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FAQs

Firefox - Select Tools from the top menu then select Options from the menu that opens. Then select the content icon and check the Enable Javascript option. Then click OK to apply the changes. Refresh the page.
IE Explorer - Select Tools from the top menu then select Internet Options from the menu that opens. Click on the security tab then click on the Custom Level button. Scoll down to Scripting, then under Active scripting, check the enable radial button. Click the OK button the click Apply. Refresh the page.

Click on the questions below for their corresponding answers.

What is a cam?A "cam" on the Internet is a video camera that periodically takes pictures which are uploaded to a server and can be viewed using a browser.

A "cam" on the Internet is a video camera that periodically takes pictures which are uploaded to a server and can be viewed using a browser.

What is a Nest Cam?Our Nest Cams are video cameras mounted near nests or in nest boxes so that visitors to this site can see the activity inside the nest almost as it happens.

Our Nest Cams are video cameras mounted near nests or in nest boxes so that visitors to this site can see the activity inside the nest almost as it happens.

How often and when are the cam images updated?When things are working right, images from the nests are updated once or twice each minute, during daylight hours (Eastern time). During the dark hours, check the archives for highlights from previous days. Our owl cams run all day and night.

When things are working right, images from the nests are updated once or twice each minute, during daylight hours (Eastern time). During the dark hours, check the archives for highlights from previous days. Our owl cams run all day and night.

How do I get the most recent images?When you view the pages containing the Nest Cam images, your browser may show you an older, cached version of the image from the last time you looked at the pages. To force your browser to get the latest image, hold the "shift" or "option" key down on your keyboard while you click on the "Reload" or "Refresh" button of your browser. This usually will force the browser to get a fresh copy of cam images. If the time and date shown in the refreshed cam images is still old, the cam may be down and not currently transmitting.

When you view the pages containing the Nest Cam images, your browser may show you an older, cached version of the image from the last time you looked at the pages. To force your browser to get the latest image, hold the "shift" or "option" key down on your keyboard while you click on the "Reload" or "Refresh" button of your browser. This usually will force the browser to get a fresh copy of cam images. If the time and date shown in the refreshed cam images is still old, the cam may be down and not currently transmitting.

What is the camera point of view?The camera typically looks straight down into the nest, or in some cases, horizontally at the nest. In an empty nest box, the image shows the floor of the box.

The camera typically looks straight down into the nest, or in some cases, horizontally at the nest. In an empty nest box, the image shows the floor of the box.

Where are the Nest Cams?Currently we have Nest Cams deployed in Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Paducah, Kentucky; Princeton, Kentucky; Newburg, Oregon; Benicia, California; Dallas, Texas; McKinney, Texas, and Sierra Vista, Arizona. The cameras and nest boxes are maintained by dedicated volunteers. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology thanks these volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the Nest Cam project.

Currently we have Nest Cams deployed in Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Paducah, Kentucky; Princeton, Kentucky; Newburg, Oregon; Benicia, California; Dallas, Texas; McKinney, Texas, and Sierra Vista, Arizona. The cameras and nest boxes are maintained by dedicated volunteers. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology thanks these volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the Nest Cam project.

Do the cameras disturb the birds?The cameras are in the boxes when the birds choose to nest in them so we don't think that the birds mind them. The cameras are completely silent and don't move (to zoom, focus, or pan). The cameras are occasionally adjusted by a person at the nest box, but the disturbance this causes isn't much more than that caused by a normal monitoring visit. We sometimes use low wattage lights inside the nest box to improve the lighting on overcast days and near dawn and sunset. These lights are turned off at night so as not to affect the sleep patterns of the birds.

The cameras are in the boxes when the birds choose to nest in them so we don't think that the birds mind them. The cameras are completely silent and don't move (to zoom, focus, or pan). The cameras are occasionally adjusted by a person at the nest box, but the disturbance this causes isn't much more than that caused by a normal monitoring visit. We sometimes use low wattage lights inside the nest box to improve the lighting on overcast days and near dawn and sunset. These lights are turned off at night so as not to affect the sleep patterns of the birds.

Why does streaming video cost so much?Streaming video utilizes a great deal of bandwidth as this type of content is quite large. Bandwidth is measured in bps (bits per second but usually Kbps or Mbps) which stands for kilobits per second or megabits per second. That is the amount of data that can be transferred in one second. We stream at an average of 128 Kbps to 25 concurrent users which costs us about $600/month per camera that is streaming.

Streaming video utilizes a great deal of bandwidth as this type of content is quite large. Bandwidth is measured in bps (bits per second but usually Kbps or Mbps) which stands for kilobits per second or megabits per second. That is the amount of data that can be transferred in one second. We stream at an average of 128 Kbps to 25 concurrent users which costs us about $600/month per camera that is streaming.

What can I do to decrease Cornell's cost for streaming?Please dont leave your streaming video player connected to the cams for extended periods of time.

Please dont leave your streaming video player connected to the cams for extended periods of time.

