Using key-chain DVR as a front end for video application - is is feasible?
vaclav_sal
Posts: 451
In past there has been quite a discussion going on these key-chain min spy DVR's. Unfortunately they did not venture past how cool stage.
I am looking into using this product as a front end of video intensive application and would like to hear form anybody who have done that or planning to do similar.
I currently have both embedded (BS2e) and PC based applications in works.
I am also considering a real OEM camera module made by Sky Technology http://www.sky-technology.eu/High-quality-webcam-module-n701m1941
Since I have been advised not to post subjects of too narrow of interest and recently experienced not very kind comments from forum participants, who seems to be immune to suggestion, I feel the necessity to add the following up front :
If you cannot contribute to subject in question share an experience with using key chain DVR - please do not contribute at all. Legal advises, limitation of Parallax product in video processing, advices to Google the subject and advises on limitations of whatever technology in general are not necessary.
This is a great forum to share ideas on technology, please stay on the subject.
.
PS And you really cannot stop the urge to exercise your free speech, go right ahead. I'll exercise mine a skip right over it. .
Vaclav
I am looking into using this product as a front end of video intensive application and would like to hear form anybody who have done that or planning to do similar.
I currently have both embedded (BS2e) and PC based applications in works.
I am also considering a real OEM camera module made by Sky Technology http://www.sky-technology.eu/High-quality-webcam-module-n701m1941
Since I have been advised not to post subjects of too narrow of interest and recently experienced not very kind comments from forum participants, who seems to be immune to suggestion, I feel the necessity to add the following up front :
If you cannot contribute to subject in question share an experience with using key chain DVR - please do not contribute at all. Legal advises, limitation of Parallax product in video processing, advices to Google the subject and advises on limitations of whatever technology in general are not necessary.
This is a great forum to share ideas on technology, please stay on the subject.
.
PS And you really cannot stop the urge to exercise your free speech, go right ahead. I'll exercise mine a skip right over it. .
Vaclav
Comments
manufacturer in China but came up with nothing. I know that the
software is probably updated by placing a firmware data file in the
root directory of the SD card and then powering the camera on.
That's the same procedure you follow to update the real time clock
as well.
I wanted to at least be able to drop the color intensity by 50%.
For some reason Asians seem to think over boosting the color level
of everything is a virtue..LoL Also they shift color to much toward the
blue end of the spectrum IMO.
The thing you can do with these cams is you can use a uC to control
them, but you can only do the same things you can do manually...you
can't really add new functions since you can't get the source code to play
with :-(
You can add a uC and easily do the following
-Take an image or video when there is sound, like when someone speaks
and then shut the camera down and go back to a low power sleep mode
waiting for the next occurrence of sound.
-Take stills at timed intervals for time-lapse recording. Or take very short
videos at intervals to do a different sort of time lapse- this will be time
lapse with audio.
It should be possible to use the propeller to handle the files on the sd card.
This would probably require shutting the camera down to sleep mode and
then working with the files on the sd. If you did this you could record live
24/7 video/audio waiting for some event to happen. You see you could shut
the cam down and quickly delete the video files from the sd and then restart
the cam and quickly begin the recording again. If you used 2 cameras then
there would not even be a momentary gap in surveillance coverage.
You can use the 3.7v Lion battery in the cam to power both the cam and your uC.
It is not difficult to mate one of the cameras to a telescope....not having live
video you can monitor through the USB connection makes it a bit tedious
to set up though. I rigged up a holder out of a piece of Styrofoam packing
material. I got a pretty nice video of a location about a mile away with the
setup. This is the sort of setup that could really use the 24/7 recording
described above. A poor-mans surveillance system. Log the files to a USB
HD when the sd card is full.
I have had fun with my keychain cams... remember there is no way to power
the camera down other than removing its connection to the 3.7v Lion battery.
The power off control just places it into sleep mode. So if you want to hide one
of these somewhere to record whatever and you think the area will be swept
for security the cam will be detectable using sensitive gear unless it's battery
is disconnected.
It looks as keychain DVR is pretty much "closed" black box.
I think I have will use both keychain DVR ( recording) and OEM camera module - remote control.
One project has limits on weight - so the keychain is OK, the other is "land mobile" with no restriction on weight but need for over mile control.
Vaclav