New WeirsCAM!

[webmaster]

On Friday the WeirsCAM was replaced with a new camera. Over the next several weeks I'll be fine-tuning the quality and integrating the new and larger image into the site.

The live stream is back! The service will be upgraded soon to provide higher quality but it's up and running now:

<iframe src="http://www.streamby.com/c/2/lake-winnipesaukee-weirscam/" height="310" width="340" frameborder="0"><a href="http://www.streamby.com/c/2/lake-winnipesaukee-weirscam/">View this camera at Streamby.com</a></iframe>

Click Here to View the WeirsCAM on Streamby (http://www.streamby.com/cameras/view/lake-winnipesaukee-weirscam/)

[webmaster]

If you've checked in on the WeirsCAM this weekend you may have noticed me adjusting and playing with the new camera. Here are a few notes for those that are interested:


This new camera does not have the ability to rotate the "Last 10 Images" like the old one. I think that the new time-lapse feature makes up for that nicely and I've eliminated the "Previous Images" pages. Note that you can adjust the time lapse to the last 2 hours if you want to review all the most recent images.

I've also eliminated the outdated FAQ pages. When they were created webcams were new and unusual but now I think almost everyone understands the concept.

The new camera has remote digital pan, tilt, and zoom. I've been testing it by zooming in on the deck and other areas to see how it works. It is not an optical zoom so the quality does deteriorate the more you zoom in. I need to play with it more in various conditions to learn how to best use it.

Right now I have no plans to give PTZ control to visitors. It's a fun toy but moving the image around all the time messes up the time-lapse and the view the camera is intended for. If I change the view it will be very occasional.

The camera also has motorized remote focus and auto-iris which physically move the lens to fine tune the camera (those were fixed in the old camera). Lighting conditions and iris position effect the depth of field and focus and I've just begun experimenting with the settings to get the best quality.

One unexpected feature is the camera's low-light ability. While the old camera was useless after dark we are now seeing a nice night image of the deck, boats going by and distant shore lights. It's not perfect but a big improvement. The view won't be quite as good come September but for now enjoy the night lights.

Eventually I'd like to display the static picture at it's new resolution of 1024X768 but that effects the ability to display 3 columns on the WeirsCAM page. It's going to take some more thought about how to reformat that page but for now you can click on the smaller image to see it full size.

The re-streaming video service provided by StreamBy is working well but we are viewing it in the free lower resolution mode. I've inquired about upgrading to their Premium service and hope to improve the quality of the 640X480 video stream soon.


If you are still reading this you must be a real WeirsCAM fan like I am. Thanks for your interest.

[Skip]

Eyelids are a little heavy now but I made it through the whole post. As usual, thanks Don....I had a beer on the deck and checked out the old cam last week when I was up....new cam is definitely a great step up! :)

[Island Girl]

What model camera is it. I have the image as a background on one of my screens... I synchronize it from time to time to get a new time of day. It is far far superior to the old cam...

[webmaster]

What model camera is it.It's an Axis P1346-E. I'm just beginning to play with all the settings and I hope to tweak the image quality even more. I haven't had a nice sunny day since I installed it (Saturday was nice but I was occupied with the FF) to fine tune the camera with good lighting conditions.

I've changed the layout of the WeirsCAM page to display the new 1024X768 image and I'll probably activate it later today.

[webmaster]

The WeirsCAM page (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/index.php?pageid=weirscam) now displays the new BIG 1024 X 768 image.

[trfour]

Looks great! Thank you Don!

I enjoy all of the many webCams set up around Lake Winnipesaukee most every day! Pure pleasure and treasure to keep up on the latest from God's Country!

Terry
__________________________

[Rattlesnake Gal]

The new streaming WeirsCam is really wonderful! It's great to see the boats and clouds go by in real time. I can almost feel the heat of the day as I was watching.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae131/RattlesnakeGal/WeirsCam8-24-2011-12526PM.jpg?t=1314206768

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae131/RattlesnakeGal/WeirsCam8-24-2011-14244PM.jpg?t=1314207829

Can anyone identify what this is in the time-lapse video of today?

Thanks again Don for all of the time, effort and money that went into this new toy for our enjoyment!

[fpartri497]

the one thing I have noticed all summer long is the lack of people on the deck. the web cam shows not very much patronage this summer. the restraunts and attractions must be hurting this year ( like every one else)

yes the webcam has been improved.

:D

[SIKSUKR]

I would guess that might be a birds tail or wing RG.

[webmaster]

Can anyone identify what this is in the time-lapse video of today?It's the tail or wing of a bird sitting on the camera enclosure. I've noticed it a few times watching the stream but only for a few seconds. It's a glossy metal finish on the box and I think they slip right off.

Since you brought it up RG :), the WeirsCAM page (http://www.weirscam.com) now features a 1024X768 still image, a time-lapse viewer, streaming live video and soon a recent photo viewer (you can preview it by clicking here (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/webcam/cam-view.php)). It also contains updated thumbnails linked to almost every webcam making it a great place to view the lake from many angles. Remember, you can go directly to the WeirsCAM page by entering weirscam.com (http://www.weirscam.com).

Here's the new higher-quality video stream (24/7 but at night it's in a B&W low light mode) and the time-lapse below it:

<iframe src="http://www.streamby.com/c/4p/lake-winnipesaukee-weirscam/" height="546" width="663" frameborder="0"><a href="http://www.streamby.com/cameras/view/lake-winnipesaukee-weirscam/">View this camera at Streamby.com</a></iframe>

<iframe src="http://timestreams.stardot.com/view_cam_embed.aspx?C=76C5AHFGF525" width="640" height="525" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[SIKSUKR]

Hey wait a minute,I said it first.:laugh:

[jrc]

Look at today's time lapse, I think Irene moved the camera.

[webmaster]

Look at today's time lapse, I think Irene moved the camera.It didn't move except for some swaying in the wind.

The new camera has the ability to create View Zones. The picture you usually see is only a zoomed in portion of what the camera is seeing. When the power failed on Sunday the camera reset to the full wide-angle view. That is what you saw. As soon as I noticed I reset it to the normal view.

For testing I set up 4 preset view zones: Full, normal, deck and NWZ. Those zones can all act as separate webcams. For example, here's the deck view zone that runs like an independent webcam:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/cam/mpcamera-test.jpg

[upthesaukee]

No windshield wipers?????:laugh:

Everything else is great!

[Merrymeeting]

Beautiful colors on the WeirsCam right now.

I did a screen capture but I'm not sure if it's ok to post. If Don ok's, I'll put it up.

[webmaster]

Beautiful colors on the WeirsCam right now.

I did a screen capture but I'm not sure if it's ok to post. If Don ok's, I'll put it up.You are welcome to repost pictures from the Weirscam. Instead of a screen capture, just right-click on the picture and do a "Save as".

[Merrymeeting]

Instead of a screen capture, just right-click on the picture and do a "Save as".

Discovered that after the colors had passed Don. Next time. ;)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/medium/Untitled_picture.png (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18291)

[webmaster]

Discovered that after the colors had passed Don. Next time. ;)Next time use the "Last 20 Images" feature to save an image that has already passed.