I was looking at one of those x10 cameras and noticed that they only go either to a TV or to USB. I also noticed that they are 2.4GHz, just like 802.11b. Why are these cameras $80 and ones that actually have a 802.11b connection around $400? Aren't the only expensive parts the CCD on the camera and the 802.11 chipset? Would it be possible to buy these parts and make my own cheaper wireless 802.11b camera?
What exacty would you need to make your own 802.11b camera?
- Thread starter aka1nas
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The first one would be very expensive to make. Yes, you'd need the hardware, and you're right, most of it would be off the shelf parts.
Eriting the software in the camera would be the hard part.
Eriting the software in the camera would be the hard part.
I imagine you would want WEP on that camera as well so you would need to include a built in processor. I dont know if there are currently any dedicated WEP processors out there.
What are you taking pictures of, secret "For eyes only" documents?
Besides, I thought WEP has been broken.
Is there any way to actually get a hold of a CCD chip or 802.11 controller if you are an individual? I haven't seen any electronics places on the net offering them. I wouldn't mind tinkering with them and see what I could get working.
i agree, the software would be hardcore - you would need decoder software, and i doubt x10 would shell it out
Originally posted by: CTho9305
What are you taking pictures of, secret "For eyes only" documents?
Besides, I thought WEP has been broken.
The whole point of the x10 cameras is that they are SURVELLIENCE. It doesn't exactly do much good if there transmitting images in plain text now, would it. Yes, WEP has been broken but you need something like 4GB of outgoing data before you can crack the key so it's still better than nothing. If you rotated the key every 2GB or so, you could probably keep it going for quite a while.
I have been tinkering with wireless cameras a little recently. I just got my technician's class amateur radio license last weekend, so I'm now legal - which is something to keep in mind if you are planning on building your own wireless transmitter. My plan is top take real-time video from R/C airplanes so I need a small, very light-weight, low power camera and transmitter..
As far as cameras, I have two suggestions - the first is to go onto ebay and search for "pinhole camera". They sell some wireless setups for about $60 shipped. You could use the camera portion of it as the imager and the transmitter is a pretty straightforward circuit that might be recyclable - although they are 900MHz as I recall. Otherwise, I would highly recommend using a CMOS imager instead of a CCD simply to make life easier on yourself. CMOS imagers usually are more easily integrated into a hobby-grade system.
As far as the 802.11b controller, a couple of companies sell single-chip solutions. Atmel is one that I definitely know has a complete solution in a chip. It can be very hard to buy a single chip from a company that normally deals with high volumes though. Your best bet is to call them up and keep asking for customer samples. Then I'd explain your situation and ask if they'd be willing to ship you a single sample for your project, or know of a place that will sell you just one. A link to Atmel's offerings.
As a veteran of several of these types of projects - I would say that you are in for quite a bit of work. My project is vastly easier - basically to adapt a 900MHz NTSC analog video camera to have substantially higher power capable of increasing the range to over 1000ft. I wouldn't even want to consider doing what you are talking about doing just due to the complexity of it.
As far as cameras, I have two suggestions - the first is to go onto ebay and search for "pinhole camera". They sell some wireless setups for about $60 shipped. You could use the camera portion of it as the imager and the transmitter is a pretty straightforward circuit that might be recyclable - although they are 900MHz as I recall. Otherwise, I would highly recommend using a CMOS imager instead of a CCD simply to make life easier on yourself. CMOS imagers usually are more easily integrated into a hobby-grade system.
As far as the 802.11b controller, a couple of companies sell single-chip solutions. Atmel is one that I definitely know has a complete solution in a chip. It can be very hard to buy a single chip from a company that normally deals with high volumes though. Your best bet is to call them up and keep asking for customer samples. Then I'd explain your situation and ask if they'd be willing to ship you a single sample for your project, or know of a place that will sell you just one. A link to Atmel's offerings.
As a veteran of several of these types of projects - I would say that you are in for quite a bit of work. My project is vastly easier - basically to adapt a 900MHz NTSC analog video camera to have substantially higher power capable of increasing the range to over 1000ft. I wouldn't even want to consider doing what you are talking about doing just due to the complexity of it.
Maybe I'll just try to take an analog one and find a cheaper way to adapt it to a digital connection. Thanks for the link, Patrick. My electronics skills are pretty much limited to 1 year of high school electronics shop and 1 EE digital logic course in college, so I guess this is most likely out of my league.
Patrick what do you think about this camera?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3002261912&category=14957
the kit is very cheap, even with shipping. I haven't found any place state side offering anythign similar. How are the quality on the ones you have been using?
One more questions: Would it be possible to build a receiver for these that could handle multiple cameras and maybe then have network connectivity? Or even a small *nix box with some antennas. How difficult would that be to build, and do you have any good sites or resources where I could learn how to do that?
Thanx a lot for your help
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3002261912&category=14957
the kit is very cheap, even with shipping. I haven't found any place state side offering anythign similar. How are the quality on the ones you have been using?
One more questions: Would it be possible to build a receiver for these that could handle multiple cameras and maybe then have network connectivity? Or even a small *nix box with some antennas. How difficult would that be to build, and do you have any good sites or resources where I could learn how to do that?
Thanx a lot for your help
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