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WebCam Tips

Basic Information

The area the campus WebCam sees can be controlled by the user. Pan, tilt, and zoom functions are accessed via a control panel on the "Live Video" page. On the "Low Bandwidth" page, positioning of the camera is accomplished by clicking within the static image and via hypertext links for the zoom function. Other control functions include:
Reset Auto Focus
Use this function if the camera focus seems to be less sharp than expected.
Set Focus to Infinity
Use this function to force the camera to focus to infinity. Useful during the periods of dusk and pre-dawn. Use this function to focus past dust/dirt and water drops on the camera enclosure.
Toggle Backlight
Use this function to "brighten" an image that includes areas in deep shadow that you wish to view. Clicking on the link engages the function, clicking on it again returns the image to normal. Note that this will affect the entire image, causing a "washed out" effect in lighter areas. It will not increase the ability of the camera to "see in the dark" at night. It is useful for viewing images during the periods of dusk and pre-dawn.
Presets
There are six preset camera positions. Selecting one of the presets automatically positions the camera and sets the zoom. It is suggested that you use the presets as starting points for controlling the camera view.
Control Tips

When viewing "Live Video", the distance the camera moves with each pan and tilt click varies with the level of zoom that is set. When zoomed back the camera moves a greater distance than when zoomed in. More precise control of the pan and tilt functions is provided via the "Low Bandwidth" interface. Clicking within the image will move the camera towards that point and it tends to center on that point unless the camera is close to one of its movement limits. If using the "Low Bandwidth" page while accessing via a high speed connection, the image may update before the complete effect of the control function is realized. Simply refresh the image, via the "Refresh" button, to obtain the final result of your control actions.

Viewing Live Video

"Live Video" is best accessed via a high speed connection such as that provided by the campus Local Area Network (LAN). DSL and cable modem access also perform well. When using the WebCam in "Live Video" mode, you are receiving a continuous stream of new images (frames) while sending control signals (data) back to the camera. Good performance (fast control response and frame rate) requires a faster speed connection than that provided by a standard 28k, 33k, or 56k analog modem. If you wish to view live video with standard modem access, you should use the following procedure :
  • Go to the "Low Bandwidth" page.
  • Position the camera and select the zoom setting for the desired view.
  • Select the "Live Video" link.
  • View the video stream at either "Medium" or "Low" quality. Low quality sends less data per frame and may provide a higher frame rate over a low speed connection. Viewing the video stream with "Video Display" set to "Small" also reduces the data rate and may provide a higher frame rate.
  • If you need to change the camera view, go back to the "Low Bandwidth" page, re-position the camera, and return to "Live Video".

Note that when accessing "Live Video", selecting "Large" image size or "High" quality settings result in a higher data rate and may result in a lower frame rate and delayed control response.

Browser Compatibility

This site is best viewed using Firefox or Netscape (MS Windows users) since they seem to support streaming images better than most versions of Microsft Internet Explorer (MSIE). When using MSIE with a high speed connection, you may notice an occasional "flashing" effect when receiving the live video stream. It should be noted that version 6 of MSIE seems to work better than earlier versions. Some versions of MSIE (6.0.2x and newer) may not display live video. In that situation, use the Low Bamdwidth option. The Apple Web browser, Safari, seems unable to display the video stream unless you're using version 2.0 or newer (requiring MacOS 10.3 or newer).

Some other browsers have been tested with variable results. All will work with the "Low Bandwidth" page but not all are able to deliver live video. Any feedback on browser compatibility should be sent to sburdick@csusb.edu.

Other Site Features

For a map of the CSU, San Bernardino campus that displays the camera range of view and locations of the six presets, go here.

For a page displaying images representing the six presets, go here.

For a page displaying archived images from the past few hours, go here.
Return to the WebCam Home page.
This site provided by Academic Computing and Media

Go to the CSU, San Bernardino Home Page

Questions or Comments to : sburdick@csusb.edu