Build an Cam? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 08:14:40 am
content: My USB Webcam for example use that Chip:http://www.ovt.com/products/sensor.php?id=177I found out that the Company offer other Image Sensors with an higher MP count.So its possible to build my own Cam with?I know its not like Lego....When Chinese Company build an Webcam for 5€ so how hard could it be?So what is required for that?My idea is an device who can capture native 4K or Full HD and store it to an "mobile" Disc Array.I need to reccord some hour without any breaks and make an Livestream. In theory it could be that easy....So why not an Image Sensor who send the Data to an small mini Pc with an internal SSD for Caching and an small Server with some TB HDDs for Mobile Storage?Thanks

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 08:33:33 am
content: Provide a link to the image sensor you have in mind?

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 08:53:30 am
content: its just an stupid idea.My USB "Webcam" use a chip from that company:www.ovt.comCan some micro pc like an rasperry pi 3? handle an 4K Livestream?I know it will not be cheap. Does anyone have an idea how much it can cost bringe an chip on a pcb with the other components who are required?Or is there an "oem" ready to use Package?I play arround with that Cams:http://www.delock.de/produkte/F_463_eindustriemodule_1068_Kameras.html?setLanguage=enThe quality is ok Home things but for Youtube, Twitch,... no so good.The other thing is what those the video think have or need to get an video from the chip into my server system and to disk?Hardware encoder? Video Processor?Why I want something from the scratch its becouse the give me the chance to make my on think.In the end I will use 2 or 3 Cams one some Optical Filter for IR and Night Vision and 1 for normal day (maybe 1 for backup depend how much it cost).

author: bktemp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 08:54:59 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 08:14:40 amFirst you need to get the full documentation for the sensor to make it do anything.Then you need to stream >100Mbytes/s to your PC (1080p@30fps).If you know how to do it, it is easy. Otherwise get a 5€ cam from China.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 08:59:03 am
content: Quotethe problem are the resolution, quality, fix focus,...I couldnt found any module or anything who would allow me put some professional lenses in front.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 08:59:41 am
content: remember he said 4K, so that is a bit higher on the bandwidth,I think the simplest approach would be FGPA to handly the very high datarates in, and the USB3 output (your in that level of bandwidth), and dont forget you will need to cache it somehow,Me thinks you have zero chance of doing it for under $50, but for a learning experience its not impossible,

author: bktemp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 09:11:33 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 08:59:03 amIf a 5€ Chinese camera has a too low resolution, then get a 50€ or 100€ one.Your solution won't be any cheaper.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 10:11:54 am
content: I am Happy when the Price for the Cam "caching" device will be under 1000€.Quotehaha which one who support professional Lenses?QuoteHoch much does it need?Quotehmm... for example that chip:http://www.ovt.com/download_document.php?type=sensor&sensorid=170Does anyone know what does it mean:Quote from: PDFhttp://www.ovt.com/download_document.php?type=document&DID=63My ideas is bringe an Chip with everything who required on a PCB and put it on some micro Pc.The Micro Pc would do the Caching on an SLC and send the data over Ethernet Cable to an Mini Storage System who is onboard.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 10:16:11 am
content: those are the "MIPI" data lines, there in parallel as its just that much data coming out every frame.Each of those data lines is a differential connection, so a positive and a negative

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 10:33:18 am
content: i found in google that company:https://www.e-consystems.com/See3CAM-USB-3-Kamera-de.aspDoes anyone know other Companys like hat? Maybe thats an better solution.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 10:37:30 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 10:11:54 amWhat "professional lens" do you want and why?If that's what you want, get the professional cam that goes behind said lens.DIY your 4K camera is nice - it's also complex and several years' worth of work and going to cost dozens of times the price of a comparable commercial camera... IF you already know what you're doing, that is.https://www.apertus.org/

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 10:48:11 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 10:33:18 amPoint Grey, or alternativelybuy this and just use the USB C-mount camera part

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 10:52:34 am
content: Wide angle lens for example.QuoteHow much does it cost?What I want to do is this:whitout the bad thinks like mirroring wobbling camera and other think.So that need an "open" Camera System who allow me to send some Settings into the Cam and some Hardware Mods for example an Optical Filter for IR Light.I know the hard thing will talking to different company to get permission to do that....How about my idea with an Raspberry Pi for caching?

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 11:18:52 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 10:52:34 amJust use your cellphone, but mount it properly. If wobbling is your issue, building your own camera is completely orthogonal to the right answer.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 11:21:11 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 10:52:34 amAny camera can do that. The problems there are purely mechanical mounting matters, not camera related.Build a proper mount or use an actively stabilized /gimballed camera.https://youtu.be/G9zR4z5Lo_w?t=4m46s

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 11:28:26 am
content: QuoteRecord 8h 4k Material? Have 2 different lenses/ filter mounted on?Stream the Video to an Service Provider? Have an Connection to send different Settings into the Cam?

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 11:33:11 am
content: You didn't mention any of those things before, so how do you want our suggestions to incorporate those needs??I'm outta here, pointless wasting time on a classicXY problem.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 11:38:41 am
content: QuoteFirst Post:QuoteQuoteQuoteok ok my english is not the best but hey?

