Yearly Archives: 2012

Setting Up Your Own Camera

I often get queries asking for advice on how to set up a system like The HenCam, after all, doesn’t everyone want to be able to keep an eye on their chickens when away, and share the fun of their animals with others? However our system is not easy to replicate – it’s technically challenging (I know because my IT Guy/husband is frequently working on it), nor is it inexpensive to run. But we love having the HenCam, and really like sharing it with all of you out there.

I honestly have no clue how it all works, and I get all woozy when Steve tries to explain it to me, so the details have yet to sink in. Therefore, this post is written by my IT Guy – who deserves a big round of internet hand-clapping from everyone. (You’ll see why if you can wade all the way through.)

Here are some tips from my I.T. Guy and husband Steve:

There are various solutions depending on your budget and just exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

Web camera

The easiest (and cheapest) solution is to buy a web camera and attach it directly to your computer using a USB cable. These cameras are generally used for video conferencing and video instant messaging, but instead of pointing the camera at you, just point it out the window. Unfortunately the camera has to remain indoors and close to the computer (maximum length of a USB cable is 5 meters). Also typically you can only watch the video from that computer. For more information see this tutorial at HowStuffWorks.

Network camera

If the camera has to be far away from your computer then you need a network camera. These self-contained cameras are not attached to a computer, they just need power and a network connection (usually Ethernet, although some can also connect wirelessly with WiFi). These cameras have built-in webserver software, and a web browser on your computer is used to control the camera and view the video. If you intend to mount it outdoors then make sure your camera is weatherproof and can handle extreme temperatures.

If you want to view your camera from outside your home then you need an always-on Internet connection (e.g., cable modem or DSL). Your Internet service provider (ISP) must assign the camera a static IP address, or you can use dynamic DNS (DDNS) which most cameras support. One limitation is that network cameras allow only a small number of simultaneous users. The upstream bandwidth of your home Internet connection will also limit the number of viewers.

Also look into one of the new cloud-based video services such as Dropcam. However these cams are generally designed for indoor use.

Supporting many users

If you want to allow many users to view your camera then consider a video hosting service that offers video streaming. Now your home Internet connection only has to upload a single stream from your camera up to the hosting service. The service takes care of the rest.

How The HenCam Works

We currently have two cameras. The main HenCam, outside the Big Barn, is an ACTi E71A network camera. This cam has an infrared illuminator for nighttime viewing.

OutdoorCam

 

BarnCam, located in the Big Barn, is another ACTi E71A network camera. This one also has an IR illuminator, so you can see the hens at night.

BarnCam

BarnCam also streams audio, using a Verifact E microphone from Louroe Electronics. That’s the leftmost rectangular box in the above photo. The microphone and preamp are powered from 12VDC provided by the camera.

There is also a custom mute switch installed in the barn, for those occasions when you want some privacy.

mute_switch

 

The outdoor cameras are weatherproof and all can operate well below freezing temperatures. Image quality is excellent.

Ethernet cables run underground from the house basement out to the Little Barn, and from there to the Big Barn.

Originally the power and Ethernet cables ran unprotected to the cameras. However one day Candy the bunny started chewing on them, so now all the wiring is safely inside electrical conduit.

We use ffmpeg on our local server (an Apple Mac mini) to transcode the stream from each camera and add the watermark overlay and timestamp. Next each stream uploads to YouTube where their live streaming service sends it out to each viewer.

Our Internet connection uses Comcast cable with 30Mbits/sec upload bandwidth. The website is hosted on a dedicated server at DreamHost.

It’s been great fun putting all this together. Thanks for watching The HenCam!

Hot Dog

Scooter loves hot weather. If he were a sensible dog like Lily, I’d let him enjoy it. But he’s not. He likes to sunbathe. He plops down on the back step in a bright spot, and stretches his skinny little body out as long as it can go. He’d bake himself until limp if I let him, but dogs can get heatstroke, and I’ve found him on the verge. So, I’ve been limiting his tanning sessions and shushing him off the step. I was pleased the other day when I let him outside, and instead of flopping down in the sun, he trotted across the lawn. Maybe he’d gotten the message!

But, no, I guess he’s a tad more clever than I give him credit for.

When I called the dogs in, this is how he looked. He had been over at the pond, baking himself on a sun-heated rock.

Scooter, I’m onto you!

Pip’s Twin

Wendy brought sharp tools in her suitcase. She was determined to teach me how to felt. I do like felted animals, but have no desire to hold a wad of wool in my hand and poke and stab with a needle (often pricking myself) in order to create a toy (albeit as adorable as can be.) Wendy persevered. She bought wool. She felted while we chatted at the table. (She only went “ouch!” a few times and never did curse – much to my disappointment.)

Pip now has a twin.

Wendy even captured Pip’s perpetual smile.

I still don’t want to work with sharp needles. But, Wendy did teach me a new crochet stitch. I’m working on a scarf. It might be finished by winter.

Container Pot Planting

Last week, in preparation for Wendy’s visit, I did a few things. Yes, I changed the sheets in the guest room and put out a fresh, pretty little soap. But the most important thing on my to-do list was to go to HomeGoods and buy a carload of black ceramic pots.

On her third day here, we shopped at five plant nurseries and came home with a trunk full of vegetables, herbs and flowers (annuals and perennials) and 160 pounds of potting soil. With her plant knowledge and eye for horticulture design (and now sore back) we put these together:

The next morning, my husband got up early and baked off croissants (Trader Joe’s frozen are the best) and I hurried out to the garden to dig in the perennials – all while Wendy slept in. See? We are very good hosts.

The Best Mother’s Day Present

I’m not one for breakfast in bed or grand declarations of love. I don’t need “Queen For A Day Treatment.” But that’s not to say that I don’t appreciate gifts, and expressions of appreciation and love. Like this:

I wonder if my Mother’s Day present is goat tip-proof. Excuse me while I go find out.