/blog/tags/webcam/ falkp.no/blog (Webcam) Hugo -- gohugo.io en-us Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /blog/posts/cheap_diy_babycam_with_nightvision/ Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 /blog/posts/cheap_diy_babycam_with_nightvision/ <h2 id="overview" > <div> <a href="#overview"> # </a> Overview </div> </h2> <p>When I did this project in 2012 babycams cost from NOK 2000 and up, so I decided to see if I could build one using a Raspberry Pi, an IR light and a very cheap webcam.</p> <p>This will of course only be a level 0 night vision (active).</p> <h2 id="parts" > <div> <a href="#parts"> # </a> Parts </div> </h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.dx.com/p/ir-48-led-infrared-illumination-light-for-night-vision-dc-12v-500ma-15235">IR LEDs</a> with a 12V PSU.</li> <li><a href="http://www.raspberrypi.org/">Raspberry Pi</a> with a 5V PSU.</li> <li>Webcam. I don&rsquo;t have a link to it, but pretty much any webcam will do.</li> </ul> <p><img src="sku_15235_1.jpg" alt="IR LED"></p> <p><img src="Raspberry_Pi_-_Model_A.jpg" alt="Raspberry Pi, from Wikipedia.org"></p> <h2 id="hardware-setup" > <div> <a href="#hardware-setup"> # </a> Hardware setup </div> </h2> <p>I set up a test and was disappointed that the IR setup hardly gave any visible picture at all, so I threw it in the trash. Then I rememberd that all digital cameras have an IR filter to sharpen daylight pictures. To remove it I did this:</p> <ul> <li>Unscrew any lense or cover.</li> <li>Look for a small, slightly colored piece of glass covering the CMOS chip, and remove it by force.</li> <li>Reassemble.</li> </ul> <p>Now the IR seemed to light up objects several meters away. As IR light can hurt eyes, I have the light pointed towards the ceiling, so only reflected light is ever hitting people.</p> <h2 id="software" > <div> <a href="#software"> # </a> Software </div> </h2> <ul> <li>Installed raspbian.</li> <li>Installed motion.</li> <li>Webcam is now available to local network for PCs (browser, VLC) and phones (VLC, video streaming apps).</li> </ul> <h2 id="result" > <div> <a href="#result"> # </a> Result </div> </h2> <p><img src="irled.png" alt="IR LED"></p> <p><img src="webcam.png" alt="Webcam, stripped and attached to wall."></p> <p><img src="babyphone.png" alt="Baby in nightvision viewed on a phone."></p>