Why do the cams go down so frequently?The cams are often installed in remote locations and our cam hosts do not have immediate access to the equipment. Many sites have experienced storms, lightning damage and floods which resulted in temporary outages. Computer hardware and cameras also fail more frequently when they are exposed to the elements. Also the Internet is not a direct pipeline from our servers to yours. When you are attempting to view a stream this data must pass through many server computers on the way. If there is too much traffic at any of these computers, or any of them aren't working, traffic jams are created and the signal may be difficult or impossible to receive for a time.

The cams are often installed in remote locations and our cam hosts do not have immediate access to the equipment. Many sites have experienced storms, lightning damage and floods which resulted in temporary outages. Computer hardware and cameras also fail more frequently when they are exposed to the elements.

Also the Internet is not a direct pipeline from our servers to yours. When you are attempting to view a stream this data must pass through many server computers on the way. If there is too much traffic at any of these computers, or any of them aren't working, traffic jams are created and the signal may be difficult or impossible to receive for a time.

Technological Faqs

How do I Reconfigure QuickTime to View Streaming Video?If you get a "disconnect error" while trying to view the video, try this simple reconfiguration of QuickTime. If you are on a PC, try this: 1. Launch the QuickTime player and pull down Edit > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences > Advanced> 2. In the drop down menu called Transport Setup click Custom. 3. In the pop up box switch the setting from UDP port 554 to HTTP port 80 4. Click on the "File Types" tab and make sure that "streaming movies" is checked. 5. Close the preferences and try the stream again. If you are on a Mac with OSX, try this: 1. Launch the QuickTime player and pull down QuickTime Player > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences 2. Select the Advanced tab 3. In the drop down menu called Transport Setup click Custom. 4. Switch from UDP port 554 to HTTP port 80. 5. Click OK, close the preferences, and try the stream again. Remember, during the day the owls are often sleeping, so it may look like a still photo, even if it is streaming. If your settings are correct and you still receive the 404 error, then the problem may either be with your Internet connection, or it may be a problem with our servers. In such a case, disconnect from the Internet and try again at a later time.

If you get a "disconnect error" while trying to view the video, try this simple reconfiguration of QuickTime.

If you are on a PC, try this:
1. Launch the QuickTime player and pull down Edit > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences > Advanced>
2. In the drop down menu called Transport Setup click Custom.
3. In the pop up box switch the setting from UDP port 554 to HTTP port 80
4. Click on the "File Types" tab and make sure that "streaming movies" is checked.
5. Close the preferences and try the stream again.

If you are on a Mac with OSX, try this:
1. Launch the QuickTime player and pull down QuickTime Player > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences
2. Select the Advanced tab
3. In the drop down menu called Transport Setup click Custom.
4. Switch from UDP port 554 to HTTP port 80.
5. Click OK, close the preferences, and try the stream again.

Remember, during the day the owls are often sleeping, so it may look like a still photo, even if it is streaming. If your settings are correct and you still receive the 404 error, then the problem may either be with your Internet connection, or it may be a problem with our servers. In such a case, disconnect from the Internet and try again at a later time.

When I try to play a QuickTime movie, I receive a 5408- Timed Out Error. What is causing this?At times a user may experience a "-5408 Timed Out" error. Several conditions may cause this. The most common are too many users attempting to access a streaming media file; a user's local Internet service provider is experiencing unusually heavy traffic; or the path to the streaming media file may contain a broken link or an otherwise invalid file structure. Because these conditions may prevent the user from connecting to the streaming media file, the player will eventually time out. Attempting to connect to the streaming media file at a later time is usually the best solution to this error.

At times a user may experience a "-5408 Timed Out" error. Several conditions may cause this. The most common are too many users attempting to access a streaming media file; a user's local Internet service provider is experiencing unusually heavy traffic; or the path to the streaming media file may contain a broken link or an otherwise invalid file structure. Because these conditions may prevent the user from connecting to the streaming media file, the player will eventually time out. Attempting to connect to the streaming media file at a later time is usually the best solution to this error.

I know that I'm running QuickTime on my computer and that I have a fast enough connection
to the Internet, but I still can't access the streaming video. What could be going wrong?It could be possible that you do not have the proper version of QuickTime to view the video. In order to view QuickTime video will need to download the latest version of QuickTime to view the movies.

It could be possible that you do not have the proper version of QuickTime to view the video. In order to view QuickTime video will need to download the latest version of QuickTime to view the movies. You may download the latest FREE version of QuickTime from the following address: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

I get a blank box or nothing at all where the video or images should be playing. What should I do?You need to install QuickTime on your computer.

You need to install QuickTime on your computer.
Download the latest free version here:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
After you have successfully installed QuickTime, you should be able to view the video or images.

