A video camera on a mast that could be remotely and manually operated to rotate horizontally and vertically to film extraordinary weather or scan the sky to see the current weather. It would also enable watching the area for security purposes. Images would not be automatically uploaded to the internet. A quality home movie camera could be used which is supposed to produce better quality images than security, IP or web cameras.


Hello

I plan to set up an IP or video camera for security and weather observation purposes. Images would not normally be uploaded to the Internet unless they capture footage of some extraordinary weather. If the system works well it could be set up for other people as well. I would like the quality of the images to be as good as a quality video camera that costs around $600. I want to be able to remotely and manually control the direction in which it takes video footage. It would be best to view the footage on my computer, and software could be used to rotate the rotator and control the camera. However, if this is not easily or economically done, I could use perhaps another controller connected to the camera that is not connected to the computer. I would like the camera to be able to horizontally pan almost 360 degrees. However, I would also like it to be rotated vertically as well so that the camera can film footage vertically above it and vertically downwards as well. It could then film the weather and clouds above the camera if needed. If this is not possible with an existing rotator, I could add another motor to the top of the rotator to enable vertical rotation. However, I may need to be able to find software to control it if rotation is controlled by the computer. It would be good if the rotator could slowly pan. I hope to be able to control the rotation of the camera from two different locations or computers on the network. It may be easier to control the rotator independent of the computer using a separate system with a power supply and circuit to reverse and rotate the motor. Please inform me if you can help with the electronics to do this.

I plan to mount the camera on a high mast which would mean about 22 meters of cable would be needed between the computer or remote controls and the cameras/rotators.

Do you know of any rotators, software or cameras that would be suitable for either of my purposes?


I read that a home movie or video camera gives better quality images than an IP or security camera for the same cost. I have a Panasonic NV-GS25 with a 800,000 Pixel CCD that I bought about 5 years ago and I could use that. See http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod1795.htm
The NV-GS25 I have has a fire wire cable and that could be extended to 20 meters. However, I am not sure if this would affect image quality much and if using this camera would be my best option 

 

I have many other electronic projects which would benefit many people and I need help to set them up. Please see http://www.advantagein.com/electronics


I also have many websites with new ideas, including separate free groups, unique inventions with advantages, and rare information with solutions to help people. Please see http://www.advantagein.com/community.htm for a brief summary.  I would appreciate your feedback and help. Are you able to swap links or share any letters that I could send you?

 

My contact details are below.

Richard Hole,
9 Leonard St,
Tolga Qld 4882,
Australia.
Ph 07 4095 5447 within Australia or +617 4095 5447 if you are not in Australia. If NA on that number, Ph 07 4095 4354 within Australia or +617 4095 4354.

Email richard(at)truesolutions.info . Note replace (at) with @ and use electronic as the subject.

Please share this letter with other people and let me know who could help with any of these ideas. It would be appreciated if you could print it out and display it. I could also send you some photocopies or a link to a printer friendly format. I also have this letter as an email that you can share.


Your help would be appreciated
Regards Richard.