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Technology

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology NestCams employ a variety of technologies to broadcast in near real-time still image, and streaming video feeds to the Internet. The NestCams project is assisted by a nationwide network of volunteer cam hosts who set up cameras near nests and upload the images via the Internet for the entire world to see. We are often asked how much these systems cost. This depends on the specific location and conditions- in general a very modest pre-built nest box and camera system can be purchased for around $200, while a remote, solar-powered, wireless system can cost $8000 or more. Here are a few examples of how the nest cams are set up and how we get the images and video to you:

Our Cam setups for analog cameras Still images:1. We install a video camera (the same kind used for home/business surveillance) near or over a nest or in a nest box. From the location of the nest site to where you have a computer & power can require running long lengths of coaxial cable to make the connections. 2.Next we connect the camera feed cables to a video capture device that converts the analog signal to digital. 3.The other end of the video capture device is connected to a computer that has a broadband internet connection. 4. We install webcam publishing software on the computer to send the images over the Internet to our server. The images are simultaneously archived and served up over the Internet at approximately 30 second intervals. You can view these images in near real-time through an online Internet browser.5.The archived images are reviewed daily by someone trained to note interesting animal behaviors. They select images of behavioral interest and post them to the web site's "daily highlights" section with explanatory commentary. Streaming video:1.We install a video camera (the same kind used for home/business surveillance) near or over a nest or in a nest box. 2.Next we connect the camera feed cables to a video capture device that converts the analog signal to digital. 3.The other end of the video capture device is connected to a computer that has a broadband internet connection. 4. We install webcam streaming software on the computer to send the video over the Internet to our server at approximately 125 Kbps. Once at our server the stream is simultaneously recorded to an archive and sent out over the internet live. You can view these videos in near real-time through an online Internet browser with a media player such as QuickTime or Real Player. 5. The archived stream is reviewed as often as possible by someone trained to note interesting animal behaviors. They select video clips of interest & post them to the web site "Daily highlights" section with explanatory commentary.

Still images:
1. We install a video camera (the same kind used for home/business surveillance) near or over a nest or in a nest box. From the location of the nest site to where you have a computer & power can require running long lengths of coaxial cable to make the connections.
2. Next we connect the camera feed cables to a video capture device that converts the analog signal to digital.
3. The other end of the video capture device is connected to a computer that has a broadband internet connection.
4. We install webcam publishing software on the computer to send the images over the Internet to our server. The images are simultaneously archived and served up over the Internet at approximately 30 second intervals. You can view these images in near real-time through an online Internet browser.
5. The archived images are reviewed daily by someone trained to note interesting animal behaviors. They select images of behavioral interest and post them to the web site's "daily highlights" section with explanatory commentary.

Streaming video:
1. We install a video camera (the same kind used for home/business surveillance) near or over a nest or in a nest box.
2. Next we connect the camera feed cables to a video capture device that converts the analog signal to digital.
3. The other end of the video capture device is connected to a computer that has a broadband internet connection.
4. We install webcam streaming software on the computer to send the video over the Internet to our server at approximately 125 Kbps. Once at our server the stream is simultaneously recorded to an archive and sent out over the internet live. You can view these videos in near real-time through an online Internet browser with a media player such as QuickTime or Real Player.
5. The archived stream is reviewed as often as possible by someone trained to note interesting animal behaviors. They select video clips of interest & post them to the web site "Daily highlights" section with explanatory commentary.

Our Cam setups for digital camerasFrom a network/IP camera to streaming video: 1. We install a video camera near or over a nest or in a nest box. 2.Next we connect the camera directly to a broadband Internet connection using an Ethernet cable. 3. The camera has an interface that can be accessed over the Internet and this is how we program the camera to send the video stream to our server. 4. Once at our server the stream is simultaneously recorded to an archive and sent out over the internet live. You can view these videos in near real-time through an online Internet browser with a media player such as QuickTime or Real Player. 5.The archived stream is reviewed as often as possible by someone trained to note interesting animal behaviors. They select video clips of interest & post them to the web site Daily highlights section with explanatory commentary.Wireless setups with network/IP cameras over long distances: These are more complicated systems that must be customized to the location and conditions. The cameras and equipment utilized are designed to withstand the elements and are typically solar or wind-powered.

From a network/IP camera to streaming video:
1. We install a video camera near or over a nest or in a nest box.
2. Next we connect the camera directly to a broadband Internet connection using an Ethernet cable.
3. The camera has an interface that can be accessed over the Internet and this is how we program the camera to send the video stream to our server. 4. Once at our server the stream is simultaneously recorded to an archive and sent out over the internet live. You can view these videos in near real-time through an online Internet browser with a media player such as QuickTime or Real Player.
5. The archived stream is reviewed as often as possible by someone trained to note interesting animal behaviors. They select video clips of interest & post them to the web site "Daily highlights" section with explanatory commentary.

Wireless setups with network/IP cameras over long distances:
These are more complicated systems that must be customized to the location and conditions. The cameras and equipment utilized are designed to withstand the elements and are typically solar or wind-powered.
You may wish to learn more about this type of setup by viewing the detailed description of a wireless setup used by our cam host, the Pratt Museum, for the Seabird Cam:
Setting Up Your Own Wild Video Camera System