I've installed QuickTime 7, but the video still won't play. What should I do?Firewalls can sometimes block the special ports used for streaming video. If you can't view our cams at all, you can also try the Apple Quicktime streaming test page. If you don't see a swirling QuickTime logo on that page, you're likely behind some sort of firewall. However, QuickTime can sometimes allow users to bypass these ports and still stream video through firewalls. See the instructions below: 1. Open the QuickTime Preferences window: * Windows: go through the Control Panel, or go through the QuickTime Player (Edit menu --> Preferences --> QuickTime Preferences). * Macintosh: go through System Preferences, or through the QuickTime Player (QuickTime Player menu --> QuickTime Preferences). 2. Click the far-right tab labeled "Advanced." Change the Transport Setup drop-down menu to "Custom" which should open a "Streaming Transport" window. 3. In this window, change the Transport Protocol option to "HTTP" and make sure the Port setting is "80". 4. Click "OK" to save your settings in that window, and on Windows machines, click "OK" again to save your settings in the QuickTime Preferences window. 5. Try re-loading the Demonstration Video and the Apple streaming test page to see if these changes worked. (NOTE: Streaming performance is optimized for the streaming-specific ports, and may suffer slightly on HTTP port 80 connections.) If you continue to experience trouble, you may be behind a more restrictive firewall. Ask your network administrator if it's possible to stream video at your location, or contact your internet service provider.

Firewalls can sometimes block the special ports used for streaming video. If you can't view our cams at all, you can also try the Apple Quicktime streaming test page:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/troubleshooting/.
If you don't see a swirling QuickTime logo on that page, you're likely behind some sort of firewall.

However, QuickTime can sometimes allow users to bypass these ports and still stream video through firewalls. See the instructions below:

1. Open the QuickTime Preferences window:
* Windows: go through the Control Panel, or go through the QuickTime Player
(Edit menu --> Preferences --> QuickTime Preferences).
* Macintosh: go through System Preferences, or through the QuickTime Player
(QuickTime Player menu --> QuickTime Preferences).

2. Click the far-right tab labeled "Advanced." Change the Transport Setup drop-down menu to "Custom" which should open a "Streaming Transport" window.

3. In this window, change the Transport Protocol option to "HTTP" and make sure the Port setting is "80".

4. Click "OK" to save your settings in that window, and on Windows machines, click "OK" again to save your settings in the QuickTime Preferences window.

5. Try re-loading the Demonstration Video and the Apple streaming test page to see if these changes worked. (NOTE: Streaming performance is optimized for the streaming-specific ports, and may suffer slightly on HTTP port 80 connections.)

If you continue to experience trouble, you may be behind a more restrictive firewall. Ask your network administrator if it's possible to stream video at your location, or contact your internet service provider.

What are the System, Internet and browser requirements to view the cams?QuickTime 7 is required to view streaming video. A fast connection to the Internet -- such as T1, DSL, or cable modem -- will greatly enhance your experience in viewing our streaming cams. If your connection is slower - a 56k modem, for example - you will experience lower quality sound and video, this is due to the current limitations of streaming media technology. However if you have a slower connection we also have live nest cams feeds that are sending a still image every 30 seconds or so. Browser Requirements: Firefox 2.0 or higher (Mac and PC) - IE 6 or higher (only PCs)

QuickTime 7 is required to view streaming video.
Download the latest free version here:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

A fast connection to the Internet -- such as T1, DSL, or cable modem -- will greatly enhance your experience in viewing our streaming cams. If your connection is slower - a 56k modem, for example - you will experience lower quality sound and video, this is due to the current limitations of streaming media technology. However if you have a slower connection we also have live nest cams feeds that are sending a still image every 30 seconds or so.

Browser Requirements: Firefox 2.0 or higher (Mac and PC) -
Download the latest version here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

IE 6 or higher (only PCs) -
Download the latest version here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

What do these errors mean: "453: not enough bandwidth", "404: Not found"?

Our streaming video server is restricted to a limited number of concurrent connections (for example, 100 people watching video at the same time). If you receive a "453: not enough bandwidth error" while trying to connect to the video then there are already the maximum number of users connected to the server. In this instance you should wait and try to connect to the video again later or, alternatively, check out one of our other live cams.

If you receive "404: Not found" it can be an indication that your connection to our streaming server is being blocked by a firewall. A firewall is a device that limits access between computers on the same or different networks.

Our streaming video setup requires you to connect to the streaming server in a way that is different to the normal way you request Web pages. These differences in connection types can sometimes be blocked by firewalls. In this case the firewall will exist either on your local computer (or router) or on the network/Internet Service Provider that the computer is connected to.

In many schools and colleges the computers will not have local firewalls but will be protected by a firewall running on the central network instead. If you find yourself unable to view the streaming video and are behind a central firewall you will need to contact the people responsible for administering your firewall and ask them to allow access. The following ports will need to be unblocked and you should provide the system administrators with this information or the URL of this page:

* TCP: 554, 7070 * UDP: 6970-6999 (inclusive)

Streaming video utilizes a great deal of bandwidth as this type of content is quite large. Bandwidth is measured in bps (bits per second but usually Kbps or Mbps) which stands for kilobits per second or megabits per second. That is the amount of data that can be transferred in one second. We stream at an average of 128 Kbps to 25 concurrent users which costs us about $600/month per camera that is streaming.