SebecTec Olympus Webcam Software

[PSJohn]

Mike, quick question...Should the dial be on auto or manual on a C-4000? Or does it matter.

I have to admit I'm not getting as good as pictures with SebecTec as I was with Cam2Com. Cam2Com photos seem sharper. Was playing with it during early evening and night so I'm only in the very early stage of testing with SebecTec, so it could improve.

ADDED: I didn't realize this but the preview image in SebecTec does distort the image a bit. Upon looking at the saved copy of the images they do look better.

[sebeclake]

Yes, don't rely on the program display image to asses quality because that image is always 640x480 downsampled.  Go to the saved image file.  Also, give the image a small amount of saturation and sharpening (using unsharp radius of 1.25).  This was sunrise on Moosehead Lake this morning: rockwoodonmoosehead.org/images/ftp/2011_05_31/m0011.jpg

[Stetson1]

If only my images would look that good. I did a quick compare this morning at 7:15am, ran VM95 and had some washout where the sun was but could make out all the other details. Ran another using your software and the entire picture is washed out. I give up, cannot afford to buy a $200+ camera and $79 software for a hobby so I guess I am stuck with XP and VM95 for now.

Todd

[PSJohn]

Here is my C-4000 camera using SebecTec: http://www.desertweather.com/webcam2.jpg

Large 1024: http://www.desertweather.com/webcam.jpg

[sebeclake]

true, the SP500-UZ is more expensive.  On eBay you can buy a C-4000 for about $40.  The SP500-UZ will sell between $90-$150 I've never seen or pai as much as $200.

[Stetson1]

I am not arguing that the C-4000 won't produce good photos using this software, just that I am getting very inconsistent results.

Todd

Here is my C-4000 camera using SebecTec: http://www.desertweather.com/webcam2.jpg

Large 1024: http://www.desertweather.com/webcam.jpg

[PSJohn]

I am not arguing that the C-4000 won't produce good photos using this software, just that I am getting very inconsistent results.

I realize that but both you and I are using the same camera. Maybe an inconsistency with a driver or camera firmware.

[Stetson1]

I hadn't thought of a firmware difference. Will have to see if I can figure out the version I am on.

Todd

[sebeclake]

Google Olympus Master. It is a free download.  That will update it if it's needed.

[Cienega32]

You also have a link to it on your dload page, don't you? That's where I grabbed my copy from.

[Cienega32]

Still on VM95 here - been running great - I dont count operator problems.

Ron

I confirmed my comment of not having enough free space being a problem for me with VM95. If I go under 15 or 20 gig, it gets flakey, needing to restart, dropping cam IDs, etc. I dropped in a 500 gig to replace the 250G, and it runs days at a time now - as it used to do.

[Albuquerque Weather]

I only run a 30g on my xp pc, but it only runs vm95 - moviesalsa and ftp.
Yes it does have virus software as well.

Ron

[PSJohn]

Is there a change log posted somewhere for updates Mike?

[Cienega32]

I only run a 30g on my xp pc, but it only runs vm95 - moviesalsa and ftp.
Yes it does have virus software as well.

Ron

Ditto for my VM95 box but I keep all the shots using the "2nd archve dir". They get moved to a year folder then I catalog them by date and keep the subsequent daily flv files in each month's folder. There's a LOT of files on that drive.

I also capture each of the three cams at 1280 and "use best..." which makes for a big pic with some overhead, I guess. I went from 80g to 250 to 500g.

[sebeclake]

PSJohn, Seems I have not been keeping up with my duties as software developer  ... I will be putting in a change log on sebectec next time.  In 3.2.0 added the ability when using HD mode to offset the image crop which gives some degree of pointing the camera in software by choosing what portion of the image to use.  Corrected the case where file delete stopped if encountered a system file like thumbs.db.  Added helpful scroll-over tool-tips message to the weather data setup. Added more video create options - can make a video continuously during the day say every hour and look back every N hours so you can see what's been happening just recently.  In addition makes the entire day video as well after sunset.

Example of those video options in use is here: http://rockwoodonmoosehead.org/images/ftp/

-Mike

[Stetson1]

So deciding I really want to use my Win7 box, I downloaded the 3.2 version of the Sebectec software. All was great last night, not sure I had a bad image. This morning, well it appears the auto exposure is clueless about how to handle sunlight. You can see on my webcam page http://www.stetsonweather.com/wxcam.php early morning is completely washed out, now the picture is better as you can make out the houses across the creek.

Is there anything that can be done, once the sun is high enough it seems to do fine?

Todd

[Strgazr27]

Mike,

Nice software. Makes me wish I still had my OLY setup. Any plans to offer the software for webcam use also?

Thanks,

Bobby

[sebeclake]

Yes, I'm looking at adding the capability to read in an image from an http site or IP cam. 

[Strgazr27]

Yes, I'm looking at adding the capability to read in an image from an http site or IP cam. 

How about direct control of the camera from within the software? Currently running image salsa but I am looking for a more "Up to date" solution that is all inclusive. I also use WebcamXP but like what I see in your software so far.

[sebeclake]

The payfor version does control an Olympus camera for all inclusive function (SP500-UZ and C4000 cameras are popular).  Trial is at sebectec.com/download  I plan to add the capability to access images by http and IP cams as well.

[Strgazr27]

The payfor version does control an Olympus camera for all inclusive function (SP500-UZ and C4000 cameras are popular).  Trial is at sebectec.com/download  I plan to add the capability to access images by http and IP cams as well.

Mike,

I meant full control for webcams / IP Cameras. Would be very nice to have an all in one package regardless of what type of imaging device the users has. A lot of work I'm sure but a wish I guess Lol.

Thanks