Airport web cam

[Jay Honeck]

As many of you know, I've been looking for an affordable wireless web cam
that would allow me to show pictures of the Iowa City airport from the
balcony of our hotel. (The view from the Red Baron suite is perfect for
watching arrivals and departures on any of our three runways.)

Unfortunately, the prices seem to be astronomical for these devices.
There's one on Ebay right now ( http://makeashorterlink.com/?L27452466 )
that seems to have some potential, however -- and it's affordable.

However, I don't want to buy something that's not going to work, or (worse
yet) require a massive investment in time to keep working. Can anyone
comment on this particular product, or steer me towards a better product in
the same price range?

The goals are:

-Weatherproof
- Wireless
- Good quality picture
- Ability to focus on infinity
- Range of at least 100 feet
- Easy to make work!

(I'm not asking too much, am I? :)

Thanks for your expertise, as always.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Ben Jackson]

In article <5ugob.64797$Tr4.170496@attbi_s03>,
Jay Honeck > wrote:
>-Weatherproof

Doesn't look weatherproof, doesn't even claim to be weatherproof.

If you are planning to get around that by getting your own enclosure
anyway, I'd save the hassle of wireless video -> video capture card and
pay a little more and get an 802.11b wirless camera with a builtin
webserver. At least if you have wireless internet set up already it's
going to be plug'n'play.

The D-Link DCS1000W is available for $225+ (dell has it for $236).

http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=DCS-1000W

--
Ben Jackson
>
http://www.ben.com/

[Jay Honeck]

> The D-Link DCS1000W is available for $225+ (dell has it for $236).
>
> http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=DCS-1000W

Looks good. (When you click on the "buy it" link, however, the price is
$279)

Any ideas on a waterproof enclosure? Anyone know what cold temperatures
does to these things?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Ben Jackson]

In article <nkjob.64640$HS4.585111@attbi_s01>,
Jay Honeck > wrote:
>> The D-Link DCS1000W is available for $225+ (dell has it for $236).
>>
>> http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=DCS-1000W
>
>Looks good. (When you click on the "buy it" link, however, the price is
>$279)

Oh, that's the link to dlink's own page, I don't have a link to Dell,
they were just the cheapest reputable dealer I saw offhand on shopper.com.

--
Ben Jackson
>
http://www.ben.com/

[Paul Sengupta]

http://makeashorterlink.com/?F2EC62466

Paul

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:nkjob.64640$HS4.585111@attbi_s01...
> Looks good. (When you click on the "buy it" link, however, the price is
> $279)

[Jay Honeck]

> http://makeashorterlink.com/?F2EC62466

Good price!

I wonder what the effective range is?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[David Dyer-Bennet]

"Jay Honeck" > writes:

> > http://makeashorterlink.com/?F2EC62466
>
> Good price!
>
> I wonder what the effective range is?

Well, it's an 802.11B device, which gives some idea. It also probably
means that using a directional antenna on the base station can greatly
extend the range; that could be very helpful to you.

(*Claimed* ranges for 802.11b are well over 100 feet).
--
David Dyer-Bennet, >, <www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
RKBA: <noguns-nomoney.com> <www.dd-b.net/carry/>
Photos: <dd-b.lighthunters.net> Snapshots: <www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/>
Dragaera/Steven Brust: <dragaera.info/>

[Paul Sengupta]

"David Dyer-Bennet" > wrote in message
...
> It also probably
> means that using a directional antenna on the base station can greatly
> extend the range; that could be very helpful to you.

http://products.wi-fiplanet.com/wifi/antenna/recent1.html

Paul

[Mark Astley]

Jay,

You might want to take a look at www.smarthome.com, they sell a
variety of wired and wireless outdoor cams, and the prices don't look
too bad.

cheers,
mark

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<5ugob.64797$Tr4.170496@attbi_s03>...
> As many of you know, I've been looking for an affordable wireless web cam
> that would allow me to show pictures of the Iowa City airport from the
> balcony of our hotel. (The view from the Red Baron suite is perfect for
> watching arrivals and departures on any of our three runways.)
>
> Unfortunately, the prices seem to be astronomical for these devices.
> There's one on Ebay right now ( http://makeashorterlink.com/?L27452466 )
> that seems to have some potential, however -- and it's affordable.
>
> However, I don't want to buy something that's not going to work, or (worse
> yet) require a massive investment in time to keep working. Can anyone
> comment on this particular product, or steer me towards a better product in
> the same price range?
>
> The goals are:
>
> -Weatherproof
> - Wireless
> - Good quality picture
> - Ability to focus on infinity
> - Range of at least 100 feet
> - Easy to make work!
>
> (I'm not asking too much, am I? :)
>
> Thanks for your expertise, as always.

