IP Nest Box camera

[southhamster]

Hi all,

long time lurker and occasional poster, this is my first actual post.

I've been asked to setup a networked birdbox camera but it will need to be located about 30m away from the nearest building so has to be self powered and wireless.

Power is easy, I'll swap out the UPS batteries early and use those with a spare 30w solar panel and charge controller on a post (I've done some work on solar PV installations).

It doesn't matter if the power to the camera shuts off occasionally due to dull weather, and in any case birds nest in the spring/summer.

I'm trying to find a close focus IP camera with IR that will fit inside the birdbox, ideally with a detachable aerial so I can mount a nice directional aerial to pickup the wifi in the nearest building. The signal looks ok, but I'm aware I may need to use a bridge if it's not reliable.

What I'm struggling with is trying to find a camera that does this. There are some fairly poor "wireless" systems (not 802.11n) which in any case only output to composite video from the receiver end. Onvif compatible would be good so we can record to our NAS box.

I've even thought of a raspberry Pi with camera but don't know how successful that would be in the cold and damp. I'd prefer something fit and forget.

Any bright ideas?

[nullensc]

Hi,

 

Have you looked at http://www.nestbox.co.uk/The-Camera-Zone.html ?

 

I have one sitting on the shelf waiting for a biology teacher to tell me where to put it (only been waiting 2 years for an answer..!). When I tested it the output quality was very good.

 

Charles

Edited June 16, 2015 by nullensc

[LeMarchand]

Necro-thread!

 

I'm looking at this as well. Most of the "wireless" cameras just send the data from the camera to a receiver with an analogue output. I used a "Y Cam" at a different site (similar to https://www.amazon.co.uk/HomeMonitor-Activated-Security-Solution-Monthly/dp/B008QN6V9W ) but the antenna stub made it impossible to lie flat in the loft of the box. Apart from that, it was great: power through wall and into box, set up and anyone could click on a link to see what was going on.

 

Can anyone recommend a similarly sized camera (smaller than 4"x4"x2" - the 2" being the height when face straight down into the box) with IR, browser as well as app viewing and capable of focussing that close?

 

Not many mention closest distance (and the closest I found was 400mm - too far away) and some of the smaller ones are "app only" viewing. Budget isn't high, so can afford an IP converter on top of the other kit.

[southhamster]

I've come up against the same problems as you and have got caught up with other projects.

Perhaps Sports Direct can help?

 

http://news.sky.com/story/sports-direct-boss-told-to-explain-spy-camera-10651157

[LeMarchand]

I've come up against the same problems as you and have got caught up with other projects.

Perhaps Sports Direct can help?

 

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley told to explain spy camera

What an amateur, he should've used something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cameras-Paishida-Waterproof-Digital-Camcorder/dp/B010NTYIKA .

[LeMarchand]

The teacher wanting this has just got back to me, so project now active again. Have narrowed it down to 3 choices of camera and posting in the hope some has used one or more of them and can report if suitable:

 

TP-Link NC220 Night vision sounds poor

 

D-Link DCS-932L Stated closest focus too long, but looks likely "stand" can be removed + they actually have a Windows phone app

 

Foscam C1 Looks like lens in centre and should fit in roof, but more expensive

 

...and has anyone got any recommendations for free streaming/recording software? Yawcam - Yet Another Webcam Software , iSpy: Open Source Camera Security Software and AnyCam looking like possibilities.