Topic: How Do I Fix Webcam Stream Lag?

[Central Maine Weather]

   So I set up my Microsoft Lifecam Studio 720p last January, and for the first 6 months that it was up and running, the live stream to my website and its own site was smooth, with no video lagging. Now the video lags really badly, as you can see if you check it out on my site...
http://bearpondareaweather.webs.com/
   I am using the latest version of YAWCAM's free webcam software. I know you can't expect a lot out of free software, but as I said it worked great for 6-7 months! Then all of a sudden I restarted my computer for updates, and when I restarted it, the lag was there, and I've been trying to figure out how to fix it for months now!

   I've cleaned up all unnecessary files off of the computer, as all I use it for is my webcam stream and my weather upload to wunderground, CWOP, and my website.
   I'm at a loss as to what to try to do next. I loved it when I could see the snow falling smoothly like I was really there looking out my window when I'm away from home, but now the video stutters (pay close attention to the time stamp at the bottom of the image, as that proves that the stream stutters). You can also see it stutter clearly when its windy and the trees stutter back and forth.

Hope someone can shoot a few tips my way.  Thanks in advance!
    - Matt

Oh and a side tip. I know its not my internet speed, because when I view the streaming camera image online with the link within my wireless network, the stream is perfect and is very smooth, but when I try to view it on the link for outside my network viewers, the stream is very choppy.
OUTSIDE MY NETWORK -   http:66.186.185.22:8081

[Bushman]

Seems to stream just fine to Western Canada.

[Central Maine Weather]

Seems to stream just fine to Western Canada.

That's odd. I can view it on different computers from a few different places around here, and it lags on every one. It isn't a severe lag, but it looks as though the camera only takes something like 1 frame per second when really its 30. I've fiddled with the settings in the YAWCAM software to no avail though. I will keep looking into it, but if it's working fine for you and others than I'm okay with that!

Thanks for the response Bushman!
   - Matt

[Bushman]

As idyllic as that scene is, maybe if you had a wind sock or something it might be easier to detect lag.  But it does seem fine for me.

[Central Maine Weather]

As idyllic as that scene is, maybe if you had a wind sock or something it might be easier to detect lag.  But it does seem fine for me.

Good point, and I guess the only times I see the lag most prominent are when its snowing and when its windy (although I do notice it a bit more just because I know its there). Also the time stamp at the bottom of the image will be counting smoothly and then will become sporadic, and when it does this it's not just the time that's lagging/jumping around, but the stream produced image as well.
Like you are saying though its near impossible to see when conditions are like they are right now.
    - Matt