Beach-front web cam concerns at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Under Water, Over Land

Under Water, Over Land
Tools & Techniques for Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife & Underwater Videography.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 3rd, 2006, 02:35 PM   #1
Air China Pilot
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 2,389
Beach-front web cam concerns

I have a client who wants to install a web cam on a beach (their outlet is located on a beach front). He realizes that having any kind of electronics on a beach such as a camera and computer will leave them vulnerable to water and salt corrosion (actually, I added this in because I heard this is a problem). What is the best way to protect it? I'm including a laptop or inexpensive PC box into the equation because he might need to incorporate other things into it besides a camera.
__________________
--
Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com | stuff about living in Vancouver | My Flickr photo gallery
Keith Loh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 3rd, 2006, 03:15 PM   #2
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 73
Many options but you need to ask other questions and possibly simplify.

To save yourself the worry and hassle of additional electronics and computers being housed in a "somewhat secure location" why not just get a camera houseing for a wireless web cam.

Set up a wireless 802.11g setup at their home, They can reap the benefits of a wireless set up or take advantage of the one they already have. (or check to see if someone else has an open wireless system nearby and bum off their signal).

After you establish a wireless connection set up the wireless webcam out there. A good camera is usually PC-Less. Meaning it serves as a simple web server of updated video. You access it via web page. If you want more info let me know.
David Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 3rd, 2006, 03:53 PM   #3
Air China Pilot
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 2,389
David, the IP camera solution as you suggested is definitely one of the preferred options but I wanted to clear out all of the other decision factors first.
__________________
--
Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com | stuff about living in Vancouver | My Flickr photo gallery
Keith Loh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 3rd, 2006, 05:02 PM   #4
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Augusta Georgia
Posts: 5,421
A high salt air environment eats up aluminum very fast.

Some beach front property does not necessarily have a high salt air environment, but many do. The salt and the moisture just causes the metal to flake away. I used to live near the ocean in Florida. In some locations, the problem was just about unsolvable.

Another problem exists with moisture. If there is moisture present, and the container is frequently heated and cooled, the humid air will be drawn into the container (camera case), the moisture will eventually condense, and then the case will fill up with water. It is difficult, but not impossible to stop this process. A material, such as "Coax-Seal", which is like a grey putty, works well. Otherwise, you will need a drain hole.

What you are wanting to do is difficult. I would not place an expensive piece of gear near the ocean, unless the breezes are almost always from the land to the ocean. Expect problems.
__________________
Dan Keaton
Augusta Georgia
Dan Keaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 3rd, 2006, 07:48 PM   #5
Air China Pilot
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 2,389
Dan, thanks for those considerations. It sounds like a custom solution is needed unless I learn the client actually has different conditions than I first thought.
__________________
--
Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com | stuff about living in Vancouver | My Flickr photo gallery
Keith Loh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 3rd, 2006, 09:13 PM   #6
Trustee
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Deep South, U.S.
Posts: 1,526
You might want to look over at pelco.com, they are really big in the security cam business although quite expensive. I have eight of thier cams in outside enclosures working in extreme weather conditions for the the past 3 years. Heated enclosures are a must for humidity control. Pelco dome enclosures do not hold much water on the surface which is also good. Be sure to use camera mounts that can withstand high wind speed. If money is no object then nitrogen presurized housings are top of the line.

Regards,

Mark
Mark Williams is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Under Water, Over Land

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:59 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network