Streaming Video Timed Viewing

[blackjack52]

Is there a way to limit how long a visitor can view the stream on my webpage?  I use Willing Webcam as a server; which uses wwcam.jar.

The stream is on my main pg. I was already advised to put a META REFRESH tag on the pg that doesn't have the code; which isn't applicable.
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="60;url=http://example.com/webcam.html" />
Any other way w/out using php?

[Bushman]

You' d  have to use a cookie on the visitor's PC.

[kray1000]

Dr. Tim West has an applet that can be set to stop streaming after a specified number of minutes (no cookies).

Here's an example from my site.  The video stream stops after 3 minutes.
http://www.roanokevalleyweather.com/camstream2.php

The download link is below.  Follow the instructions in the "readme" file included in the zip.
http://www.meteorologica.co.uk/downloads/CamStream.zip

[blackjack52]

Thanks. I'll have a look at it tomorrow.  I viewed your setup and that's what I was looking for.

[kray1000]

I see you're using a fixed DNS service.  The instructions are written to use your dynamic IP address, but this will work with a fixed DNS service as well.  Here's such an example on George Richardson's site (which as of this writing doesn't currently limit the viewing time):
http://www.smlweather.com/campage.htm

[Bushman]

Dr. West's stiff needs Flash and Image Salsa.  Lotsa overhead. And with a simple refresh you can get more than 3 min.

[kray1000]

I don't think Lee wants more than 3 minutes... he wants to limit the viewing time.   Regardless, the 3-minute time limit can easily be changed.

The flash applet was written for ImageSalsa, but can be used on any hardware or software that can serve .jpeg images.  It's practically no overhead... it takes less than a second to load, server-side... all you need is the CamStream.swf file (8 KB), a small piece of html, and the aforementioned server (either Willing Webcam or ImageSalsa, for example).  It does require that the client computer be javascript-enabled.

I don't think that putting cookies on a user's computer is one of the recommended methods. 

[blackjack52]

Thanks everyone.  It's good to get as many angles as possible to make an informed decision.

Since overhauling, I've picked up viewers and some stay on for 30min or more and I don't want to block their IP from viewing.  Willing Webcam software allows limits on numbers of viewers, but not time constraints.

I definitely don't want to add more software.  I have Startwatch, VWS, Stormlab, Nexstorm, WASP2, Strikelink, VWSAPRS, Fling, and Willing Wc server all on my lap. I saw Dr West allows any software/hardware further in the instructions and will adjust to probably 90sec; plenty time to see what's happening.  When I get my wx comp hardwired to the router it won't matter as much.

[Bushman]

Kevin, you do realize that this very forum uses cookies, right?    BTW, it is a small matter to defeat the 3 minute limit.   I guess I have to wonder what is the idea behind limiting viewers to 3 min anyway - I mean, why put video on the web if you want to restrict it??

[racenet]

I guess I have to wonder what is the idea behind limiting viewers to 3 min anyway - I mean, why put video on the web if you want to restrict it??

So someone doesn't open your video feed, then walk away from their computer for 2 hours without shutting it down. A total waste of your bandwidth. 

[blackjack52]

Up and working.  Beautiful swf.  Thanks for the help.  Any chance to make it show a different screen, other than the default, when the timed view is up?

Thanks again.

[racenet]

Up and working.  Beautiful swf.  Thanks for the help.  Any chance to make it show a different screen, other than the default, when the timed view is up?

Thanks again.

Yep, sure can. It is covered in the docs. Need to use the T/ & J/ parms.



Bob

[George Richardson]

 

[blackjack52]

Thanks. I completely missed the J/ param.

[kray1000]

Thanks. I completely missed the J/ param.

Looks really good Lee.  "Time-over-target has expired"? 

[blackjack52]

Thanks. I completely missed the J/ param.

Looks really good Lee.  "Time-over-target has expired"? 

Thanks Kevin.  Needed something catchy.

[SLOweather]

So someone doesn't open your video feed, then walk away from their computer for 2 hours without shutting it down. A total waste of your bandwidth. 

This brings up a problem that I've been having a hard time finding a solution to.

I have a Panasonic network camera which I'd love to stream on SLOweather. However, with a popular weather site, and a camera on a shared T1, it won't take many concurrent visitors to swamp the connection and cause no end of headaches.

I know how to stream audio with WinAmp, and the ShoutCast DNAS pushing audio to ShoutCast servers. Then the users pull the audio from the server to their player.

What I need is a similar video stream server that can pull the stream from the camera, and then serve it to the users. I have the colo and bandwidth to support that, but I'm missing the server software to make it complete.

Does anyone have any ideas?

What I'm looking for is a 

[kray1000]

Assuming that you're trying to serve your video from a remote location, I think this might be what you're looking for...

http://www.serverroom.us/?page=shoutcast-video-streaming

[blackjack52]

So someone doesn't open your video feed, then walk away from their computer for 2 hours without shutting it down. A total waste of your bandwidth. 

This brings up a problem that I've been having a hard time finding a solution to.

I have a Panasonic network camera which I'd love to stream on SLOweather. However, with a popular weather site, and a camera on a shared T1, it won't take many concurrent visitors to swamp the connection and cause no end of headaches.

I know how to stream audio with WinAmp, and the ShoutCast DNAS pushing audio to ShoutCast servers. Then the users pull the audio from the server to their player.

What I need is a similar video stream server that can pull the stream from the camera, and then serve it to the users. I have the colo and bandwidth to support that, but I'm missing the server software to make it complete.

Does anyone have any ideas?

What I'm looking for is a 

Look at http://www.willingsoftware.com/  Server plus much more.  Doesn't hog like WebCamXP.

[tbweather]

Chris-
A meteorologist at one of our local TV stations is experimenting with using Ustream http://www.ustream.tv to stream video from his car as he travels around the area and to stream a "behind the scenes" video of his on-air weather reports. I think this method has the advantage of requiring only an upload of your video stream to the ustream server so the number of viewers shouldn't affect your connection. He is using a Verizon Aircard for the on-the-road internet connection and a T-1 for the in-the-studio connection. I've watched the video stream a couple of times when he has had it up and running and the picture quality was quite good and the video was very smooth.

The video stream can also be embedded in a webpage on your website. This approach looks like it would work fine with a fixed webcam, but I can't see any way to make it work with a PTZ camera if you want your visitors to be able to control the camera.

[SLOweather]

Thanks for all of the tips. I'll be checking them out today!

TBweather, as far as controlling the cam, I don't necessarily want the rabble to have full PTZ access to the camera. Too much potential for abuse or damage.

I do, however, have the CGI programming manual for that camera, and can make control links to scripts that will log into it and control it as I see fit. So I could give them access to some presets. I'd also have to script a lockout ability so that I can regain control if necessary.

I already have a script that accesses 8 presets sequentially, snaps a picture, and then brands it for displaying on web pages, so a user control script should be easy...