Wanting Wireless Webcams

Members of the ISP-Wireless list share tips for obtaining good prices on wireless Web cams. The wide variety of applications for these gadgets is astonishing.

[May 14, 2002]

On the ISP-Wireless list in April, GS asked,

"Does anyone who's done both wireless and Web cams know of any software that would allow you to look at 20 different cameras at the same time? I need to have 20 cams on wireless radios, and be able to view all 20 cams at the same time back at one location. What's the best way to do this?"

A number of respondents offered various options:

[FC suggested] "Try Trango Systems."

[DK countered] "Use Axis Camera Explorer (ACE) software and Axis cameras. You can have has many as you want on a screen. You could also use a DVR from Avis and have up to 48 hours recorded, just in case the law enforcement people want evidence."

[RR agreed] "We have placed several Axis camera streams on one HTML page with good results. However, each stream will consume around 500K, so 20 of them would take a large amount of bandwidth. I assume you are talking about streaming video. It may be best to place instantaneous still images on a page, which you can then click on to open a streaming window."

RS looked at the viability of using such a setup as a value added service:

"One of the things I've considered is extending my network to parallel major roads, exits, and trouble spots here, and sticking an Axis camera on it for the use of my customers only. Would this be affordable? How much do those Axis cameras cost?"

Others laid out the average pricing of the cameras:

[DD recalled] "I paid about $900, but eBay has them from time to time for $450 or so."

[MK added] "They are indoor only; maybe you could weatherize them. They range from about $450 to $1,800 for the ones with pan, tilt, and zoom."

[WP noted] "It looks like they do offer ones that can be used outdoors for around $900."

—End