SebecTec webcam with time-lapse software

[sebectec]

SebecTec webcam

Here is software I have written that is useful to weather related websites. I began writing this software in 2008 because the software available for webcams with time-lapse were limited at the time. My original website using an Olympus version of this software is http://www.sebeclake.net So you see that's where the name SebecTec comes from.

Sebectec can capture an image three ways: from an IP camera, an image from a website or an image from a local folder. It will snap pictures and send pictures and time-lapse via FTP to a folder on your web server. It will automatically make a time-lapse at the close of the day and an Intraday time-lapse every N hours during the day. More time-lapse options for longer terms are described below.


Here are the main features of the program:

- It is a stable program running under Windows that can access multiple cameras. Time-lapse output is in .MP4 format for browser and device compatibility. It does not read the video stream from an IP camera but instead uses the http snapshot command commonly available with IP cameras to read the image thus avoiding streaming bandwidth issues.

- Option to capture images at a fast rate over your LAN say every 10 seconds but upload to the website at a reduced frame rate say every 60 seconds. This preserves upload bandwidth while also making a very smooth time-lapse video.

- Auto FTP upload single images and time-lapse

- Overlay weather info onto the image using a NOAA weather site or any personal weather station on wunderground.com or from a local text file.

- Can launch multiple instances of the application to access more cameras or produce time-lapse over different time periods for the same camera.

- Can make a time-lapse for the last 365 (or N) days and always playback in a 3 (or N) minute time lapse. Software will auto subsample and adjust the frame rate to playback at the desired time length.

- Make a time-lapse using one image from each day, say at 12 noon.

- Can set to operate from local sunrise/sunset as it varies through the year using a csv table.

- Multiple watermarks can be added

- Upload images to two different FTP sites. For instance upload to your website and also to wunderground.

- Manages the archive to automatically delete local archive images older than N days so as lot to fill a hard drive.

- Image cropping feature - Crop the images as they are captured or crop only the production time-lapse.

- Access multiple cameras by auto launching a new instances.

- Rotate the image in small increments (0.1 deg) in order to square up the horizon. (It can be annoying to see a camera off rotation by even just a small amount)

- Don't actually need a camera to make time-lapse. Use the program to operate on a sequence of jpeg images.

Example sites using time-lapse features of the program:
Loon Mountain, NH: http://www.mtnclub.com/media-center/live-webcam/

These two are my sites:
Moosehead Lake, ME http://mooseheadlake.us

Portsmouth, NH: http://www.portsmouthwebcam.com

I also use the software for construction cams where multiple length time-lapse are required. This is an example in Ellsworth, Maine: http://firstatlanticwebcam.com/
Here is a camera I have setup to watch construction of a new brewery: http://towlefarm.com/

Software download full-function trial is here: http://www.sebectec.com/ipcam

-Mike

[hills]

Is there a Cumulus users discount?

Just kidding it looks pretty good, I might have to give it a test run.

[steve]

Is there a Cumulus users discount?

That's a good idea. I'll overlook the advertising of a commercial product without even asking if it was OK, if there is

[sebectec]

Oops, my mistake. Steve I should have consulted you. Cumulus users receive a 10% discount. Mention you are a Cumulus user. Good for the month of March.

-Mike

[westonweather]

Hi Mike,

How do I get the discount applied? The "buy now" link on the site takes me straight to PayPal checkout at full price.

I love the software, have it running here: http://www.westonweather.co.uk/webcam.php. Thanks for your help with the MPH / Centigrade modification. Odd that we mix Metric & Imperial, but that's the way it is here!

[beteljuice]

Odd ...

On the example links I have no problem, but on westonweather I get "video format or MIME type not supported"

I'm using FF on Ye Olde Win XP

[ace2]

Odd ...

On the example links I have no problem, but on westonweather I get "video format or MIME type not supported"

I'm using FF on Ye Olde Win XP

Firefox version 21+ will display mp4

Double check my site
http://www.users.on.net/~ace2/video.htm

[beteljuice]

"video format or MIME type not supported"

[sebectec]

westonweather, discount is in the form of a partial refund. Just let me know with a note in the PayPal tranaction or send an email to info@sebectec.com relating you are a Cumulus user.

-Mike

[ace2]

"video format or MIME type not supported"

What version of firefox(ff) are you running??

[beteljuice]

FF 27.0.1

However; I note that on all the example links JW player (JavaScript) is being used to present the videos.

[hills]

I get the same error on both sites with FF 27.0.1

[ace2]

Strange, thats the same version I have!!!

[RayProudfoot]

Okay here with FF 27.0.1 and W7 Pro 64-bit.

[ace2]

Mm windows xp maybe??

I have windows 7