[Jay Honeck]

> at what price? IMHO you are asking too much.
> option is (if possible) to run a cable to your cam

I wish I could. The optimal spot for the camera is on the third floor of a
building separated from my office (where the computers are) by an access
road. :(

Wireless is my only option.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> do you have a free copper pair between your office and this place? if
> yes, then you might look into a VDSL solution (2 VDSL modems back to
> back will do the job, more reliable and IMHO cheaper on the long run)

Nope. We have already maxed that out, too.

Our Mitel hotel phone system, installed in the mid-80s, is adequate -- until
you get people using computers on a dial-up connection. Then we rapidly
become over-loaded -- which is why we went with the wireless high-speed
service throughout.

Unfortunately, many people still just "plug and play" when they get to their
suite... :(
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck ) wrote:

> (The view from the Red Baron suite is perfect for
> watching arrivals and departures on any of our three runways.)

Better make sure the camera cannot be reached by guests. Otherwise, you
might one day find the camera focused inside the suite. ;-) Voyeurism is
big business on the web these days.

--
Peter












----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
---= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers - Total Privacy via Encryption =---

[Duane MacInnis]

Counting the seconds till you get a rude response to this...

One... Two... Three.....

(w)

D

> Unfortunately, many people still just "plug and play" when they get to
their
> suite... :(
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> Better make sure the camera cannot be reached by guests. Otherwise, you
> might one day find the camera focused inside the suite. ;-) Voyeurism is
> big business on the web these days.

Hee hee!

That'll be on our "Pay Per View" channel....

;-0
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Dan Luke]

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
> Unfortunately, many people still just "plug and play" when they get to
> their suite... :(

I thought you ran a respectable place!
--
Dan
(awarding Jay the r.a.p "Straightline of the Year" trophy)

[Jay Honeck]

> > Unfortunately, many people still just "plug and play" when they get to
> > their suite... :(
>
> I thought you ran a respectable place!

Hey, what you do in your hot tub is entirely up to you! :-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Martin Hotze]

On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 16:17:58 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

>> do you have a free copper pair between your office and this place? if
>> yes, then you might look into a VDSL solution (2 VDSL modems back to
>> back will do the job, more reliable and IMHO cheaper on the long run)
>
>Nope. We have already maxed that out, too.
>

hm

>Our Mitel hotel phone system, installed in the mid-80s, is adequate -- until
>you get people using computers on a dial-up connection. Then we rapidly

I said "do you have a free copper pair between your office and this place?"
free means: not in use by your phone system. unused

well, but after al what I have seen in so many places I doubt that there
are any plans available, besides any useful structure.

>become over-loaded -- which is why we went with the wireless high-speed
>service throughout.
>

ok.

>Unfortunately, many people still just "plug and play" when they get to their
>suite... :(

well, this is OK.
It is fun ... after all: you have 2 kids, you should know.
:-)

#m

--
>> Are these pilots going to court and what
>> is their fine/penance/restitution/etc.?
> They are sentenced to spend an entire day with Bush.
Wouldn't shooting be more merciful? [Brian Burger in r.a.p.]

[Jay Honeck]

> >Our Mitel hotel phone system, installed in the mid-80s, is adequate --
until
> >you get people using computers on a dial-up connection. Then we rapidly
>
> I said "do you have a free copper pair between your office and this
place?"
> free means: not in use by your phone system. unused

Sorry, I wasn't clear on that, was I?

When I said the system is "maxed out", that means I have no more free copper
pairs between buildings...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Martin Hotze]

On Sat, 01 Nov 2003 12:09:27 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

>> >Our Mitel hotel phone system, installed in the mid-80s, is adequate --
>until
>> >you get people using computers on a dial-up connection. Then we rapidly
>>
>> I said "do you have a free copper pair between your office and this
>place?"
>> free means: not in use by your phone system. unused
>
>Sorry, I wasn't clear on that, was I?
>
>When I said the system is "maxed out", that means I have no more free copper
>pairs between buildings...

