> Does anyone know of any digital cameras that can take pictures and
> return them immediately through the cable?
>
>
> Peter.
> --
> Return address is invalid to help stop junk mail.
> E-mail replies to (E-Mail Removed) but remove the X and the Y.

Hello -

If you are able to compromise on resolution, then how about using Axis 206W
IP cameras which have a resolution of 1024x1280? I've found that IP cameras
generally give better results than USB webcams with the same resolution, eg.
http://www.setters.demon.co.uk/lundycam/gallery.html (USB webcam on left, IP
camera on right, both 640x480).

A 206W can't match the resolution of a digital camera, but it is likely to
be more reliable and easier to program against.

Regards,

Simon

"Simon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote

>If you are able to compromise on resolution, then how about using Axis 206W
>IP cameras which have a resolution of 1024x1280? I've found that IP cameras
>generally give better results than USB webcams with the same resolution, eg.
>http://www.setters.demon.co.uk/lundycam/gallery.html (USB webcam on left, IP
>camera on right, both 640x480).

That's an interesting site - however I think that both sets of images
are poor compared with a real 640x480 camera, and poor compared with
640x480 stills from an old (c. 1999) Sony TRV900 DV camcorder.

Could be his dirty windows


Peter.
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter" <(E-Mail Removed)>
Newsgroups: uk.telecom.broadband,uk.rec.photo.misc
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:16 PM
Subject: Any way to get 5+ megapixel "webcam" stills over ADSL?


>
> Does anyone know of any digital cameras that can take pictures and
> return them immediately through the cable?


Canon supplied an application called RemoteCapture with my 300D. Not in
your price range (yet) but such a thing does exist and perhaps it's
available with other cheaper Canons.

Stephen

"Stephen" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote

>Canon supplied an application called RemoteCapture with my 300D. Not in
>your price range (yet) but such a thing does exist and perhaps it's
>available with other cheaper Canons.

This is a great lead - thank you!

I've found it at various places e.g.

http://www.vadino.com/?q=remotecapture

but it looks like a Mac version only...


Peter.
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and finally

http://www.harbortronics.com/