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nesting box camera software

Forum Editor

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Posted April 9, 2011 at 7:44PM

Has anyone got a suggestion for some decent (preferably free) software that will enable someone to watch birds in a nesting box on a laptop?

An elderly couple who live near me have been sent a box complete with camera by their son, who lives abroad. I set the box up for them, and ran the camera lead into the house, but they don't have any software with which to view the output.

It's not my area of expertise, but I imagine one of you will have the answer. Many thanks in advance.

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ßeta

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Posted April 10, 2011 at 7:25AM

How is the Camera Connected to the PC or Laptop.??

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Forum Editor

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Posted April 10, 2011 at 9:04AM

ßeta

There is a cable from the camera that goes to a KWorld Video adapter. From this adapter run a USB cable and an audio jack, both of which are plugged into the laptop.

What I need is some software that can show the camera's output on the laptop. At the moment the driver for the adapter is installed, but the adapter isn't recognised by Windows. The leaflet that came with the adapter says it won't work without some software. There is software available from the nest-box maker, but it has to be paid for, and these people have a non-existent budget. I offered to pay for it, but that was refused, so I said I would look for something they could download free of charge. The problem is, I don't have a clue about camera feeds, so I need some help.

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ßeta

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Posted April 10, 2011 at 1:09PM

You say that the Adapter is not recognised by Windows. Does it not show in Device Manager..??

Unfortunately most of the Free Video Capture Software rely on the WDM Driver model.

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rdave13

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Posted April 10, 2011 at 8:51PM

No idea really but would windows live messenger recognise the input as a web cam? Video and audio settings available on it.

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Forum Editor

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Posted April 10, 2011 at 10:40PM

By way of an update

I downloaded some software today, and installed it. The camera is now being turned on by the software, but all that's visible is a totally black output screen. I guessed that the format might be wrong, and changed it in the options from NTSC. The problem is, there are quite a few PAL options. I don't have access to the laptop now, and I'm not sure what the options were. My recollection is that they had letters after 'PAL.

Either way, the camera can be turned on, but there appears to be no output.

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dms_05

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Posted April 11, 2011 at 9:50AM

UK PAL standard is PAL I but any should work (the main difference is the audio frequency which explains why a UK TV works in Spain but whilst you see the pic you don't hear the sound).

Try YAWCAM free software www.yawcam.com It has lots of alternatives and may even be used to stream the camera output to the Internet so their son can watch the birds in his parents garden!

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Forum Editor

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Posted April 17, 2011 at 6:09PM

dms_05

I have now had a chance to install YAWCAM and it's up and running. It detects the nest-box camera, and turns it on, but I'm still faced with the same totally black viewing screen.

I'm beginning to wonder if I did something as elementary as leaving a lens cap on the camera. I don't think I did - there wasn't one as far as I can remember - but I'm going to have to swallow my pride and check. The problem is, a pair of Blue-tits have been busy building a nest in the box, and I don't want to risk scaring them off - I would feel pretty guilty.

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Lazarus The 2nd

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Posted April 19, 2011 at 11:44PM

From this Click here

as the scroll don't work on the website above, I have typed below.

5: I have connected my kit as per the instructions supplied. I can hear sounds from the camera but my screen is black, any idea what is wrong?

A: Have you left the lens cap on? Check to make sure it has been removed. If it has, try unplugging the video (yellow) connections and then plugging them back together. If you have used our TV Scart adaptor, make sure it is firmly connected to your TV input.

David.

ps. Peter, Did you try that program (Video Booth (Free Version)) I advised of in the email I sent you.

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Forum Editor

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Posted April 21, 2011 at 11:38PM

Peter, Did you try that program

No, I didn't. It has been a manic couple of weeks workwise, and I've been travelling. It left me very short of spare time. I should be able to get around to it over the Easter weekend.

Thank you for your continued help.

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X7-250

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Posted April 22, 2011 at 9:30PM

it seems odd to me that you mention the software was turning on the camera, on my setup the only on/off is via the mains adapter.

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