Time lapse of a construction site

[localzuk]

I've been asked to sort out a time lapse of our new SEN block being built, but have pretty much nothing suitable for the task at the moment.

 

How would you guys do this? I'm tempted to recommend getting one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wingscapes-Timelapse-Weatherproof-Camera-Resolution/dp/B01N51Q02Q/ref=pd_sbs_201_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YMYB0QVZ9HB79KCQX9QS

[hallb15]

I've used the free version of this several times:

Lapse It ? Home ? Time Lapse for mobile

 

Works a treat on iPad, but you'll need the paid version for 1080p.

[AJWhite1970]

That does look pretty cool!!

 

Have you got any CCTV you can point at it? That's how I did mine by running the video through shotcut https://www.shotcut.org/

[bald_pig]

I'd use a DSLR with Easy to use, free solution for complex camera control | digiCamControl if possible, otherwise a hacked xiaomi yi could do it if you're tight on space.

[JJonas]

I used a bit of software called user logger, might be this one users.iconz.co.nz/trout/usrlog.htm note: because of what it does this might trigger your antivirus

 

Then set up a PC to show the feed from one of our security cameras and got user logger to grab a screen shot every 15 minutes.

[knightrider]

I've got the same project to do as well. Am I guessing you have got sufficient power and data at the area you want to put the camera? I don't and this is proving to be a nightmare! Having to look at solar powered stuff and cameras with SIM cards in for data!

 

Have you looked at this: Buy Brinno BCC100 construction camera kit | Brinno UK | Project Kits for sale

If I had power and data at the area I want to place a camera I'd probably get it.

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Ha @localzuk I've heard of less interesting things being asked of you fine ICT Professionals! How cool. Found this link about how to create a time lapse; having an interval timer on the camera is very important How to create a time lapse video with any camera | TechRadar

[jthompson]

If it were me I'd first look into doing it with an IP camera and associated CCTV snapshot options to get still frames at hourly or daily intervals, then stick them all together using Movie Maker or iMovie.

Would be interested to see your end result in any case. We have some building going on here, in view of one of our existing CCTV cameras, so I'm tempted to try something similar. Might constitute a misuse of the CCTV system, though.

[AJWhite1970]

This was part of mine with the CCTV. Was a 12 month project and the file sizes got massive towards the end!!

 

goo.gl/g7r9xJ

[localzuk]

We don't have any CCTV in the area, so that's out. We'd need to buy equipment, whatever the route taken.

[jthompson]

An IP camera may still be the best option. Even if it's not part of your CCTV system, there should be some way to have it dump stills into a network folder somewhere. At worst, it would be a case of pulling up the webgui for it each day and taking a snap. It could be fixed in place to give consistent shots, too.

[Scorpio]

IP Hikvision Camera, you can set it to record stills at varying times, based on motion or no, it can dump to SD card on the camera or to NAS drive, can be power from POE also just plug in IP and away you go.

[noelmm]

We had this a few years ago when we had a new building. Our IT manager setup a Raspberry Pi with a custom script that took pictures at a set interval and he could then use these pictures to create the time lapse video. Not sure if this would suit your needs as the quality wasn't the highest but it was usable.

[DSapseid]

I have 2 external CCTV cameras doing exactly this to record the demolition and building of the new school after our fire last summer.

 

In the software it has the capability to send a picture every x number of seconds to a ftp location i have these TRENDnet | Products | TV-IP312PI | Indoor / Outdoor 3 MP HD PoE IR Network Camera. I then installed filezilla ftp server on a server and pointed it to that. One of the cameras is on an outbuilding that isnt connected to the main network so this saves to a little NAS. The cameras were about £150 each from memory.

Edited October 19, 2017 by DSapseid
spellings!

[FragglePete]

We did ours a few years ago, just used an old PC with a USB Webcam (quite a high quality one), and used Yawcam - Yet Another Webcam Software to capture a photo at regular intervals - put these together using Movie Studio. Did create a lot of photos over the months. Result can be seen here:

 

 

We have another building going up soon, so may look at doing something similar but using Unifi CCTV Cameras this time.

 

Pete

[GuyJD]

How would you guys do this? I'm tempted to recommend getting one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wingscapes-Timelapse-Weatherproof-Camera-Resolution/dp/B01N51Q02Q/ref=pd_sbs_201_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YMYB0QVZ9HB79KCQX9QS

 

Takes digital photos or videos with sound - ready to loop into timelapse video

I'm failing to see how sound would be of any use in a timelapse.

 

I was going to suggest a laptop and a webcam but that seems like a neater compact solution.

[RLR]

We used Home - Reach Timelapse for our new build.

 

Examples: Stephen Perse Foundation - New Senior School - Timelapse Movies

Edited October 19, 2017 by RLR

[Trapper]

I used a GoPro to time lapse a portakbain block being lifted on top of an existing building.

[ColinP]

We used a poe ip cctv camera and candylabs timelaps software when we did our pool

[SamanthaD]

Have a look at

- done with a CCTV camera. No idea of what software was used - though I imagine IWM might be on here to comment?

[fiza]

I've been asked to sort out a time lapse of our new SEN block being built, but have pretty much nothing suitable for the task at the moment.

 

How would you guys do this? I'm tempted to recommend getting one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wingscapes-Timelapse-Weatherproof-Camera-Resolution/dp/B01N51Q02Q/ref=pd_sbs_201_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YMYB0QVZ9HB79KCQX9QS

@localzuk - What did you end up using? I need to sort the same quickly.

[localzuk]

We ordered one of these, according to my boss - Buy Brinno BCC100 construction camera kit | Brinno UK | Project Kits for sale

 

But it never arrived, and we gave up.