How to transmit video over 400m

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Dave R Smith
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Joined: May 10 2005

A friend wants a camera to monitor his sheep during lambing season.

The sheep are 400m from his home, and does not have 'line of sight' - and cable from camera to his is not possible.

Night time capability also needed, (or lighting rigged off battery).

Looking here:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?criteria=wireless+camera
I haven't found any yet that serve > 200m and don't need line of sight.

So how do you send/transmit the video image?

Webcam and upload connection at the neighbours property (who is 50m from sheep location) may work in theory, but I assume, the upload would mean the phone connection bandwidth (broadband) is gobbled up, beyond neighbourly co-operation.

I am not familiar with what software is required to auto upload the webcam image (and possibly sound).

I am aware that some comms gear can use the domestic ring main for signal, but this presumably cannot be utilised between neighbours?

Any practical suggestions gratefully received.

(Possibly this is wrong sub-forum, but seemed to be nearest fit).

Z Cheema
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Joined: Nov 17 2003

What about using a mobile phone as a web cam, there apps available that allow that

Dave R Smith
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Joined: May 10 2005
Z Cheema wrote:
What about using a mobile phone as a web cam, there apps available that allow that

Thank-you Z.
I was going to make the crazy suggestion that the lambs be given a mobile phone to call for help - so it seems that's not so crazy!
Contract phones may reduce usage cost, so I'll pass it on, but I'm guessing streaming this way would be excluded from contracts - or be horrendously expensive.

DAVE M
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Joined: May 17 1999

a couple of people on here have bought Chinese video senders with an (illegal) extra high output.

It's not as if he'll be burning his neighbours TVs with sheep porn.
CCTV suppliers willhave long range kit

foxvideo
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Joined: Sep 9 1999

Why is cable ruled out? - Video over CAT5 with baluns would seem one way at a reasonable cost, I have a mate who watches Little Owls in nest boxes at 300/350m this way.

2.4Ghz wireless at 400m is pushing it unless you use 1w Tx's (illegal). Mobile phone won't give you decent enough picture quality and would need an 'unlimited' data connection on contract, I also suspect you'd get a call from the operator after a few days asking why the usage was so high!

Dave Farrants Fox Video Editing

Z Cheema
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Joined: Nov 17 2003

Three do a As Much As You Can eat
You could stream low res, stream only when movement is detected, send images every X time

details below show a T Mobile phone, just unlock it and put the three sim in it
£4.00
http://www.mobile-unlock-codes.co.uk/?gclid=CJjnxZrK9qYCFQUTfAodlTxvFQ

Cheapest Andriod phone on market £30 (PAYG)
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/pay-as-you-go/t-mobile-pulse-mini/

Andriod App
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dooblou.SECuRETLiveStream&feature=search_result

Three
http://www.coolsmartphone.com/2011/03/07/three-announce-ayce-data-on-payg/

Z Cheema
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Joined: Nov 17 2003

Sheep Porn, you say... I see a untapped business opportunity, all I need now is the wellies.

Dave R Smith
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Joined: May 10 2005

Thank-you Dave, Dave and Z.

I suspect the phone solutions would require the transmitting phone to press a few buttons to set up, beyond the skill-set of the talent.

foxvideo wrote:
Why is cable ruled out? - Video over CAT5 with baluns would seem one way at a reasonable cost, I have a mate who watches Little Owls in nest boxes at 300/350m this way.

I'm told routing a cable would be near impossible, given the fields and trees.

Following Dave M suggestion I found this link:
http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycamera/long-range-wireless-cctv-transmitter-1000-meters-1.2ghz

As already said though, seems this distance is illegal in EU.

Thank-you all for the feedback, I'll send it on.

Dave R Smith
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Joined: May 10 2005

I phoned this company;
http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycamera/horse-foaling-wireless-300-metres-long-range-camera-cctv-kit-sony-ccd-superhad-imaging-audio
who said this kit would do job (just) - their distance ratings are minima, whereas likes of maplin tend to be maximum.

From above kit, can be uprated/swapped for this one:
http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycamera/12dbi-high-gain-omni-directional-booster-antenna-for-av-sender
which would cost extra £45 as swap.
Tx and Rx aeriels mounted high need line of sight but trees can be tolerated to degree.

If no mains, can use with 12V caravan/marine battery (not car battery).

paulears
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Joined: Jul 8 2008

2.4GHz with proper aerials works ok http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoorantenna-24-waveguide-012wg.htm for info.

Dave R Smith
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Joined: May 10 2005
paulears wrote:
2.4GHz with proper aerials works ok http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoorantenna-24-waveguide-012wg.htm for info.

The link has a similar antenna, but more compact and lower cost, but apart from specs can't see any info on its abilties either on linked page or the download.
Sorry Paul, I'm not sure what you are referencing.