|
How the
PixController Webcam works... |
| |
Introduction
The PixController Wildlife
Cam 1 is a one
of a kind system which was designed and
built by PixController, Inc. We first
started broadcasting the webcam in 2004 and
the system has been updated several times
since then. The system consists of a main
camera, which is a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom)
camera that switches from full color at day
to IR (Black & White) at night in order not
to scare the animals. We have the ability to
move and zoom the camera in on animals that
come to the main camera. The main camera
unit is about 75 yards from a power source
and Internet connection, and the camera is
broadcast 24/7 year round for everyone to
enjoy.
What makes the PixController Wildlife Webcam
truly unique is that we have designed a
custom proprietary set of electronics, "base
station", that allow us to integrate
motion-activated, battery operated, remote
camera units out in the filed. These remote
cameras will turn on when an animal walks in
front of them and transmit a video signal
back to our base station. Once the base
station senses this incoming video signal it
will switch off the video feed from the main
camera and start broadcasting the feed from
the remote camera unit. Once the animal
leaves the remote camera site the feed will
switch back over to the main camera.
About the remote cameras
|
|
| |
An example photo of a remote
motion-activated camera is shown to
the right. These camera system
consist of a color by day/IR by
night video camera, sound MIC, video
transmitter, Yagi Long-Range
directional antenna, 12V battery,
and a solar panel. The camera units
are completely portable and we move
them around the woods throughout the
seasons.
The video & audio signal are
transmitted back to a receiver at the base station.
The video signal quality will vary from day to day
based on the humidly levels and vegetation growth.
Both of these items can effect the video quality |
Cam 1
Remote Camera Site |
|
|
Wildlife
Cam 1 Design Overview |
|
|
| |
|
About
the PixController WebCam |
Our wildlife cameras
are located in south western Pennsylvania, USA.
We are broadcasting 3 live streaming feeds 24/7 all year round.
The cameras are located in a wooded area about 30
miles east of Pittsburgh, PA on private
property which is not open to hunting.
Wildlife Cam 1 is a PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom)
camera in which we can remotely move the camera
around and zoom in on different animals. In the
evenings and weekends we will control the camera
for viewers to get a closer look at the wildlife There is an automated feeder which is setup to feed
4 times of the day, which we change depending on
the time off the year. The feeder
puts out a small amount of cracked corn and
sweet feed to attract an array of wildlife. The
feed is only used to attract the wildlife and
not provide a food source they can live off of.
There are motion-activated cameras that will
switch on when something is in front of them.
These are wireless video cameras that are
battery powered and charged by solar panels.
Cameras broadcasting on Wildlife Cam 1 Feed
Wildlife Cam 1 - Main PTZ Camera
Remote Cam #2 -
Motion-Activated - Mineral Lick in Field
Remote Cam #3 - Motion-Activated - Mineral Lick in
Woods
Remote Cam #4 - Motion-Activated - Mineral Lick
in Woods
Wildlife Cam 2 & Wildlife Cam 3
are both single camera streaming feeds. These
cameras are portable systems located up to 1000
feet from power/Internet source. The power and
video signal is run through a single cable. We
will move these cameras around to different
locations from bird nesting sites in the spring,
whitetail deer feeding locations in the fall,
and carcass sites in the winter.
The High Resolution camera on the
Wildlife Cam 2 site was provided by
CCTV
Camera Pros
These are truly unique wildlife webcams and there is nothing
like it anywhere in the world. We thoroughly
enjoy being able to use our technology to share
these educational experiences and unique
insights into nature with our viewers.
|
|
Recorded
wildlife on the PixController WebCam |
|
|
|
Can
I buy or build this same webcam setup? |
The PixController
wildlife WebCam is a unique setup which is not
one of the products we sell. We started the
webcam in the spring of 2004. Since then the
webcam has evolved into a more advanced system
with the combination of many different types of
technology.
We designed a system in which we were able to
combine our motion-activated electronics with
wireless video cameras which are controlled by a
custom built video switching system. This
enables the camera to bring in different video
feeds around our wooded area, which is a feature
unique to the PixController webcam.
In short a system like we have cannot be
purchased. However, if anyone is interested in
streaming a video camera from their backyard to
the Internet we suggest looking into the USTREAM.tv help center. Click here for more
information:
http://www.ustream.tv/helpcenter/helpcenter
We get many questions about the cost of a setup.
While our system cost is in the many thousands
of dollars and one camera setup can be put
together for around $200-$500.
|
|
|
Awards |
|
 |
November 2007 |
|
Ustream.TV
Featured Show |
Ustream.TV
Featured on iPhone |
August 8-15, 2010 |
|
|
Chat
Rules |
|
1. |
This is a "Family
Oriented" site which
means all chat
conversations must be
Rated G. |
|
2. |
While we respect hunters
and the need for hunting
this is a wildlife
webcam and the animals
here are for our viewing
pleasure. Please refrain
from chat related to
killing animals seen on
this webcam. |
|
3. |
Any use of vulgar
language, arguments
between members, or
typing nonsense
characters into the chat
window will not be
tolerated.
|
|
4. |
The chat option is an
embedded feature of
Ustream.TV and not a
function of
PixController.com.
Anyone not obeying the
rules will be given a
warning. Continual abuse
of the rules will result
in being banned from our
chat. |
|
|
Best
WebCam Viewing Times |
Updated: 10/19/09
While we can't control nature and which animals
are seen on our webcam we do get an array of
different species that visit the site daily.
Most people enjoy watching the whitetail deer.
You are most likely to see them appear on the
main camera in the mornings around 8:00 AM
Eastern, and sometimes around Noon. However, the
remote cameras often have deer appear on them at
random times during the day and night.
In the mid morning hours throughout the day you
will see groundhogs, gray squirrels, blue jays,
chipmunks,
mourning doves, wild turkey, various song birds,
and the occasional raccoon. The groundhogs are
preparing for winter hibernation and will be
seen eating a lot during the daylight hours.
Right before hibernation they will be seen
feeding at night.
During the night hours it's not uncommon to have
several whitetail deer show up, but they do not
follow any kind of schedule and sightings are
random. However, on the main camera you are
guaranteed of seeing large numbers of raccoons
as this is a favorite feeding spot.
Our 3 motion-activated remote cameras had been
active in the past month with a lot of random
whitetail deer activity. These cameras can turn
on any time during the day or night, which are
totally controlled by the wildlife.
|
| Wildlife
Photos from the PixController WebCam |
|
|
|
|
|
