How to make a webcam website

[pataya]

Hi there,
I need to make a website that has webcam function, just like live chat or something.

My client is a teacher and wants to teach hairdressing online, so she needs to see the students and they need to see her.

Obviously doing it on MSN and Yahoo webcam is not an option.

Has to be done on her site, like an embedded movie but instead of an mpeg a webcam.

I know this can be done and looked absolutely everywhere but can't find a solution...

I download the Coffee Cup webcam software but it looks like it's only made to watch your baby or office...

Cheers!
Bruno


http://www.biguesthouse.com

[Boogle]

If there isn't any free software that will do this you're gonna have to pay. This is a complex task with many things to take into account, i.e. I'm guessing only paying students are able to see this webcam, the connection between her webcam and the students will have to be paramount especially if there's 30 or more students. This requires dedicated server hosting with access to a mega-bandwidth line.

Too many things to take into account to just plug this in if you ask me- if it's to be done properly then pay for it.

Boog's

[pataya]

Hi Boog's

Thanks for the advice! Actually she'll have to pay me!

But at first maybe she'll only need one on one or maybe top 5 students.

I was thinking of maybe slapping the Yahoo Messenger in there in a wrapper ( I use Joomla) but it wouldn't look very professional...

The paying part is no problem, the registration is no problem.

Just need something simple, like an mpeg imbeded

Any one else has any ideas?

The coffee cup software is only $30 but does it work?

Canada Web Site Design Services

[pinkfluffybunny]

There is free software.
Here's what I recommend.

download a copy of Windows media encoder 7 - it's free to the pc you are going to stream from (the newer versions don't do a good of a job encoding live but will work). It's a pain to roll back, but it's doable.

Get a host that allows windows streaming (you may want to archive these for later use and windows streaming server will archive it automatically). You don't need it but if there are many people watching you will.

Set you capture rate lower (15 fps) to allow 56K modems and cut down on bandwidth used (particularly the sound - mono 12 - 8 is better play with it.)

I've set it up for government agencies to broadcast live council meetings, training etc.

as far as seeing the students also you have to do a different option - flash communication server

the next option is webinar (it costs)

but the cheapest option is install windows streaming and a chat so students can ask questions, and they can see her and she can respond - http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms867202.aspx

[pinkfluffybunny]

Here's an example of a live cam streaming at 3 fps (it's streaming from a 56K modem) set up in a condo on the beach (usually only has a 40K connection). Using only free wme and streaming thruogh a windows server

Windows Media Player Link

[Corey Bryant]

Check out the Surveyor Corporation - they might be able to help out as well

[pinkfluffybunny]

Originally Posted by Corey Bryant

Check out the Surveyor Corporation - they might be able to help out as well

Just in case the students want to play bumper carts.......

[Corey Bryant]

Oh wow. They used to have some good software for webcams. I used them back towards the end of the 20th century.

I did find the product though: WebCam32. I just remembered they were really helpful when I was using their products. They even called me when I was having a problem setting it up.

Hm, their robotics look kind of cool though

Sorry about that, I just knew their URL from memory and did not bother to check. Hopefully though they are still pretty good with their webcam product.

[pinkfluffybunny]

Problem with wc32 is it does images ok but a poor job with video (encoding) - if you want to stream video, use WME 7 (if you can't find 7, 8 or 9 will work for you just fine)-http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms867158.aspx