Streaming Video
Adding video to your site via services like Youtube or uploading flash video adds media to your site that could have happened moments ago or far into the past. Now lets say you want to add live content. This poses a number of technical problems and cost. Services like Ustream or LiveStream make this process somewhat easier. With Ustream you will need some sort of internet connection to transmit your data. This is great if you have an internet connection and its free. Otherwise you could use Live stream which is 2,500/mnth and stream any where in HD as long as you have cell service. It might sound like a lot of money, but compared to bringing a television truck it is actually very cheap.
Dam Duck Race 2009
Red Line Report
The first year this went on Kyle and I tried a few different ways to get the video online. Our first attempt using the webcam built right into the Imac worked ok but the video quality wasnt great.On our second attempt I purchased a inexpensive sanyo HD Camera at Radio Shack. The goal was to make this as inexpensive as possible lightweight and portable. Season one was a learning experiece and in season 2 we'll be adding a small light kit.
Update 8/14/09 : The Kodack ZI8 will add audio in and cost around 180.00. One of the biggest problems with small HD recorders is the lack of audio inputs. You have to rely on the internal mic which usually isnt that good. I'll be looking to add a clip on microphone and directly connect it to the camera. This will be easier than settiong up a wireless microphone.
Time Lapse
This is the first time lapse movie I did of the Ice Palace in Saranac Lake. Each frame was taken for a webcam that uploaded a new image every 30sec. and saved a copy of this image in a seperate folder online. The time lapse video spans 6days and was 3.5gb of individual image, these were broken down into days and edited into a video, and then all six days were edited together. I am working on a few new rigs to produce higher res videos next.
Here are a few links of hardware and software to use to make your own. I'll be testing them out soon.
Hardware
Pclix : Takes pictures at set intervals.
Software
Booru Webcam
Cannon CHDK (wiki info)
Boinx (Mac)
15 sec sample w/Pclix and My Old Canon Rebel. It shot for 4hrs before running out of batteries. I orderd a power adapter and will test a full day of shooting next.
