Embedded Livestream
Thanks to everyone who subscribed recently we have unlocked the ability to embed the livestream on the website! Now you can get your Vermont FarmCam… Read More »Embedded Livestream
Video
Autumn Ovine
We have had an unseasonable Autumn with still no sign of a frost. The sheep will not be on pasture much longer and therefore they… Read More »Autumn Ovine
Live Streaming Update
I am still tweaking things behind the scenes, and trying to map out the best way to switch the daylight-only videos to 1280×720 with as little interruption as possible. But being restless means I am always looking for ways to break improve things.
Size the Day
Behind the scenes I am testing upping the resolution from 640 pixels x 360 to 1280×720. The image has been the same size since 2015, when the last camera upgrade occurred. Prior to that, the image was a paltry 320×240, but I didn’t have digital equipment, and had metered satellite Internet as well.
Read More »Size the DayNoon All Year
Ten years ago I made a video titled One Year, which showed the founding of our farm; from the building of the barn, the digging of the well that provides water to the barn, the erecting of the fencing, and the arrival of the llamas and the sheep. However, that film was with the old analog camera pointing out a window, and — while I love it — entirely too long at over 16 minutes.
I have been looking for a similar project since.
Read More »Noon All YearThe SecuritySpy That Doesn’t Love Me
Almost immediately after I posted my last entry on the trials and tribulations of an EvoCam on life support, the software crashed again. Fresh start, minimal other applications running, and poof. I cleaned up the mess, and then instructed my iMac to restart itself every Sunday at 1am.
If all goes as planned (stop laughing!), this will be enough to help keep EvoCam running between restarts. If not? Then the next step is increase the frequency of the reboots until I can set up the Mac Mini, and start all over on that machine.
Because, I am all out of options as far as out-of-the-box software after giving SecuritySpy a close look this weekend. The results, as always, were mixed.
Pros and Cons of Wide Dynamic Range
Recently I wrote about night vision and green screen, and I assumed that it was a trade off. It kind of is, but maybe not in the way I thought.
Every time I make a change to EvoCam or to the Hikvision settings, something new occurs. Not necessarily good or bad, just new. And times like this I am simply baffled.
Again, it’s time to look under the hood.
My Own Worst Enemy
When I woke this morning, I was pleased to see that all systems were go, and things appeared to be behaving themselves. Then I got to work, opened my Air, connected to the iMac via screen share, and … grey screen?
Sigh.
Do As I Say, Not As I Did
Look, I have never claimed to be an expert on anything. I hunt and peck my way around the keyboard, and do the same when it comes to figuring shit out.
I like to pretend that what I am creating with the FarmCam Project is like software development; each tweak or improvement a new version. Sometimes it feels that way as I wrestle with EvoCam to get the most out of the abandoned software, that has gone dark without explanation. I can’t just make a support request or post to a support forum. If there are diehard EvoCam enthusiasts, I have no idea where to find them.
These instructional entries are here for two reasons. One, I hope to help others who may have similar interests — or needs — to my own. Secondly, if I don’t write this stuff down somewhere, I am likely to break something and forget WTF I did. These are my own manuals in some sense. Hence, many entries with lots of guess work and promises to report back later. Most of the time I forget to do some things in advance, and I am left wondering if a change will make any difference at all. Other times, I’m not patient enough to test things before I write about them here. [This is another of those times!]Read More »Do As I Say, Not As I Did
EvoCam for Simple Timelapse and More
Over the years I have had requests to share the details of how I do the technical things that power the FarmCam. Below are instructions for using EvoCam to share still images as well as timelapse videos on a website to which you have FTP access.
Unfortunately, EvoCam is no longer being developed so everything in this article will likely focus on Version 5.0 (64-bit preview 3) of the software. At the time of this writing one can still download the software from reputable sites; however, if you cannot find it, email me. I can provide the DMG file, but I do not provide support for the software! EvoCam works only on macOS, and I have tested it up to: macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 on my Mac Mini (Mid-2011).
Read More »EvoCam for Simple Timelapse and More