I would like to use HSMM-MESH for a video feed for an EM exercise.  What do I need to connect the camera to the mesh?  Do I use a video encoder such as http://www.axis.com/products/cam_m7001/.  The goal is to send video from the command post overlooking the incident back to the EOC.

Thanks

Brian, AG4BC

Hi Brian,

All you need is an IP camera that has a RJ-45 connection on the back to connect to the node.

http://www.hsmm-mesh.org/applications-for-the-mesh/123-tower-cam-via-mesh.html is my setup on my 45' pole. The bottom picture is live video from my tower right now.

It uses the Trendnet TV IP110 camera, which sells for around $65-70. It basically has its own web server built in, to serve up the video, and for the owner to adjust settings.

It DOES require the user to allow the java to run in the browser, but it is by far the easiest camera for anyone out there, for the price. AND WARNING WILL ROBINSON... it runs on 5VDC !!!

Some cameras require the end viewer to install extra software, etc to see the video.

More expensive cameras may output video without needing to run the java stuff.

OK, I start off with a 4x4x4 (or was it 6x6x6... cant remember now, but I do remember the cam just fit), and tilted the box on its side.

I then cut a hole in the lid of the box and siliconed in some clear acrylic. Thats what the cam sees out of. (hint---in the cam settings, turn off the activity LED, or it will reflect off the acrylic   )

A hole in the (normal) bottom of the box just big enough to fit the bolt that will hold the cam (1/4-20?). I put a locking nut (with plastic insert) on that bolt just inside the box, but not tight against the plastic, so I could turn the bolt and thread it into the back of the cam, but keep the cam from going too far back into the box.The locknut just slips on the inside of the plastic box.

The cam uses 5VDC, so I had a 2W 12VDC-> 5VDC regulator on a heatsink. Thats in the mesh node box, since I figure better heat dissipation in there (more room). Then the 5VDC output goes over the CAT5 PoE style, with one cable going through a small hole in the (new) bottom of the cam box, where I split off to an RJ45 and barrel connector to the camera. I left that hole unsealed as a weep hole.

In case some heat builds up in there, I used a dremel with a thin cutting wheel to cut 3 or 4 slotted louvered slots in the 2 sides upwards. Keeps out the rain but lets some air move.

Its been up there over a year, and suffered through that horrible summer we had last year, 105*F+ every day for a few months here in Central Texas, and its still kickin'.

The only issue I have seen with that camera is the focus. I have set it perfect, then after some jiggling of the camera (putting the push up pole up, etc) it seems to have gone out just a little. I even taped down the focus ring around the lens, and it still did, which makes me wonder if its something internal to the lens that is loose? Its 'OK', but Id prefer it to be better.

I will be taking the thing down sometime to change some other hardware, and I may try and refocus it again. Plus I want to see how it has fared.

Let me know what you come up with!

Jim