Convert your CCD camera into a webcam.
Cameras that work on the principle mechanism of a charged coupled device, or CCD, use a system that converts light intensity and spectrum into an electron stream. This stream, in turn, flows through a series of capacitors controlled by metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors. or MOSFETs, which emit an analog signal that can be found in older VCR and DVR-based surveillance and recording systems. To convert the analog signal of commercial versions of CCD cameras, an analog-to-IP device regulated under the IEEE 802.1 standard is required. Converting a CCD camera for Ethernet use can be accomplished with relative ease.
Instructions
1. Set up a video server; any basic server will do the job. The more efficient your server, the better the result will appear. Invest in any one of several Internet protocol-based video-server operating systems, which range in price from free to several hundred dollars. If you're experimenting with the CCD camera, the basic "free to try" operating systems are the most economical investment.
2. Connect the CCD camera to a network video-server interface, available from several manufacturers. Generally, the higher the price of the video adapter, the better the video clarity. End the CCD camera output line with a BNC connector. All modern analog-to-IP converters use this bayonet-type BNC connector.
3. Connect the analog-to-IP converter output to a network or IP server system. Once the digitized signal from the CCD camera arrives at the server, use any one of several programs to manipulate the raw signal. Generally, the manufacturer of the analog-to-digital converter offers such a program with the purchase of the device. A number of free programs are also available for users of Ubuntu and Linux operating systems.
4. Turn on your workstation and open the program associated with the CCD camera. A clear image of the camera's capture area appears on your monitor. Program controls may also allow you to focus, pan or zoom the camera image, depending on the degree of sophistication of your equipment.
Tags: operating systems, analog signal, with camera
