Finding a Customizable Webcam (and Other Devices)?

MankyD asks: "I'm in the market for a webcam. Wireless is preferred, but Internet connectivity is a must. I've found some OK-looking products, but nothing fantastic. The best-looking cam I've found we already have at work and it's not that great. The cam we have at work would be awesome if I could open up the code — customize the built-in web pages and/or write my own Java viewer — but that doesn't look like its going to happen any time soon. Has anyone ever found an IP camera that will allow you to customize it? Whats the best way to go about finding one? What about hackable devices in general — how do you find gadgets that let you tinker with their software?"

Comments

Axis Cameras

[rpbailey1642]

I like the Axis cameras. Write a quick script to grab the images and display them in your custom webpage, it's a 10-minute job. Plus, I think the cameras actually run Linux, which I know is a big selling point in some crowds.

Linksys

[user32.ExitWindowsEx]

I'm pretty certain Linksys makes a Linux-based 802.11g / ethernet webcam and posts the firmware source for it.

Linksys routers

[bcat24]

What about hackable devices in general - how do you find gadgets that let you tinker with their software?

As far as hardware hackability goes, I've always been impressed with the WRT54G/GS/GL routers. They run an embedded version of Linux (except the WRT54G/GS version 5), so you can do some pretty cool stuff with them by using third-party firmware.

A Firewire Camera and Spook

[OctaneZ]

Check out Spook an open source, highly customizable or embeddible streaming server. It is best paired with a firewire camera, but those can be had easily for $100; I love my UniBrain Fire-i camera. There is also a Freshmeat page on the project.

Canon webcam, or USB DIY

[rwa2]

We have a bunch of Canon VB-C10 's at work... full pan/tilt/zoom, and it runs embedded linux. The zoom works really well (you can read license plates in the parking lot from a camera mounted in a 4th floor office). The embedded webserver dishes out java viewers as well as several examples on how to embed still captures and preset captures into your own web pages. Ultimately these beasts will run you well over a grand USD, though.

If it was for me, I would simply attach a $150 USB Logitech Quickcam Orbit (there are Linux drivers for rudimentary PTZ) to a $250 USB-over-IP dongle, and have it run to a configured server. This would only give you USB1.0 framerates, though, so you might consider running a long USB2.0 extension cord (if you're within, say 10m) or a USB2.0-over-CAT5 extender (though these might be hard to come by too).

Anyway, have fun... I'm still pining for my wifi-controlled webcam robot with manipulator arm.

!Internet enabled

[dolphinling]

I'm in the market for a webcam. Wireless is preferred, but Internet connectivity is a must.

Now, see, I have the opposite problem. I'm looking for a webcam that can't connect to the internet. Can anyone help me with that?