Oh, OK.
So you have to make your mind for a solution within the next 2-3 years when
the probability of failure of your phone system rises. :-)

#m

--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

[Mike Schumann]

If you put in a wireless access port for the web cam, you can then also let
your guests have free access the the wireless LAN for internet access using
their own laptops from their hotel rooms. This is a very BIG benifit that
you could use to market your hotel to road warrior types (or anyone else who
needs e-mail access on the road, or pilots who want to do flight planning
from their hotel rooms).

Good luck,
Mike Schumann

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:qbuob.69960$Tr4.192428@attbi_s03...
> > at what price? IMHO you are asking too much.
> > option is (if possible) to run a cable to your cam
>
> I wish I could. The optimal spot for the camera is on the third floor of
a
> building separated from my office (where the computers are) by an access
> road. :(
>
> Wireless is my only option.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[G.R. Patterson III]

Martin Hotze wrote:
>
> So you have to make your mind for a solution within the next 2-3 years when
> the probability of failure of your phone system rises. :-)

That's when he buys the DS1 multiplexer.

George Patterson
You can dress a hog in a tuxedo, but he still wants to roll in the mud.

[Jeff]

You should have asked, its one of the things we do, live streaming video for
people.
If you still need a source for a wireless webcam let me know, what we mainly
recommend to people is a small wireless transmitter package that hooks to any
camcorder, images are better then any standard webcam. the cost is about 130$,
plus you need a video capture card for about 130$ and your all set.
To make it water proof, you put it in a plastic bubble. If you want some links
give me a yell and I will shoot them over to you. we dont sell them or get a
commission, but we know places that do.

Jeff

Jay Honeck wrote:

> As many of you know, I've been looking for an affordable wireless web cam
> that would allow me to show pictures of the Iowa City airport from the
> balcony of our hotel. (The view from the Red Baron suite is perfect for
> watching arrivals and departures on any of our three runways.)
>
> Unfortunately, the prices seem to be astronomical for these devices.
> There's one on Ebay right now ( http://makeashorterlink.com/?L27452466 )
> that seems to have some potential, however -- and it's affordable.
>
> However, I don't want to buy something that's not going to work, or (worse
> yet) require a massive investment in time to keep working. Can anyone
> comment on this particular product, or steer me towards a better product in
> the same price range?
>
> The goals are:
>
> -Weatherproof
> - Wireless
> - Good quality picture
> - Ability to focus on infinity
> - Range of at least 100 feet
> - Easy to make work!
>
> (I'm not asking too much, am I? :)
>
> Thanks for your expertise, as always.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> If you put in a wireless access port for the web cam, you can then also
let
> your guests have free access the the wireless LAN for internet access
using
> their own laptops from their hotel rooms.

Thanks, Mike. We've already got this for our guests. I decided it was a
"must-have" early on.

Surprisingly (to me), in our first 14 months it's proven to be very popular
with *maybe* eight people. Other guests may use it in the lobby to check
email, but most couldn't care less about "internet access".

Bottom line: Most of the traveling public really does not want to be
bothered with email or internet when they're on vacation, and few have
wireless capability. Of those who used it a lot, most were business
travelers, and most were Asian. (Their laptops all have wireless capability
built-in from the get-go.)

Use will expand over time, I'm sure -- but for now it's just another neat
toy to have.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[David Johnson]

The only thing I came up with that meets all your needs is the
Earthcam 802.11B at webcamstore.com. Unfortunately, the price is
around two grand. The one on eBay and the D-Link give a lot of bang
for the buck. As others have pointed out, you'd have to come up
with your own weatherproofing scheme. However, outdoor camera
housings are readily available.

Living near the ocean, where low overcasts and fog are frequent,
I have long wanted a way to determine what the weather is like at
the airport from a distance (likely quite different than where I
am). Amazingly, I have found one near (but not on) the airport I
am now using - and I do use it for that purpose. You can check it
out at www.sunnyfortuna.com/fortunacam/ Look at the Riverlodge
camera, which alternately looks North, South, East and West.

Let us know what you settle on.