I know nothing of how to get streaming video on my site but here goes: I take it that I would need at least three things to make this work - a camera, the software and a dedicated server. Let me know if I need some other vital component.

For the software, can someone recommend something? Or point me to some reputable sites. For the camera, I want the user to be able to move the camera around (like in http://www.strettoweb.it ). What kind of information would the host need to have this set up or does anyone know a host that is familiar with streaming video?

I know this will be costly so I'm just gathering all the info I can before I purchase the equipment. This will be a long term project since I have to really learn what all this entails.

I think this is a good place to get a lot of that information. Does anyone know any streaming video experts?

Originally posted by Cynde
I know nothing of how to get streaming video on my site but here goes: I take it that I would need at least three things to make this work - a camera, the software and a dedicated server. Let me know if I need some other vital component.

For the software, can someone recommend something? Or point me to some reputable sites. For the camera, I want the user to be able to move the camera around (like in http://www.strettoweb.it ). What kind of information would the host need to have this set up or does anyone know a host that is familiar with streaming video?

I know this will be costly so I'm just gathering all the info I can before I purchase the equipment. This will be a long term project since I have to really learn what all this entails.

I think this is a good place to get a lot of that information. Does anyone know any streaming video experts?

Cynde,

It's a lot cheaper than you think.

We set one up for thepaninigrill.com back in December.

You need to first purchase a camera (your call but we just purchased the client the Logitech Quickcam. He is happy with it so far and we bought it wholesale for WELL BELOW retail price. They have them pretty cheap on eBay as well).

Then you need to purchase something to process the video. We use(d) CoffeeCup Web Cam. You purchase the software for $40 (I believe) at http://www.coffeecup.com/webcam/

You install the software, install the camera. Put some HTML/Java code into your web page and bam you're all set.

As far as streaming, you can set it to refresh every .01 seconds which is as close to streaming as I THINK somebody would need. Your best bet is set it to refresh every second.

At the Panini Grill where we set it up he has it refreshing every 20 seconds I believe. He doesn't always turn it on (he's a lazy guy) but he loves it when he doese turn it on.

Hey, I eat panini sandwiches!

Well, the price quotes you gave are quite different from the ones I got on the other forum [ Dedicated Server Forum ] . They posted between $1000 - $2000, and that's not the whole kit and kaboodle.

(On a side note, I first posted at Dedicated Server then only thought of posting here afterward - didn't mean to pull a double post - sorry!)

Anyway, I think your price quotes are for webcams that can easily be hooked up and they're in close proximity to a computer. The kind used for the backyard, upstairs, baby's room...

The one I want is for remote places. For instance, say that I want to put a camera on a light pole to have people see what the surf is like at Waimea Bay, which is like 30 miles from my house, on the other side of the island. I put the camera up and somehow the web host that has that special expensive software must receive those pictures. I'm pretty sure the camera needs a power source physically connected unless there's some new magic I don't know about. Anyway, having that camera relay the images to the host server is where I really have no knowledge of how that works. I know it takes alot of bandwidth because so many images are loaded in a second to make it look smooth, not choppy. Also, I want the user to have the ability to zoom in/out and move up/down/left/right. Not a tall order, eh?

I can go cheap but I'd rather have good quality. So am I missing something here? Am I sacrificing quality if I get a Logitech webcam vs. the expensive type? Or is it really the same thing? In the meantime, I'll check out those sites you gave me, Web Guyz, and see what other items they have.

I can't wait to be a pro at this. :cartman:

Ah gotcha...

You want the XCam's then.

We hooked those up in our offices (in the basement of 1 of our houses).

If you need any assistance let me know.