Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Good webcam for ants?


  • Please log in to reply
11 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Foogoo - Posted November 9 2014 - 11:29 PM

Foogoo

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,161 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, CA

*calling dspdrew

 

I've got two foscams which, after tossing the manual, is a breeze to set up. However, I'm not sure it would work well for focusing on something as small as ants. Can anyone suggest a good ant cam with wifi?


Camponotus vicinus, Crematogaster 1, Crematogaster 2, Formica francoeuri, *, *, Myrmecocystus testaceus, Novomessor cockerelli, Pheidole hyatti, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Pogonomyrmex rugosus, Solenopsis invicta


#2 Offline drtrmiller - Posted November 10 2014 - 9:26 AM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts

I was waiting for drew to respond, but I don't think he uses an IP cam.  

 

Those little gadgets designed for home security to work over a wireless network generally aren't designed to focus on things as small and close-up as ants.




byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#3 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 10 2014 - 4:12 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

This is the camera I'm using. It plugs in with USB and is not a wifi camera.

 

http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/B000RZQZM0



#4 Offline drtrmiller - Posted November 11 2014 - 1:37 AM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts
That's the same webcam I have. But I got it for like $20 used on eBay.


byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#5 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 11 2014 - 5:37 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Wow, that's a good deal. I don't know why it's so expensive. Even when I bought mine brand new a few years ago, it was only about 100 dollars.



#6 Offline Bigb - Posted November 12 2014 - 1:39 PM

Bigb

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 30 posts
  • LocationLa Mirada, CA

I have been testing out a couple of apps for the Blackberry which turn the device into an IP web camera.   I am interested in this solution because I have several old Blackberrys and iPhones laying around and it would provide a cheap/self contained solution for a WiFi/IP camera.  The apps for the BB are PortaServer(Free) and Mobiola($20).   You can attach a simple external lens to a cell phone camera for macro shots to get in close.

 

I currently use a couple of Logitech C920s with YawCam software running on old laptops and they create a nice image.    But for WEB cam duty you end up throttling back the resolution so you can get a descent frame rate. 



#7 Offline drtrmiller - Posted November 12 2014 - 1:43 PM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts

I haven't found IP cam apps reliable for long term use on mobile devices.  I used a few, albeit for Android, and the ones I used taxed both the phone and network greatly, eventually failing.




byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#8 Offline Bigb - Posted November 12 2014 - 2:02 PM

Bigb

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 30 posts
  • LocationLa Mirada, CA

Good to know, thanks.  I'll see how the BBs do.  



#9 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 12 2014 - 2:05 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I haven't found IP cam apps reliable for long term use on mobile devices.  I used a few, albeit for Android, and the ones I used taxed both the phone and network greatly, eventually failing.

How exactly did the phone fail?



#10 Offline drtrmiller - Posted November 12 2014 - 2:12 PM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts
Just as I explained. Phone got hot, network had a stroke, streaming crashed.


byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#11 Offline Foogoo - Posted November 12 2014 - 2:24 PM

Foogoo

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,161 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, CA

I haven't found IP cam apps reliable for long term use on mobile devices.  I used a few, albeit for Android, and the ones I used taxed both the phone and network greatly, eventually failing.

 

I'm not a dev, but I imagine it shouldn't be impossible to create an app that will turn the phone into an IP cam but have it turn on the cam only when queried, therefore it's not constantly on. Or does something similar already exist?


Camponotus vicinus, Crematogaster 1, Crematogaster 2, Formica francoeuri, *, *, Myrmecocystus testaceus, Novomessor cockerelli, Pheidole hyatti, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Pogonomyrmex rugosus, Solenopsis invicta


#12 Offline Chromerust - Posted November 21 2014 - 2:22 AM

Chromerust

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 305 posts
  • Locationsouthern California
Why don't you guys use a DV camcorder via USB. My cheap handheld can zoom in on a ant 13x in perfect focus. It's almost like looking through a microscope. Those cameras can be found in pawn shops for fifty dollars or less Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited by Chromerust, November 21 2014 - 1:41 PM.





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users