If you get screen garbage trying to download, use right mouse button, then 'save link as'.
Software for the Video Blaster II webcam, using the Vision CPIA chip.
This program allows you to grab frames on almost any PC, from 386 up,
using any kind of parallel port, and any version of Linux from 1.2.13.
On a 486 DX2 66 with nibble mode (simple par port), a frame grab takes less then 1 second.
In compressed mode less then half a second.
Now you can even record short movies, and play these back.
See also the camera remote control project.
*
Internet connectivity
mcam -s for server and mcam -c -a IPaddress for client without camera.
Remote recording via the net just a menu choice 'F'.
You can set de delay between frames, use it as a time lapse security device.
* text capability *
Typing something shows up at all clients.
Typing something at a client shows up at the server.
* * remote camera control, protected by special password. * *
* * * remote server/camera status viewing. * * *
* bug fixes, more bug fixes *
mpeg compression (see below)
fug bixes
handshaking for programs that use .ppm frames from mcam
special effects
some mcam art
motion detection
Version 1.0:
Client and server status can be saved and reloaded again from client.
Preset file can be specified in client command line.
Version 1.2:
On screen clock in both server and client.
On screen text in server, with user controlled position and color.
Version 1.3.2:
Bug fixes background color text.
Now support for libjpeg:
click here to download libjpeg.
I recommend using lib jpeg over the Berkely coder, as it is faster, more universal, and easier.
Remote or local selection of mpeg or jpeg coding (compression), and jpeg coding quality.
Scripts included that show how to use mcam to upload to your ISP's ftp / web server.
Version 1.3.3:
Split some files, renamed some routines.
Two compile scripts:
make_x builds and installs mcam for X.
make_no_x builds and installs mcam_no_x that will run without X
mcam_no_x has no display, but is very useful as a server or .ppm upload with
handshake to a web page.
Version 1.3.4:
Bug fix color change that could sometimes happen in jpeg coding.
different compile scripts.
Version 1.3.5:
Now two character sets for on screen display,
one normal one, and one where some characters have been replaced by umlauts.
Version 1.3.5.3:
Bugfixes.
Version 1.4
Aperture correction can be set from the client (sharpness and noise control), or locally.
Version 1.4.1
Color depth can be set in the client (for the machine the client is running at).
/status shows color depth reported by X, and selected color depth (in bits per pixel).
Version 1.4.2
-r command line option allows you to set a different directory for .mcamrc.
This is useful if more then one camera on the same PC.
Version 1.4.3
Bugfix now using temp files in frame_dir, not in /tmp, so it works better
with more then one cam on one PC.
Version 1.5
Wavelet coding / decoding now supported.
This uses the 'epic' wavelet codec from Prof. Eero P. Simoncelli from
the GRASP Laboratory in Philadelphia.
epic is available for non commercial use only.
Download epic from here.
Version 1.5.1
Bugfix so CPIA chip version 1.0 also works with mcam.
Version 1.6
Sensor frames per second can be set, and default now 3.125, so much better
low light performance, and less grain in normal light.
Version 1.6.1
Compile problem fixed, for CLOCKS_PER_SECOND in Suse 7.2
Version 1.6.3
Added mjpeg tools yuv output, so you can encode and record for example to DivX.
