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This guide explores the applications and setup of WebCams within corporate environments. It defines what a WebCam is, outlines the basic requirements for installation, and discusses two principal methods for webcam streaming: Client Pull and Server Push. Key aspects such as image size, refresh rates, and bandwidth considerations are addressed. Furthermore, it highlights various applications, including video conferencing, product demos, and remote training. The potential cost, ranging from $100 to $10,000 per station, showcases WebCams as versatile tools for enhancing corporate communication and efficiency.
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Web Cameras And Their Applications to the Corporate Information Infrastructure Shilpa Jaswal Feb 14, 2001
What is a WebCam? • It is a web page which hosts images or even live video streams served by a digital camera attached to a computer. • For less than $100 and an Internet dial-up connection, one can set up his own camera on the Internet. Web
A Digital Camera A Web Cam Software in a Server Basic technical knowledge of how Internet works. Web What Is Needed to Setup a WebCam?
Methods To setup a WebCam: • Client Pull • Server Push
Methods to Setup a WebCam: Client Pull • Client pull method uses single snapshots of whatever the WebCam points to. • Process: • Web Camera takes snap and saves into JPEG File (e.g., CAM.JPG) • Simple html page served from WebServer, loads CAM.JPG on client request • (e.g. <img src=“CAM.JPG”> Remote Web Surfer Corporate LAN CAMERA -- PnP/Video/Digital Camera Computer Connected to Web Cam Computer Connected to Web Cam ISP hosted Web-Server with Video-Picture Serving Software
Methods to Setup a WebCam: Server Push • Server push allows the user to view real time video streams coming directly from web cam. • Requires Streaming software in Webserver (e.g. special applet or software like RealNetwork) Remote Web Surfer Corporate LAN CAMERA -- PnP/Video/Digital Camera Computer Connected to Web Cam Computer Connected to Web Cam Web-Server with Video-Picture Streaming Software
Easy to setup. Doesn’t take much bandwidth. Works perfectly for dial-up style internet connections. Won’t be able to serve video feeds with this method. Relatively more cumbersome. Requires high bandwidth connection. Doesn't work good with Dial-up style internet connection. Will be able to view real-time video streams. Only most recent browser versions support this method. Advantages/Disadvantages of Methods Client Pull Server Push
Important Considerations • Image Size: • Larger image will take more time to load, but resolution can be good. • Compromise should be based on bandwidth and clarity • Refresh Rate: • Higher refresh rate takes more bandwidth, but picture may look more connected • Compromise is based on bandwidth and continuity. • A reasonably user-accessible image size can be 320x240 for a refresh rate of 20-30 seconds (28k Modem)
Application of WebCam • Video-Conferencing • Net-meeting • Customer - Sales Product Demo • Product Design/Development • Virtual Facility Tour • Facility Surveillance • Monitoring Events/Places • Remote Product Training
Conclusions • WebCam can be an excellent cost saving tool for a business. • The setup can be as cheap as $100 per station or as expensive as $10,000 per station depending on the functionality. • One should be careful about the bandwidth requirements when connected to the web.
References • http://developers.webcamworld.com/index.html • http://www.teleport.com/~samc/bike/ • http://netconference.about.com/internet/netconference/cs/officecamsparti/index.htm • http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/corp/default.asp • http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/corp/default.asp