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 02:23:05 pm
content: You can Google for '4k video fpga' and turn up things like:https://www.xilinx.com/publications/prod_mktg/applications/omnitek-scalable-video-processing-suite-for-xlinx-fpgas-and-socs.pdf

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 03:06:39 pm
content: Instead of thinking that building your own camera makes even the tiniest bit of sense at all, why not look at what other people have already done to meet the requirements you've got? Whatever your needs are, they're not unique*. There's a world of hundreds of camera models, and thousands and thousands of accessories, on the market at any time; some combination of them is going to be the right one.*And sorry, I agree, you've done a terrible job of explaining what your needs are. As the XY problem illustrates, you need to explain what you want to achieve, NOT what you think the solution is!

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 01:13:28 pm
content: ok I try it again.What I want to do is Record and Streaming out of an Moving Vehicle.Recording Full HD better 4K or higher. I know streaming is a bit tricky.So HD/ 4K Recording create an huge amount of Data. That that will stored in an Storage Array onboard.The Camera System will be 2 or 3 different Cams who should record at the same Time for Post production.1x Cam for "Night" Vision with an Optical Filter who allow to record IR Light.1x - 2x Cam for Day Time Recording. The second could be used for optimize some Settings onboard.I know the Cams have some Settings who allow me to optimise the Image like inside an Tunnel.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 06:59:27 pm
content: You're not getting it; you're still mostly explaining what you think the solution is. But what is the RESULT you are seeking? Forget equipment completely -- explain what kinds of shots you need, what kinds of images you want to get, what kind of conditions you'll be shooting in. And since you mentioned streaming, explain what the end product of this stream is.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 07:15:50 pm
content: 1) I will record the Video for post production and upload it to an Server where People can Watch the Video.2) Streaming is also important. I know that some Rebroadcast Provider is requiered. Maybe there is an Solution who could run on an Server. A friend of mine have an Server Farm with Bandwith.QuoteVideos.QuoteOnboard an Moving Vehicle like an Train, Bus maybe an Tram. Depend on the Company who believe in my ideas.QuotePeople should get the chance to watch an Live stream where ever the are around the World.Youtube (Videos) way yesterday today is Streaming. When you know how much People watch other Peole during playing some Game.Can you rember when People watch live on TV the first Trains passing to the Gotthard Tunnel?That was an Event...

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 07:29:42 pm
content: How does the other people do it? I dont thing the have an 1000€ cam.QuoteWhy? There is normally some other interface.QuoteWhy SSD not HDD? SAS Drives should be enough.QuoteNot in 4k. I am happy when I could pipe 480p over an internet connection.QuoteWhy? 50€ for an Flat?

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 08:07:44 pm
content: QuoteThats why I would stream in an lower Quality. Streaming on 300Km/h isnt that easy.Quotethats to goal.QuoteAgain why an Capture Card and not an direct connection like:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_Serial_InterfaceQuoteI could not find it. Maybe the dont sold in my Area.What kind of SSD are that? SLC?

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 08:42:05 pm
content: Quoteyou know that the Window are metal coated? The block the Signal. The other thing is next to the Railway Track is the coverage poor. The best thing is when I use the Wifi onboard. When the Company allow me to do this i will talk to then for an dedicated upload speed.You talk about professional things. How does the Youtuber do it now? The quality of there videos are good.ok the SSD have no SAS or SATA Port how to run with an Raid Controller?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 08:53:53 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 05, 2016, 08:14:40 amSimple question, as you started this in Beginner section ...What is your current skillset and experience in electronics and optical ? Your current equipments ?Clue about that will save lots of useless posts ....

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2016, 09:06:14 pm
content: QuotenoneQuoteme to.@blueskullI will search for all when i am back home.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 07, 2016, 11:23:38 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on November 06, 2016, 08:42:05 pmAgain there are many ways to do things. What you asked for (broadcast quality 4K, low compression, many hours of recording...) WILL require multi-thousand $ professional gear. As surprising as it may sound many youtubers do have access to that kind of equipment to work with.You could also take 2 smartphones, one recording 4K to a 250GB SD card and the other filming the same thing but only doing the streaming and have something to work on, maybe not that long a recording... but meh.A decent semi-pro solution would be to take a good camera like a Sony A7S + lens and power supply (maybe ~$2.5k total), and record ProRes externally to an Atomos Ninja Flame with a 2TB SSD and power supply (~$2.3k total). Then connect a Teradek VidiU web streaming encoder to the Ninja's loopback output ($700).That will give you the high dynamic range 4K camera with the best cost/quality ratio, ability to record many hours of high quality log footage for best possible post-production capability, as well as stream a color-corrected version of the footage for pretty cheap in the field.The equipment can obviously be rented, you don't need to buy 6k of equipment (+another 10k of you want 2 more cam/recording sets in addition to the main cam/recording/streaming set) to do a 2-day project. Most video productions use rented gear, they won't buy something for just one project.Any less than that and you're quite unlikely to have someone accept your project. They want to be confident about the quality and reliability of what they will do/get, and it's not with a DIY solution with a hacked up RPi that you'll get that when there's perfectly good gear out there to do it. Pro jobs want trusted Pro gear.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2016, 10:57:33 am
content: I see its better when I start first the Training.