What is the Best Web Cam for a Reef Tank?

ppurcell

New member
I am using a Logitech Communicate STX right now, but it doesn't do well with auto adjusting for the various light levels over the tank. I can set the levels it to be "ok" for either the T5's or the MH's but then they have to be readjusted if I want to be able to see what is going on in the tank for a different light intensity.

Also, the low light operation with the moonlight LED's doesn't do well enough at all even with everything adjusted for max exposure, gain, color compensation and low light boost.

Is anyone using a webcam that works for different lighting levels?

If I'm going to need to get a new webcam, I'm thinking one that includes tilt, pan and zoom would be really nice... I really don't like the fixed perspecive.
 
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Great question. I am looking to add a web cam as well. My first choice would be to put a fixed camera under water. I know they make them, I just can't find one. My second choice would be to do one outside of the tank with a side shot into the tank.

Keep searching, if you find anything,let me know. I will do the same for you.
 
Get one that we can all control via a web interface! With Pan, zoom and everything!

:smokin:
 
ppurcell,

back when I was in the CCTV (closed circuit television) world we did some cameras for a guy out East for his tank. I can not for the life of me remember his name or website. I will try and look tonight to see if I kept any info on it.

Anyway, while designing a helmet camera for my road bike I got the call from him to help on the tank side. What we used was what is generally called a lipstick camera. Basically the size of lipstick. It was color and had a very low Lux rating. Lower the lux, the better image you will get in low light situations which will help with your moonlight issue. This was hooked up to a recorder that was multiplexed to his server and a TV upstairs so he could view the tank during commercials as he said. We ended up setting 2 cameras up. 1 on a motorized swivel and 1 stationary. I believe the tank was in the 600g-ish range. In fact, this tank peeked my interest to get into the hobby.

As for information on who made the stuff, I would need to look it up and I am not sure I have it if any still. Probably wasn't much help, but this is possible with good results. I have been out of it too long to have any connections now. I will make some phone calls if you'd like to see if I can get some more help.
 
DCS-5300G_main.jpg


This is what I am looking at, or at least something like it:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=342

Product Description:
Remotely watch and listen with the D-Link SECURICAM Networkâ"žÂ¢ DCS-5300G Internet Security Camera. The DCS-5300G is a fully-featured surveillance system that connects to an Ethernet or wireless broadband network to provide remote high-quality video and audio. Using the latest 802.11g wireless technology, the DCS-5300G securely communicates at a maximum wireless signal of up to 54Mbps*.

You can safely access and control the DCS-5300G using Internet Explorer version 6. Watch and listen remotely as the DCS-5300G captures both sound and video of your site. The DCS-5300G Wireless Security Camera uses a CCD sensor that provides sharp and clear video with lifelike color representation.

The DCS-5300G Wireless Security Camera has a pan, tilt, and zoom function that can be controlled from the Web interface or from the included remote control. Pan the security camera up to 270 degrees horizontally and tilt it up to 90 degrees vertically. The pan/tilt speed can be adjusted to your preference. 4x digital zoom** lets you remotely zoom in on all the action for close-up viewing.

The DCS-5300G adheres to the Universal Plug & Play (UPnPâ"žÂ¢) specification which allows computers running Windows® XP/Me to automatically recognize the DCS-5300G and add it to your network. The DCS-5300G Wireless Security Camera can be accessed and viewed from “My Network Places” as a device on the network.

By signing up with one of the many free Dynamic DNS services available on the Web, you can assign an easy-to-remember name and domain to the camera (e.g. www.mycamera.myddns.com). This allows you to remotely access your security camera without having to remember the IP address, even if it has been changed by your Internet Service Provider.

Everything needed to get started is included with the DCS-5300G Wireless Security Camera. Simple installation procedures, along with the built-in Web-based interface offer easy integration into your network environment. Powerful surveillance software is included to enhance the monitoring and security management of the DCS-5300G. You can record high quality video to your hard drive using MPEG4 compression, playback video, monitor as many as 16 cameras on a single screen, and set up motion detection to trigger automatic recording and e-mail alerts. The DCS-5300G Wireless Security Camera is a cost-effective and versatile security solution for your home or business.

The DCS-5300G Wireless Security Camera comes with detachable antennas with reverse SMA connectors. By simply attaching a D-Link wireless antenna, you can increase the wireless range of the DCS-5300G.

* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11g specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range.
** 4x digital zoom enlarges an image by magnifying the pixels in a selected portion of the image by 4 times.

Here's a much cheaper one, but not nearly as cool:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=459
 
The only thing you need to understand with that camera is more then 8-9 people watching video on it is not desireable.
 
That's the thing about having pan, tilt and focus controls. With more than one person, it becomes a little dicey. I may just go with a fixed camera and focus.
 
Its not the pan tilt. It is the built in webserver. It takes processor to stream the video and that is all it can handle. If you want one that can do more you need to go up $$ to the Axis.

Ted
 
You mean the multicasting? I didn't think about that. You would need to set up some big @ss server to handle that or the service would be terrible. Then again, how many people do you think would be watching my web cam at any given time? Me? My mom? An ex girlfriend plotting on poisoning my fish?
 
As long as it is not more then 8-10 your fine. I think the axis will do up to 20.
 
Fry's in Downers Grove has a big selection on cameras. Not sure just what kinds but a pretty large group. You may want to give them a call.
 
Ouch. At $300 or better, I will be waiting a while to get one and I certainly won't be first. I'd like to see if someone else finds something that can demonstrate that it will be able to handle low, moderate and high intensity lighting without having to be manually readjusted.
 
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